MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw’s first Presbyterians arrived by train in 1883, and now St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church is making another move — but it’s not closing its doors.
The congregation will soon gather for worship in a new location, transitioning to a re-established chapel space in the basement of Zion United Church. The first service in the new location will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, which is also Mother’s Day.
Bev Longmire (Rev.), a longtime member of the congregation, said the move is part of a downsizing effort that will better suit the needs of the smaller, aging congregation.
“Our (former) church (building) could hold 180 people, and on (any given) Sunday we’re at about 25,” she said. “People from our congregation are getting older. A lot of them have moved away or into retirement communities, but they didn’t want to close the church. What they wanted to do instead is just downsize to a smaller facility.”
Longmire, who jokingly said her retirement role is to “look after this, that, and everything else” at her parish, said she saw an opportunity after learning that Zion United Church was thinking about repurposing an unused basement conference room back into a chapel.
“When I looked at it… and went through the building, I figured, ‘I think this can work,’” she said.
The move is set for Wednesday, April 23. Leading up to that, members of St. Mark’s parish will be removing the original pews from their building — most of which bear the nameplates of past congregants — and repurposing some of them for the new space.
“Eight pews from St. Mark’s are coming over (to Zion United Church). These are smaller pews, and our pulpit is coming over, and so is our baptismal font and our piano,” Longmire said. “So, when people start to come to the chapel, they’re going to feel comfortable; it will feel like home again.”
The pews are being moved because the building’s new owners, Jesus Is Lord Church — which has 130 members and is led by Pastor Lorlei Morante — prefer chairs.
“(Jesus Is Lord Church) is bringing in 200 chairs,” Longmire noted. “But for us, I tried to make the transition as easy as possible” by bringing some familiar elements to the new location.
While the chapel is being re-established primarily for the Presbyterian congregation, it will also be available for everyone. With a capacity of around 45 people, the space is ideal for small weddings, baptisms, memorial services, or other spiritual gatherings.
“It’s not just for us; it’s for the community,” Longmire said. “Weddings and funerals are so expensive these days, and their (Zion United Church) rental rates are very reasonable.”
A new sign for the chapel entrance is currently being made and will direct visitors to the south-side door near the office. The chapel space is accessible via a short flight of stairs — around six steps — with nearby washroom facilities and an adjacent dining area for events and gatherings.
St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church services will run from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, followed by Zion United Church services from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the same day. The timing is set to ensure both congregations can continue to worship without interruption.
For more information about St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, visit or call 306-692-8914.
Jesus Is Lord Church will move into the former building at 80 High Street East on Friday, April 25, with the first Pentecostal service to take place on Sunday, May 4.
To learn more about Jesus Is Lord Church, visit .
Zion United Church is located at 423 Main Street North. For more information and to inquire about chapel rentals, call the church office at 306-692-3842.
