BOWDEN – In the week before Christmas Karilynn Marshall was dutifully committed to her beloved task of preparing the weekly service for 29 congregation members of St. Andrew’s United Church.
Since March 8, 2020, Marshall, the church’s non-ordained acting pastor since 2017, was forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to send out services by email and Canada Post; cherished congregational notices to announce the call of worship, hymns and sermons.
As the holiday season approached, there was the Christmas service to prepare, as well as the one to bring in the new year.
But traditional holiday season joy was overtaken by heartbreak like no other.
“They are sitting at my back door,” Marshall said on Dec. 20 of the soon to be mailed services.
She then paused.
“Sorry, I am getting emotional. They will be mailed out this week for them (congregation), and there will be a closing in my heart on January 1, 2023.”
That closing in Marshall’s heart also marks the end of the church’s long service to the Bowden community; a grim reminder of a punishing pandemic’s impact on a small town’s ongoing uphill battle to retain longstanding services.
“They were a small group but they could kind of keep things going,” said Joel Den Hann, community of faith strategy consultant for the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church of Canada (UCC). “They had turkey suppers and whatnot that helped keep the funds flowing right up to COVID.
“And then when COVID happened and everybody had to kind of bug out, that is when everybody kind of looked at each other and said, ‘You know, I don't think we need the building anymore'.
“There might have been some changes going to happen regardless, but it really was the pandemic that made them make some decisions.”
Den Hann, who was the pastor at the Innisfail United Church from 1993 to 1999, said the building, located at 2036 - 18 Ave., was sold to private interests last month.
He said the property deal to the new owners was made by church trustees, and his role was just to “just facilitate the approval” on behalf of the UCC.
Attempts made by the Albertan to ask church trustees for more information on the sale of the land and church were not immediately returned.
However, it is known future plans are still being worked out between the new owners and Red Deer County, which handles planning matters for the Town of Bowden.
Simoi Cruickshank, the county’s corporate communications manager, told the Albertan there is an application “in progress” and that the church property is currently zoned low density residential.
“Nothing has gone to the municipal planning commission (MPC) at this point in time and due to the nature of the application it is not expected to go to the MPC," said Cruickshank.
A development officer will be processing the application, she said in an email response to the Albertan. “As a decision has not yet been issued, no further information can be provided at this time.”
In the meantime, UCC officials are still trying to find an appropriate way to the honour the church and its long proud history in Bowden, which according to Den Haan, had it roots in the late 19th century when the land was owned by the Calgary and Edmonton Railway.
The original building at the current site was built in 1903. For the next nine years it was home to separate congregations of the local Presbyterian and Methodist churches.
In 1912, the two churches merged and became known as the Bowden Union Church.
In 1925, the United Church was created when the Methodist Church (Canada), the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church of Canada entered into a union.
This triggered yet another name for the Bowden institution; forever known as St. Andrew’s United Church.
Den Hann said the church’s official disbandment was originally set for Dec. 31 but that has changed.
“We've actually decided to move it ahead to February 1 for a variety of reasons, including having an opportunity to do a proper farewell in the community,” said Den Hann, adding it's not yet known whether the farewell celebration will be held in Bowden.
Den Hann said church officials are meeting on Jan. 12 to pass on “more clarity” on all remaining issues.
But Marshall believes there will not be any celebration at the old church as it has not been kept up since the start of the pandemic and is in the process of being restored by new owners.
She added if any celebration is to be held locally it will likely be at the nearby Bowden Friendship Centre.
For now, there is only heartbreak. She was married at St. Andrew’s United Church in 1988.
It was where her children were baptized. They were married there as well. It was also where their children were baptized.
There is also the added sting of not being able to hold a final Christmas service in the old church, an institution packed with countless memorable holiday memories.
“Christmas Eve used to be beautiful,” said Marshall. “We all lit candles, and we passed them around to light everybody's candles and then sing that night together. Yes, it’s heartbreaking.”
