Our Parish History

A Brief History of  "The Church of the Resurrection"

"The Mission of the Resurrection" (later to be named "The Church of the Resurrection") had its beginnings as a house church in the mid-1970's as a result of the need for a traditional Anglican church in the City of Edmonton, which would continue the catholic faith as once delivered to the saints, in an Anglican way. It became the second church in Canada as a continuing Anglican church, the first being Saint Athanasius, Victoria, BC. (later to become the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Evangelist) In 1976 we began with lay-led Morning Prayer meetings in peoples homes on Sunday mornings.

“The Church is built on the four cornerstones of Scripture, Creeds, Sacraments, and the holy Mysteries. Without these corners, there is no holy Catholic church.”

At one of those house meetings, it was decided to name our parish “The Mission of the Resurrection” as we deemed it to be a proper name, as we prayed to keep the faith and receive Christ's promise of our Resurrection in Him. We met in various homes each Sunday, saying Morning Prayer or receiving Holy Communion when a priest was available to travel to Edmonton to minister to us. These clergy were (in no particular order): Fr. Philip Sargeant; Bp. James Mote; Fr. Edward Gale; and Fr. Roland Palmer. [For a timeline list of the Appointed Clergy that have served our Mission and Parish, see below.]

On January 1, 1978 the first Holy Mass of the Mission of the Resurrection was held on New Year's Day in a rented space of a former Anglican church building. Fr. Philip Toswell Sargeant was making the 100 mile (160 km) round trip once a month to celebrate the Eucharist for the Mission.

On June 11, 1978 the feast of Saint Barnabas the Apostle and the Confirmation of Mr. James Stolee, the Rev. Fr. Philip Toswell Sargeant writes to his parishioners the following:

"In the catacombs of Rome it is quite usual to see pictures of the Eucharist with every one seated around a table. As we think of our Lord dealing with sinners, we find him, too, seated with the publicans and sinners. So it is now, for we are to see Him sitting with us as He breaks bread the bread at His table.....The other action for which [Saint Barnabas] is remembered is his bringing of Saint Paul to that same table at a time when the other Apostles did not believe the story of Saint Paul's conversion. They just didn't trust him.....Perhaps Saint Paul remembered this friendly action when he wrote the opening words of his Second Epistle to the Corinthians1 [2 Corinthians 1:1-11]. But it all centres around the table (His Altar) and we here are fervently thankful that the centrality of the Mass [Holy Communion] is being so staunchly upheld by the Bishops of our Church."

By October of 1978 a lay-led, clergy approved, "Prayer and Intercessory" group had been formed and we began meeting weekly on Wednesday evenings. Though this was new territory for people, it helped with the spiritual development of the individuals attending the group as well as the Mission. The group continues its work to this day. Through the years we have seen some truly amazing results and people have sent cards and messages of thanks for their greatly improved health or their outlook which has changed to a positive way of thinking.

Also in 1978 the Mission was officially incorporated under the "Companies Act" of the Province of Alberta. We were [and still are] a close knit Mission with study and prayer. It was in a way exciting and the adventure that we experienced made us quite a lively bunch, even having a few parties and not a few dinners! Through these adventures we have been brought closer to the truth of Christ, in Christ, and for Christ and we pray to God that His blessings to our ministry will continue.

Over the next few years we would meet in rented school space, “time sharing” with various churches and it was in the latter space that we ran a food bank twice a week and church sales to help raise funds for our continued ministry in Edmonton. We also shared space in various religious chapels and have moved back to a “time sharing” arrangement with the Lutheran's at Redeemer Lutheran Church where we have been for a number of years. We have a wonderful working relationship with the Lutherans and appreciate the generosity that they have shown us.

“The work of the Church in the world is to offer to God on behalf of all people the worship which is His due; to make known to all people the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and to unite all people to God in on family.”

