The Church of God property at 214 Fairford St. West, Moose Jaw was built in the early 1900′s by the Standard Church (a branch of the Holiness Movement). The church was purchased by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (P.A.O.C.) in 1929 or 1930. Rev. Sayers was the first pastor. Mrs. Sayers was Dorothy Goldsney’s Sunday School teacher. Rev. Fleming was the Pastor when the PAOC sold the church building to the Church of God in 1944. The Certificate of Title was received December 23, 1944. The property was valued at $1,800. Trustees were Roy A. Reid, Curtis Wharran, and Paul E. Bachman.

The Church of God first came to Moose Jaw in 1943 when the Overseer, Rev. Wm. Pospisil came to start a radio program over CHAB radio station. The program was called “Church of God On The Air”. Rev. Pospisil called a pastor, Rev. M.G. McLuhan and his wife to move to Moose Jaw to direct the program. The Church of God Bible School, then called The South Saskatchewan Bible Training School, was founded by Rev. F. W. Bruce at Consul, Sask in 1936, and then was moved to Robsart, Sask in 1937. The Bible School was moved to Moose Jaw in 1943 to be more centrally located for transportation and opportunities. A three-storey house with full basement was purchased from a judge. It was located on University Heights, east of the former Aldersgate College.

During the first year, the staff and students attended the First Pentecostal Mission on Hochelaga St. West in Moose Jaw. The Pastor was Rev. Odegaard. The following year, once the Fairford Street church had been purchased, the Bible School students attended there. Some of the P.A.O.C. members joined the Church of God at that time. In Moose Jaw, the Bible School was called the Church of God Bible Training School. In 1944, Rev. M. G. McLuhan was the first Pastor. They lived in the 3-room suite in the basement of the church. He taught at the Bible College and continued to direct the radio program. In the summer of 1944, the McLuhan’s evangelized so Rev. Arnold Erickson was called to fill in as radio program director. In the Fall of 1946, Rev. J. G. Hall and family came to pastor the church. He also taught at the Bible School. In the Fall of 1947, the Bible School was moved to Outram, Sask, 14 miles west of Estevan. An airbase was purchased and the name of the school was changed to “International Bible College” (I.B.C.). Here a High School Department was added as well as a Public School Room.

In the Fall of 1947, Rev Paul Sexton and his wife came to pastor the church. They lived in a rented house and remained until 1949. Rev. Sexton also directed the radio program. In 1949, Rev. Joseph Kisser and family came to pastor the church. They also lived in a rented house. I.B.C. now produced the radio program. In July 1950, Rev. Chester Roset and family came to pastor the church. They lived in the church basement suite. Rev. Roset was often called to take the radio program when I.B.C. didn’t get a tape ready in time.

In September 1953, they moved to the Bible College to be Business Manager and teach. Later, he also directed the radio program and was campus pastor.

In 1953, Rev. David Barsness and family came to Moose Jaw to pastor the church. They also lived in the basement suite of the church.

In 1957, Rev. Albert Soderberg became Pastor. He was a widower with 2 children. During this time, he married Lydia Engel and they lived in the basement suite. At this time a gas furnace was installed in the church. In the summer of 1957, Rev Albert Grimes and family pastored the church as interim pastor.

In 1958, Rev. Osborne Cowan and family moved into the basement suite and pastored the church. They were there until I.B.C. moved back to Moose Jaw.

In 1962, Rev. James Hay, who married Sandra Lindsay, came to pastor the church and teach at the Bible College. The College rented an H-hut near the present shopping mall until the new buildings were ready. Pastor Hay and wife lived in rented quarters. In the late fall of 1966, Rev. Jack Bridal became pastor. The family lived in their own house on Home St. East, Moose Jaw. In the spring of 1970, the church auditorium was remodeled and the following year, in 1971, the basement was fully remodeled. In 1972, Pastor Bridal and family moved to Toronto to pastor the Humberlea Church of God. Rev. Phillip Siggelkow, President of I.B.C. filled in as interim pastor from February to August 1972. In August 1972, Rev. Arthur Aspinall and family came to be the Pastor. The church took a step of faith and purchased a house at 12 14 Warner St as the new parsonage. Pastor Aspinall was here for 6 years and much was accomplished. The church auditorium was remodeled, a frontage was built on to the church with an office and nursery added and full basement below. New carpet was laid throughout the auditorium and addition. An air conditioner was installed and new pews and pulpit were purchased.

