During the first few years there were no church services, except
for an occasional worship conducted by the Reverend Wood from
Magrath. He came out during the summer months. Sometimes
during the summer a date was set for the parents to bring their
children for baptism. It was the condition of the roads in the
winter, or perhaps the lack of roads that made it difficult to
continue with the services.

For a few years the Cardston church held summer services at
Del Bonita on a two week schedule. In 1928 we received word
that Lloyd Hale was coming to Del Bonita as a student minister.
We were to see that he had a place to board. He stayed at
various homes till he found a house where he could batch.
He wondered where he could find a horse. Arol Farries
provided him with one on loan for the summer. However, Lloyd
didn't think that was the right thing to do, so he bought a horse,
saddle and bridle from George Hoyt Sr. It went lame shortly
after he got it home. He asked Jack Farries what he should
do. Jack and George Hoyt were old hands at trading. I don't
know what happened at that meeting but Lloyd came back
with a different horse. This new horse was quite sound but he
had a habit of bucking. By the end of Lloyd's stay he had
mastered him, not without being thrown many times.

Lloyd was a very friendly person and a good organizer. He
held regular servces at Lens, Del Bonita, and Twin River schools.
He organized a Young People's Group. There were regular
meetings during that summer and dances were run under strict
supervision. The season ended with a picnic at the river. He
took the boys' club to Waterton where they had a wonderful
time for a whole week.

Vernon W. Hayes [Buck] was appointed to collect for the
church before Lloyd left for his home in Ontario. He came
over to our house after IO P.M. on the last Friday and said
he hadn't been able to do it, and turned it over to me.
Lloyd was leaving right after the service on Sunday.

Grant and Arof had a Model T Ford truck and Mother said
we should get Mrs. Newton to go along. We did, and
covered a lot of ground. We arrived at the Graveland home
just before dinner, and we were happy to join them at the
dinner table. After Mr. Graveland asked the blessing and
during the course of the dinner he asked us how we got
there. There was a bad mud hole at the foot of the hill
and no one had been able to get through since the storm.
The Model T was hard to beat on bad roads. Mrs. Newton
spoke up and said, "Anna just stepped on the gas and went
through."

Lloyd wanted to come back to Del Bonita, but circumstances
beyond his control prevented him from coming. He was a
student at Queens University.

In 1929 Bill Frazer came from the Maritimes. He was a young
man and could preach a very good sermon. He was an
excellent visitor and made his rounds regularly.

He rode horseback and didn't make the mistake of buying a
saddle horse and equipment. He accepted the offer of a
saddle, bridle, and saddle horse from Arol Farries.

Bill was a student at Mount Allison University. In his own
quiet pleasant way he was a good spiritual leader.

Mr. Snow, a lay minister, was an excellent speaker. There
were never any complaints about his sermons or his work
in the community. He spent several months at the
Cardston Church filling in until they could find an
ordained minister. He would have come to Del Bonita
permanently, if possible.

Mr. R. Gresham, Customs agent at Del Bonita conducted
a church service occasionally. I used to think he had
missed his vocation. He had a lovely wife and two nice
boys.

Mr. W. 0. Miller [Daddy] conducted an Easter service at
Lens School. It was well attended and many expressed the
opinion that they would appreciate more sermons by Mr. Miller.
He had been a Methodist lay minister down in the States,.
Before he started his sermon he said he had something to
tell us, "When I took my Bible down from the shelf and
opened it, I found a cheque for a large sum of money, and
it was over a year old. That is something for me to think
about."

Then he proceeded to deliver an Easter sermon that would
have been accepted by any congregation. Several years
later the Miller family returned to the United States, and he
resumed his preaching. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were well liked
and respected in the neighborhood and everyone in that
part of the district called them Mamma and Daddy.

A few years later their son, Lloyd, returned to Del Bonita on
a visit. He was happy and proud to tell me about his father's
success. We had always enjoyed a visit with the Millers at
their little store on the farm at Richfield [Rinard].

