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Join in the Festivities!

It’s an exciting month for St. Thomas with multiple celebrations happening as we celebrate our colorful Past, Present and Future. The Anniversary Committee has been planning this weekend for several months and we are so very grateful to them for all their hard work. Special thanks to Deb Alford, Deb Edwards, Jan Guretzki, Gail Hampson, Irene Tisdell, and the teams, along with Rev. Lorie Martin for all their hard work and the beautiful andf meaningful results. St. Thomas community has had an anniversary picnic, baked over 50 pies, held a raffle for 2 'local fare' baskets, and taken donations for the anniversary celebrations.

All are welcome on Saturday, November 18 at 4 - 5:30 pm for an Open House in the gorgeous 'carpenter gothic' style historic sanctuary. The Open House includes a historical tour with displays, as well as a sit-down photo corner and a video.

At 5:30, the Hall/Office building will be open for seating and drinks, followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner at 6:00 prepared by Sto:lo Catering. We are honored to have the opening prayer and chant by a First Nations woman and a brief address by Bishop John Stephens. There are only a dozen tickets left for dinner with seating for 90. You can purchase one from our Events page. 

You may also purchase a copy of the beautiful, illustrated book The History of the Parish of St. Thomas (2013) by Rev. John Sovereign, Laura Reid & Troy Stevens. Available at the church for $25.

Bishop John Stephens will preside over the 10 am service on November 19, which will celebrate persons receiving Confirmation, Reaffirmation and Reception. These are ancient sacrament/rites of the Christian church for those wanting these gifts. Special music will be led by Music Director, Christine Millar and team. We hope to fill 'the house of prayer' - even the balcony!

This site has been maintained extremely well, is highly valued as both historical and sacred, and the folk at St. Thomas want to keep it up in the beautifully emerging downtown Chilliwack. It is also home for many children at the daycare provided throughout the week. Many unexpected but necessasry repairs and building maintenance projects popped up in the last month for the beautiful historic site. Plumbing and sewage major reno, updating fire protection sprinklers in the roof, a new hot water tank decided to leak, music and sound technology upgrades, and much more!!! St. Thomas has launched a Building Fund Donation Project named: $150 per person or family for 150th Anniversary gift to St. Thomas. Of course $10 will help! As will adding a zero = $1,500 :) Receiptable donations can be made here: accounts@stthomaschilliwack.org or Your generosity is changing lives. Thank you for your help with this beautiful landmark.

Come explore the beautiful historic memories and experience new ones!

Also see the Chilliwack Progress article:

Chilliwack’s oldest church celebrates 150th anniversary

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