Restoration Parish acquires historic church

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This article was published 22/11/2023 (720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The sale of Brandon’s historic First Baptist Church building to the Redeemed Christian Church of God Restoration Parish has been finalized.

Restoration Parish bought the old building at 1037 Lorne Ave., which was constructed in 1904, from a numbered company, 7577509 Manitoba Limited, for $500,000, pastor-in-charge Festus Eretan told the Sun.

Founded in 1952 in Nigeria, RCCG is a global evangelical Pentecostal Christian denomination with a presence in 197 countries.

“It’s truly a feeling of immense joy and excitement for us. Canada, particularly Brandon, has a rich history steeped in Christianity. When you delve into the annals of Brandon’s past, you’ll notice the deep-rooted presence and heritage of Christianity,” Eretan said.

“The building stood vacant, unutilized by any specific group, until it caught the attention of those seeking to maintain its purpose as a sanctuary for Christian activities. Recognizing its significance and aligning with our ongoing activities, we decided to acquire it.”

Eretan said the goal of the church remains true to the original purpose of the building — to serve as a beacon of blessings for the entire Brandon community.

Established in June 2013 in Brandon, he said, Restoration Parish has traversed various locations to conduct its services before moving to St. Matthew’s Anglican Church on 403 13th St., where it held afternoon services.

“From St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, we paid $200,000 to the former owner (of the First Baptist Church property), as a down payment for the building to access the Fellowship Hall side of the structure, which we have been using for fellowship since Oct. 1, 2021,” he said. “We agreed to pay the balance of $300,000 in two years, which we made last October.”

The hope now is to start holding church services in the old building around Christmas. The local congregation numbers about 300 people.

On the structural transformation of the building, he explained that the plan involves a phased renovation, adding that Restoration Parish is engaging several experts on heating systems and carpentry, as well as other areas.

“We intend to preserve the building’s historical architecture while effecting minor modifications, particularly in the altar area, to enhance its functionality and to meet our standard,” Eretan told the Sun. “The church plans to retain the gallery while repurposing the basement to accommodate offices, a Sunday school, and a junior church.

“Pending favourable conditions, we aim to ensure swift yet meticulous renovations to restore the building’s functionality. Most of the renovation is not major, as some of the works are things that can be done simultaneously.”

Emphasizing the multicultural essence of the church, Eretan said the place of worship will be a catalyst for spiritual growth and community development. “Our congregation represents diverse backgrounds that transcend nationality. We celebrate our Canadian identity while embracing cultural diversity and ethnicity,” he said.

Navigating hurdles in acquiring a permanent abode, Eretan shared the challenges faced in obtaining a mortgage from financial institutions. “Multiple factors hindered our mortgage prospects, leading us to forge a vendor buyback arrangement with the former owners,” he explained. This arrangement, he said, enabled the congregation to utilize the premises for two years before finalizing the purchase.

Operating in downtown Brandon has meant dealing with problems like crime, he acknowledged.

“Upon our arrival, we encountered challenges, including property break-ins,” he said. “Nevertheless, we firmly believe that faith is a catalyst for development. The church symbolizes light, fostering growth and revitalization in downtown Brandon.”

Government can also play a role, he said.

“We seek collaborative efforts with the government to create an environment supportive of faith-based institutions’ growth.”

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett expects the sale of the building to have a positive impact on the community, especially the downtown area.

“This is a great development to the community because it helps bring sort of life to that community. It is good to have a church in an old church. It’s great to see,” he told the Sun. “I haven’t been in the physical church structure but I do think they have a bit of work to do to try to get it back into proper condition. I love seeing that much activity around there again, with people coming and going.”

“I have met some members of the church a number of times and I know they are great community people. I just hope that they have lots of success in restoring the church because I do know, there’s a lot of work to do there,” Fawcett said. “They’re an asset to have in the downtown community.”

The First Baptist church building has an interesting history.

The former Baptist church, according to the Manitoba Historical Society, replaced a smaller nearby wooden-framed structure. Local architect William A. Elliott designed this Gothic Revival architectural masterpiece, constructed from 1903 to 1904, using stone and amber brick.

A cornerstone-laying ceremony was conducted on May 24, 1904, followed by the inaugural religious service on Dec. 4, 1904.

The church sanctuary notably hosted early graduation ceremonies for Baptist-affiliated Brandon College.

In March 1992, after 88 years of occupation, the congregation of First Baptist Church decided to relocate. They opted to construct a new sanctuary in Waverly Park, initiating services at Waverly Park School on May 10, 1992. To fund their new project, the congregation organized a talent auction in the Fellowship Hall on March 24.

The last Baptist service in the original building occurred on May 3, 1992, after which a new structure was erected in the western part of the city. By 1994, the contents of the cornerstone were retrieved, and the building transitioned to private ownership.

While the attached hall saw diverse uses like housing a soccer school, a gift shop, and later hosting non-denominational church services, the main structure remained vacant for an extended period. Marking its historical significance, the building received municipal heritage designation in November 2012, recognizing both its exterior and interior features as defining elements of its character. For about 20 years, this historic structure has stood vacant, anticipating its next chapter.”

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