INNISFAIL - The local Baptist Church has been part of this community since 1894 and it will be celebrating its 125th anniversary this Sept. 14 and 15.
In 1894 a group of believers of the Baptist persuasion in the town and district of Innisfail began to gather together for Cottage Prayer meetings. On Aug. 23 of that year the small assembly was formally affiliated with the Baptist Convention of Manitoba and the northwest, which later became known as the Baptist Union of Western Canada (BUWC).
In the '30s the first Innisfail Baptist Church, built in 1894 and located at 4919 - 50 St., was served by some significant figures of Alberta’s history, including William Aberhart, founder of the Alberta Social Credit Party and the seventh premier of Alberta, and Ernest C. Manning, Alberta’s longest-serving premier.
In 1948 the church became affiliated with Berean Bible College and the Gospel Missionary Association (GMA). Rev. Cyril Hutchinson, the founder and principal of Berean Bible College, was a frequent speaker at the church.
During the '50s and '60s the church's affiliation with Berean Bible College opened preaching and learning opportunities for students from the college. Innisfail Baptist Church became the proving and training grounds of a number of men who would go on to become world renowned preachers, teachers, statesmen and missionaries, including John and Anna Teibe (Youth for Christ, India), Lloyd and Hazel Raine (Global Outreach, India), Bruno deLeeuw (Irian Jaya) and Jack and Jo Popjes (Wycliffe Bible Translators, Brazil).
A groundbreaking ceremony for the church's second building, located at 4136 - 49 Ave., took place in June of 1963. The second church building was fully completed and dedicated by Rev. John Teibe on Oct. 23,1966.
In 1969, Rev. Elwood Hill began his pastoral ministry at Innisfail Baptist Church. He would become the church's longest-serving pastor (13 years). Rev. Hill was dearly loved by the church family and well known for his warmth and kindness in the community at large. He served until 1982. During his time a Burning of the Mortgage on the second church building took place on January 9, 1972. On June 12, 1981 the Woodland Road property was purchased and plans for a third church building were set in motion.
Rev. Chris Wilson (senior pastor) and Rev. Gordon Russell (youth pastor) served from 1983 to 1989.
In 1985 the church members approved the construction of the third church building. The first Sunday service for the third building, located at 5204 Woodland Rd, was Jan. 4, 1987. A Church Dedication Service was conducted by Rev. John Teibe almost two months later on Sunday, March 1.
After the demise of the Gospel Missionary Association, on Nov. 27, 1991, the church sought affiliation with the Baptist General Conference of Canada. Since the dedication of the third building, the church has been served by Henry Hepworth (1989-1994), Gary Pryzner (associate, 1994-1996), Garry Francis (1994-2001), Mark Houghton (2001-2008) and Len Nation (2010-present)
If you would like to participate for any part of the 125th anniversary celebration for the Innisfail Baptist Church, please call Pastor Len Nation at 587-876-4501.
