You only turn 100 years old once, and the Salvation Army did it among friends.
The Estevan organization, founded in the Energy City in 1914 is celebrating its 100th year and held its ceremony along with other events last weekend.
Hosting a Family Fun Night on Friday evening, the Salvation Army followed up on Saturday afternoon with an anniversary service at the church, led by Captains Kirk and Linda Green, who served as the local administrators from 2000 to 2005.
The service featured the Salvation Army brass band out of Regina, and a dinner was held, welcoming the community and past leaders. Brian and June Bobolo led the evening program as congregation members read letters that were sent in from the Army's national representatives of what the institution meant to the community.
Major Mike Hoeft, area commander and emergency disaster services director for Prairie West, noted the importance of taking the time to recognize the centennial anniversary.
"It's excellent to look back and say that for 100 years there have been all kinds of things going on in the world around us, and yet, the Salvation Army is still here. We're still providing the same service to people that we've been providing for many, many years. The church is still active. It's getting stronger all the time. That's great," said Hoeft. "We know that stability is important for communities and for people, and for us to be able to celebrate 100 years means we've been stable for that long."
Displays featuring photos and newspaper articles from the Mercury were set out so those attending could look back on the history.
Major Len Miller, was in Estevan from 2009 to 2011, and returned for the celebration taking time away from his current post in Kindersley.
"It was really exciting, not only to meet old friends but to meet new friends as well. I've discovered there are a lot of new programs they have started in the community, which is really exciting," said Miller.
Miller said he asked a man attending the 100-year celebration on Saturday when he started attending the Salvation Army and he had been here for 85 years.
"He has been around even longer than I have, but to see the excitement of some of the younger people who are coming in here and the respect they still have in the community is amazing."
Of his three years in the city, Miller said he will perhaps remember best the flooding in 2011.
"That was the big issue that we had here," said Miller.
"To see that it's ongoing and growing is sort of exciting that we were a part of it. We're here to help people. We want to give people a second chance. It doesn't matter who they are. It could be the second opportunity or it could be the 35th time, but we're there to show dignity and respect and give people the opportunity to start over again. That's what motivates us."
Captain Kirk Green made the trip back to the Energy City to celebrate 100 years, coming from Cranbrook, B.C. with his wife Linda.
"It's an honour really, to think we had enough of an impression on the congregation that they actually wanted us back," said Green. "This was our first appointment. As newly-minted Salvation Army ministers they sent us here. It's just a lovely, lovely privilege to come back and meet with some old friends and make some new ones."
Green said he remembered the old stone church, though it was he and Linda who opened the new building during their time here.
"Some of the funny things when we showed up to our first Sunday, we were probably there at 11 o'clock, and our congregation never showed up until 11:20. That's a little nervous when you're brand new," he said.
"It was just a wonderful experience being here in Estevan because we come from the province. When we went to college we came from Tisdale, and to be appointed back into your own province was just wonderful.
"It's really a blessing because we can learn so much from our history. So much has happened, when you look back at all the officers and what they've accomplished, and to look at the possibilities as you look into the future at the next 100 years."
"In a different way than many other churches, the Salvation Army links into the community. We have our hands out to help people," said Hoeft. "We have our different ways of interacting with the community around us, whether that be civic government or in social services or with the homeless. In whatever way it is, we reach out into the community and we're part of the community.
"I think that's why we've had longevity. And we have good people. I think that really is at the heart of it. You can't have stability if you don't have good people. The Bobolos have been here for just two years, but right now we have three former officers in this building and all of them contributed in some way to that stability."
"Unfortunately, our services are needed, but the good thing is that we're here and people are partnering with us now," said Miller. "We don't do anything in isolation. We work with a lot of people. We have one mission and one goal, and it's really to help people and uplift them."