At the beginning of 1979, Rev. Wayne Aiken and family came from Illinois to be the pastor. He remained for 3 years, and then moved to Brooks, Alberta to start a church. In 1981, Rev. Wallace Rampy, who recently lost his wife in a car accident, came from the state of Washington to pastor for one year. In 1982, Rev. Walter Engel and family came to pastor. During this time, the church grew to where we were having two Sunday Morning Services and renting the building next door for classes on Wednesdays and Sundays. We began looking for a lot to build of for larger facilities. We purchased the Apostolic Church on 50 Hochelaga St. E, Moose Jaw in early 1984 and took possession on September 1. This property had a parsonage on it so we sold the Warner Street house and applied the funds to the purchase price of $350,000. On September 14, 1984 a Loan was taken from the Royal Bank for $277,000 with a 15 year amortization. The Fairford Street property was rented out until it was sold to “Joe’s Place” in 1998. In 1986, Rev and Mrs. David Barsness returned to pastor the Moose Jaw Church of God. They were here until the end of June 1988 when they moved to Weyburn.

In October 1988, Rev and Mrs. Paul Seagraves came to interim pastor, but stayed on until June 30, 1991 when he retired. On October 15, 1991, Rev. Wesley McLeod, a student at Briercrest Bible College, agreed to be the interim pastor until June 30, 1992. On September 1, 1992, Rev. Elmer Dueck and family came to be Pastor. Some major painting jobs were done in the church and we celebrated the church’s 50th Anniversary. Pastor Dueck stayed until early 1996. In the spring of 1996, Larry Hasmatali, a graduate of IBC was asked to be interim pastor. The Lord blessed his ministry and both Larry and the church believed God was leading for him to be the permanent pastor. Pastor Larry took his Pastoral and Ministerial training to become a licensed minister with the Church of God. In October 2000, we celebrated the “Burning of the Mortgage”. We were reminded again of God’s blessings on this church with faithful members who continued to support the church through some difficult times to bring us to this time of thankfulness for His faithfulness to us.

In 2002 two IBC students, Dwight Cameron and Brian Reesor stepped in as our youth pastors. After both graduated Dwight stayed on accepting a full time youth pastor’s position in the fall of 2004. In 2002 the church offices were moved to the vacated parsonage (Pastor Larry and Connie resided in their own home). The upper floor became offices and meeting space while the basement was converted into a youth room for our growing youth group. A third member was added to our staff in August 2005 when Amber Esau came into the office as Administrative Assistant and clerk. In 2007 Toby Ning became the fourth staff member, taking on the position of Children’s Ministry Coordinator. The spring of 2008 brought with it much change. We began renovations on the church in earnest and said goodbye to three staff members. In June of 2008, Michele Krieger replaced Amber as Administrative Assistant and clerk. In August of 2008, Jeremy Erickson took over as part-time Youth Pastor, and Kyleigh Coad became the new Children’s Ministry Coordinator. August 2009, Brad Funston joined the team as full-time Young Adult and Spiritual Formation Pastor.

During the 13 years of Pastor Larry and Connie’s ministry, God has blessed the church with many new families and converts. Extensive renovation and upgrading has taken place in the auditorium, with a new upper and lower foyer, two upstairs washrooms and a chairlift installed. Downstairs has also been renovated and new furnaces installed. We are excited as we look forward to what God has in store for the Moose Jaw Church of God, as He allows us to move forward into greater ministry both at home in our congregation and community, as well as around the world.