A student minister who was serving at Owendale came over
to the Lens School. He delivered a very fine sermon on the
text "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also."
After the sermon he said there were times when we needed
somthing more than a sermon. He sat down at the piano
and proceeded to give us a lovely program of sacred music.
Usually the people went home early but the music had
relaxed them. Although I've forgotten his name and the date,
that sermon has stayed in my memory for many years. He
rode over on horseback and instead of going around by one
of the bridges, he came straight across the country. He had to
get home before dark to ford the Milk River.

Then the Cardston church started holding summer services at
Del Bonita on a two week schedule. The Reverend Davidge
and his services were well attended. After Reverend Davidge,
the Reverend Habgood, then Reverend James McKelvie.
Reverend Tom Haythorne came next and Reverend Bert King
followed. After his first service I was asked what I thought of
the minister. I said there was one thing I was sure of, that he
would leave his mark on the community. Mr. King could see the
need for a student minister for the summer months and we were
very fortunate in securing the services of Archie McCurdy from
Nova Scotia. July 9, 1960 saw the dedication of the United
Church at Del Bonita.

Iwould be remiss if I didn't mention the leaders in the Cardston
United Church. These men were the ones who often provided
transportation for the minister who was coming out to Del Bonita.
People appreciated the friendly assistance they provided to
folks who had lost a loved member of their family through death.

The Del Bonita United Church

In 1949 Rev. A. E. King of Cardston United Church travelled to
Del Bonita to conduct occasional worship services in the school.
He encouraged the people of the community to organize a
mission field of the United Church in Del Bonita and Twin
River.

Archie McCurdy was the first student minister. He conducted
church services in the school at Del Bonita, and in the Twin
River school building during 1949.

In the summer of 1949 a branch of the United Church of
Canada was organized at Del Bonita. A board of stewards
and a committee of elders were elected. The Home Mission
Board was contacted and arrangements were made to
purchased the Foggin dance hall to be renovated for a church.
The old Shanks Lake school house acquired by the Sunday
School was sold to W. S. Clifton. The Board of Home Missions
gave a grant and a loan, and several families in the community
donated money to help get the church started. Carpenters were
hired to line the building, put in a ceiling, and partition off an
area for a manse. Local people did the painting and varnishing.
On July 9, 1950 the Del Bonita United Church was dedicated
with Reverend R. W. K. Elliot from the Home Mission Board as
guest minister. The building was packed with people of all
denominations.

From 1949 until the fall of 1957 student minsters, under the
supervision of the Cardston United Church minister, served the
Del Bonita Twin River mission field. These young men served
the community well. They participated in sports, visited and
helped farmers, led young peoples' groups, organized vacation
Bible schools, taught communicants' classes, and led in
spiritual worship at Sunday services held at the two preaching
points, Del Bonita and Twin River.

Archie McCurdy was the student minister during the summers of
1949 and 1950. He was a conscientious person, and did much
to lay the ground work for the church activity in the community.
He helped organize the young peoples' group and gave
valuable leadership in the area. The dedication of the church
was the highlight of his 1950 summer.

In 1951 Gerry Feltham from Newfoundland was student minister.
He helped to organize the first vacation Bible school. Many
local people helped with this week long school which wound up
with a display of work and a picnic. It was Gerry Feltham who
urged the men to turn out for Father's Day worship, as he didn't
want to preach a Father's Day sermon to a group of mothers.

Don Parr came in 1952. He soon became part of the community,
and did much to increase church membership. He held very
successful communucants' classes and was pleased when some
twenty-five adults and young people became church members
before he left in September.

Henry McDougall was student minister in 1953. He was from
Ontario, and continued the church activities that were already
under way.

Doug Betts from the Maritimes was 1954 student minister. He
was very young, but was a sincere Christian leader.

In 1955 Ed Ruddell from Toronto was student minister. Due
to a heavy May snow storm he was confined to the manse
and church for several days, so he began painting the
basement. He set up the talent fund as an extra source of
support for the temporal needs of the church. During
1955-56 he sent out a weekly letter to every family.

In 1956 Jim Hodge came from New Brunswick. He became
so much a part of the community that he broke down and
wept when it came time for him to leave.

Mac Stienburg from Ontario was the 1957 student. He was
very sports minded and played on the ball teams. He was a
capable spiritual leader and did much to strengthen the church
in the community. Membership increased and young peoples'
group was quite active under his guidance.

