Explore Our Rich History

The history of the Old Hope Church is more than just the story of a building, it is the story of a community. From its construction in 1912 to its careful restoration today, the chapel has been a gathering place for generations, witnessing celebrations, milestones, and the evolution of Stony Plain itself.

Below, you’ll find the history of the building alongside the story of the congregation that once called it home, showing how both have shaped the rich heritage of this iconic landmark.

History of the Old Hope Church Building

The Old Hope Church, often called the “Little White Church,” was built in 1912 on Highway 16 north of Stony Plain, Alberta. This charming white clapboard chapel quickly became a central gathering place for the local community, serving as the spiritual home for the Hope Christian Reformed congregation for nearly a century.

Constructed in the classic early 20th-century prairie church style, the building features traditional wooden pews, an elegant vaulted ceiling, and the original cross that remains a symbol of its enduring presence. Over the years, the chapel witnessed countless weddings, baptisms, community gatherings, and celebrations, becoming a touchstone for generations of Stony Plain residents.

By the mid-2010s, the congregation had relocated to a larger modern church, leaving the historic building at risk of being moved or sold. Recognizing its cultural and historic value, local residents and former church members formed the Old Hope Society in 2016 to ensure the chapel would remain in its original location and be preserved for the community.

Since then, the society has dedicated itself to restoring and maintaining the building. Projects over the past decade have included structural repairs, roof and flooring restoration, refinishing the pews, and ensuring the chapel meets safety standards for public use. Today, the Little White Church stands fully restored and ready to host weddings, community events, and celebrations, welcoming all who wish to experience this piece of Stony Plain’s heritage.

The Old Hope Church building is not just an architectural landmark—it is a symbol of continuity, resilience, and community spirit, bridging Stony Plain’s past and present.

Hope Christian Reformed Church

Established in 1912, the Hope Christian Reformed Church was a cornerstone for Stony Plain’s Dutch-Canadian community. For decades, it served not only as a place of worship but also as a gathering space where families came together for celebrations, events, and support. Over time, the congregation grew and eventually moved to a modern facility, leaving the original chapel as a lasting symbol of faith, resilience, and community spirit in Stony Plain.

Explore the full history of the Hope Christian Reformed community below.

Preface

This little history is written as an occasional piece for the one-hundredth anniversary celebrations of what is now the Hope Christian Reformed Church of Stony Plain, Alberta.

It has been my privilege to pastor this congregation since 1994. From that time until now, I have read as much of its history as I could lay my hands on and have heard many stories.

What you have before you is a modest effort, not as painstakingly researched and documented as a formal history. For a more thorough treatment of the first sixty years, I recommend the work of Reuben Bauer, One of Many, published in 1965. After forty years, however, some update is in order for the centennial of this congregation. While I do not have the time to write a history as careful as Mr. Bauer’s, I have tried to write this in a historically informed manner.

I hope that you, the reader, will both enjoy and be informed by these efforts. I also firmly believe that history is His story. I have endeavored to faithfully discern and report some of the movements of God in and through the story of this congregation. Any errors or omissions in this book are my own, and any good things are by His grace. Thanks be to God!

I would also like to thank the congregation for granting me a month of sabbatical to pull together the threads of these stories and write this little book. My prayer is that they especially will be inspired to carry on well with their part of the continuing story of Hope.

Russ Graff

July 2006, Stony Plain

“Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 24:13-14

The Early Years

The early years of our history have already been treated in some depth by Reuben Bauer in his book One of Many. Here are a few highlights drawn from his work.

The founding members of the Hope congregation were German folk who came to this area from Norka, Russia. These German-Russians had pioneered along the Volga in the 1770's. As the Russian political environment became unfriendly many left for more hospitable places. A number of these displaced people homesteaded in the Glory Hills area north of Stony Plain, and they brought their Reformed faith with them.

As early as 1898 Rev. G.F. Vetter organized these immigrants into a verein, a free reformed congregation, that is, one with no denominational ties. Soon (1900) there was a little log church built by Adam Giebelhaus. During these early years neighbors were welcomed to the congregation who did not share the German-Russian heritage. This even included pastors. One notable case was that of Rev. Edward Wolfe who preached in the church from 1905-1907 until a rift developed over baptism. He went on to found a Baptist church a mile east of Hope church and is a great grandfather to the Jesperson clan that figures prominently in the Alliance churches of this area.

