History

 Matsqui Village is located on Fraser River floodplains, on traditional Sto:lo territory. Canadian Pacific Railway from Mission to Sumas was built through the area in the late 1800s, and European settlers slowly began to arrive to farm the fertile plains. The history of Matsqui Lutheran Church is closely tied to the history of the village.

Matsqui Lutheran Church was founded in 1903 by Scandinavian settler families. The services were first held in various farm homes, with a circuit-rider pastor either from Annieville (now North Delta, BC) or from the United States. In 1904, the Halvorson family donated a piece of property for a church building. The church was mostly built in 1904, but not entirely finished until 1920. In 1925, a church parlor was built on the adjacent lot where the church is currently located.

The congregation remained small until the 1940s, when more people began to settle in the area and the congregations grew. In 1948, severe flooding of the Fraser River did significant damage to the building, moving it off its foundation. The building was repaired and moved to its current location. The church parlor and the church building were joined together. Significant improvements were made at that time – a furnace was installed for heating, and the kitchen was expanded.

The church building was further expanded in the early 1960s when the congregation grew, and the Sunday school space got to small. An electronic organ was also purchased at this time.

Various pastors have served Matsqui Lutheran over its long history. The congregation often shared a pastor with other churches, until early 1970s when they finally gained a full-time pastor to serve the congregation. 

If you're curious to know more about the history of the area, you can explore here.