Gaetz Memorial United Church (Red Deer, Alta.)

Gaetz Memorial United Church (Red Deer, Alta.)

In 1886, William Vrooman, a student missionary of the Methodist Church, arrived in Red Deer. A Methodist Church was built in 1892 and enlarged in 1909, when the new Methodist Church was announced by the Board of Trustees, to be known as The Leonard Gaetz Memorial Methodist Church, named after Reverend Leonard Gaetz. In 1925 the local Methodist congregation voted in favour of church union, and their building became Gaetz Memorial United Church, again named in honour of Reverend Leonard Gaetz. That building was destroyed by fire in 1955 which also resulted in the loss of much of the Church records; and a new church was built on the same site and consecrated the following year. A pipe organ was presented to the Church in memory of Mrs. Gaetz, by her family members honouring her playing at the Methodist services. The Gaetz Memorial United Church is the only congregation on the Gaetz Pastoral Charge, which is one of the 19 Pastoral Charges in the Red Deer Presbytery. The Red Deer Presbytery is one of the 9 Presbyteries in the Alberta and Northwest Conference. 13 Conferences are within the United Church of Canada and are represented at the General Council. The structure of the Gaetz Memorial United Church is centred by the Official Board which is comprised of several Committees: Christian Development and Church In Society, Communications and Fellowship, Stewardship and Finance, Pastoral Care, Ministry and Personnel, and Worship; and four groups of the United Church Women, Board of Trustees, Youth, and A.O.T.S. (As One That Serves). The Church Board is represented by the Committees' and Groups' chairs, the executive, members-at-large, Presbytery members, and the ministry staff.

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