Smiley United Church celebrates its 100th Anniversary
By Joan Janzen
SMILEY - The Smiley United Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary on Sunday afternoon, August 3rd. Approximately fifty-five guests attended the afternoon church service conducted by The Rev. Piotr from St. Paul’s United Church in Kindersley. The guests included former Smiley residents who travelled from Saskatoon, Eatonia, Kindersley and Surrey, BC for the occasion.
Photos (submitted by Rella Lavoie)
Piper Ward handed out bulletins for the afternoon church service at Smiley United Church on August 3rd.
Frances Swan, her son Bryan, and great-granddaughter Brodie cut the anniversary cake at the 100th anniversary celebration of Smiley United Church.
After the service concluded, everyone went to the community hall for a program and potluck supper. Shania Sanville sang a solo, and Frances Swan from Eatonia read a poem she had written. Her father-in-law, Ed Swan, was one of the board members when the church was built in 1925, and her son Bryan and great-granddaughter Brodie had the honour of cutting the anniversary cake. A beautiful 100th anniversary plaque was made and donated by Randy and Connie Schmidt in honour of this special occasion.
Rella Lavoie shared the history of the Smiley United Church. “Many generations have benefitted from the hard work that went into building this church and the hardships endured meeting financial obligations,” she said.
The final cost to build the church in 1924 was $3,288.50. In order to complete the structure, a $1500 loan was secured from the Presbyterian Church of Canada in May 1925. The mortgage was officially paid off in August of 1944.
In 1926, a manse was purchased with money loaned by Mrs. Emma Sanville, and the interior of the church basement was finished in 1928. During the past century, many people worked together to help build and supply all that was needed, including fencing, a pulpit, trees for the yard, a horse and buggy for the minister, the purchase of coal, gas mantles, and an electric organ after electricity came to Smiley in 1955.
From 1925 to 1994, twenty-four ministers, student ministers, lay ministers, and diaconal ministers served at the church. By 1934, there were thirty-four families registered in the congregation and fifty-five enrolled in Sunday School. A century later, occasional services are held at the church with pulpit supply by area ministers.
“Today, as we celebrate our past, I would like to pay tribute to our forefathers who had a vision one hundred years ago,” Rella said. “We are grateful for the many gifts we have received over the years.”
Over the past years, those gifts supplied carpeting, paint and shingles, a window, new steps for the church, as well as everything needed for the house of worship. Not only does this year mark the 100th Anniversary of the Smiley United Church, but it is also the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada.