1865 21-year old Albert Simpson, founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, preached his first sermon as a pastor in one of Canada’s most prestigious pulpits; became ordained; got married; honeymooned; and returned to his pulpit inside one week!
1870s The Holy Spirit revolutionized Simpson’s life. His passion was for the souls of the poor and neglected masses at home and abroad. Sophie Lichenfels, a scrubwoman and member of Simpson’s New York City church, said, “Pastor, he vent to anudder fancy church in New York City before he gave it all up to preach to plain folk like me.”
1885 In Canada, John Salmon, a young Scottish immigrant, left his Toronto pastorate to launch an independent ministry to the “least, last and lost.” When Salmon met his U.S. counterpart in life and ministry, an instant, life-long friendship and association developed.
1887 Compelled by a sense of urgency to take the gospel message to all nations, Simpson and Salmon were used by God to give birth to The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Dr. William Cassidy, a Toronto medical doctor, was the first ordained missionary in the new mission society. He died of smallpox en route to China. However, Cassidy’s death was the “spark that ignited the Alliance missionary blaze,” which burns to this day.
1930s In the Fairplay School, about twelve miles south of Strathmore several families got together and developed a Sunday School.
1962 With the help of some leaders from First Alliance Church in Calgary, the Playfair Sunday School was turned into a church. They began by meeting in the Memorial Hall in Strathmore. Eventually, land was secured and building erected. The original structure, now the Fellowship Hall, could accommodate seventy-five people.
1980s The new sanctuary was constructed, this one seating three-hundred. “Praise Sunday,” an annual Fall offering and feast, was initiated to help pay down the debt and to provide a the church family with the opportunity to celebrate together. This event has become an important yearly highlight.
1990s Several new outreach endeavors came into their own, such as the Annual Heritage Days Breakfast as part of the big rodeo weekend, the Christmas Cantata, which involves folks from a variety of churches, and a strong emphasis on world missions.
2000s The congregation continues to work to bring glory to God by making disciples. Guided by the Word of God, our hope is to develop into a great community where we can love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and our neighbors as ourselves.