Province of Alberta

Who were the first workers to arrive? In 1907, Robert Darling, Noble Stinson, Maggie Rowe and Grace Douglas were the first Workers to arrive and pioneer the Work. Darling died in the Work in Argentina in 1970. Stinson married and resided near Enniskillen, Ireland. Maggie Rowe married and had at ;east one child, a daughter.

The Workers List for 1908 showed Harry Oliver, John Fox, Robert Darling, John McClean, Jim Moore, Maggie Rowe and Lizzie Kerr.
The 1909–1910 Workers List included Harry Oliver, John Zogg, Robert Darling, Jim Moore, Sandy Scott, Maggie Rowe and Lizzie Kerr.

Who was the first to profess? 

Who was the first native to go in the work?  

When & Where was the first meeting? 
When & Where was the first baptism?

When & Where was the first convention? The first Conventions were held at Mission Centre in 1908; Leduc in 1909; Calgary in 1910; and Beddington and Fort Saskatchewan in 1911.

Where have subsequent conventions been held?
Where is the convention currently held? 

Who have the Overseers been? 1907 [unknown]; Robert Graham to 1929; W. D. "Willie" Fullerton 1932–1956; Stanley Watchorn 1964–1965; Harold Stewart 1974–1983; Willis Propp 1983–2009; Merlin Affleck 2009–2016; Michael Hassett 2017—.
What is the official language? English

Some books featuring the 2x2 Sect in Alberta are:
Sect, Cult and Church in Alberta by William Edward Mann, 1955, out of print (See "Cooneyites ").
Along the Fifth: A History of Stony Plain and District, by Stony Plain and District Historical Society, 1982, page 375, which includes an article by Carlos Propp's relatives Joe and Minnie (Propp) Kleven, a native Canadian married Worker pair.

Alberta Society of Christian Assemblies

Willis Propp  was the Overseer of Saskatchewan from 1964 to 1983 and the Overseer of Alberta from 1983 to 2009. Born September 17, 1920, he professed in 1940, entered the Work in 1948 and passed away November 28, 2015, aged 95.

1996: In early 1996, an estate lawyer notified Propp that his client, a Canadian 2x2 woman, had left funds in her will to "the ministers of my church." Propp refused the money in a letter dated July 3, 1996, that he wrote on Christian Convention letterhead. Above Propp's signature was typed: "Alberta Society of Christian Assemblies ."

In August 1996, Ex-2x2 John Mitchell fortuitously discovered that the"Alberta Society of Christian Assemblies " had been incorporated in mid-1995, under Certificate of Incorporation No. 50654949 granted by the Government of Alberta. This document was signed by Brother Workers F. Willis Propp, Jim Knipe, Dennis Einboden and witnessed by Rowland Jackson. See website TellingTheTruth.info in History, Divisions, Alberta.

By the fall of 1996, copies of the incorporation document had been widely distributed and placed on the Internet. The discovery of this document astonished, shocked and upset many 2x2 Sect members worldwide. While some doubted its authenticity, others found the evidence convincing.

It was especially troubling to some members that Workers had registered an official name and incorporated their church while they continued to publicly claim that their church was not an organization and took no name. To address the considerable concern and unrest, Propp wrote a letter of explanation:

To All of Concern … one of the Workers in Hungary whose Visa was soon to expire was faced with the problem of being refused permission to remain in the country because the 'Group' she was representing was not a registered body in Hungary.

Our sister who labours there was companion to the girl in question and she appealed urgently to us that we do something … because any approach they made to the local authorities was to no avail and they needed help badly … there was a deadline to meet. Hungary would accept our Registration as backing … we sought a lawyer's aid …

We learned to our dismay that to be registered we had to become incorporated as a non-profit Society. While it was solely for the purpose of those in authority, the document gave us a long-handled name. We were hesitant to do it, but for the sake of our Workers in Hungary, we signed the document … We are in the process now of having the whole document cancelled, since it is not required in Canada … and we hope the matter will settle down in time. (Nov. 9, 1996, TTT)

Anne Court from Scotland was the Sister Worker in distress; her Co-worker was Esther Laslo, an Alberta Worker laboring in Hungary. The incorporation gave the 2x2 Sect a legal identity, along with the means to sponsor and support Workers preaching in foreign countries.

