The little trailer church that could: When arson destroyed their church, a resourceful Manitoba congregation consecrated a single-wide

Notes: "When an arson fire in 1999 destroyed St. John's church on the First Nation reserve in Grand Rapids, Man., the congregation of about 100 Anglicans was devastated. .... 'We couldn't get funding from anywhere', said parishioner Arnold Ballantyne. For years the congregation met in houses and at the band hall. In 2007, someone came up with the novel idea of recycling a single-wide trailer that had been given to the band council and was used to house into a church". "The trailer church may not have the grandeur of a cathedral, but as the Rev. Steven Martin, 'T-priest' of St. John's parish reminded the congregation during the first service that fall [2007]: ;Wherever and whenever you find the Holy Spirit, that place is holy'." "St. John's is the little trailer church that could. 'We have lots of things going on', said Ballantyne. Aside from the 3 p.m. services that are packed (extra chairs have been added to accommodate more), the church is used for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and anger management courses. Martin, a non-stipendiary priest, doubles as pastor and addictions counsellor (which is his paying job at the Grand Rapids Health Authority)".

Subjects: St. John's Anglican Church (Grand Rapids, Man.); Trailers - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Church buildings - Anglican Church of Canada. Diocese of Brandon; Church buildings - Fires and fire prevention - Canada; Ballantyne, Arnold; Martin, Steven