Difference between revisions of "Grace Chapel, Sherbrooke, QC"
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They certainly had no intention of beginning an English work but rather felt called to help in some way with the evangelization of French Canadians. While this vision would eventually be realized, God also used them to establish an assembly in Sherbrooke as well as several others still functioning in the surrounding area along with a number of adjunct ministries, including a French Bible institute, a retirement home, an orphanage and a summer camp. All of these, with the exception of the orphanage, are still carrying on successfully. | They certainly had no intention of beginning an English work but rather felt called to help in some way with the evangelization of French Canadians. While this vision would eventually be realized, God also used them to establish an assembly in Sherbrooke as well as several others still functioning in the surrounding area along with a number of adjunct ministries, including a French Bible institute, a retirement home, an orphanage and a summer camp. All of these, with the exception of the orphanage, are still carrying on successfully. | ||
| − | At this time, open Brethren works were few and far between in the province of Quebec. Assemblies in the Gaspé were all affiliated with the Exclusive Grant Brethren. In Montreal, only Ebenezer Gospel Hall, now Rosemount Bible Church, and Bethel Gospel Chapel Montreal would have been considered open assemblies. Only one French-speaking assembly at Girardville was then in existence. In the end, Grace Chapel pretty much set the pattern for the way things should be done in assemblies, both English and French, across the province. Among the latter, there was a good deal of dragging of feet in this matter, given the fact that a number of the early workers came from very conservative Gospel Halls in Ontario. | + | At this time, open Brethren works were few and far between in the province of Quebec. Assemblies in the Gaspé were all affiliated with the Exclusive Grant Brethren. In Montreal, only Ebenezer Gospel Hall, now Rosemount Bible Church, and Bethel Gospel Chapel Montreal would have been considered open assemblies. Only one French-speaking assembly at Girardville was then in existence. In the end, Grace Chapel pretty much set the pattern for the way things should be done in assemblies, both English and French, across the province. Among the latter, there was a good deal of dragging of feet in this matter, given the fact that a number of the early workers came from very conservative Gospel Halls in Ontario, men like [[Noah Gratton]], [[Bert Grainger]], [[Vincent Davey]] and even [[John Spreeman]]. |
Upon arrival, Dr. Hill took over an established medical practice from an aged doctor who was retiring. There being no assembly in the area, the Hills soon found a spiritual home at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in the city and quickly became involved in the Sunday School. Their home was opened to gatherings of young people for fellowship and mutual encouragement. By 1939, these had morphed into a Sunday Evening Fireside Group which drew an increasing number of youthful participants, much to the discomfort of several of the local churches in the area. The same year the workforce was augmented by the arrival of Dr. William Klinck and his wife, Dorothy, sister to Margaret Hill. | Upon arrival, Dr. Hill took over an established medical practice from an aged doctor who was retiring. There being no assembly in the area, the Hills soon found a spiritual home at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in the city and quickly became involved in the Sunday School. Their home was opened to gatherings of young people for fellowship and mutual encouragement. By 1939, these had morphed into a Sunday Evening Fireside Group which drew an increasing number of youthful participants, much to the discomfort of several of the local churches in the area. The same year the workforce was augmented by the arrival of Dr. William Klinck and his wife, Dorothy, sister to Margaret Hill. | ||
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Earlier meetings for the Breaking of Bread had already been held in the Hill home; however, it was in January 1940 that the first official meeting of the assembly took place in rented quarters at 489 Montreal Street in Sherbrooke. In May of that year, larger quarters were secured at number 239 further down the street. Two years later, 1942, the Masonic Lodge at 267 Montreal Street was purchased for the amazing sum of fifteen hundred dollars. | Earlier meetings for the Breaking of Bread had already been held in the Hill home; however, it was in January 1940 that the first official meeting of the assembly took place in rented quarters at 489 Montreal Street in Sherbrooke. In May of that year, larger quarters were secured at number 239 further down the street. Two years later, 1942, the Masonic Lodge at 267 Montreal Street was purchased for the amazing sum of fifteen hundred dollars. | ||
| − | Throughout the forties and fifties, the work prospered thanks to a large Sunday School ministry. Sunday afternoons would often see as many as 300 or more children packed into the chapel under the sound of the gospel. In those days the assembly also benefited from the ministry of visiting preachers including [[Mel Wistner]], [[H. A. Ironside]], [[C. Ernest Tatham]], [[Jack Wyrtzen]], [[David Kirk]], [[Alfred Perks Gibbs|Alfred P. Gibbs]], [[Frederick Tatford]] and others. | + | Throughout the forties and fifties, the work prospered thanks to a large Sunday School ministry. Sunday afternoons would often see as many as 300 or more children packed into the chapel under the sound of the gospel. In those days the assembly also benefited from the ministry of visiting preachers including [[Mel Wistner]], [[Henry Allan Ironside|H.A. Ironside]], [[C. Ernest Tatham]], [[Jack Wyrtzen]], [[David Kirk]], [[Alfred Perks Gibbs|Alfred P. Gibbs]], [[Frederick Tatford]] and others. |
| − | Missionary [[David Long]], home from Angola during the war years, was a tremendous help in the days. Other resident workers include Alison Welch who came in 1948 and remained for | + | Missionary [[David Long]], home from Angola during the war years, was a tremendous help in the early days. Other resident workers include Alison and Margaret Welch who came in 1948 and remained for three decades. They were followed by several others, Including Mark and Laurie Strout before the arrival in 1994 of the latter’s parents, Richard and Virginia Strout, who continue to the present time. |
The assembly carries on today, fewer in number and older as to median age. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated weekly followed by ministry of the Word. | The assembly carries on today, fewer in number and older as to median age. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated weekly followed by ministry of the Word. | ||
Latest revision as of 01:12, 3 February 2022
History
Grace Chapel, Sherbrooke, Estrie, Southeast Québec, Canada is an open brethren assembly founded in 1940.
