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 (no date) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2014-0060 The former First Baptist Church in Brandon (August 2014) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Redeemed Christian Church of God in Brandon (August 2023) Source: Eva Janssen 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

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