Markham Bible Chapel, Markham, ON
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Contents |
[edit] Early history
Excerpts from the May 1993 Markham Bible Chapel bulletin:
1957-1991
Gladys Wright is a Markham original! As a matter of fact, the grass roots of the Markham assembly had its beginning in the home of Gladys' parents ? & ? Wright. A few folks met in the Wright home in 1956. A regular Bible Study started in 1957, with Colin Anderson "pioneering" this area. These continued until 1959, when an old, unused church building at 11 Church Street was purchased and the Christians began Breaking Bread and having other meetings. Thus the Markham Gospel Chapel, as it was first called, was established. Those starting the assembly included Colin Anderson, John Farquharson, Fred Alsop, Douglas Gee, Walter Hayes, and Abe Stouffer.
The first Breaking of Bread meeting in the chapel building was in Sept 1959. Gladys Wright, Milne Stouffer, and Ron Gee are from the original families of those early gatherings.
That building was sold in 1990 and construction of a new chapel begun at 50 Cairns Drive. The assembly met at Ramerwood Public School until Markham Bible Chapel was opened in May 1991.
1991-2008
Harry Maxwell built and installed the oak pulpit, remembrance table, "Information center", mail boxes, foyer table and library shelves in the new building. Since then he has built a large "Missions Info" display in the auditorium overflow area.
Sam Nelson, Ron Gee, Eric Tennant, Bill Yuille, Dave McClure, Gary Corbett, Jim Lenaghan, Bill Letkeman, Hugh Beattie, Eric Kalmbach, Brian Doyle, and Daniel Masuello have served as elders. The assembly has commended workers who previously served in the Philippines, Angola, Portugal, Turkey, and local evangelism ministries. Currently there are no commended workers outside of North America from this assembly.
2008
In the fall of 2008 Markham Bible Chapel launched another church in the Mount Albert area called Mount Albert Bible Fellowship. Leaders of this new initiative are Matt Dent and Brian Snooks along with several others including Anne Barnett, George Telfer and most notably Bill Yuille. Mount Albert is located 30 minutes north of Markham and has a total population of about 2000. In September 2008 the Cross Canada Cruisers team visited Mount Albert to distribute literature about this new assembly. The decision of where to start this 'new work' was the topic of some discussion for many years. Mount Albert was chosen after several small group Bible studies were initiated. Some questioned the need for a work in such a small town like Mount Albert and preferred another assembly in Markham or further south in Milliken. A major factor in this decision was the location of Matt & Janice Dent whose home served as the location for services. This new work is called Mount Albert Bible Fellowship and now meets on Sundays at the Mt. Albert Lions Club. Mid-week prayer and Bible studies are held in a local home.
2009
In spring of 2009, Markham Bible Chapel embarked on a building project to expand their facilities.
[edit] Ministries
- Daycamp
- Started in 1993 by Craig Woods. Alison Yuille was the first Program Coordinator.
- 1993 - Held August 9-20. 24 children aged 6-12 attended first week. 29 attended the second week
Katherine Kalmbach has directed the Summer Day Camp for the past few years. In 2009 the Day Camp had 130 children in attendance. Each year the Lord has blessed with the salvation of some campers.
- Evangelistic Bible Studies
Commenced in September 2003 on Monday evenings using the 10-week Christianity Explored course. A number indicated they have trusted Christ for salvation, of which some have been baptised and have joined the fellowship. This ministry continues in 2009 twice yearly.
[edit] Address/Contact
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Current Address, 1991 50 Cairns Drive Phone # 905-294-7369 |
Contact Address Street Phone # |
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Past Address, DAte Church Street |
Past Address, DAte Building Name Street |
[edit] Links
[edit] Meetings
Breaking of Bread - 9:30am
Family Bible Hour - 11:15am
Evening Service - 6:00 pm
Wednesday Bible Study - 7:30pm
[edit] Leadership
Present Elders:: Ron Gee, Eric Kalmbach, Tom Baldock, Daniel Masuello
Past Elders
Sam Nelson, Eric Tennant, Dave McClure, Gary Corbett, Jim Lenaghan, Bill Letkeman, Hugh Beattie, Brian Doyle, Bill Yuille
Markham Bible Chapel has many deacons (servants).
[edit] Commended Workers/Ministries
Stephen Yuille is now a pastor at a church in Texas (http://www.gccministries.org/135789.ihtml) He was previously commended by the Markham assembly when serving in Angola, Portugal and at KLBC in Peterborough, ON but that commendation is no longer in effect. His blog is: http://jsyuille.blogspot.com/
Gary Weeks was commended by MBC in 1993 to the work of evangelism and preaching.
[edit] Also See
Richvale Bible Chapel, Richmond Hill, ON
Rexdale Gospel Hall, Toronto, ON
Gwillimbury Bible Fellowship, Holland Landing, ON
River Drive Park Bible Chapel, Newmarket, ON
Bendale Bible Chapel, Scarborough, ON
Forest Brook Bible Chapel, Pickering, ON
Port Hope Christian Assembly, ON
West Hill Gospel Hall, Toronto, ON
[edit] Author
Dan H. Smith, Ed.D. President, Emmaus Bible College
[edit] Resources
Questionnaire responses and other correspondence
Excerpts from a History of the Brethren Movement, by Norman E. Crawford
Brief History of Early Assembly Work in North America, by Norman Crawford, 1999
History of the Lansing Assembly, by Hubert Lucas, Sr., 1973
In His Name, by John S. Robertson, March 1960 (a history of Toronto Assemblies)
Saved to Serve, by John M. Martin, Gospel Folio Press, Grand Rapids, MI 1994
Let The Tide Come In, by C. Ernest Tatham, 1976
Letters of Interest, August/September 1955, p. 14; October 1955, p. 15; January 1959, p. 7; December 1966, p. 8; June 1969, p. 14; September 1975, p. 20
