Westlock Gospel Chapel, AB

History

Westlock Gospel Chapel is an open brethren assembly in Westlock, Alberta that was founded in 1907, initially in David & Agnes Calderwood's home. It is a a merger between three assemblies.

Taken and adapted from the "80 years of Progress" excerpt written by William Fairholm. 

"In 1924 a little group of Christians felt the need of gathering together for fellowship, and to remember the Lord according to His request in the night He was betrayed. Under the guidance and help of brother Walter Farmer, a little group gathered in the Calderwood home, one mile south and 2.5 miles east of Pibroch. Over the years, other brethren came to encourage and feed the "little flock," among them were A.R. Stephenson, Wm. Wilson, and Wm. Rae. 

In 1931 William Fairholm came and had an evangelistic campaign in the little log church at Pibroch. A number came to know the Lord and were added to the little group who gathered in the Calderwood home. The Gospel series was unplanned by man. William Fairholm arrived on a Saturday enroute to visit Poppa Lievers (Ben Lievers) of Neerlandia and David Calderwood asked him to stay. Bill Fairholm agreed as long as they organized a Gospel meeting. They agreed and held one Sunday evening at the community church in Pibroch. After the meeting, David Calderwood asked if those who attended enjoyed the meeting, all raised their hands. He asked if all would come if the meetings continued for a week, all raised their hands. Mr. Calderwood then turned to Bill and said the people are committed to coming, you can’t leave! So Bill stayed not only for one week of meetings but for SIX (exact duration to be double checked). Margaret Taylor was the first one the Lord saved through these meetings. This was a great encouragement to the meeting because there were only six in fellowship at the time. David and Agnes (Nancy) Calderwood, Nelson and Agnes (nee Calderwood) Letts, Jim and Alex Calderwood. During the summer, 14 were baptized in the Pembina River at Antonsons, among them some of the Thomson, Taylor and Hough families." The assembly grew to 20. Much was the rejoicing in the assembly.

In 1933, Alf Wallace joined W. Fairholm and they commenced gospel meetings. The Wallaces moved into the Pibroch district and were a great help in ministry to the assembly gathering in the Calderwood home. The Wallaces, Alf and his wife, moved into the Calderwood home after they went on to glory. Meetings were held there as well as in the community church in Pibroch (Presbyterian?) and a Sunday School was held in the Woodlands Hall. Conferences were held there and then moved to Pibroch. John Sommacal was a great help at these meetings and became a co-worker with W. Fairholm. 

In 1945, land was purchased from Andy Christensen and the camp that was started on the Liever's farm was moved to the Pembina/Riverdale district directly west of the Thomas W. Letts farm (Nelson Letts at the time and, presently, Scott Letts farm). Many were and have been brought to salvation as the Lord has used this ministry to draw youth to Himself and to encourage those who are already saved. The first one saved was Janet McDougall who went on to serve in Chad as a nurse for 30 years! Others from the early days include Keith Bidne who served the Lord in India and in various assemblies in Canada as a preacher and, presently, as an elder in Westlock, Lu Krikke who served in Peru as well as a faithful Sunday School teacher in the Westlock assembly (both past and presently!) and Dave and Connie Redekop. 

Those saved from the early days of the assembly include the large Taylor family. Dan Taylor served both in Westlock and abroad in India with the Boen's from Saskatoon. Robert and Annette (nee Thomson) Taylor served in Africa (Angola) for many years and helped in the assembly upon returning home until his death in 200_. 
Returning back to 1948, the assembly had grown to the point of needing a building of its own. Land was purchased at the corner of 104 street and 102 avenue in Westlock, AB. A small building was built, 50' by 30.' Labour was provided by those in fellowship and the electrical work was the only part that was outsourced. In 1949, the building was opened and was paid for. "The Lord will Provide" of Genesis 22:14, Jehovahjireh, comes to mind. The Lord provided greatly! 
In 1968 another addition was needed and put together expanding the length of the building by 30'. William Fairholm ended his write-up with this paragraph:

"Our desire is that the Westlock Gospel Chapel will continue to be the birthplace of many into the kingdom of God, a place of fellowship for the people of God, a school for the young, so they may grow in the knowledge of God, and a hospital for the spiritually sick so they may find restoration, health, and maturity. We raise our "Ebenezer" and say "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." AMEN!!!! This should be the desire of all places and a great challenge to those presently in fellowship in the assembly. 

Anyways, back to history. Several years later, 27 to be exact, the Lord blessed the assembly and the present building at the corner of 97 street and 104 avenue was opened in the spring of 1995. In 2009, an extensive Sunday school wing with 2 floors was opened as well. To God be the glory. 

Presently, a few of the "old" families are still around. Descendants of the Calderwood's, Letts' and Wallace's can be found here. Descendant's of the Taylor's and Hough's can be found in the city of Edmonton among assemblies there. There are also many new faces as well. God brings, grows, and sends. Where? We may never know till we get there. Some move a mile or two, others a hundred, some across the globe. Where He sends, I will go. This has been true of the assembly here. Some have stayed in the county and town, many were commended to serve the Lord locally, nationally and internationally. In the past we see the provision of the Lord to encourage us in the present as we look to the future. May He be praised, glorified and obeyed in it all.

Locations

• 0227 97 St, Westlock, AB T7P 2H1 1995 - present
  • 104 street and 102 Avenue Westlock. 1948-1995
    • Jim M. & Minne Wallace's home
      • David & Agnes Calderwood's home
• Pibroch Presbyterian (Gospel Meetings)

Correspondents

• Nelson Letts 1933-1948

AKA's

• Westlock Gospel Chapel - 1948 - present

• • Pibroch Gospel Hall - 1907/1924-1948

Alumni

• Visiting Ministry at Westlock Gospel Chapel, AB (OB) 1907/1948-2021+
• Who's Who at Westlock Gospel Chapel, AB (OB) 1907/1948-2021+

Sources

• Walterick Publishing Assembly Address Books: 1927, 1936, 1941, 1943, 1948, 1950, 1954-2008
• ECS Ministries (Emmaus International) Assembly Address Books: 2009-2010, 2013-2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
• Remember When, William Fairholm: 2023. Personal Recollections jotted down by William Fairholm in a journal given to him by his daughter. Information taken from portions that are not protected by copyright as noted in the book.