The official beginning of our 100 years as a denominational church was declared on Sunday, May l 7, 1908, when Rev. Reinhold Birk said (in German), "Our beginning is in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen" The following Tuesday the congregation met, elected two elders and two deacons, and adopted organizational papers affirming its organization as the Evangelisch Reformiert Hojfnungs Gemende zu Glory Hills, the Evangelical Reformed Hope Congregation at Glory Hills. So, in the beautiful script of Rev. Birk the first page of our history was written.

The little flock of 31 communicant members and 28 children was immediately challenged with preparing to build a more substantial house of worship. Adam Giebelhaus donated an acre of land for a cemetery and new church building, and everyone did their part to make it a reality. On September 15, 1912, the building which still stands as a landmark on the corner of our property was dedicated by these settlers who were noted for their simple acts of kindness and friendly spirit. Yet not all was peace and light. Just one year later Rev. Birk resigned as a result of struggles with one member. The congregation tried to keep their pastor, by at first refusing his resignation and excommunicating the errant member. But it was to no avail, and so the first pastorate ended.

Summary of the First Sixty Years

1908-1913: Rev. Reinhold Birk was a key player in officially organizing the congregation and in its first major building project.
1913-1918: Rev. E. Lehrer, the second pastor promoted harmony and restoration even reaching the excommunicated member with the grace of confession and forgiveness.
1918-1919: Rev. J.H. Buenzli served during the dreadful flu epidemic. Although his ministry was afflicted with many cares and losses, this pastor was noted for a robust joy and good humour. The church also prospered on his watch, with a youth group that grew to 57 members. The church also became financially self-supporting.
1920?: Rev. Graeser died of a stroke after only a few months of service.
1921? Rev. Sommerlatte served for about three years..
1921-1944: Rev. C.H. Reppert had the longest pastorate, 23 years. There was a large influx of German-Russians from 1923-27. The church building was raised by adding to the foundation. In the early 40's there was some dissatisfaction with the pastor, and a vote was held to see if he should leave. Forty-nine of fifty ballots favored his continued ministry.
1944-1946: Mr. Armin Roemer a student pastor with an interest in the youth had a rather rough ride from the sound of things. He was asked to leave for the peace and harmony of the church.
1947-1962: Rev. J. F. Krieger concurrently served Reformed congregations in Vegreville, Duffield, Stony Plain, and his home church at Fort Saskatchewan. The denomination in the U.S. could no longer supply pastors to this area and through a merger was becoming part of the United Church of Christ. The Dakota Synod was encouraging the churches here to join a Canadian denomination and appeared to prefer the United Church of Canada. Rev. Krieger died in the saddle on January 11, 1962, just a week before a special meeting with the President of the Dakota Synod. That official indicated his willingness to sign a transfer of the congregation to another denomination as long as it was not one such as the Missouri Synod Lutherans. At the end of that meeting George Webber Sr. (father of one of our oldest living members) moved that we get in touch with the Christian Reformed Church in Edmonton in order to get more information about that denomination.
1962: Transition to the CRC started with pulpit supply from the Edmonton churches. Louis Tamminga told me he was the first CRC pastor to ever preach in the Hope pulpit, and that he was asked to perform a baptism, which he did without the forms that had gone missing. People commented it was the nicest baptism they could remember! ln April the congregation voted to continue CRC services and to ask for a minister on a two-year trial basis. This would lead to the arrival of a home missionary in 1963, The Rev. E.O. Holkeboer

Rev. E.O. Holkeboer Years (1963-1974)

The pastorate of Rev. E.O. Holkeboer marked a decisive era in Hope’s history and can be understood in three phases: transition, adjustment, and disturbance.

Rev. Holkeboer arrived in January 1963 as a Home Missions pastor during a period when Hope was discerning its denominational future. At a time when many nearby German Reformed congregations joined the United Church, Hope chose to pursue alignment with the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). Discussions with representatives of the United Church of Christ in 1964 clarified key theological differences, especially regarding the authority of Scripture, strengthening Hope’s commitment to the CRC.

Major adjustments followed beginning in 1965. The congregation adopted dual membership, aligned worship and pastoral practices with CRC standards, and undertook the extensive work of revising its incorporation and by-laws. New Articles of Incorporation were adopted in December 1965, and the congregation officially became the Hope Congregation of the Christian Reformed Church at Stony Plain. This milestone was celebrated with special services in February 1966.

Additional changes included new worship patterns, evolving membership, and adjustments to communion practices. Despite serious illness in 1967, Rev. Holkeboer received strong congregational support and was formally called as Hope’s pastor in 1968.

