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Central
United of Brandon became so named in 1969 following the amalgamation of two
churches in Brandon and one in Kemnay, a small community west of Brandon. The
three churches were St. Paul's United (1880-1969) originally a Presbyterian
church, First Church United (1881-1969) originally a Methodist Church and Kemnay
United (1891-1969). St. Paul's United became known as Central United, and First
Church United and Kemnay United properties were sold. The Gospel has been
proclaimed at the present location since 1882.
In June
of 1986, the building, which housed St. Paul's United Church and later Central
United, was destroyed in a spectacular fire sparked by a strike of lightning.
The bolt split the spire and started a fire in the attic. Firefighters at first
thought they had the fire under control and therefore few items were removed
from the Sanctuary. Quickly however, the fire spread and when the chandelier
fell to the sanctuary floor, it created a chimney type of effect and the church
was instantly a blazing inferno.
The ashes
were not yet cold when the Official Board met to consider their options.
Quickly it was decided to rebuild and building and fund raising committees were
put in place.
The new
Church Building was first occupied in September of 1988, just twenty-seven
short months after the fire. Fourteen months later, it was announced to the
congregation that the building was paid for and that a mortgage was not
required. In just forty-one months, a functional and beautiful new building was
not only erected to the Glory of God but had been paid for. A miracle had happened.
In order
to understand the architectural symbolism of our new Church, it is necessary to
know a bit about the history of the United Church of Canada. This Church
resulted from the union of the Presbyterians, the Methodists and the Congregationalists.
All of these denominations are based upon Calvinistic thought. We are reminded
of the Puritans and of Oliver Cromwell.
Calvinistic
preachers proclaimed the Word of God in a severely logical fashion. Their
thinking moved in straight lines, i.e. from point A to point B. Consequently,
Churches based upon this philosophy should express themselves in straight
lines. Simplicity of design (bordering on austere) is the key. The Pulpit (used
for the proclamation of the Word) and the Communion Table (used for the
dramatic expression of the oneness with Christ and with each other) must be
central. They should be the focal point of action. The simplicity of design in
a United Church need not be too stark. Color can be added in carpets, pulpit
hangings and stained glass windows.
The
entrance to the Church should be through one door so that people can enter or
leave together. The one door also is symbolic of Jesus's statement that there
is one door to salvation. Once inside the Church, there must be a sense of
security: the Security of Salvation. The design of our new Church is a near
perfect contemporary expression of Reformed-Calvinistic thinking. It is PLAINLY
elegant. The straight lines, the near starkness and the lack of adornment
except for the warm wood and brass tones highlight the comforting surrounding
we usually enjoy. The lack of any banners, pictures or color (with the
exception of the Stained Glass Windows which must be placed at some time in the
future if the Architects stunning use of God's Natural Light is to be fully
realized) was planned to reflect our Calvinistic roots.
The one
way to enter is through an inviting and non-threatening courtyard of greenery. "We
shall walk in green pastures."
Once in the
secure area of the narthex, the entrance way to the various areas are by
straight lines in the shape of a Cross. The narthex is a Central meeting place
for Christian fellowship. It is the heart of the Church in the heart of the
city.
From the
narthex, God's people are able to proceed in four directions. North, to worship
in the sanctuary; South, to fun and fellowship in the Auditorium; East, to
business in the offices and finally; West, to the outside world. As we proceed
to the west, we again pass through the garden and are reminded firstly by the
relics of the old Church of our past and secondly by God's creations, that for
all its problems, it is still a beautiful world. Thus we proceed in an easterly
fashion into the Church in search of the "Light" of God which rises
in the East and when our work is done, we leave to the West and the setting sun
in the hope of Life Eternal.
The solid
brick facade is reminiscent of older construction techniques. Yet these are
blended with the use of new materials such as steel (a symbol of our age). The
ceiling in the Sanctuary, Narthex and Auditorium have been left uncovered
revealing the beams. In ancient construction, this was common. The Architecture
in the Auditorium reflects that of the Sanctuary giving it a singularity of
purpose. The design of the sky light in the Narthex reflects the placement of
the beams in the Sanctuary and further emphasizes the uplifting of the spirit
and the reaching upward towards the Heavenly Father. The design of the
placement of the steel beams creates a myriad of crosses, reminding us of
Christ's supreme sacrifice. In the exterior brick work, we find three rows of
soldier coursing. This reminds us that we are the soldiers in the service of
the Lord. They completely encircle the building suggesting to us the
universality of Christian belief. They also suggest the threefold nature of
God.
