Bienfait Saskatchewan Anglican Church History Page

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ST. PETER & ST. PAUL ANGLICAN CHURCH
In the Parish of Estevan-Bienfait

One of the earliest pictures of the Anglican Church Hall, ca 1927
photo courtesy Ingrid Beahm's collection

Church / Hall opened Jan-Nov 1924

It was Located on NW Corner of Carbon Ave. and Young St.
Bienfait Sask.
S0C 0M0
Rev K. David Holmes (2000)
PH#s- Rectory in Estevan- 634-2260
Office in Estevan- 634-4113

This Church is now closed,
the building is now up for sale, as of 2010.

12 Noon- Holy Communion (2nd, 4th, 5th Sundays)
12 Noon- Morning Prayer (1st and 3rd Sundays)
Sunday School at 12 Noon

In my dad Phil Gent's history notes, he states in 1928
in his spare time from the farm work,
he hauled stones for the foundations of
the United Church, the Anglican Church, the first Catholic Church,
and the Pool Elevator.
That puts the age of this Church ca 1928

ANGLICAN CHURCH
CORNER OF YOUNG ST AND CARBON AVE
TAKEN IN 1999

History below from the 1955 History of Bienfait Book
The first services of the Anglican Faith were held
in the little brick school house in the year 1923.
Thus the services have been going on for over thirty-two years (in 1955).
The first minister was Rev. Harrington, who travelled from Estevan
to hold services here. He was followed by Rev. Robertson,
Rev. J. J. Jolley, Rev. Jackson,
Rev. Rural Dean Remington Walker, ca 1948
Rev. Christmas to the present Rev. McVean (in 1955).
The first church was a frame building built on the present location in 1925.
Since then it has been improved with the brick siding and other repairs.
Most of the work and money needed was donated.
The equipment consisted of chairs, an organ donated by Charles Henry Pickard,
who was the first organist, and a home made altar.
Since then it has been improved by pews,
a new altar and organ and other equipment.
Socials and whist drives were held there before real services began.
The work of the early ministers consisted of joining
the congregation together, baptizing, confirming, building etc.
Sunday Schools were started at the same time as the services.
The first burial place was in its present day location.

ca 1957
Rev Dunstan Patrick Pasterfield
b- May 27, 1917, in Bethune SK
d- July 13, 2007, in Pasqua Hospital, Regina, Age 90,
Married in 1948 to Veronica Westcott.
Served in WWII in the Indian Army

son of Bertie James Pasterfield
who immigrated from England to the diocese of Qu'Appelle in 1915
to become the rector at Bethune.

ca 1975
Rev Shurvin was here

While the Gent family lived in Bienfait
this was the Church they attended

Front door to St Peters St Pauls Anglican Church in Bienfait

Inside the Church June 2001
Dark walls and poor flash makes for a dark picture, sorry!

Another view of the Church with the Baptismal Font
or Piscina shown on the right
I would have been baptized from that.

One of the Stained Glass Windows was donated,
by WInnie Gent (nee Oliver), Gordon Gent, and Donna Lyseng, (nee Gent)
in Memory of Jim Gent.
(Husband of Winnie, Father of Gordon and Donna)
Also in Memory of Clara & Arthur Oliver (Winnie's Parents)

The Olivers were original and active members
of this Church, until their deaths.

The Second Stained Glass Window
was donated by the Pickard Family.

When the Church was closed,
The Stained Glass Windows were removed
and saved by the Anglican Diocese,
and are now kept at St. Giles Anglican Church in Estevan.

Info from Ingrid Beahm describes the use of this Church
as a Community Hall

ca 1930 the Veterans met here to form the Bienfait Legion

From Ingrid this bit of history
"Anyway, it was taken inside the Anglican Church Hall, Bienfait SK.
This hall was used as the church and a hall.
It was the intention that in later years, when they could afford it,
a new church would be built next door on the empty lot they owned,
and this older part would continue to be the hall.
That never happened, and eventually the "hall" became just the Church...
and the lot next door was sold.
I remember when my dad had the job of lowering the stage
at the front of the church to "one step"..
it remained like that until it was closed in 2010."

Pictures below from Ingrid Beahm's collection

left- Rev. Robertson (1928-1930), right unknown
on steps in front of the Church

Rev J. J. Jolley (1930-1938)

a 1945 wedding of a lady named Olive,
showing the raised stage at that time.

In Bienfait Anglican Church Vestry 1962
Back row, l/r- Gerald Olson, Rev. Dunstan Patrick Pasterfield, Lynn McCauley
Front- Albin Saen, Stu Doerr, Ken John

Charles H. and Elizabeth Alice "Ellen" Pickard

Mr. Charles Henry Pickard
b- ca 1871 in England
d- Feb 20, 1944, age 63

son of Elijah Pickard
b- ca 1853, age 53 in 1906
d-
immigrated in 1902
mother- Helen Pickard
b- age 51 in 1906
rest of family immigrated in 1905

son- John Pickard
b- ca 1875, age 31 in 1906

son- Charles Henry Pickard (above)

son- Leonard Pickard
b- 1890, age 16 in 1906
d- June 2, 1956 in a head on car Accident near Weyburn SK
buried in Bienfait Cemetery
George Henry Pickard, b- 1916, son of Leonard Pickard
died with his wife, Elizabeth, in the same car accident as Leonard.
As well their son Lloyd Richard Pickard, died in this accident.
2 other Pickard children, David age 10 and Gerald age 5 were in the hospital.
A Peggy Joan Pickard, b- 1921 died the same date as the accident.

Charles Henry's wife- Elizabeth "Alice" Pickard
b- Mar 3, 1874 in England
d- May 10, 1973 in Estevan Regional Nursing Home
Immigrated in 1905
May 1948 Mrs. Elizabeth Pickard received a Life membership award
for 25 years service with the Anglican W. A.
Mrs. Bertha White and Mrs. Alice Oliver received the same award.
They were presented by Mr Val Doerr, also a life member.

Pickard Family shown at Coalfields in 1906

They were strong members of the Anglican Church
and close friends of my Dad's family

Info below from Ingrid Beahm
Mr. Charles H. Pickard was on the original Building Committee who built the hall.
They donated an Organ, a Bible, Communion railings,
and a set of brass candlesticks for the new Church.
Mr. Charles H. Pickard took on the position of Secretary of the Vestry in 1923
and did the job for many years.
As stated above he was the first organist as well.
He also served as either People's Warden or Rector's Warden all of his life.
In 1941 I believe he was Reeve for Bienfait