| Brightview Baptist Celebrates 100 Years |
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Earlier last month Brightview Baptist Church (near Wetaskiwin, Alberta), celebrated it's 100th anniversary as a church. An event was held on August 7th through 9th at the church with music, a banquet and many memories. The Sunday morning service with Rev. Syd Waterman as guest speaker was also a special highlight. Doris Turpin, the organizer of the event mentioned that the congregation was thrilled with the many who came from great distances to be with them for the occasion. Read more of Brightview's history as a church after the link. Brightview Baptist Church has faithfully served the Lord for 100 years, both in it's community west of Wetaskiwin and abroad through the missionaries it has sent out. Here is a bit of the history of Brightview Baptist, along with the list of pastors that have served there. The organization meeting of the Brightview Baptist Church was held on February 9, 1909 with fifty-three present. From the minutes of that meeting: "To meet the desire of a number of baptized believers in the district of Brightview, a Baptist Church organization meeting was called for at the home of A.A. Goodhand. The student pastor conducted the meeting, his name was H.F. Widen. Rev. Norman Burke of Wetaskiwin was appointed moderator. The following presented themselves for fellowship and became charter members: Henry F. Widen, Mr. & Mrs. A.P. Christianson, Mr. & Mrs. A.A. Goodhand, Mrs. G. Forsell, Mrs. W.T. Abercrombie, Miss Ethel Abercrombie, Miss Edna Abercrombie, Miss Ellen Goodhand, and Miss Alen Greenland. Rev. Burke gave a message which was a charge to this new church of eleven members." Mr. A.A. Goodhand was the first secretary and Miss Ethel Abercrombie was the first treasurer. The first Sunday School business meeting was held on March 29, 1909. Mr. Henry Widen was the first student pastor, followed by J.A. Wingblade on November 4, 1909, when Mr. Widen returned to college. A branch Sunday School was organized and conducted in the Lone Ridge School in 1910. In April 1910, the Church Board accepted, with appreciation, the gift of one acre of land from Mr. Carl Johnson as property on which to build the church. An organ was purchased for $22.00. By November 2, 1910, a promise of $109.00 and five hundred feet of lumber had been received. At Ameeting on November 16, 1910, a motion was carried that the "Property of the Brightview Baptist Church be transferred to and held in trust by, the Baptist Union of Western Canada." By July, 1911, a young missionary from England, Mr. Sidney J. Waterman, was serving as pastor. He and contractor, Mr. Louis Olson proceeded to build the new church. The first service was held in the church one year later. In 1950 and again in 1985, the church building was upgraded to include a basement, kitchen, nursery, and a front foyer. After many years of faithful outreach into the community, it became apparent that a larger church building was required. In 2002, after much prayer, plans began for the new location of Brightview Baptist Church. The congregation drew up plans of their dream church, and with the expertise of Sheri Turpin, Architect, the vision began to take shape. A parcel of land was donated by Cletis and Doris Turpin, a major crop raising fundraiser began. With much prayer and faith that money would come, Per Sakstad was hired on as project Manager, and the new building project began. A loan proposal was made and then received from The Baptist Union Development Foundation in the amount of $250,000.00, only half of what was first believed to be needed. In the first four years, $450,000.00 was received from donations and crop fundraisers, with the help of the congregation and from many from the community. Brightview Baptist was completed and opened it's doors for it's first service in December of 2004. As of June 30, 2009, the balance remaining is $46,000.00 - 82% of the loan has been paid off already! Praise God! Pastors who have served at Brightview Baptist Church:
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