Christ Church ready to celebrate 125 years

FRANK EDEN – GAZETTE CONTRIBUTOR
The parish of Christ Church, Fort Macleod, will celebrate the 125th anniversary of serving Fort Macleod and district on Sunday, May 15.
A commemorative service will be held at 2:30 p.m. May 15 with Bishop Derek Hoskin presiding. This will be followed by a banquet at 4:30 p.m. in the Trinity United Church Hall.
The first service in Christ Church was the Easter service in 1885. However, on June 2, 1886 the church burned to the ground after an explosion, thought to have been caused by whisky traders who had cached some of their wares under the front porch.
A new church was soon under construction through the leadership of the rector, Canon Ronald Hilton, so part of the present structure was being used in 1886, and the church was completed in 1887.
There is a wealth of history within the walls of Christ Church. The 15 stained glass windows include one in memory of — and unusually a portrait of — Col. James F. Macleod of the North West Mounted Police, the founder of Fort Macleod.
A plaque commemorates the life of Henrietta Muir Edwards, one of the “Famous Five” who brought forward the Persons Case by which women gained personhood under the law. Edwards helped found the National Council of Women of Canada and the Victorian Order of Nurses. She resided in Fort Macleod from 1915 until her death in November 1931.
History was again made on Dec. 12, 2010 when the Right Rev. Derek Hoskin ordained Rev. Pilar Gateman to the priesthood, the first ordination of a priest at Christ Church.
Christ Church today is an active and vibrant parish, under the leadership of Rev. Pilar Gateman.
Parishioners are fortunate to have services with organ and choir as well as a contemporary music group.
Sunday school, Anglican Church Women, youth group and bible study groups are all active and well attended.
Christ Church Anglican would like to extend a warm invitation to one and all to attend — though space is limited. Two hundred banquet tickets are available at $20 each until Tuesday, May 3.
For information call Frank Eden at 403-553-2022.