Lloydminster church celebrates 120 years in service

The exact date of the first service was July 24, 1904.

Those were the words of Michael Stonhouse, a retired pastor with the St. John’s Anglican Church in Lloydminster. Nearly 120 years ago was the first ever service held in the church.

“That was the first in a church, we did have services prior to that in Mr. Lloyds house and in the department store” he said. “The log church was the first time we had our own building.”

The church held a celebration at the beginning of July. July 5, 6 and 7 there were events to commemorate the milestone.

The weekend began with a meet and greet and barbecue on July 5. Then on July 6 there was a pancake breakfast along with a tour of the city.

“One of the things we did on Saturday, we gave a bus tour of the city, not everyone’s up to date with what’s been going on with the city over the last few years,” said Stonhouse. “That included a tour of the museum and what’s happening with the log church.”

A happy surprise for council

Lloydminster City Council had some special guests visit council chambers on July 15.

The 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games mascots, Tansi and Ravi, were in attendance spreading cheer and awareness for the Games, which kickoff this Sunday evening.

Opening ceremonies, sponsored by Cenovus Energy, will take place at the Centennial Civic Centre this Sunday starting at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the pre-show kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

Cenovus Energy Hub on track

The Lloydminster City Council heard the most recent update regarding construction on the Cenovus Energy Hub during a Governance and Priorities Committee
meeting.

The meeting took place on July 15 and talked about progress being made. Slab on grade pours continued around the performance arena in pours two, three and four during May and June. 

Bracing in the event area and Community arena was completed in June. The interior and exterior masonry wall started in April and has continued through June. 

In late April, structural steel was delivered to the site. In May and throughout the month of June, structural steel was installed using major cranes in the performance arena. 

April saw the final suspended slab pour placed on the east end between both rinks. The event level slab had two pours in April in the northeast corner of the Event Arena. The Civil underground contractor started in late April and is continuing to make progress in June, completing the water and sanitary lines along the future 39 Ave. 

“The Cenovus energy hub construction project is going well, anyone that drives out sees change every day,” said City of Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.

Fundraising is still underway, and the Cenovus Energy Hub is still seeking sponsorships. There is still over $4.3 million needed through either sponsorships or fundraising according to information provided during the meeting. 

There is still a deficit of over $16 million for the project.