Ontario
From BrethrenPedia
Plymouth Brethren History in North America
[edit] History
Since the first work in Ontario was at Parkhill and Forest, towns near the southern end of Lake Huron, we shall start there, then continue in the southwestern part of the province, proceed northeastward to Ottawa, then turn west and work our way through the northern reaches of Ontario.
The first brethren preacher who came to Ontario was Joseph M. Scriven, (likely connected with a faction of the Exclusive Brethren), who wrote the much-loved hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” His grave can be seen at Bewdley, a village near Port Hope on Lake Ontario.
When the Dominion of Canada was only four years old, a small groups of believers began meeting to practice the principles taught in the Word of God. When Donald Munro first came to Ontario from Scotland in 1871, he visited his brothers in Parkhill and Forest, towns near the southern end of Lake Huron. A hall was rented in Parkhill and Mr. Munro preached the Gospel with blessing. His brother and sister-in-law were among those saved. From there he preached in Forest before returning to Scotland. When he returned to Canada in 1872 to stay, having learned of believer’s baptism, he taught that and other New Testament truths.
At Parkhill, God worked further in the salvation of souls. A good number of believers gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus at Parkhill that year, 1872. The Parkhill Assembly was the first 'open' brethren assembly in Canada.[1] The following year, Gospel meetings were held again at Forest, and the Forest Assembly, ON was formed in that town.
[edit] Author
Dan H. Smith, Ed.D. President, Emmaus Bible College
[edit] Resources
Questionnaire responses and other correspondence
The 75th Anniversary of The Windsor Assembly, 1916 to 1991
Excerpts from a History of the Brethren Movement, by Norman E. Crawford
Sketch of the History of Bethel Gospel Chapel North Bay, Ontario, 1997; based on book to be published in 1999: When Your Children Ask, by Donald E. Carney
The History of the Barrie Ontario Assemblies, by H. Bruce Hicks
Brief History of Early Assembly Work in North America, by Norman Crawford, 1999
Until He Comes, A History of the Spring St. Assembly, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, 1899-1997, by Wayne and Heather Rodgers
History of the Lansing Assembly, by Hubert Lucas, Sr., 1973
Reflections of Turner Road Chapel, 1930-1990
In His Name, by John S. Robertson, March 1960 (a history of Toronto Assemblies)
A Kernel of Wheat, by Chester Donaldson, 1982, updated 1994
A Grain of Mustard Seed, The Story of Bible Fellowship Assembly, by Chester Donaldson,1983
Deer Lake Gospel Hall, by Bert French, 1997
The Growth of God’s Assembly, Planted in Welland, by Lorne Yade, 1985
Saved to Serve, by John M. Martin, Gospel Folio Press, Grand Rapids, MI 1994
Wallenstein Bible Chapel, The first thirty years, 1968-1998, by Albert Martin, 1998
Englehart, 1933-1993, 60 Years of Memories of an Assembly and its People, by P. Wood, 1993
History of Christians Gathered Unto the name of the Lord Jesus Christ at Strongville, Ontario, by Mrs. William Williams and others, 1990.
A Record of Gospel Testimony in Northern Ontario, by Bethuel Carr, 1979
Graphite Bible Chapel, by Doug Robinson, undated
Waverley Gospel Hall, undated
Let The Tide Come In, by C. Ernest Tatham, 1976
Shoreacres Bible Chapel, 1959 - 1994, 35th Anniversary Reunion
When Your Children Ask, a History of Bethel Gospel Chapel North, Ontario, by Donald E. Carney, 1999; published by Donald E. Carney
The Brethren Movement in North Hastings 1885 - 1924 (A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Department of Historical Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary), by Robert Garry Jenkins, May 1986.
History of Bancroft Area Assemblies, Garry Jenkins, unpublished, 1986.
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
