For 48 years, Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM) has been a place where unhoused and low-income people in central Edmonton have come to lay down their burdens. It is a place of Christian worship intermixed with Indigenous traditions.

Nearly two years ago, the ICPM board began searching for a name that better reflects its ministry. Earlier this year, we began operating as Sanctuary of Peace.

A sanctuary is a place where something precious and holy is held. It is a place of safety where people can grow, free of violence and drugs. Together, we sing, pray, smudge, share communion and hear God’s word. Many experience the love of Jesus, and the Spirit slowly transforms their lives.

On Saturday, May 23rd, community members and supporters of Sanctuary of Peace gathered at Bissell Centre to celebrate the “rebranding” of the venerable inner-city institution. About 70 people attended a program, while another 300 enjoyed hamburgers outside the building.

Two members of the worship community spoke during the program.

Jesse told of quitting drinking five years ago. He lost his drinking buddies and his job as a bartender. “The worst thing I lost was karaoke. I was really good,” he said, recounting his act that ended with seven minutes of “Stairway to Heaven.”

“You can’t do that stone cold sober. You look ridiculous; you feel ridiculous.”

One Sunday on the street in Edmonton, a friend encouraged Jesse to attend the ICPM church service. Not only did he get to sing again, but he felt united with his nookum (grandmother) who attended every religious ceremony she could.

“My nookum would have loved this place. I know I make her ghost happy when I come here. I love the community, and I really appreciate the work Pastor Quinn [Strikwerda] has done here and the example he sets for all of us.”

Mike, another community member, said, “We spend all week trying to get through a lot of negative stuff. We see the level of rage and anger in some of the people. They have no way to deal with that level of hurt in a way that helps them and helps lift them up.”

He too came to Sanctuary of Peace. “I arrived here by accident,” but soon felt, “I am supposed to be here; I don’t know why.”

Mike said the messages delivered in the homilies by Pastor Quinn and Maria Kruszewski, the pastoral associate, seem tailored to him and his experiences. He asks, “Did you follow me all week? How were you able to tailor this to me and give me sustenance for my soul, for my head, for my heart?”

Now his life has purpose. Every morning, he rises determined to do what he can to help other people.

Strikwerda, an Anglican priest, has been pastor at Sanctuary for six years. Kruszewski has been pastoral associate for a year and a half.

Sanctuary of Peace is sponsored by the United, Anglican, Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches. Every year, more than 60 churches, synagogues, mosques, and other groups provide the bagged lunches distributed after the 9:15 am weekly Sunday service. 

Sanctuary also hosts men’s and women’s groups, a weekly Bible study, an annual retreat and a street ministry that includes handing out donated clothing on Tuesday mornings.

Glen Argan chairs the Sanctuary of Peace board of directors and is a proofreader for Boyle McCauley News.