Lacombe’s old buildings are more than just old buildings.
Lacombians are very proud of their history and heritage. This is evident in the number of historical buildings that exist in the City and the support seen at heritage celebrations like the Lacombe Culture and Harvest Festival that took place this past weekend.
During one event held in conjunction with the festival last weekend, the importance of Lacombe’s history was thrown into sharp relief.
On Sunday, Sept. 28th, the City of Lacombe officially designated St. Andrew’s United Church as its first ever municipal historic resource.
During a special worship service for the designation, Pastor Marco Ste-Marie spoke of how St. Andrew’s United Church is not a building, but a community made up of people.
Ste-Marie brought to light the real reason why historic buildings should be commemorated. It’s not only the buildings themselves that are important, it’s the people behind them.
Yes, the building of St. Andrew’s United Church has a lot of historic architectural significance that is important to preserve.
It also has features that commemorate certain time periods.
However, none of those would exist if not for the community behind the build, the congregation of the church, the church itself.
St. Andrew’s United Church, like all Lacombe’s federally and provincially designated historic resources, as well as all other Lacombe’s historic buildings that have not (yet) been designated at all, are standing monuments to Lacombe’s proud and rich history.
As such, they are also monuments to the people who lived, built and worked in them.
In designating this building, the City of Lacombe has not only recognized the historic impact the building of St. Andrew’s United Church has had on the community, but also the incredible historic impact the congregation of that church has had on the community.
Now, through the designation of what might seem like just an old building, over a century’s worth of St. Andrew’s United Church members have been immortalized as well. Their contributions to this community will never be forgotten.
As was discussed during the special worship service, St. Andrew’s United Church is more than the home for Lacombe’s United Church congregation. It is a facility used by the entire community. More than just for its congregation, St. Andrew’s is a centre for the entire community of Lacombe.
That incredible community centre could not be possible without the congregation behind it. For that, we thank them.
And we also thank the City of Lacombe for recognizing that commitment.