Trinity Lutheran Church - Fernie, BC
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member T0SHEA
N 49° 30.333 W 115° 03.746
11U E 640274 N 5485461
Standing on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Seventh Street, Trinity Lutheran is one of six brick churches to be built in Fernie following the Great Fire of 1908.
Waymark Code: WMY9KD
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 05/15/2018
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member veritas vita
Views: 0

Upon touring the town of Fernie one will find that each and every church of any age in the town was built between 1908 and 1910. This was not a coincidence. On August 1, 1908 Fernie suffered a devastating fire which burned the entire town, save for the present town hall, the Western Canada Wholesale warehouse and the Catholic priest’s residence (all concrete structures which managed to withstand the blaze). 100 businesses, 700 residences and all the churches and public buildings burned to the ground. Beginning almost immediately the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Salvation Army and Lutheran congregations began to rebuild. All their buildings were of brick and/or stone, at least in part because immediately following the fire the town passed an ordinance requiring all buildings in a ten block area to be built of fireproof material.

Bearing a cornerstone lightly etched with the date 1910, Trinity Lutheran remains in use today. On the second side of the cornerstone was etched what was likely the church's name, but whatever was there has since been scratched out, save for the word "CHURCH". Trinity Lutheran is a member church of the EK Lutheran Parish, which has churches in Fernie, Cranbrook, Elkford, Kimberley and Invermere.

A somewhat utilitarian building, Trinity Lutheran was built of dark red brick on a tall concrete basement, the parging etched to create the appearance of stone. A rectangle under a gable roof, the building has a chancel at the rear and a simple brick steeple occupying the northeast corner. Gothic Revival windows adorn the sanctuary sides and front, while blocked in Gothic openings with keystones appear on the two exposed sides of the steeple. Atop the steeple is a low pitched hipped roof. Brick pilasters down each side separate the sanctuary into several bays, with a window in each. Centered in the front is a small narthex with a very low pitched gable roof.

Given that Fernie's lifeblood is, and always has been, coal mining, it has attracted many immigrants from European countries where mining has been carried on for centuries. Some of these countries, such as Germany and the Scandinavian countries, were the homes of many Lutherans, explaining the continuing existence of Trinity Lutheran in Fernie.

We notice that worship time is 1:30 PM. A late time such as this usually indicates a shared pastor, doing at least two services per day.
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1910

Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque

If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 12:00 AM To: 12:00 AM

If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday

Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 1:30 PM

Street address of Church:
691 – 4th Avenue
Fernie, BC Canada
V0B 1M0


Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]

If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed

Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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