St. Peter’s Anglican Church will be marking a milestone next month.
The church, which has been a cornerstone of the Okotoks community since its consecration in 1905, will be celebrating its 120th anniversary on May 3.
The church quickly cultivated a loyal congregation comprised of residents of all backgrounds and economic statuses that persists to this day.
Still going strong after hosting generations of services, weddings and events, St. Peter’s has also had its share of turbulent times.
In 2005, flooding of the nearby Sheep River brought the church into peril as water rushed into the building, forcing the congregation to temporarily relocate to St. James Catholic Church in the north of Okotoks for a year.
But this hardship only made the church community stronger.
“It's always been a church that has had a highly committed group of people who are interested in the Christian faith and serving the community in ways that are very practical,” said Father Norbert Haukenfrers, the incumbent priest of Saint Peter's Anglican Church.
Although the church is 120 years old, it is undergoing constant change.
“It's completely different than it was 10 years ago," said Haukenfrers. "The church is trying to continually evolve, be present, and serve the needs of the community to help make this a better place to live.”
St. Peter's is known for its community involvement with food drives and hosting many community groups.
Inside, the church features custom-made stained glass depicting the prairies, Sheep River and the Okotoks Erratic.
The church will be hosting a celebratory banquet in honour of its 120th anniversary on the evening of May 3 along with a celebration worship gathering on the morning of May 4.
Those interested in attending the banquet or learning more about the history of St. Peter’s Anglican Church should call 403-938-4261.
