The congregation of St. John’s Lutheran Church gives thanks for 100 years of worship, fellowship and service this year.
The beginnings of the congregation can be traced to 1902 when four Lutheran families from Alberta moved to the Vernon area, settling near Mabel Lake. In this group were four Sigalet brothers, and the Holland and Bieler families. In 1907, another group of Lutheran families came from Manitoba and they continued services in homes, with the first chapel built in Vernon in 1910. On Oct. 15, 1911, the congregation joined the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as St. John’s Lutheran Church.
The first church was built on 27th Street in Vernon in 1913 for the congregation of 164. A larger church was needed by 1952 and it was in use until the present building on Alain Road, which now has a congregation of more than 300 families, was built in 1985. The present pastor is Roy White, who has been at the church since 2001.
The Centennial Committee is busy planning celebrations with the theme, A Century of Blessings, throughout the year.
“I think it’s fabulous. There’s a lot of pride to be able to say, yes, the Lutheran church has been here for 100 years,” said Irene Hirschmiller, committee member.
“When you think of all the hardships the pioneers had to go through and all the people who brought the church this far, it’s really exciting for us all to be a part of it.”
There will be an open house and special entertainment at the church the weekend of Nov. 11, 12, 13. Any former members or anyone who has any history or memorabilia about the church is invited to share it. For more information, call the church at 250-549-2244, e-mail church@stjohnsvernon.com or see www.stjohnsvernon.com.
