Looking back: The Lloydminster mission's legacy

By Stephen Thompson, Canada West Mission Centre Historian

Occasionally, historic documents simply fall into my hands, and I’m always delighted to receive them. In September, Karen Passmore from Lloydminster, Alberta, contacted me to ask if I would like a history of the church in Lloydminster, compiled by her mother, Doris Laverty (1923–2021). Naturally, I said, “Send it, please!” This four-page history is even illustrated with hand-pasted photos of people and buildings. Though too long to share in full here, I’m pleased to summarize Doris’s writing below.

On November 2 and 5, 1965, meetings were held at the home of Wes and Doris Laverty in Lloydminster, Alberta, with Seventy Eric Rowe present. They expressed their desire to worship together, and by November 14, 1965, at 10:30 a.m., the first worship service was held with Elder Alf Gregory presiding and 38 interested people in attendance. Doris listed each family present, including names that those familiar with the area will recognize: Burton, Cornish, Gregory, Johnson, Laverty, Mercer, Oates, Perkins, Stepenoff, and Woods.

After renting spaces for some time, the group decided to purchase their own building. They acquired the Jehovah’s Witness Hall at 5508 45 St. for $8,100, with their first meeting held on September 5, 1971, and a consecration service attended by over 100 people on September 12. The building was formally dedicated on June 25, 1978, with a message from Bishop Ken Fisher.

By 1984, the congregation sought a larger space and purchased another former Jehovah’s Witness Hall at 3111 51 Ave. for $140,000, moving in on November 1. Through generous donations and fundraising—including the Women’s Department’s hard work hosting suppers, teas, and crafting goods—the new building was furnished. The first service in this location was held on November 11, 1984, with Elder Fred Piedt presiding, followed by a consecration service on December 9 with a message from Seventy Glen Campbell. Final payment for this facility was made on June 30, 1990, with its dedication on January 12, 1992, led by Apostle Phil Caswell.

Over the years, due to age, health challenges, and members moving away, the congregation declined. By 1996, only a few members attended, and the final service was held in April 1997. The church property was sold on July 1, 2001, for $129,000. (As Alberta District President at the time, I worked with the Realtor, Bernie Passmore, who is married to Karen Passmore, who passed on this history to me.)

Doris’s account also highlights key people and events in the congregation’s life, including the January 12, 1992, service honouring their first pastor, Elder Alf Gregory, along with other dedicated pastors. Doris’s efforts remind us of the importance of recording and preserving our local church histories. I encourage all congregations to appoint a historian to capture these memories and events each year. We are deeply grateful to Doris for her dedication in documenting the life of Lloydminster’s Community of Christ.​