St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church

Our History

 

Our church began in this area in 1900, with the services of an itinerant priest travelling out of Innisfail who led the people from this area in worship.  Worship in those early years took place in various homes and stores in town.  Rev. Gerald Card became the resident rector of St. Mary's in 1903.  The first church building was built by parishioners in 1907 and a rectory was built a few years later.  The Church furniture and fittings were mainly donations and were used for the first time at the service on January 4, 1914.  Although no longer in use, these fittings remain at the church.  The Baptismal font that you see at the back of the church upon walking in was hand carved by Mr. Tom Ashley of Ashmont, and presented to the Church in 1906.  It is still in use today.  The Lectern was given in 1910 by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wilson and Nellie.  Mr. Frank Wilson was the Town Seceretary, and Miss Nellie Wilson was the postmistress.  St. John's Church in Lavoy was one of many churches in the area that shared clergy with the town of Vegreville, among many other small surrounding communities.  St. John's  was given a beautiful stained glass window by the Duffy family in memory of their son who was killed in Flanders.  The window depicts David, with his slingshot, going to fight Goliath.  This window was removed from St. John's when the congregation there became too small to justify keeping the church open, was installed in the present building of St. Mary's Church in Vegreville.  It can be found on the south wall of the Nave. 

 

In 1945, the first church was sold, and the second church building was bought for the sum of $4000 from the trustees of the Presbyterian Church.  In 1947, the Rev. Harry Brant came to be the resident priest, and St. Mary's had regular services, a Sunday School, a choir and a drama group.

 

The church served the community well into the late 1950's when it was decided that a new building was needed.  Rev. H.C. Morton arrived to be Deacon and was ordained a priest later that same year.  The first service was held in the new building (the present building), and the new St. Mary's Church was dedicated on September 14, 1960.  By the 1980's , there was a vibrant ministry in and from St. Mary's with active lay leadership, a strong Sunday School, and a talented music ministry.  At this time, St. Mary's was sharing priestly ministry with Holy Trinity, Tofield. 

 

In the 90's the parish found themselves in a financial slump.  Through prayer and discernment a vibrant ministry re-emerged through which a dedicated core of parishioners committed their time, talent, energy and prayer to St. Mary's.  During this time, the parish was led by members of the Interim Clergy Team.  

 

After a six year term with interim and lay led ministry, St. Mary's received a resident priest in 2010.  Today, St. Mary's shares priestly ministry with St. Matthew's, Viking. 

 

St. Mary’s has been given a wonderful gift through the leadership of previous clergy, lay leaders and parishioners of St. Mary's in Vegreville.  Our faithful ministry and passion for proclaiming the Gospel in our community and surrouding areas has been infectious and sacrificial.  These experiences and relationships have given the us the confidence, faith and passion to grow into the community and congregation that we are today.  We know that in order to continue the ministry that we have been called to in our area we will be required to make the same sacrifices that past and present  leaders and generations have made.  Without their sacrifices we would not be here.  As we have been blessed, we continue to work toward being stewards in our community and in our journey.

 

List of Clergy at St. Mary's Anglican Church, Vegreville and Surrouding Areas

 

1906 - 1910  Rev. Gerald Card

1913 - 1915  Rev. Gerald McComas

1915 - 1916  Rev. A.P. Carter

1916 - 1918  Rev. Robert W.A. Alexander

1919 - 1923  Rev. W.H. Morgan

1923 - 1927  Rev. E.H. Baker

1928 - 1933  Rev. Andrew Love

1934 - 1937  Rev. Charles Wolff

1937 - 1939  Rev. C.G. Austin

1943 - 1945  Rev. A.J. Bell and Rev. H.W. Buchner

1946 - 1947  Rev. Vincent Cole

1947 - 1950  Rev. H.G. Brant

1950 - 1951  Rev. A.P. Venables

1952 - 1953  Rev. H.E. MacDonald

1953 - 1956  Rev. W.E. Crowle

1956 - 1958  Rev. A.F. Heron

1958 - 1959  Rev. C.C. MacPherson

1959 - 1967  Rev. H.C. Morton

1967 - 1968  Rev. David Prowse

1969 - 1970  Rev. Peter Dance (?)

1971              Rev. Jim Bennett

1972 - 1978  Rev. H.C. Morton

1979 - 1983  Rev. W.S. Brown

1984 - 1987  Rev. Terry Dunn

1987 - 1993  Rev. Bob Peel

1994 - 1998  Rev. Michael Sung

1998 - 2004  Rev. Susan Storey

2004              Rev. Donald Gray (Interim) 

                       Ms. Elisabeth MacDonald - Lay Reader

2005 - 2008  Rev. Joyce Mellor (Interim)

                       Mr. and Mrs. Don and Susan Robertson - Lay Readers

                       Ms. Elisabeth MacDonald - Lay Reader

2008              Rev. Ralph Warnock

                       Mr. and Mrs Don and Susan Robertson - Lay Readers

2009 - 2010  Rev. Thomas Brauer (Interim)

                       Mr. and Mrs. Don and Susan Robertson - Lay Readers

2010 - pres.  Rev. Chelsy Bouwman

                       Mr. and Mrs. Don and Susan Robertson - Lay Readers