River Park Church

The history of River Park Church (formerly Memorial Church) goes back to 1903 when a number of German-Russian families immigrated to Canada and settled in the district southeast of Medicine Hat. At the same time three families from the Dakota’s moved into the community.

In these two groups there were a number of believers who desired to worship together and they sent forth a call to the Evangelical Church for a preacher. In January of 1905, Rev S.F. Braun responded to this call. In July of 1906, he was joined by Rev C.G. Kaatz and the two men saw needs, possibilities and results. This resulted in the official opening of the Medicine Hat Mission.

The first services were conducted in the pastor’s home and other dwellings but the buildings were much too small and this was a serious handicap to the work. In 1908, Memorial Church was built and dedicated. The total cost of the new church was $3,500. In 1957, at the fiftieth anniversary celebration, the church was commended for 50 years of growth, but was told that “this should not become an occasion to begin worshipping at the shrine of yesterday. We must ever face tomorrow in the spirit of our forefathers.”

Not long afterwards, a drive was undertaken to raise money for a new church building. In 1958 the cornerstone was laid and the present church dedicated. On the first Sunday in May 1961, two separate worship services were inaugurated, one in German and the other in English. This continued until 1989 when we went to English only.

Many changes have occurred over the years as River Park Church has endeavored to stay “geared to the times but anchored to the rock.”