Historic Sites of Manitoba: First Baptist Church / Redeemed Christian Church of God (1037 Lorne Avenue, Brandon)

Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

This former Baptist church in Brandon replaced a smaller wood frame structure nearby. Designed in the Gothic Revival style by local architect William A. Elliott, it was constructed of stone and amber brick between 1903 and 1904, with a formal ceremony to lay its cornerstone held on 24 May 1904. The first religious service was held on 4 December 1904. In the early days, graduation ceremonies for the Baptist-affiliated Brandon College were held in the church sanctuary.

The last Baptist service in the building was held in May 1992, after which a new building was constructed in the western part of the city. The contents of the cornerstone were removed in 1994 and the building was sold into private ownership. It has been vacant for many years although the attached hall has been used for a soccer school, gift shop, and most recently for non-denominational church services. In November 2012, the building received municipal heritage designation with exterior and interior features identified as character-defining elements.

A list of parishioners who served during the First World War is displayed at the Brandon Armoury.

Clerics

Period

Cleric

Before 1904

See First Baptist Church

1904-1907

Rev. Robert R. McKay

1907-1909

Rev. Charles W. Jackson

1909-1916

Rev. William E. Matthews

1916-1918

Rev. Abner F. Newcombe

1918-1921

Rev. Malcolm L. Orchard

1921-1922

Rev. Archibald Gordon

1922-1928

Rev. Charles G. Stone

1929-1934

Rev. Ross C. Eaton

1934-1937

Rev. Frank W. Pattison

1938-1945

Rev. G. Ralph Easter

1946-1948

Rev. Hilmer E. Nordlund

1948-1955

Rev. Norman E. Todd

1956-1961

Rev. Stewart David Trites (1901-1999)

1961-1967

Rev. Lorne E. Smith

1968

Rev. Leonard Wenham

1969-1971

Rev. Donald F. Crowhurst

1971-1977

Rev. James C. A. Barton

1978-1985

Rev. John Lekx

1985-1986

Rev. Stewart David Trites (1901-1999)

1986-1988

Dr. David L. Smith

1988-1990

John W. Dick (1920-2004)

1990-1992

Rev. Douglas Johnston

After 1992

New church at 3881 Park Avenue, Brandon

Photos & Coordinates

Postcard view of First Baptist Church in Brandon

Postcard view of First Baptist Church in Brandon (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2014-0060

The former First Baptist Church in Brandon

The former First Baptist Church in Brandon (August 2014)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Redeemed Christian Church of God in Brandon

Redeemed Christian Church of God in Brandon (August 2023)
Source: Eva Janssen

War memorative monument at the Brandon Armoury

War memorative monument at the Brandon Armoury (January 2019)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.84543, W99.95259
denoted by symbol on the map above

First World War Casualties

Name

Occupation

Service

Rank

Birth Date

Death Date

Frederick Lea Hardy
[Armoury]

Farm Hand

8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Private

18 November 1896

15 August 1917

Ernest Heather
[Armoury]

Farmer

19th Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Private

18 January 1891

27 August 1918

Robert Allan McKee
[Brandon College]

Student

196th Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Private

9 October 1893

13 February 1919

William Carey McKee
[Brandon College]

Law Student (Professional Teacher)

1st Canadian Mounted Rifles

Lieutenant

3 February 1892

26 August 1918

Frederick McMillan
[Armoury]

Marine Engineer

181st Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Private

26 July 1876

15 May 1917

Harry Larne Quackenbush
[Armoury, Brandon College]

Student

1st Canadian Mounted Rifles

Private

1898

29 September 1918

John Robertson
[Armoury]

Tinsmith

1st Canadian Mounted Rifles

Private

26 January 1896

26 October 1917

Stephen Tindall
[Crandall, Miniota]

Farmer

1st Canadian Mounted Rifles

Company Sergeant Major

4 June 1894

26 August 1918

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Brandon College and Clark Hall Buildings (270 Eighteenth Street, Brandon)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Brandon Armoury / 26th Field Regiment Museum (1116 Victoria Avenue, Brandon)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: First Baptist Church / Knox Presbyterian Church / St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (361 Russell Street, Brandon)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Abandoned Manitoba

Sources:

“The laying of corner stone,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 19 May 1904, page 8.

“Church opening next Sunday,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 1 December 1904, page 26.

“Baptist Pastor has resigned,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 3 June 1909, page 10.

“Extend call to Ontario Pastor,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 30 September 1909, page 3.

“Another Brandon minister to go to Winnipeg church,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 27 April 1916, page 7.

“New Pastor and wife receive,” Brandon Weekly Sun, 30 November 1916, page 11.

“Invite acting Pastor to aid,” Brandon Daily Sun, 13 October 1921, page 9.

“Rev. C. G. Stone returning to be Pastor of First Baptist Church here,” Brandon Sun, 15 May 1922, page 1.

“Rev. C. G. Stone decides to accept call to church at Edmonton,” Brandon Sun, 3 January 1928, page 1.

“Brandon Baptists call minister,” Brandon Sun, 24 December 1928, page 1.

“Brandon pastor resigns,” Brandon Sun, 7 May 1934, page 2.

“Rev. F. W. Pattison has had great experience in Baptist circles,” Brandon Sun, 24 September 1934, page 10.

“Call to Rev. J. Strachan,” Brandon Sun, 3 November 1937, page 6.

“Rev. Ralph Easter will become pastor First Baptist Church,” Brandon Sun, 21 March 1938, page 2.

“Rev. H. E. Nordlund, pastor of First Baptist Church accepts call to Toronto,” Brandon Sun, 18 September 1948, page 6.

“Rev. Norman E. Todd will take over duties Sunday First Baptist Church,” Brandon Sun, 6 November 1948, page 6.

“Church celebrates 78th anniversary,” Brandon Sun, 16 November 1963, page 5.

“Minister to go to London church,” Brandon Sun, 28 October 1967, page 45.

“New minister accepts call,” Brandon Sun, 28 December 1968, page 5.

“Rev. Lekx to First Baptist Church,” Brandon Sun, 22 July 1978, page 8.

“New pastor arrives,” Brandon Sun, 3 September 1988, page 46.

“First Baptist Church moves on, leaving ghosts of past behind,” Brandon Sun, 22 April 1992, page 32.

“Opening the box,” Brandon Sun, 1 October 1994, page 15.

Obituary [Stewart David Trites], Brandon Sun, 6 February 1999, page 221.

“Pair of landmarks close to receiving heritage status,” Brandon Sun, 8 September 2012, page A4.

First Baptist Church 1037 Lorne Avenue Brandon, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.

We thank Shaun Cameron, Tom Mitchell, and Eva Janssen for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough, Christy Henry, and Darryl Toews.

Page revised: 2 September 2023

Historic Sites of Manitoba

This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.

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