The early 1970s brought wider cultural pressures and internal tensions, including debates influenced by the charismatic movement and disagreements over teaching on marriage and sexuality. After a prolonged and difficult period, Rev. Holkeboer accepted a call elsewhere in 1974.

Despite the challenges of his later years, Rev. Holkeboer’s lasting legacy was guiding Hope into the Christian Reformed Church and securing a strong biblical and confessional foundation. He is also remembered for fostering joyful worship and enriching the congregation’s song life.

Rev. Peter Dekker Years (1975-1980)

Rev. Peter Dekker served Hope from 1975 until his retirement, bringing pastoral stability after a turbulent period and offering especially faithful ministry among the elderly. During these years, several families with Dutch-CRC backgrounds joined the congregation, influencing both congregational life and future building plans.

Growing needs and the rerouting of the Yellowhead Highway made a new parsonage and church building necessary. Additional land was purchased, and planning for new facilities became a major focus. While the building process demanded much time and energy, sometimes limiting evangelistic growth, the congregation continued to show spiritual vitality.

Hope expanded its educational ministries, responded compassionately to refugees from Vietnam, and pursued evangelistic outreach through Scripture distribution and renewed emphasis on conversion-centered preaching. These impulses would continue to shape the congregation’s identity in the years ahead.

Rev. Ralph Bruxvoort Years (1980-1993)

Rev. Ralph Bruxvoort’s pastorate at Hope was a period of progress marked by both growth and tension. During these years the congregation undertook major building projects, moving from the old church building into a new building on same property, it was near completion by the late 1980s, while also seeking to strengthen its evangelical mission.

The building process was lengthy and challenging due to economic conditions, funding limitations, and internal disagreements. Although the efforts of many dedicated members advanced the work significantly, conflict surrounding leadership and priorities caused division and contributed to a decline in membership through much of the 1980s.

Despite these difficulties, there were many encouraging developments. The congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1983 with the first services in the new building. New ministries emerged, including Bible studies, youth clubs, outreach through a coffeehouse ministry, and expanded support for missions and relief work. Worship practices were refreshed, and new committees strengthened congregational fellowship and participation.

During this period, council articulated a forward-looking commitment to faithfulness within the Christian Reformed Church and adopted a clear mission statement expressing Hope’s identity as an evangelical and Reformed congregation.

Rev. Bruxvoort concluded his ministry at Hope in January 1993, leaving behind a congregation shaped by perseverance through change and renewed vision for gospel-centered life and ministry.

Rev. Jacob Kitts (1993 - 1994) Interim Year

Rev. Jacob Kitts was contracted as an interim pastor near the end of March. His work in the areas of preaching and pastoral calling was appreciated. He represented a less progressive style of ministry.

During this time of transition several people who left during the Bruxvoort era came back. It appears they were attracted to the style and direction of the interim minister. This would make for unhappy members when the next ministry returned to a more progressive heading.

Rev. Russ Graff Years (1994-2007)

Rev. Russell Graff began his ministry at Hope CRC in April 1994, marking the start of a significant 13-year period. Early on, he and the council worked to implement a mission statement developed in the previous era, emphasizing worship that was reverent, joyful, flexible, and centered on God’s Word. Proposed changes—such as adding choruses, varied instrumentation, and broader worship leadership—met resistance, revealing three groups within the congregation: those who welcomed change, those who opposed it, and a larger middle group willing to adapt for the good of the church. Despite tensions, the church gradually moved toward a blended worship style.

Worship practices shifted substantially. Communion evolved from twice-yearly services with a common cup to seated communion six times per year. Leadership in worship expanded beyond the pastor, and music became more diverse. The evening service, never strong, declined further in the 1990s and was discontinued as an official service in 1998, although small group programs continued for a time.

Other notable developments included the launch of the Friendship Program for persons with cognitive disabilities in 1994, which quickly grew with strong volunteer leadership. The overall result was a period of change, adaptation, and growth in both worship and ministry life at Hope CRC.

In 2000’s the youth groups would have meetings in the old church building

In 2002 the old cedar shingles were replaced with asphalt shingles.

In 2004 an old church building historical committee was created to investigate provincial historical designation, but with all the costs of restoration and regulations involved it was decided not to move forward with this project.

From 2006 Rev Graff operated a Parkland County Prayer Center in the old church building.

From 2008 due to several requests, the rental of the old church buildings started, all rentals were for weddings.

Rev. Fred Bultman Years (2009 – 2012)