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On December 31, 1947, an Order of Establishment for the Parish of St. Edmund King & Martyr was issued by the 3rd Bishop of Calgary. On May 6 of the following year, sod was turned to signify the beginning of construction for St. Edmund, King & Martyr Anglican Church located at the corner of 83st & 34 Ave NW in Bowness. The church was built entirely by volunteers, including the pews from leftover building materials!  

Previously, in the mid-1930s, Bowness homes first began holding services under the name of ‘Mission Church at Critchley’, and a Mrs. Wallace regularly held Sunday School in her very own home. Later, services were held at the original Scout Hall on Bowness Road. At the end of 2022, we celebrated our 75th anniversary as an Anglican Parish (and 90 years of Anglican church and mission presence) in the valley!   

Early in 2022 we had begun the process of moving towards becoming a Mission of the Diocese and turning the buildings over to the diocese.  One of our main concerns was to be able to continue as a church ‘family’ and to continue our outreach in our community – ie., our Food Bank and Christmas Hampers.   We have reached an understanding with the Diocese to continue using the Mission Hall (many of you are familiar with our building located behind the church) for the Food Bank and outreach programs as the Diocese takes over the property and considers how best to utilize it.  The ‘Mission of St Edmunds’ will also use the Mission Hall for lay led worship services and activities.   

Please note that ‘St Edmunds Food Bank’ is setting up as its own registered charity and will be able to issue tax receipts moving forward.   We appreciate all the support we have received in the past from various parishes, and hope that you will continue to support this essential service to the northwest communities of Calgary.  Please contact the Food Bank Coordinator Marilyn Bowler at this email (or 403-288-6330) if you have any questions or concerns regarding the Food Bank.   

We will be having a celebratory Spring Tea on Saturday April 15th (11:00 to 1:00) to mark our continuing evolution and the move from Parish back to Mission and us continuing to ‘Serve Christ and Community.'  Come join us to see how we have retooled the Mission Hall and feel free to take a tour of the Food Bank.  We ask for an RSVP for the free tickets (tickets will be available at the door, space permitting) – call 403-288-6330 or email here.