If you take a drive down Battle Lake Trail off Highway 13 West, about two miles down near Battle Lake, you will find a picture-perfect little country church with a big history. Nestled against the trees, Battle Lake Community Baptist Church goes back nearly one hundred years, as one of the first buildings to go up in an area just opening up at the time by the pioneers, settlers, and trailblazers of Battle Lake.

Upgraded and renovated occasionally over the years, the original building still stands as part of the church, but in recent times the Battle Lake Church (BLC) has begun to decline. Having served the community for almost a century, it seemed to be getting 'tired'. So the Church congregation and its Reverend, Mr. Williams, are grateful to the donors of the five acres generously given to allow for the building of the long-awaited new Battle Lake Church. In fact, the sod-turning ceremony will take place following the 11:00 service on Sunday, May 15.

History
Settlers began arriving around the 1900s, and by 1903 the first Christian ministry in the Battle Lake area was initiated by Emma and Frank Papineau, and Emma's brother, Fred. As the first settlers to build their home at the west end of Battle Lake, they soon saw more and more people settling in the area, and soon people's homes became meeting places, for settlers and some of the local native population to attend services. The Papineau family donated the property (the NE corner of 7-46-1-W5) on which to build a church. It was so be the first one in the area. The Battle Lake Church was built in 1913. With logging and lumber mills operating in the area at the time, such as Fullerton-Fawcett and Heacock Lumber, donated most of the lumber for the project, in addition to materials and labor voluteered by the local people. During construction of the new church, Services and Sunday School programs continued, held in Cree Valley School, another early building in the area. The Cree Valley Schoolhouse was built in 1908. Reverend Nelson or Mr. Heacock delivered the services.

First Minister
Baptist minister, Rev. J. M. Nelson, who moved his family in 1904 to the Westerose area a in few miles east of Battle Lake and a desire to carry out missionary work, became the Battle Lake Church's first minister. This was fortunate for the Church as it was not easy to get ministers, especially in more remote areas, in the early 1900s. There was no remuneration for Pastors so community members often helped by 'in kind' support as money was scarce. It was not uncommon for church minister to labor or homestead along with the rest of the community to make a living. The mode of transportation at the time was by foot or horseback. Rev. Nelson was fondly remembered as "Preacher Nelson" by all who knew him. The Reverend passed away in 1936 at 85 years of age, but he was known for keeping his Bible in a glass case inside the church. "It is still there," confirmed Heny Gauvreau, BLC Board Member, "and will be moved to a special place in the new church."
The Battle Lake Church has been a gathering place for community members for many years - for Sunday services, Christmas programs, weddings, and other special social events. A place of many wonderful memories, the Church has also had its challenges, one of them being closed from time to time when it had no pastor. Exact dates are unknown, but the BLC has been in operation continuously since 1982.

Present Minister
Over a dozen ministers have served at the Battle Lake Church over the years, but for the past five years, Reverend Rick Williams has served as Pastor, and is excited about the direction the church is going. "In the five years that I have been the Pastor of the Battle Lake Community Baptiste Church, there has been a desire to grow a community of faith that wants to reach out into the community and make a difference in a hurting, troubled world," said Rev. Williams, and this is exactly what has happened, he went on.
The Battle Lake Church offers a variety of programs and projects that have drawn children and families from outlying areas. The Church offers a yearly Vacation Bible School program that includes horses, games and other activities, and a bus-to-swim program has drawn more kids from around the area. The church has also been active in holding banquets, Men's Prayer Breakfasts, Teas, Ladies Night Out, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti suppers and movie nights.

Twenty-eight people from the Battle Lake Church went on an 8-day mission trip to Mexico in 2009. The humanitarian effort involved building two houses for Mexican families in need.
Fundraising and saving for several years now, the church is ready to begin the first phase of development. The new church will be used as a community building in addition to holding church services, as a way to contribute to the community.

New Church
"We are all excited about the new Church," said Heny, it will provide much needed extra space and sitting area. "We are creating a Memory Wall in the new building, a wall dedicated to those who have passed away but are fondly remembered by the Church."
The inside of the original church has hosted hundreds of sermons, seen dozens of people wed, operated teen programs, held outdoor jamborees, and many other memorable activities. The memories of the original Battle Lake Church are not only within its walls, they are in the minds of all the people who have ever attended Battle Lake Community Church.

Anyone wishing for more information on the Battle Lake Community Baptist Church, the sod-turning ceremony or to make a donation, please visit their website at www.battlelakechurch.ca.

Back to the Battle Lake Community Baptist Church website.