Grace Chapel is the fruit of labours which began in 1935 with the arrival in Sherbrooke of Dr. Arthur Clare Hill and his wife Margaret from London, Ontario. The couple had been exercised about missionary work and were considering China when the Lord redirected their attention to needy Québec.
They certainly had no intention of beginning an English work but rather felt called to help in some way with the evangelization of French Canadians. While this vision would eventually be realized, God also used them to establish an assembly in Sherbrooke as well as several others still functioning in the surrounding area along with a number of adjunct ministries, including a French Bible institute, a retirement home, an orphanage and a summer camp. All of these, with the exception of the orphanage, are still carrying on successfully.
At this time, open Brethren works were few and far between in the province of Quebec. Assemblies in the Gaspé were all affiliated with the Exclusive Grant Brethren. In Montreal, only Ebenezer Gospel Hall, now Rosemount Bible Church, and Bethel Gospel Chapel Montreal would have been considered open assemblies. Only one French-speaking assembly at Girardville was then in existence. In the end, Grace Chapel pretty much set the pattern for the way things should be done in assemblies, both English and French, across the province. Among the latter, there was a good deal of dragging of feet in this matter, given the fact that a number of the early workers came from very conservative Gospel Halls in Ontario, men like Noah Gratton, Bert Grainger, Vincent Davey and even John Spreeman.
Upon arrival, Dr. Hill took over an established medical practice from an aged doctor who was retiring. There being no assembly in the area, the Hills soon found a spiritual home at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in the city and quickly became involved in the Sunday School. Their home was opened to gatherings of young people for fellowship and mutual encouragement. By 1939, these had morphed into a Sunday Evening Fireside Group which drew an increasing number of youthful participants, much to the discomfort of several of the local churches in the area. The same year the workforce was augmented by the arrival of Dr. William Klinck and his wife, Dorothy, sister to Margaret Hill.
Earlier meetings for the Breaking of Bread had already been held in the Hill home; however, it was in January 1940 that the first official meeting of the assembly took place in rented quarters at 489 Montreal Street in Sherbrooke. In May of that year, larger quarters were secured at number 239 further down the street. Two years later, 1942, the Masonic Lodge at 267 Montreal Street was purchased for the amazing sum of fifteen hundred dollars.
Throughout the forties and fifties, the work prospered thanks to a large Sunday School ministry. Sunday afternoons would often see as many as 300 or more children packed into the chapel under the sound of the gospel. In those days the assembly also benefited from the ministry of visiting preachers including Mel Wistner, H.A. Ironside, C. Ernest Tatham, Jack Wyrtzen, David Kirk, Alfred P. Gibbs, Frederick Tatford and others.
Missionary David Long, home from Angola during the war years, was a tremendous help in the early days. Other resident workers include Alison and Margaret Welch who came in 1948 and remained for three decades. They were followed by several others, Including Mark and Laurie Strout before the arrival in 1994 of the latter’s parents, Richard and Virginia Strout, who continue to the present time.
The assembly carries on today, fewer in number and older as to median age. The Lord’s Supper is celebrated weekly followed by ministry of the Word.
Locations
- home of Arthur C. Hill, M.D. @ 39 Dufferin Rd. 1935-1940
- 489 and 239 Montreal Street 1940-1942
- 267 Montreal St. 1942-2021
Correspondents
- Arthur Clare Hill, M.D. (1907/1908-1991) 1935-1991
- b. 1907/1908 London, Ontario - d. 1991 Sherbrooke, QC
- William Haffenden +1985+
- