Our Story
How Did We Get Here
The congregation began informally with its first worship service in the Music Room at St. Helena School on September 6, 1981, under the name “Huntington Hills-Beddington Heights United Church”. As the congregation grew in size, it didn’t take long before it moved to the gymnasium. A $15,000 donation for a “bricks and mortar” fund began the journey of considering a church building. While the dreams of the congregation were getting bigger, the name was getting smaller. In March 1983 the official name of the congregation was changed to Symons Valley United Church. We also decided to move our growing congregation to a new space in the Beddington Community Center.
Music has always been important so it was no surprise that the original choir of six grew to our current number of four thriving Choirs for all ages. In 1991 adequate funds were raised in cash and pledges to meet loan requirements for a new building. Construction began in October 1992 on Beddington Circle and it only took until 1999 to retire the mortgage. This location remained the home of the congregation until June 2006.
With dramatic growth in Calgary, it became evident that not only was the current building too small, but there was also no United Church presence in the rapidly expanding housing areas in the North West. As part of an overall strategy to support church needs in new communities, it was decided that Symons Valley United Church would relocate to Kincora.
Building a New Dream
A parcel of land was purchased by Calgary Presbytery, of The United Church of Canada and the congregation began the process of preparing, both financially and physically, to move. 2006 was a busy year: funds were raised, architectural drawings were completed, development permits were applied for and the church building in Beddington was sold. Temporary locations were found with Worship services relocated to the gymnasium at the Ascension of our Lord School. The church office was relocated to Sandstone Village with a space no larger than the size of a single ATM! While building occupancy was delayed, concessions were made to allow for Worship to be held, for the first time in the new building, on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008. Group pictures were taken and cake was shared in honour of this significant milestone!
Where Are We Now
Our community friendly building has been designed to support our core values and our ongoing commitment to meet not only the growing needs of the Symons Valley congregation, but also the emerging needs of the communities of northwest Calgary. Bright colours, hi-tech audio visual equipment, sprung floors, and flexible multi-purpose space enables our church to be a warm and inviting environment where we can build meaningful relationships. All people from the community are welcome to join us on a journey of discovery where we can gather in friendship, fellowship, faith and fun. Previous experience with Symons Valley or the church is not a requirement! Our door is open to anyone who possesses an open heart, an open mind and an open spirit. Everyone is welcome to participate with us in our story of community, kindness, compassion and grace as it unfolds now and into the future.