New building for St. John’s in Vernon

VERNON, B.C. – St. John’s Lutheran Church is on the move. As of April 1, 2023, the 112-year-old congregation moved to its fifth building: the former home of Living Word Lutheran at 6525 Okanagan Landing Road.

Since 1986, St. John’s had been situated at 5151 Alain Road in a big, brown brick building. Built with a massive concrete slab on clay, it began shifting within months. As time passed, there was continuing damage to the building caused by the shifting ground. Soon it was deemed not safe to worship in the sanctuary, so the congregation moved across the hall to the gym with hopes of repair and a solution to the ongoing problem. 

As more time passed it was no longer safe to be in the building at all and insurance could not be obtained to cover usage, so it became necessary to find a temporary home. April 8, 2018 (Palm Sunday) was the last service held at Alain Road. At its conclusion, members processed out of the building never to return. A rental location had been found at Community Baptist Church, which was just across the parking lot.

There were many things to appreciate about this new home, including not having to worry about the building.

There were many things to appreciate about this new home, including not having to worry about the building. Other factors were less than ideal, including the service time moving from the morning to various times in the afternoon.

Committees and study groups were formed and worked diligently to find a permanent home for the congregation. It was eventually determined that the church would sell its Swansea Point property on Mara Lake and rebuild at 5151 Alain Road.

The sale of Mara Lake property was finalized, and the removal of the church building took place in October 2022. But everything took time—time to hire contractors, time to obtain permits, time to prepare the property, and time to draw up new plans for the church home. As time progressed, prices soared, and by November 2022, it became apparent that the congregation could not afford to build the church they hoped for, even with scaled back blueprints. 

However, in November 2022, St. John’s learned that Living Word Lutheran Church intended to sell their church building, and negotiations followed to purchase both the land and the building.

On April 2, 2023 (Palm Sunday) the first service in this new building took place at 10:00 a.m. Members of St. John’s processed joyfully into their new building, and what a service it was—trumpets, piano, guitar, and many voices! “Exciting times are in store for all of us at St. John’s,” said congregational chair Reinhard Mann. “I feel that our Lord has definitely been watching out for us and leading us in a new direction.” 

“Exciting times are in store for all of us at St. John’s,” said congregational chair Reinhard Mann. “I feel that our Lord has definitely been watching out for us and leading us in a new direction.”

The following Easter weekend was especially meaningful, starting with a traditional soup supper on Maundy Thursday night, a Good Friday service, and an Easter Sunday Sunrise on Okanagan Lake, followed by a breakfast in the new location (just a few minutes from the lake). A 10:00 a.m., the Easter Festival service followed.

An open invitation was issued for all to attend a Service of Rededication on April 16. Many were in attendance, including members of the Vernon Ministerial, friends from Community Baptist Church, and leaders and members from other Okanagan Lutheran churches.

On April 23, five confirmation students participated in the service and professed their faith in the Rite of Confirmation. 

Rev. Craig Tufts preached his last message on April 30 to start his retirement. Rev. Tufts and Donna shared their many gifts and talents over their ten years of service and walked with the congregation through five years in the wilderness. They will be missed. St. John’s wishes them both well as God guides and blesses them on their new journey. 

Joel Haberstock and Irene Hirschmiller
Photo credit: Robynn Mitton 

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