Our ministry through the years has included Sunday weekly services of either the Mass said by clergy, or Morning or Evening Prayer led by our Licensed Lay Readers. After our services we always spend time in fellowship building relationships, encouraging and supporting each other as we journey in our Christian walk through this world.

As part of our continued fellowship we have had many different gatherings outside of the context of our church services. These have included BBQ's at various parishioners homes, meals out together at resturants, suppers being hosted by individuals in their homes, and field trips. We have been to Drumheller to take in the “Passion Play” that is put on every year.

“Through prayer, the Holy Spirit has kept our group of parishioners going through all sorts of ups-and-downs.”

The clergy have visited the sick and shut-in, those at home, in care homes, or in hospital, bringing them Holy Communion and praying for and with them. Anointing them with oil as Christ has commanded us to do so. The laity also has assisted in this regard, bringing encouragement and uplifting conversations and time with those in need.

As part of the healing ministry that we do as Christians we have had Holy Unction once a month after our Sunday Mass for those seeking or needing prayers for healing. Whether one is afflicted physically, mentally, or spiritually, as Christians we are called to minister to those in need and provide the healing power and grace that God has given to those who ask.

“Our duty is to feed His sheep, all else is of secondary importance, for the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church, is truly the living body of Christ Jesus.”

We have also provided outreach to those in our large community assisting individuals with various needs and helping out where we can and with what resources we have available to share with those around us. The clergy have also done many house blessings through the years.

“Many blessings of the Holy Spirit continue to uplift our spirits and employ our talents for the glory of God, the enjoyment of our fellow pilgrims, and the spreading of the Greatest Story ever told.”

As a group of individuals for varied backgrounds, we have shared our time, talents, and treasures, to help grow God's kingdom here on earth. We have done this through our one-on-one outreach with the community, an internet presence, the creation of a church logo, connecting with people seeking God and providing a loving and caring community in which they can worship Him.

Appointed Parish Clergy

-The Rev. Fr. Philip Toswell Sargeant, Missioner & Priest-in-Charge:  June 18, 1978 - November 1980

-The Rev. Fr. Edward Scott Gale, Priest-in-Charge:  November 1980 - September 23, 1981

-The Rev. Mr. Colin Stuart Grant, Assistant Curate (Deacon):  January 24, 1981 - September 23, 1981

-The Rev. Fr. Colin Stuart Grant, Rector:  September 24, 1981 - May 27, 1988

-The Rev. Mr. George Stanley Mealey, Assistant Curate (Deacon):  June 15, 1986 - May 27, 1988

-The Rev. Fr. George Stanley Mealey, Rector:  May 28, 1988 - January 2, 1999

-The Rev. Fr. George Stanley Mealey, Assistant Curate:  January 3, 1999 - April 2003

-The Rev. Dr. David Skelton, Rector:  January 3, 1999 - December 26, 2011

-The Rev. Victor Nelson Cox, Assistant Curate:  June 15, 2003 - February 16, 2007

-The Rev. John Hilton, Assistant Curate:  January 2004 - May 1, 2015

-The Rev. Mr. Bryan Shane Donegan, Assistant Curate (Deacon):  February 1, 2004 - March 18, 2005

-The Rev. Bryan Shane Donegan, Assistant Curate:  March 19, 2005 - December 26, 2011

-The Rev. Cn. Trevor Michael Elliott, Assistant Curate:  March 28, 2000 - December 26, 2011

-The Rev. Cn. Trevor Michael Elliott, Priest-in-Charge:  December 27, 2011 - July 16, 2017

-The Rev. Cn. Trevor Michael Elliott, Rector Emeritus:  July 16, 2017 - October 29, 2022

-The Rev. Dr. Davis, Assistant Curate:  October 30, 2016 - July 15, 2017

-The Rev. Dr. Davis, Priest-in-Charge:  July 16, 2017 – present

-The Rev. Mr. Jeffery BeBeau, Assistant Curate (Deacon):  April 12, 2024 - present

¹ "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:1-11