Half a century on ‘God’s little acre’

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This article was published 03/09/2018 (2757 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Organizers at one local church are preparing for a special service to celebrate half a century in St. Vital.

The Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, which is located at 1541 St. Mary’s Rd., will hold a special worship service on Sun., Sept 30.

According to longtime congregation member and 50th anniversary planning committee member Allan Webster, a highlight of the service will be the appearance of the church’s first two pastors — Rev. Murv Kentel, who now lives in Kelowna, and Rev. Jim Fritsche, who now lives in Edmonton. The church’s current pastor is Rev. Cameron Schnarr.

Fritsche will be part of a 3 p.m. service that day; which will be followed by cocktails at 4 p.m. with other special guests; and at 5:30 p.m. there will be dinner with presentations to follow.

The church is located in between McDonald’s to the north and CIBC to the south on approximately one acre of land owned by the church, Webster said.

“We’ve survived 50 years, in the little place, in God’s little acre,” said Webster, who lives in Southdale, adding the church previously owned several more acres of land before it was sold. “We’re fortunate to have our first two pastors here for the event.”

To try and get the word out about the upcoming celebration, Webster said letters have been sent out to former congregation members, while invitations have also been extended to members of the church’s sister congregations in the city in areas such as Transcona, East Kildonan, River Heights, St. James, and the North End.

As well as the Sept. 30 event, Webster said the church has also held other events to celebrate the landmark anniversary, which include a dinner in February and a car rally in June.

“For 50 years, the faithful pastors at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church have been preaching the word of Jesus Christ, died and risen for all, to the people in south St. Vital, as well as administering the sacraments of baptism and holy communion to those who wished to receive them,” Webster said, noting that Beautiful Savior Lutheran School is located on Birchdale Avenue in Norwood Flats.  

Tickets are $25 for adults and $12.50 for children aged 12 and under. RSVP Kevin Scott in the church office by Sun., Sept. 16 at bslc@mts.net or 204-256-5548.

Email Webster at allowebster@gmail.com for more information.