Regina church closed after serving community for more than 100 years

WATCH: A group wants to turn a former church into a neighbourhood hub aimed at fighting food insecurity and houselessness. Wayne Mantyka has the story.

A church that served Regina’s Heritage neighbourhood for more than a century has closed and now a group is looking to purchase the building in hopes of turning it into a neighbourhood hub.

Members of Trinity Lutheran Church are salvaging materials from their Heritage neighbourhood location before the building is sold. The church was established in 1906 and has been in the current building for 65 years.

“You know, it’s been a 20-year roll to the end. You could see it coming and you accepted it,” said Holly Nagel, who attended the church her whole life.

The church has closed due to declining attendance, but the congregation would like to see its social programs, like noon hour lunches, continue. Now, a group of neighbourhood organizations are considering purchase of the building to continue meeting inner city needs.

“We are forming a group that can actually purchase this church and then run programming, educational, food security, connecting people to services with their houselessness, whatever they are experiencing, all under this roof,” Shawn Koch, the Hawk principal said.

Those who come to the church door appreciate the help received.

“I use this one every once in a while. I like the snacks or whatever. and the people. I just come to these places to meet people,” one person said.

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The church has donated its parking lot for a housing project that will serve single mothers. A daycare will also continue. The church wants to leave a legacy and a community hub could fulfill that desire.

“For me in particular I think the people who live in this neighbourhood now and desperately need somewhere to gather, I think it would be really nice.” Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church Sarah Dymund said.

Several prospective purchasers have expressed interest in the church building, but no offers have been received to date. Those proposing a community hub hope to raise the money needed to make their bid so that the tradition of community service can continue from this building.