Nine days after his explanation, Propp composed a letter of apology: "To Whom It May Concern: The concept of the Document of Registration that was drawn up and filed in Alberta, Canada, on the 5th day of May 1995, was totally contrary to the basic tenets of our Fellowship, and so was totally wrong. I, Willis Propp, acted unilaterally without due consultation with my seniors in the ministry … I assume full responsibility for involving in this process my fellow Workers in Alberta … I have instructed a lawyer on November 8, 1996, to have the said Document completely revoked" (Nov. 18, 1996, TTT). The Alberta Society of Christian Assemblies was voluntarily dissolved on December 11, 1996. See Certificate of Dissolution on RIS website at workersect.org/2x205rb.html.

Soon after, on January 8, 1997, a meeting was held in Calgary, Alberta. Those present included all the Alberta Workers, plus Western Overseers Harold Bennett, Alton Mose, Paul Sharpe, Jack Price, Sydney Holt, Dick Middleton, Charles Preston, Ernest Nelson, Eldon Tenniswood and perhaps more.

Regarding this meeting, Jack Price stated in a letter to Co-workers dated January 23, 1997: "Most of the Alberta Workers … were interviewed … resulting in the majority asking that Willis would remain as their Overseer … Due to the fact that this was a first admonition, and since Willis manifested a true spirit of repentance, in addition to making every effort to get the 'Document' dissolved, it was only reasonable to give him another chance to prove himself in the place where he has had the privilege and responsibility of serving. Should also add that we were satisfied with the apologies from those who co-signed the Document."

During the 1990s, many of the Alberta Elders and Friends were excommunicated, and at least one Worker was expelled from the Work. Ripples from that purge are still felt today. Alberta Overseer Willis Propp was responsible.

Many of the Friends were disturbed when they discovered Propp and some other Alberta Workers had violated certain fundamental core beliefs, such as taking no name and Workers disposing of all their possessions. They observed that money appeared to be highly regarded—even sought after—by various Workers, and that some Workers were not relying totally on faith for their financial support. For example, Workers were applying for and receiving old age pensions that they turned over to their Overseers.

Troubled by various actions they viewed as unscriptural, unethical and immoral, various Elders and members attempted to discuss these and other issues with Senior Workers, including Propp and the Western Overseers. They suspected the Holy Spirit was not leading certain Workers to some of their actions. When questioned, most Workers' views aligned with that of their Overseer, and they indicated they would look into and take care of the issues.

In May 1999 (after the Dorey-Steingard case), a meeting convened of 11 Senior Workers and Overseers and about 50–60 of the Friends, including Elders. The Workers present were Eldon Tenniswood and Dick Middleton (California); Harold Bennett (Oregon); Sydney Holt, (Washington); Paul Sharpe and Ernest Nelson (British Columbia); Dale Shultz (Saskatchewan); Willis Propp, Jim Knipe and Eldon Kendrew (Alberta); Jack Price (Montana) and perhaps others.

Dick Middleton started the meeting by admitting that Propp had "made some mistakes along the way." After some others spoke, the meeting was opened for discussion. Some of the Friends and Elders addressed their concerns relating to Propp and the attempted cover-up of the incorporation; Propp's Visa gold card with a $20,000 credit limit; Propp's inherited oil and gas mineral interests that he had retained and leased; Propp's substantial bank account in the name of "F. Willis Propp Enterprises" at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), among other issues. See website TellingTheTruth.info in History, Divisions, Alberta.

Subsequently, Dale Shultz, Overseer of Saskatchewan, informed several Alberta members that it was their place to accept the Workers' decisions, even when they disagreed with them:

I do know … that your confidence in the oversight in Alberta has been eroded … You have hoped and, at times, expected that some change in the oversight would be implemented … However, as you know, the decision coming out of the meeting last July [1998] was to support the status quo in Alberta. That was not the thinking of everyone there, but it was the decision of the meeting.

We realize that the fact that we are servants of God, or even very responsible servants of God, doesn't make us infallible. However, something that is very much a part of being a child of God is to respect those who are over us in the Lord, to pray for them, to obey them, to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Their judgement may not always be right, but it is always right for us to respect that judgement and to work with it in the best way that we possibly can … Whether the decision is right or wrong, the right thing for all of us is to respect it because of those who have made the judgement … because of where it has come from and to work with it no matter what our own thoughts might be on the subject. (April 12, 1999, TTT)

Purge in Alberta. Subsequently, some members lost their trust and confidence in the 2x2 Ministry and withdrew their support. The Workers considered the members' questioning to be disrespectful and out of line. Exerting their authority and control, the Workers began excommunicating members who resisted and were unwilling to accept the Workers' decisions.

