SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - When Northern United Place opened in 1976, it was ahead of its time - a church built into a larger centre, with housing for seniors and space for community meetings, says United Church minister Peter Chynoweth.

"It's the sign of the kind of congregation we have, to build this kind of building. It was a very forward-thinking group of people," says Chynoweth, who has been minister of the church since 2005.

"There weren't a lot of public spaces back then. The YWCA was the first tenant, part of the planning was to have space for groups like that. It's a popular meeting place for many different things."

With the wooden pulpit tucked away behind a curtain and an alter that doubles as a stage, the room quickly transforms from a place of worship into a community meeting space. Without pews, the auditorium is versatile and has served groups ranging from Alcoholics Anonymous to Girl Guides.

On Nov. 7 and 8, the church is celebrating more than 50 years in Yellowknife with an anniversary dinner and service. Nov. 7 also happens to be the 33rd anniversary of Northern United Place's opening.

A former member of the congregation, Nora Sanders, who is now the general secretary of the United Church of Canada, will be the guest speaker. Past ministers Bob Thomson, who was with the church from 1963 to 1971, and Peter Short (1984 to 1990) are returning to Yellowknife for the event. Will Kunder, a ministerial candidate from Yellowknife's parish who now holds a national position in the church, will also be visiting.

Organizer Barb Paquin has been connecting with past members and collecting anecdotes and memories about five decades of worship.

"The walls would tell you a lot," she says.

The church's folklore has been passed between long-time members and the hundreds of transient congregation members who've since left the city.

One such story is that during the winter when Northern United Place was under construction, services were held in the former church, which was moved from the 54 Street location to 49 Street, where the building is today.

On a night when the congregation was gathering for a dinner in the basement, the power went out. Instead of cancelling, people rallied together and made use of the large windows.

"All the people moved their cars around to the side and shone their headlights through the windows," says Chynoweth.

The original church opened in 1958. Since then, the United Church community has developed some memorable traditions.

"We're famous for our pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday," says Paquin, who has been a part of the congregation for more than 20 years.

Every year the congregation holds a bake sale and tea, known for its hot pepper jelly and antipesto.

In June, there is an outdoor service at Long Lake. Another unique service is the Service of Comfort during the Advent season, which isn't a typical holiday service.

"People at Christmas feel a real strong pressure to be joyous, which means if you're feeling sad ... you're dealing with the pressure of you're supposed to be happy, supposed to be joyous, but you're not feeling that way," says Chynoweth.

"It fills a real need in the community," adds Paquin.

Church events aren't limited to members of the congregation, either.

Thursday mornings church members and people living in Northern United Place meet for coffee. "There are six or seven regulars and that includes residents and congregation members," says Chynoweth. He says people living in the building don't have to get involved with the church, but are always welcome.

"There's always been a desire to have that kind of community."

Chynoweth says the church still draws approximately 75 people every Sunday.

Because the church's auditorium is used for so many things, there are few historical items.

"The fact that the artifacts can be named as the presence of people, rather than things, is a statement."