OLDS — The Olds United Church still exists and it’s not going anywhere, officials say.
However, it is true that they have struck a deal to share space with the Redemption Church.
The Redemption Church is renting the United Church’s sanctuary and other space such as its hall, on an as-needed basis.
They’ve been worshipping in the United church since mid August.
A big sign is set out on Sundays denoting where they now meet.
The six-month deal expires at the end of this year. Both sides are pretty confident they’ll be able to work out an extension.
Olds United Church is located on the corner of 48th Avenue and 50th Street; its home since 1910.
"Primarily the message that we are still here," Rev. Tammy Allan of the Olds United Church said during an interview.
“Because we’ve changed times, and because the Redemption Church has a very visible signage presence on Sunday mornings, there’s the rumour that we’re gone.
“Well, like all mainline churches we’re struggling; that’s the reality. But we’re not gone -- and we won’t be gone for a while.”
Allan said representatives of the Redemption Church approached them about the idea of sharing space back in the spring.
Redemption Church Elder Arnold Penner says there were two reasons for that.
The congregation of their five-and-a-half-year-old church had grown from six to between 70 and 90 people.
They had been renting the Air Cadet Hall but because of the growth of their congregation, they needed more space.
The requirements for social distancing and other measures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic just accentuated that need.
“It was something that we could work with as far as the size and we were able to still social distance and do that whole COVID thing,” said Penner.
“We tried to look for other places, other buildings and yeah, financially you can’t afford the price of rent in Olds. It was just an agreement that we were able to come up with with the United Church and it worked for both of us.”
Penner said another advantage is the United Church allows them to keep a lot of equipment in place from week to week.
“In the rec centre, we were constantly setting up and taking down and here they’ve allowed us to leave our stuff up,” he said.
In order to accommodate the Redemption Church, the United Church’s meeting times on Sundays were moved back to 9:30 a.m. from 10 a.m. Members of the Redemption Church meet in that space at 11 a.m.
"After we’re done at 9:30, one of our members wipes down the pews that we’ve sat in,” Allan said.
Allan was asked how well the arrangement is working.
“There’s a few adjustments. It’s like getting a new roommate – you have to adjust to each other’s quirks,” she said with a laugh.
“But it could be a long-term thing. It was a six-month lease and we’ll review it it December for renewal for next year.”
Penner is also bullish on the arrangement.
"We’re hoping to (work out a longer-term lease),” he said.
Allan said the approach from the Redemption Church came at a perfect time because they had just formed a group, United Futures, to look at ways to increase their income.
“I think it’s a wonderful relationship to have,” said Barb Olsen of the United Church.
She noted utility bills and maintenance costs “don’t stop because of COVID.”
Allan and Olsen noted the church has also served as home for a number of other organizations such as The Lending Shelf, Joyfully His Pre-school, Olds Indigenous Connections, Olds and District Ministerial Association and the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church. The Girl Guides of Canada also meet there.
Allan said representatives of the Mountain View Moccasin House, a local friendship Centre, have also enquired about renting space.
Allan said another advantage of having the Redemption Church around is that members of that congregation offered to make some improvements to the place.
She estimated the average age of the Redemption Church congregation to be about 35, so they have more energy than the United Church congregation, which she estimated to be about 75 on average.
“The nice, shiny new lines in the parking lot that make people actually park nicely, they did the first week they had started here,” Allan said.
“They asked on a Friday if they could do it and we said, ‘sure,’ and on the Saturday it was done.”
Allan said Redemption Church representatives have also offered to paint the facility’s Sunday school space downstairs.
