Ottewell Christian Reformed Church
| Ottewell Christian Reformed Church | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ottewell, Edmonton, Alberta |
| Address | 6811 92A Avenue |
| Country | Canada |
| Denomination | Christian Reformed Church in North America |
| History | |
| Status | Closed |
| Founded | Early 1960s |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1966 |
Ottewell Christian Reformed Church was a congregation of the Christian Reformed Church in North America located in the Ottewell neighbourhood of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.[1] Established in the early 1960s to serve Christian Reformed families in southeast Edmonton, the church operated for more than five decades before closing in December 2016. A successor congregation, MosaicHouse, began meeting in the same building in January 2017.
History
Early years
Ottewell Christian Reformed Church was established in the early 1960s at 6811 92A Avenue in Edmonton.[2] One of the earliest newspaper references to the congregation appeared in 1962, reporting on the installation of its pastor, indicating that the church had recently been organized and was formally establishing its leadership.[3] By 1964, the congregation was involved in broader Christian Reformed Church expansion efforts within Edmonton; that year the Edmonton Journal reported on planning for the construction of a sixth Christian Reformed church in the city, reflecting the growth of the denomination and the role of congregations such as Ottewell within that expansion.[4]
In 1965, the church entered a development phase. Newspaper coverage announced the calling of tenders, indicating construction or major building work associated with the congregation.[5] In early 1966, reports noted the dedication of a new Christian Reformed church, reflecting continued growth within the denomination in Edmonton during this period.[6] Several articles in 1966 documented pastoral changes at Ottewell Christian Reformed Church. These included reports of a new pastoral appointment, a pastor assuming a new post, and the arrival of P. W. DeBruyne as pastor.[7][8][9][10]
Later decades
In 1971, Ottewell Christian Reformed Church appeared in the news following the departure of a pastor to British Columbia, indicating ongoing clergy movement within the denomination.[11] Later that year, the church was the subject of a report concerning a significant theft involving church property, which also affected a local hotel. The article noted that approximately $15,000 had been stolen.[12] In 1983, the congregation was discussed in a column by journalist Frank Hutton examining church attendance and denominational identity, titled “The Right Pew—The Wrong Church.”[13] Ottewell CRC continued to be involved in youth and outreach activities during the 1980s. A 1984 article reported on Christian Reformed youth visiting the Grande Prairie area, reflecting inter-congregational engagement within Alberta.[14] A newspaper article in 1990 highlighted volunteer work by church members assisting people with intellectual disabilities, emphasizing the congregation’s community involvement late in its history.[15]
Ottewell Christian Reformed Church officially closed in December 2016, at which time all signage identifying the congregation was removed from the building. In January 2017, a new congregation, MosaicHouse, began meeting at the same address. MosaicHouse operates as a distinct congregation and is generally regarded as a successor occupying the former Ottewell Christian Reformed Church facility.[16]
See also
References
- ↑ "Political Sermon 'Never Brought Anyone To God'". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 12 September 1964. p. 23.
- ↑ Byfield, Ted (1984). "Edmonton: Churches". The Atlas of Alberta. Interwest Publications. p. 49. ISBN 9780969185215.
- ↑ "Ottewell Pastor Installed". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 29 September 1962. p. 13.
- ↑ "Christian Reformed Planning to Build 6th Church In City". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 23 May 1964. p. 25.
- ↑ "Tenders". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 20 March 1965. p. 42.
- ↑ "New Reformed Church To Be Dedicated Friday". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 5 March 1966. p. 23.
- ↑ "New Post For Pastor". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 2 July 1966. p. 23.
- ↑ "Edmonton Post". The Regina Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan. 16 July 1966. p. 34.
- ↑ "P. W. DeBruyne New Pastor at Ottewell". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 20 August 1966. p. 22.
- ↑ "New Pastor". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 27 August 1966. p. 15.
- ↑ "Ottewell Padre Going to B.C.". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 29 May 1971. p. 14.
- ↑ "$15,000 Stolen From City Church, Hotel". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. 4 August 1971. p. 48.
- ↑ Frank Hutton (17 May 1983). "The Right Pew—The Wrong Church". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 11.
- ↑ "Christian Reformed Youths Had Fun Visit to GP Area". Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune. Grande Prairie, Alberta. 16 March 1984. p. 17.
- ↑ Liz Rees (7 October 1990). "Church Volunteers Help Mentally Disabled Feel God's Love". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta. p. 145.
- ↑ Veenstra, Victoria (April 1, 2026). "From Good Friday to Resurrection". CRCNA.
On the east side of Edmonton, Alta., a church building that once belonged to Ottewell Christian Reformed Church is now filled by mosaicHouse... The end of one story has become the beginning of another... For the Ottewell congregation, closing its doors marked a painful season. Yet the opening that was made possible for mosaicHouse led to a continuation of gospel witness in the same neighborhood.
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