In 1997, Fellowship Meetings were removed from two Elders' homes, when they refused to allow certain Workers into their homes; the Elders were allowed to continue attending Meetings. Confrontations between Workers and questioning members led to more Fellowship Meetings being removed from Elders' homes and to their excommunications. When the excommunicated Friends visited other Fellowship Meetings, those Elders were also expelled. Some Elders continued holding unsanctioned (not Worker approved) Meetings in their homes; those who attended were soon cast out also.

At Propp's authorization, ultimatums were delivered by Workers via visits or telephone, with Propp's approval. Propp's right-hand man, Jim Knipe, was his chief henchman. Knipe instructed the Workers in their respective fields to consult with certain Elders and Friends or to accompany him in doing so. After a brief discussion, the Workers usually explained to the 2x2 member the conditions required for their continued membership in the church. Unless they gave their unconditional support, they were excommunicated. "The Question" the Workers usually asked was:

When questioned about these events later, some Workers claimed the expelled members chose to leave or to give up their Meetings.

Elders Dale and Marlene Jordan tape recorded their ultimatum telephone conversation and continued to hold unsanctioned Meetings. Their son, three daughters and their husbands attended and were also excommunicated. (Listen toAlberta Excommunication Tapes, 1999, TTT.)

The chain reaction continued; Elder after Elder was cast out. After Don and Myrna Galloway allowed an excommunicated couple to attend their Meeting, they were visited by Jim Knipe and Scott McChesney. The Galloways were reminded that the ministry is the foundation of the Gospel; that the Friends and Elders have no right to question the Workers; that the Friends must accept without question Workers' decisions; that Friends must "keep in their place"; and that while Elders had control over who they invited into their homes any other time, only the 2x2 Workers had control over who could attend Meetings in their homes.

Jim Knipe posed the "The Question" to the Galloways. They were not willing to give their unconditional support. Knipe replied, "Well then, you folks are no longer a part of this Fellowship." He cautioned the local Friends that if they or any others attended a Meeting in the Galloways' home, they would be excommunicated also. See details on website TellingTheTruth.info in History, Divisions.

In June 1999, the O'Dells, who had been excommunicated earlier, spent the weekend with Fred and Verna Alder of Lethbridge and attended a Meeting in their home. Knipe called Fred Alder and asked him the "The Question." Alder's answer was a definite, "No." The Alders were advised they were no longer a part of the Fellowship. Knipe became quite angry when Alder informed him that he had recorded their conversation. Listen to Alberta Excommunication Tapes, 1999, TTT.

In 2001, a Saskatchewan Sister Worker Margaret "Marg" Magowan visited some excommunicated Friends and attended an unsanctioned Meeting. On February 16, 2001, her Overseer, Dale Shultz, asked her to promise she would have no further communication with any of the excommunicated Friends. She refused, believing it was her duty as a minister to reach out and care for all who were in need wherever they were. She was put out of the Work. Currently, she is no longer a 2x2 Sect member, is married and resides in Canada.

Purge Totals. Friends and Workers around the world were stunned to learn there were about 24 Alberta Fellowship Meetings where the Elder and his wife were either excommunicated or opted to give up their Meetings. In addition, at least 200 of the Alberta Friends were excommunicated or voluntarily left the 2x2 Sect, and at least one Worker (Marg Magowan) was dismissed from the Work. Two Brother Workers were arbitrarily transferred from the Alberta Workers' staff and one of them, Dan Hofer, left the Work. See details onwebsite TellingTheTruth.info, History, Divisions.

Update: Eldon Tenniswood, Sydney Holt, Roland Jackson, Dennis Einboden, Willis Propp (2015) and Jack Price (2015) have passed away. Jim Knipe went to labor in Argentina in 2000. Eldon Kendrew left the Work and married.

TTT Editor's Note: In the absence of a written account, the above information has been compiled by the TTT Editor from various sources. Corrections or additions are most welcome; as well as other historical accounts for this country Email TTT