A Winnipeg church which began with only immigrants is celebrating 125 years of God's faithfulness.

Named after Irish pastor Alexander Grant, Grant Memorial church has been serving the city of Winnipeg since its inception. For the first 50 years, it was a Swedish congregation that worshiped in Swedish. 

John Schaffner, Lead pastor at Grant Memorial is proud of the 125 years of ministry. He says, "it's supernatural, it's so appropriate for us to pause and to celebrate the faithfulness of God."

"It's been super inspiring. Grant had such a heart for this city. People remember him standing at the train station, looking at the immigrants getting off the train with tears streaming down his face as he realized their need for the gospel and his responsibility to deliver it to them," Schaffner says.

As the church moves forward, Schaffner says, "It's not the guy, Alexander Grant, it goes back to the mission of God to redeem humanity.

"I feel like I'm just scratching the surface. One thing about Grant Memorial that was immediately apparent and the reason I connect so well with this wonderful church, is the absolute love of God's Word. It's the ultimate authority for faith in practice and that's been the foundation upon which everything has happened over the past 125 years," Schaffner says.

Schaffner says this weekend is a time of reflection and celebration. "We want to learn from the past but we don't want to live in the past. The purpose is two-fold; remember what God did and remember what God can do." 

Grant Memorial is anticipating a large celebration with an even larger cake. "It's a Texas-sized cake. Everybody hopefully will get a slice. I might have to bless it and pass it out and hope God multiplies it," Schaffner says.

Schaffner encourages all believers to grow their faith after every milestone. "Regardless of if you've been a Christian for one year or 50 years, God is not done with you. If you are breathing then there's still purpose in your life. For our church, the best is yet to come."