On Sunday, December 6, 1908, members of the congregation gathered at 318 N. Broad Street, the site of their first official church building, to begin the move to the new building at the corner of Center and Baker streets, says pastor Craig Duffield.
Following opening comments and prayer by Reverend A. J. Freedlund, the families of the church marched to the new facility for a dedication service.
This Sunday, members and friends of the congregation will gather once again at 318 N. Broad at 10 a.m. for opening comments and prayer led by Duffield. They will then proceed the roughly seven blocks to the current building for a service of rededication. The accompanying illustrations show the 1908 facility (top) and the current building.
Sunday’s event will differ in at least one way, Duffield says. Church members have the benefit of motorized vehicles this year.
The morning worship will include a message from Richard Lucco, superintendent of the Great Lakes Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and a service of “communion, carols and candlelight,” featuring the chancel choir. A catered meal will follow in the church fellowship hall.
The facility on Center Street is the third structure that the “Mission Friends” – as Covenanters were once known – have occupied in Ridgway, Duffield says. The first was constructed in 1879 to house their prayer meetings and accommodated about 100 people. The church moved to its second building in 1884. Both structures are used as residences today.