The
windows are reminiscent of the Roman arches popular in the ancient Cathedrals
and along with the Gothic window in the Chapel, remind us of our Christian
heritage.
One of
the central features of the Sanctuary is the 1930 vintage Casavant Freres
organ. While this organ has only two manuals, it was designed to reproduce
the sound of a three manual organ. It also has a complete set of chimes, which
can sound in the sanctuary as well as outside. They are representative of God's
gift of music. A central feature of our worship, space has been left to
accommodate an expansion of this magnificent instrument in the future.
The
circular shaped pews as well as the organ were purchased from St. John's United
Church in Winnipeg. The pews add a certain warmth as we gather around to hear
God's word.
The
woodwork on the chancel incorporates the trefoil. This is an accepted symbol of
the three-fold nature of God. The woodwork on the organ facade incorporates
many crosses.
Included
in the design of the Church and its furnishings are; The Archway from the
Eastern entrance to the old church which is now the Archway in front of the
main entrance. The brick work surrounding the west door of the old Church is
now the free standing arch in front of the Chapel entrance. The Cross and
Candle sticks on the Chapel Communion Table are the original ones which graced
our old Communion Table. The Pulpit furniture in the Chapel were taken from the
Orchard Chapel. The only pew to survive the fire was one which had been removed
from the sanctuary and placed in a Sunday School room in the basement. It now
occupies a proud place in the Narthex.
The
Sanctuary was designed to accommodate 750 people plus a choir of 50. The Chapel
provides a convenient overflow of 100 more seats.
The
Auditorium was designed to provide a place of fellowship for our members as
well as to provide a complete wedding facility. It will accommodate 250 guests
and is equipped with a complete kitchen with all the necessary dishes and
utensils.
Special
lighting and sound can be effected in both the Sanctuary and the Auditorium.
The sound can be fed to all parts of the building. A well known Brandon opera
singer has expressed the opinion that the acoustics in the Sanctuary are among
the best that she has ever encountered.
The
Christian Education area includes eleven classrooms of varying sizes as well as
a larger room of medium size for meetings. There is a well equipped resource
room. This area can accommodate all of our meeting needs as well as provide an
excellent small conference facility.
The
Church also has a Boardroom/Library and a cryroom or nursery off the sanctuary
with visual and audio access to the Service so that parents can stay with their
young children.
Situated
in the downtown area of the city, we have developed an open door policy which
attempts to meet the spiritual needs of all. Our goal is to make everyone
welcome. Our motto is "A Church with a heart in the heart of the
city".
Central
finds itself in a new role and place in the society around it. In the present
age, its physical community and local demographics have changed quite drastically
from the days of yore.
Being a
church in the center of the city (a core area church) presents us with a
challenge of providing outreach programs for the residents of the core area.
The
membership and ministry leadership of the congregation is reaching out to the
surrounding community to share and hear the Good News of Christ through
traditional means.
In
Ministry, we currently are led by one Ordained Minister, while the congregation
make a decision regarding sending out a call for a second minister. Rounding
out our staff are our Office Administrator, Caretaker, Choir Director, Organist
and Sunday School Superintendent. In addition to the Pastoral and Sacramental
work of the church, we offer a home for Girl Guides, Community Support
Services, Gambler’s Anonymous and various other groups. We have a core area
outreach program. This work is supported, guided and implemented with the input
and untold energy of members of the congregation.
Currently,
we have a Senior Choir, which practices the second and fourth Thursday of each
month, and Sunday morning before the service.
As well, we have a Sonshine Youth Choir, and Angel Choir for the little
children who love to sing. The Sonshine
Choir practices immediately following the Sunday Service and the Angel Choir
meets during the service.
Central
United has not gone untouched by the give and take of the church in our age. We
seek to move forward valuing the gifts and wisdom of those who have gone before
while opening ourselves to the energy, experience and creativity of those to
come. This progress of celebration and renewal is made possible through the
faithful gifts and foresight of those in the past and relying on the devoted
energy and vision of the present faithful.
Central
United in Brandon is not alone in the world. We are gradually moving toward
opening the doors and serving all of God's people, as Christ called us to do in
the midst of this world. Together we look to the future with excitement and
faith; excitement for the new face of the congregation's worship and outreach
and faith in God, who gives life in Christ, who gave his life for us and in the
Holy Spirit, continuing to guide us into the days ahead.
