WATCH ABOVE: The Edmonton Lutheran church has closed. But today, the congregation took extraordinary steps to ensure the church lives on. Fletcher Kent explains.
EDMONTON – Late last year, Augustana Lutheran Church held its final service. But Tuesday, members of the congregation made sure its legacy lives on.
“I think it’s a good day,” said Dianne Kieren, who’s a member.
Over the years, the Edmonton church’s membership has steadily declined. Late last year, they closed its doors.
“It’s always sad to close a church. This is family. We know each other. We’ve been together a long time.”
The congregation decided to sell the church – and the prime downtown land it sits on – and donate the money to a few different charities.
“Today is the day we will give away $1.9 million,” said Kieren.
A developer bought the church land and, cheque by cheque, Augustana members gave away money.
“The congregation said we want to give it to other ministries because, that way, we felt Augustana would go on forever,” explained Kieren.
The Edmonton Community Foundation received $1.4 million to create an endowment fund that will pay out at least $60,000 annually.
“We’re able to assist many – several thousand charities – based here in Edmonton,” said Martin Garber-Conrad with the foundation.
“It has the potential not just for continuing good in our community but growing good.”
The remaining half a million dollars went to nine other charities.
On top of that, the church gave away everything else it had to other Canadian churches: the pews, the altar, the banners.
“To know that they just didn’t need to be discarded, it’s been wonderful in that regard,” said Augustana member Sonja Myroon.
Some of the money will also be used to create a group that will look for ways to make the Lutheran church more welcoming and inclusive, specifically to members of the LGBTQ community.
With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News
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