St. James United Regina
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Our History


​In 1913 the Heron sisters Effie, Ethel and Jean organized a Sunday school in their farm house. The first class was held on 28 September 1913. This event is regarded as the beginning of St James Presbyterian Church. In 1914 the North Regina Congregation (St James) is mentioned in the Presbytery of Regina minutes of the Presbyterian Church. A community hall (which later became the turkey hatchery) was used as a meeting place. In 1921 a church from Tregarva was brought to North Regina. The Presbyterian and Methodists in that area had joined together to form a Union Church, and so the Presbyterians did not need their building.  The little church was brought to 213 Edward Street cross country in November of that year on a sled pulled by horses. The church had theatre seats, a pump organ, and a wooden stove. There was also an outhouse on the property. In 1925 the congregation became part of the new United Church of Canada. Some improvements were made to the building in the late 1940’s after World War II. This included a new roof, adding a basement and attaching a building known as the Scout Hut. After the Village of North Regina became part of the City of Regina in 1950 the development of the area grew. In 1963 a portable building was moved to the present site on Sherwood Drive where services were held for adults and Sunday school was held in the old building on Edward St. After many Fun Fairs, Teas, Fall Suppers etc, to raise money a new building was proposed. On September 4, 1966 Harry Stone, among others performed the sod turning for the new sanctuary. The official opening was 30th of April 1967. For about two years the church was used by St Mary's Roman Catholic Church (later to be Holy Trinity) while they built their own church further up Sherwood Dr. In October of 1975 the interior of St James was heavily damaged by fire. Holy Trinity offered its’ church for Christmas Eve service in 1975 to our congregation. An expansion to the church was planned in 1983 and was completed by February 1984. In 1999 St Johns United Church closed and many members joined St James. In 1999 it also became an Affirming Ministry - the second in Saskatchewan.  In 2009 a sanctuary renovation began to update the church. In 2012 the congregation of Rosemont United closed, and some members transferred to St. James. In September of 2013 St James hosted a Homecoming and celebrated 100 years as a congregation. In 2015 Zion United closed and St. James received members from this congregation. 


St James Leadership Through the Years


1914-1926 No list of ministers is available for the North Regina Church. According to Mr. Harry Stone early ministers included Mr. Madill, Mr. Laing, and Mr. Rice who served St. James plus Condie and Rosemont, travelling by horse.
1926 - Rev. D.G. Rice
1930-1933 Rev. S.B. East- also served Chalmers and Rosemont
1934-1941 
Rosemont, Wascana, and St James formed on Charge
1942-1945   St James served by Rev. Wiliam Lloyd from Rosemont
1947-1949  Mrs Agnes Groome (supply) served from February 1947 to October 1949
1950-1951  Rev. S.A. Harry
1952-1953  Rev. V.A. Wilkinsom
1954-1959  Rev. James McMurtry (retired supply)
1960-1961 Supplied from St. Johns Rev. Boyd Beckel
1962-1964  Supplied for Balgonie Pastor W.J. Rees
1965-1966  Pastor W.J. Rees as St James minister
1967-1977  Rev. Bruce Wartman
1975-1986  Rev Tom Powell
1978 (Spring)  Rev. Joyce Dicken
1978-1991  Rev. Rodney Francis
1980-1984  Marilyn Perry
1988-1999  Rev. Mark Wartman
1991-2003  Rev. Sharon Davis

2004- Rev. Ken Powers
2006-2010 Rev. Robin Osborne

1999-Present Rev. Laura Sundberg
2015-Present Rev. Diane Robinson
 

Many thanks to Janet Sheppard Croissant for all of her work archiving the history of St James.