Exhibit to celebrate 500th anniversary of Reformation

An exhibit open to the public on Saturday will celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation.

The exhibit will endeavour to portray Luther's legacy as authentically as possible with large sets, 10 feet by 12 feet, and people dressed in costume. It is open from 1-4 p.m. at Higdon Hall on the Stampede grounds.

The Protestant Reformation was a pivotal moment in history, generally considered one of the top 10 most important events in Western civilization, said Jim Bredeson, senior pastor at Victory Lutheran church, which together with Unity Lutheran and St. Peter Lutheran are responsible for the exhibit. Luther's Ninety-five Theses of 1517 challenged financial abuse within the church.

The father of the Protestant Reformation is not to be confused with Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal civil rights leader in the United States whose father was so impressed by what Luther had accomplished that he changed his name.

Michael King, the civil rights leader's father, travelled to Germany in 1934 and was so inspired by Luther's courage and the stand he took that he changed his name.

There is no entrance fee but a free-will offering will be gratefully accepted.

On Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. there will also be a special service in St. Patrick's Church for people of all faiths to mark this 500 anniversary.