Getting groovy for a new roof

Wildwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/02/2025 (416 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I drive past Fort Garry United Church on Point Road at least twice a day. Almost every time, there are people coming and going from the building. I often wonder what they are doing.

FGUC celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. The congregation held its first service in November 1921, in the corridor of the old General Byng School on Beaumont Avenue. Services next moved to Boyce’s Store, close to Pembina Highway, and then again to the Fort Garry Municipal Hall at the corner of Chevrier Boulevard and Pembina.

In 1922, a building was erected on North Drive to house its growing congregation. Wildwood Park was developed after the Second World War, bringing an influx of young families to the neighbourhood. This prompted a final move in 1947 to its current location at Point and Lyon Street, and a sanctuary was added.

The years of growth are in the past, however, and FGUC, like all churches, has seen a marked decline in attendance. So, the question became how to remain relevant and viable? The answer – open the doors wider and invite the entire community in.

In 2017, FGUC became an Affirming Church, welcoming and supporting the LGBTQ2S community.

Today, 21 community groups rent its premises, from AA to Weight Watchers, Toast Masters, taekwondo, chess, dance and music groups.

The South Winnipeg Family Information Centre (SWFIC) resides in the basement. Best known for its Dress for Success Program, SWFIC offers 11 more programs.

FGUC also raises funds for various causes through its annual garage sales (upcoming on May 24) and barbecues, which enable it to make contributions to Oak Table and 1 Just City. The church recently held a fundraising concert for Ukraine.

Fast forward to the church’s most pressing concern – at 78 years of age, the sanctuary’s roof needs replacing.

Many fundraising efforts are underway, but one particularly fun one, a Raise the Roof Concert, takes place this Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m. The Very Groovy Things will be featuring music from the 1960s and ’70s – the two best decades, according to this writer. The group has been likened to a blast from the past.

FGUC is hoping to attract 250 concertgoers. The universal appeal of the music (think Mamas and Papas) should make for a great family outing.

Help FGUC Raise the Roof. If the word “groovy” was ever part of your vocabulary, this is the concert for you.

Tickets available by calling 204-475-1586 or e-transferring $20 to fortgarry2020@gmail.com (indicate Tickets February concert).