History

Although our roots go back as far as 1974 with 35 people meeting in a school music room, the congregation was officially constituted with 49 members on November 14, 1976. By 1978 the Sunday School had grown to 180 children, a number of mid-week groups had emerged and a decision was made to build a church house to use as office and mid-week meeting space. Under the guidance of Rev. Bill Beach, Mill Woods United Church grew at a rapid rate and, when the Sunday School could no longer fit into the school gymnasium, the decision was made to become two separate congregations.

During 1981 the southern congregation began worshipping at Sakaw Elementary School while the northern congregation moved to Hillview School with Rev. George Mossman as minister for both congregations. In 1983, the congregation meeting at Hillview changed its name to First Mill Woods United Church. In 1984, the two congregations became separate pastoral charges with Southwoods calling Dan Newell as its first full time minister and First Mill Woods calling Tom Sawyer to minister with them.

Over the years, the Southwoods congregation found itself moving to a number of different locations to worship including Meyokumin School, where it worshipped for three years, followed by one year worshipping at Ottewell United Church, and finally to Daly Grove School where it entered into a joint tenancy agreement with Southwood Community League. Rev. Shelagh Parsons served as interim minister for two years before Rev. Bob Harper was called in July 1991.

Although, or perhaps because, finances had been a constant concern throughout its history, the Southwoods congregation developed a rich, deep sense of its spiritual identity – open and welcoming to meet the diverse spiritual and social needs of the people in its area; energized by its children and youth; supportive and involved in caring pastorally for one another.

During the years that the First Mill Woods congregation worshipped at Hillview School, it experienced significant growth in terms of community outreach, Christian Education and worship style and commitment. With Rev. George Mossman, the congregation developed an identity as a school-based congregation growing spiritually and in numbers.

Following the call of Tom Sawyer, a number of significant events occurred. In 1986 the congregation used a two service format and developed a constitution which was approved in 1986. In 1987 the mortgage of the church house was paid off. 1988 saw the development of a Mission Statement, addition of a Building Committee to the constitution, reliance on block grants ended and with the release of the SOLM report, the loss of 40 families many of whom were key people on the Board and in the life of the church.

In 1989 an offer was made to purchase land from Edmonton Presbytery and in 1990 an architect was selected. In 1992 the sod was turned on the new building and the first service ever was held in the church shell on a very cold Christmas Eve. April 1993 the congregation moved from Hillview School during the church service over to its new home at 15 Grand Meadow Crescent. May 2, 1993 the dedication of the new building with the Right Reverend Stan McKay presiding.

In 1995 Norm Macdonald was appointed interim minister and remained for 3 years. In 1998 Deborah Hoekstra was called to minister with the First Mill Woods congregation. In June of 1999, the two congregations, after months of discussion and planning, again came together in a merger of the United Church presence in Mill Woods.

Dale Irving served as minister from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2008.In May 2001, at its Annual General Meeting a motion was passed to have the name of the congregation changed back to Mill Woods United Church. Also during the eight years that Dale was with us we sponsored a refugee family; had two intern ministers with us, Nicole Imgrund and Wendy Galloway; two members of the congregation, Neal Palmer and Monica Rosborough, successfully completed discernment; the congregation became affirming and became members of the Greater Edmonton Alliance.

Effective July 1, 2008, Armand Houle has been called to serve as minister with us and we are looking forward to this new relationship.

Now, united as one serving as the hands and feet of Christ in the Mill Woods community, church membership is at just under 260 with a large number of active adherents. We have a number of programs that we run for children and adults alike, mid-week bible study, newcomer faith classes, a confirmation program, youth groups and numerous social events.  We continue as a food bank depot for the Edmonton Food Bank in Mill Woods and also have a clothing bank that is open twice a week.  Once a year we provide and serve lunch for the Inner City Pastoral Ministry in Edmonton's Inner City and we support  Habitat for Humanity builds.  We have welcomed refugee families and offered support while they became integrated into the community.  

A few years ago, we opened our doors to a fledgling Seventh Day Adventist congregation in Mill Woods who use the church building for Saturday worship. We also have welcomed the Mill Woods Full Gospel Assembly who use the church building on Sunday afternoons for worship.

We continue to look for additional ways of being the hands and feet of Christ in Mill Woods.