Early History
Faith Community Baptist Church had its beginning in the home of Len and Twianne Siemens of Claresholm. A small bible study group met on Tuesday evenings. At that time, 1974, Len and Twianne were driving to Nanton each Sunday morning to services in the Baptist Church.
By early 1975, it was decided that the group should formalize and take a name. After much thought, discussion and prayer, it was decided to organize under the Baptist umbrella.
The Baptist Union of Western Canada, now known as the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada (CBWC), was contacted and the old Nidaros Lutheran Church (built in 1910) was purchased with their assistance. The first service of Faith Community Baptist Church was held on June 1, 1975.
A Baptist Leadership Training School student, Earl Shindruk, spent the summer here doing pastoral work. In the fall of 1975 Bruno de Leeuw with his family became the first resident pastor. Pastor de Leeuw was a missionary, home from Irian Jaya because of unsettled conditions there. He came to us on December 1, 1975, with the understanding that he would leave whenever his mission board felt it safe for him to go back. During his term as pastor, our constitution was drawn up and finalized in early 1976. Church attendance grew, but in 1977 Pastor de Leeuw returned to the mission field of Irian Jaya.
Lloyd Driedger, from Ontario, was called to be our new pastor in 1977. During those years we were paying off our debt to the CBWC and on June 2, 1979 we celebrated our fourth anniversary by burning the mortgage.
New Location
In the early 80’s, while Don Holloway was our pastor (1980-1990), it was felt that our old building was inadequate. A building fund had been started for such a time as we might be able to purchase a suitable lot and put up a new building, or even find a building that could be renovated. In the spring of 1986, such a building was available, on the south side of town, near the Hospital. The property was purchased for $80,000; part of which had to be borrowed from the CBWC. Volunteer labor did the necessary renovations – both the men and the women spending many hours hammering, cleaning and painting. On Nov. 16, 1987 we were officially established in our new premises. By 1990 we were debt free.
For a couple years we had two interim pastors; Stefan Ulrich (summer of 1990) and Mardy Beam (1990-1991). From 1991-1995 Art Lemon held the position as pastor at FCBC. Art and Shirley, with their family lived in Claresholm for a number of years.
In September of 1995 Dennis Stone came to the church as its pastor. Many facility improvements came after that time. More parking area became available and was purchased just east of the church. In 1998 the upper west end of our Sunday School wing was remodeled to contain our church offices. Upgrades at that time also developed new handicap-compliant washrooms and new nursery area.
Due to church growth, the previous building arrangement seemed inadequate to maximize the ministry potential of our space. Plans moved ahead to renovate the existing structure in 2000 and 2001, and demolition and construction began in May of 2002. The changes allowed for positive changes in the appearance of our building, while also making the facility less maintenance intensive. The CBWC again assisted with financing (debt to be retired in spring of 2010). In Nov. of 2002 the church held its dedication service for the remodeled facility. On June 5, 2005 FCBC celebrated 30 years of ministry.
Past & Present Ministries
Many ministries have developed and changed over the past years. In the past we have conducted one time satellite services in neighboring communities, Cantata presentations during the Christmas and Easter seasons, implemented various church wide small group ministries, and carried out after school kids ministries. We used the Evangelism Explosion program for training and visitation, did a small group focus titled “Neighborhood Focus Groups”, had a vibrant ministry to the “Fifty Plus” age grouping and continued to make improvements to our facilities (parking lot, kitchen, nursery, etc.). As needs and circumstances have changed new ministries have come forward.
In 1998, after a five month trial period it was decided that two services would be our regular practice. The first service was set to begin at 9:45am with a more contemporary flavor, and a second service at 11:05am with a more traditional flavor. Sunday School would run at 11:05am. During the summer a combined service begins at 10:00am. In February of 2003, Linda Cormier was hired as Ministry Assistant. She manages the church office, administrates upcoming events and works alongside our pastor and assists others as needed.
Our work with teens and children continues to be a strong value of our work. Brad Olorenshaw (Youth Pastor; 1999-2002), and Patrick Hazelwood (Associate Pastor; 2004-2009) led our youth ministries to teens in the church and community. Patrick and Vicki also ministered to many young families in Claresholm. In 2009, Jake and Alicia Fox and Sarah Mills were hired as our youth workers who share a part time position in leading our youth. Vacation Bible School has been a regular event held as a combined activity with three other churches in Claresholm.
Our “Friday Friendship” monthly senior’s luncheons have been extremely well attended and appreciated by many seniors of the Claresholm community. This event includes a meal, music, a devotional and a presentation of an advertised theme relevant to seniors.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a community wide ministry focused on young mothers and their children. A young families group was also started for families with young children. Their focus was ministering together, with their families, to the community.
Over the years, Women’s Ministry has included LIFT (Ladies Informal Fun Tuesday), For Her Only (Saturday lunch with a special guest speaker), silent auctions as fundraisers to support mission projects, support for women’s shelters, foodbank, Key-Way-tin Bible College, STEP (Africa and India projects), Mustard Seed and various missionaries and their projects.
Our missions activities have been highlighted by three short terms mission trips; two to Mexico and a youth trip to Kenya. Several families within the congregation who are involved in career missions add to our focus. FCBC has hosted an annual benefit for several years to raise funds for Mustard Seed Ministry in Calgary. Outreach is a growing theme that has taken people overseas, as well as across the street, and also in prayer. Serving our local community through outreach and showing them our appreciation is very important to FCBC.
We value our involvement with the other Christian churches in our community supporting several inter church activities throughout the year and the part-time position of Stefan Ulrich as Community Chaplain. We have been privileged to be involved in the ordination of Stefan Ulrich (2006) and Patrick Hazelwood (2009).
Our church has been blessed with unity on so many endeavors that God has led us to do for His glory. We believe the church has a positive family feel, is musically gifted, connected with our community and is friendly.
Our church purpose statement is “To cultivate a love for God, one another and a broken world.” Our prayer is that God may continue to help us to work towards the goals He sets before us.
Our pastors over the years have been Earl Shindruk (summer student; 1975), Bruno de Leeuw (Solo; 1975-1977), Lloyd Driedger (Solo; 1977-1980), Donald Holloway (Solo; 1980-1990), Stefan Ulrich (interim, June-August 1990), Mardy Beam (interim, fall of 1990), Arthur Lemon (Solo; 1991-1995), Dennis Stone (Senior; 1995-2009), Brad Olorenshaw (Youth; 1999-2002), Patrick Hazelwood (Associate; 2004-2009), John Webster (interim Nov 2009 – Oct 2010), Art Hildebrand (senior, Nov 2010 to present), Scott Sadlier (Pastoral Intern August 2012 – present).
Compiled and edited by Leola Calderwood (1993), Dennis Stone (2004), Barb Koevort (2010).