West Calgary Full Gospel Church - Calgary

Our History

In the 1950s, a group of Bownessians attending the Full Gospel Church in downtown Calgary desired to have their own church in Bowness. Major events which developed the church are as follows:

1959: A Sunday School was started in the Bowness Road Scout Hall By T. Allen Christensen and Ralph Lempke of the Downtown Full Gospel Church. Evening Services began in the Scout Hall and the group was named the Bowness Full Gospel Church.

1960: Rev. Wes Schindel became the first full-time pastor and morning services began.

1961: First phase of the 8339 Bowness Road N.W. facility was completed with a dedication on service held October 8th, 1961: A manse was also purchased on 72nd St. N.W.

1970: Under Rev. Jack Gordon the Church manse was sold and a second phase constructed on the church which almost doubled the seating capacity.

1973: The City continues to grow westward so Rev. Brian Welch had the name changed to West Calgary Full Gospel Church to identify with larger populated areas.

1980: Under Rev. Robert Smith a telecast called “Faith to Live By” began on channel 10 and lasted until 1998.

Pastors Serving in the Church were:

Rev. Wes Schindel                                                                                         1960-1965

Rev. Alan McLean                                                                                          1966-1967

Rev. Harry Roberts                                                                                       1967-1969

Rev. Jack Gordon                                                                                          1969-1973

Rev. Brian Welch                                                                                            1973-1975

Rev. Robert and Ellen Smith                                                                      1975-2008

Rev. Wayne Derdall                                                       2008-2021

Rev. John West 2020-2021

Rev. Parker Friesen 2022 - present

The vision of the church is built upon the mission statement, elements of worship, nurture, and evangelism. With the changing cultural demographics of the community, the church is committed to being an INTERNATIONAL CONGREGATION, reflective of the growing cultural mosaic of the city. This includes people from all sociological, cultural, and generational groupings. It is a strong conviction that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is THE answer to man’s deepest struggles irrespective of the social status, ethnic background or age of that person. The following statement summarizes our purpose and commitment, “PEOPLE TOUCHING GOD….TOUCHING PEOPLE”.