April 7th, 2026

Emissions Reduction Grant: Holyrood Mennonite Church

Emission Reduction Grant points Holyrood Mennonite Church “in the right direction”

Holyrood Mennonite Church was hoping one of their furnaces would last until they could afford a replacement, but it wasn’t meant to be.

 The 50-year-old unit that heated their sanctuary failed in January— typically the coldest month of the year in Edmonton — forcing the congregation of about 40 to hold services in the church basement for a month. “It became quite cozy,” said trustee Margo Brunn. “It was a more intimate kind of setting.”

The furnace that needed replacing was located on the roof of the building. It became a $32,000 expense, costs that were offset by a $3,000 Emissions Reduction Grant (ERG) from Mennonite Church Canada.“It’s an old church,” said Brunn, adding that the grant was “so helpful, because we totally depleted our contingency fund.” They also had to draw on savings. “We are so grateful for being pointed in the right direction” through the ERG application process said Brunn, even though "we couldn’t quite jump into the big projects right now,” The big projects include hoped for future upgrades such as solar panels.

 Although the need to replace the furnace was driven more by necessity than a desire to reduce their carbon footprint, Brunn said the new furnace is more efficient by design, and allows temperature settings to be based on occupancy. Budget limitations don’t mean the congregation isn’t considering the impacts of carbon emission on climate change. They’re making changes they can afford, such as upgraded windows in the Sunday School area, improving door seals, and sealing cracks around the entire building. They’ve also eliminated single-use dishes and eating utensils.

“Now we’re in a better position because of that [ERG], and the emphasis on a lower carbon footprint that was initiated by MC Canada. I think we are way more aware now and more ready to look at alternatives,” said Brunn.

The congregation is intentional about being good stewards of their facilities as well as sharing their space. Presently, various groups use parts of the building during the week, including a Spanish speaking congregation. There is potential to adapt the church’s parsonage for a tenant seeking to establish a daycare.

The congregation will soon begin a strategic planning process. “We’d love to have solar panels, but we are not in the [financial] position for that” but “we will be more formal about sustainability and seeing what we can do to lessen our energy use,” said Brunn.

 “The congregation and our youth are becoming more familiar with supporting those kind of practices… and we appreciate the people who are ahead of us in this process.”

Curious about other Emissions Reduction Grants? Read about Stirling Ave Mennonite Church