Partridge Hill United Church Fort Saskatchewan AB

Partridge Hill United Church is a United Church of Canada church in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

We are a fellowship of believers, made in God's image and called as disciples of Christ to share the Good News with everyone through learning, listening, praying and working together actively to reach out to our communities.

We are a place to believe, belong, and become!

 

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Corner of Township Rd. 542 & Rg Rd 220  

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This history contains extensive quotations from The Fort on the Saskatchewan, written by Reverend Doctor Peter T. Ream, as well as from Cherished Memories, from articles written by Mrs. J.W (May) Attewell.

A long-time Partridge Hill resident was once asked. “How did the district of Partridge Hill get its name?” His reply was, “It’s a long story; there was a man who saw a partridge on a hill.”

Until the Partridge Hill Church was built, “The Partridge Hill School was used for church services by three denominations, Methodist, Anglican, and Presbyterian.” The Edmonton Bulletin for Nov. 18, 1901, in a report from Partridge Hill said, “The Presbyterian congregation of the district is taking steps to erect a new church.” The present church was built by the Presbyterians and opened in 1903. The church was built with the help of a home mission grant of $300.”

“In the winter of 1902 logs were cut and hauled to a sawmill that was located in the Ypres Valley district,” which is five miles south east of Partridge Hill. “The lumber was cut and then taken to the present church site.” “The dimensions of the church building were given by the Fort Saskatchewan reporter on July 4, 1907 when tenders were sought on painting the church: Size of the building 24x36x12 and a lean-to 12×24.” Tenders would be received by Ralph Smith, Partridge Hill’s post office up to July 11th.”

“On February 24,1902 the paper contained an article that ended on a note of supreme optimism for the future of the district. Richard Gordon has kindly given a free site which is a beautiful situation. The structure which when erected will add much to the beauty of the scenery. We hope and confidently expect that at no distant date a town will spring up on the hill.”

“The Edmonton Bulletin for August 1st, 1902 was able to say that the new Presbyterian church has been erected and presents a fine appearance crowning the hill. It speaks volumes for the energy of the pastor and the people that it stands as it does today free of all encumbrances.”

“At the same time the first Ladies Aid was organized. The first church services were held on May 17th, 1903. Church services were held alternate Sundays by the Methodists and Presbyterians, but everyone went to all of the services, the distinction being in name only. On February 18th, 1922 the Methodist board met and the whole question of union with the Presbyterian church in the Fort and of a union church to be established at Partridge Hill was discussed thoroughly. It was felt that Partridge Hill would be the most favorable site for an experiment in church union, and that the majority there would be in favor. For many years there had been a union Sunday school there, as well as a united young people’s group.”

“From 1894 until 1910 the Presbyterian congregation was attached to Fort Saskatchewan. From 1910 until church union in 1925 Partridge Hill was attached to Ardrossan, and the methodists were always attached to Fort Saskatchewan.”

“The Fort Saskatchewan rural pastoral charge was established at Church Union in 1925.”

Partridge Hill was a part of the Fort Saskatchewan Pastoral Charge from 1943 until Sept. 1, 2009, when it was disbanded and Partridge Hill Pastoral Charge became a separate entity. Partridge Hill then joined the newly-formed Elk Island Pastoral Charge with sister congregations in Lamont, Andrew, and Uwin, as well as the Lamont Health Care Center.

“When the 50th anniversary of the church was celebrated in 1953 the church was completely renovated. The bell tower, electric lighting, and natural gas heating were installed. A rededication service was held on May 10, 1953. One year later a fire nearly destroyed the church, which was saved miraculously. While the church was being repaired, services were held in the community hall. The church was again ready for use on Sunday, August 15th, 1954.”

The church bell was originally used to summon children to class at the Partridge Hill School. The school was closed in 1956 and the property sold. In 1960 the bell was purchased for $1 and installed on the church bell tower.

In an annual report a few years ago it was reported that the bell had been “inadvertently inverted” when it was too rigorously rung during a wedding celebration. Just this past winter when attempting to ring the bell prior to the church service, it fell from its shoes with a thunderous crash onto the roof of the bell tower, causing a large avalanche to fall from the roof of the sanctuary, and causing much alarm to those gathered inside.

Two retired members of the congregation recently rebuilt the framework that the bell sits on and it is once again ready to be rung. It is the congregation’s hope and prayer that their grandchildren or their spouses will be at least our age before it needs to be repaired again.

The celebration of Partridge Hill Church’s 110th anniversary will take place on Sunday, May 19 at 9:30 a.m., after which a pot luck lunch and cake will be served.

Happy 110th Anniversary Partridge Hill United Church.

From: https://www.sherwoodparknews.com/2013/05/13/celebrating-partridge-hill-church/wcm/d5af1016-e582-05db-cf81-3a7e202f3cc1