These students stayed in the manse and batched. Members
of the Ladies' Aid did their washing, and helped to keep the
manse tidy. Johnny Althen loaned them a motor bike for use
during their missions here. Sometimes other people in the
community loaned cars. Families took turns taking them to
Twin River to conduct services there each Sunday. Two or
three times during the summer a combined service was held,
and the ordained minister from Cardston came to perform
baptisms or induct new members into the church. Several
marriages were performed in the church. Ordained
ministers from Cardston came to officiate at these weddings.
Although each student was only in the area from May I to
August 31, he soon became part of the community and was
sadly missed when his term was over.

Between September and the end of April the minister from
Cardston led worship services for special occasions such
as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Sometimes local people
planned and conducted special services. Ed Ruddell
prepared and sent out Christmas and Easter worship
services which were conducted by local people.

In the fall of 1957 the Del Bonita Twin River mission field
became part of the Spring Coulee Magrath United Church
charge, with the understanding that services be conducted
in Twin River as well as Del Bonita.

Reverend Karl Seliger was the first minister to conduct
worship services on a full time basis. He was from Germany,
and although the English language was new to him, he was
able to express his deep Christian faith very well. He was
also an accomplished pianist. Reverend Seliger died
suddenly in 1959.

For a short time Mr. Seliger's son as well as A.O.T.S. members
from Lethbridge conducted the services. Then Bill Thomas,
a layman from Lethbridge, was in charge of services at
Magrath, Spring Coulee, and Del Bonita. He served the
area until June 30, 1960. It was necessary during this time
to discontinue the services at Twin River.

In September 1960 Reverend Jim Elliot and his young wife took up
residence in the manse in Magrath. Reverend Elliot was inducted
as full time minister for Magrath, Spring Coulee, and Del Bonita.
He served the area until June 1962. He was instrumental in
organizing the Milk River Ridge A.O.T.S.group for the men
of the three churches. He also helped with Hi C and midweek
Bible study groups.

Reverend Walter Murray and his wife Juanita came to Magrath
in 1962. Walter was full time minister for the charge until
June 1967. He was tall and slim. An extra base was put
under the pulpit to raise it to a convenient height for him.
Since his eyesight was poor he delivered his sermons without
referring to notes, and always made them interesting and to
the point. He had a keen sense of humor.

In 1967, Jake Thiesen, a layman, and his wife and family came
to Magrath. He was in charge of services at all three points
until June or July 1968. He encouraged Hi C and all church
groups in their work.

In the fall of 1968 the charge was enlarged to include Cardston.
Reverend Cecil Carnochan of Cardston United Church became
the minister for the whole charge. At that time the co-operative
parish plan made provisions for ministers and laymen from
various parts of Southern Alberta to take turns conducting
services at different churches in the whole area. Many
interesting laymen, ministers and singing groups brought
inspirational messages to the church. Reverend Carnochan
conducted the communicants' classes and baptismal and
communion services.

The Del Bonita United Church was officially closed as of
December 31, 1972.

In 1958 the partition between the manse and the chapel was
moved to make the south end of the building a church hall,
and the north end a chapel. This church hall was used by the
community as well as church groups. In 1965 it was decided
to construct a sixteen by twenty foot entry on the east side of
the building with separate doors to the chapel and the hall
and a stairway to the basement. This was completed in 1966.

In 1949 the Del Bonita Ladies' Aid was organized with Grace
Clifton as president. This group was very helpful with all
church activities. The members met once a month for study
and fellowship. They planned and served the annual fall
supper, and spring bazaar and tea, as money raising
endeavors. They assisted the church board by providing
money, and working to help keep the church in repair.
They helped friends and neighbors in times of trouble and
disaster. In the early 1960's the womens' group became
known as United Church Women or U. C. W. Two groups
were formed and were well attended. As well as supporting
local needs they reached out to support foster children in
other countries and to help those suffering in the Winnipeg
flood and the Nova Scotia mine disaster. Many ladies took
their turn at executive positions in the Ladies' Aid and later
the U.C.W. groups.

