100 Years Strong: Smiley Church Marks a Milestone
If you’re taking a drive west on Highway #7, try turning north on Highway #307 and head to the Village of Smiley, SK. It’s a quick 18 km up the road, and there you will see the Smiley United Church. And why is that important? Well, because the church, along with the whole United Church of Canada, is 100 years old and celebrated this historic milestone on Sunday, August 3rd. The Rev. Piotr Strzelecki from the St. Paul’s United Church in Kindersley officiated the celebration and did a marvelous job speaking about the importance of community and coming together to help and support each other. If you see The Rev. Piotr, ask him about the smoked sausage string story!
In most small towns, the church and/or town/community hall are focal points for people to gather. One hundred years is a long time, and to see this church you would have a hard time believing it. It has been kept up very well by the town residents and is still in use!
Imagine being back in 1924. A committee was formed to take charge and look into building the church. One acre of land was purchased for the princely sum of $125.00! The basement excavation cost a whopping $115.00. A fellow named Roy Everitt was contracted to build the church provided that he finish it by November 15th, 1925. Roy was paid 60 cents an hour for his labor. An entire railcar of lumber was purchased from the North American Lumber Company for $1,087.00—ah, those times were simpler, but the costs relative. The final cost of building this church, when completed, was $3,288.50. That may only buy the land in today’s times!
With the basement interior finished in 1928 and trees planted around the property in 1932, the church and grounds were looking good. Imagine paying $5.95 for a half-ton of coal for heating. The Smiley United Church had been busy since it opened. By 1934, there were thirty-four families registered in the congregation and fifty-five children enrolled in Sunday School.
In 1936, the Smiley congregation joined with Driver and Coleville to form the Coleville–Smiley Pastoral Charge. The Ladies Aid purchased the pews in 1947, and in 1955 electricity came to Smiley and an electric organ was purchased. A $5,000.00 bequest was given to the church in 1972, which was used to carpet the floor, which is still in use today and still looking good. Through the years, ministers came and went, as did people in the town. Families grew up and moved on. But the church has always been there. Unfortunately, by June 1994, it became apparent that they could no longer support a full-time minister. Area ministers filled in on occasion, and as of September this year, Reverend Piotr has agreed to be the new supervisor for the Smiley Church.
It was a fun day to meet a lot of new people and take part in the celebrations. A potluck supper was provided in the hall after the church service, and, of course, the food was awesome and plentiful. A big half chocolate, half white cake finished off the meal.
Well done to the church committee for arranging this festive anniversary. See you in another 100 years? Maybe.
By Kevin Martin
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