The men of the Del Bonita United Church helped to organize
the Milk River Ridge A.O.T.S. group in 1960. A.O.T.S. means
As One That Serves. The group included men from Magrath,
Spring Coulee, and Del Bonita, and was later joined by the
Cardston A.O.T.S. Once a month these men met for supper,
devotional, and fellowship. They supported Canyon Church
Camp and other youth programs in the area. The Milk River
Ridge A.O.T.S. was active until 1972 when membership had
declined and it was necessary to disband.

During the years that student ministers served the area, each
one led a young peoples' group, which met frequently during
the summer months. After 1957 a Hi C group was organized.
Hi C stands for Christ centered high school age group.
These young people met regularly and undertook study as
well as recreation. The ministers and several local people
served as councilors. Some of the local people who served
as councilors were Ken and Verna Newton, Allan Train, and
Ray and Betty Dalton.

In 1959 the Del Bonita United Church sponsored the Girl
Guide Movement with Margaret Robinson as Captain and
Iris Henry as Lieutenant. This group continued to meet
in the church hall for several years.

In the days of student ministers a junior as well as a senior
choir was organized under the capable direction of Mrs.
Mabel Weiss. The senior choir continued until sometime in
the 60's.

During the years several church furnishings were donated
and dedicated. The Ryerson Christie family of Cardston
presented a pulpit Bible, and the Cardston United Church
gave a communion set at the dedication service in July 1950.
The Nick Graveland family gave a baptismal font which
was dedicated to the memory of Rosie Graveland. The
church board presented offering plates in memory of Grace
Clifton, and a pulpit lamp in memory of Sharpe Henry. The
Seliger family gave a cross in memory of Reverend Seliger.
The church board purchased oak hardwood and student
minister Ed Ruddell and Leon Weiss constructed a beautiful
communion table from it. The pulpit was a gift from a church
which Ed Ruddell had attended in Toronto. Mrs. Robinson
made a donation to help pay the freight on it. When the
church closed some of these were returned to the families
and some went into use in Magrath and Cardston churches.

Sunday School had been started before the church was
organized and continued throughout the years. Some of the
superintendents were Grace Clifton, Violet Hillmer, Doris
Larson, Pearl Brenton, Pauline Secretan, and Margaret
Robinson. Many other ladies, young people, and a few
men served as teachers.

The student ministers and the ordained men conducted
study groups and communicants' classes for those wishing
to become members of the church. In 1958 there were
sixty-seven members and adherents.

Those who have served as elders included: Leon Weiss,
Isabelle Wagner, Powell Foggin, Ken Newton, Carl Jorgensen,
Arvid Larson, Margaret Robinson, Hank Graveland, Ed Newton,
and Pat Graveland. The committee of Stewards through the
years included: Earl Jensen, Grace Clifton, Ed Newton, John
Tangen, Arvid Larson, Merrill Farries, Hank Graveland, John
Althen, Nolan Weiss, Pearl Brenton, Clare Simpson, Powell
Foggin, Carl Jorgensen, Ella Woolf, Don Althen, Allan Train
and Lena Henry. Helen Newton was secretary from 1949-1954
and Muriel Farries from 1954-1955, while Grace Clifton was
treasurer from 1949 till her death in 1955. The office of
secretary and treasurer was combined with Helen Newton
serving as secretary treasurer from 1955-1966 and Norma Arnold
as assistant from 1956-1966. From 1966-1972 Norma Arnold
was secretary treasurer.

The committee of trustees to take care of disposition of the
church included Ed Newton, Powell Foggin, Margaret Robinson,
and Arvid Larson with Norma Arnold as secretary treasurer.

After the church was sold to the Del Bonita Country Association
the money was held in trust for five years. Then it was divided
among the Magrath, Milk River, and Cardston United Churches.

The Del Bonita United Church went through happy times and
disappointing experiences. The inspirational messages, baptisms,
increase in church membership, Christmas eve and Easter services,
and annual picnics and outdoor worship are among the memorable
experiences. The difficulty in financing the church, and the lack
of attendance in the 1970's are among the disappointments. The
community as a whole, and those who participated are richer for
God's blessings through the influence of the Del Bonita United
Church in the area from 1949 till 1972.

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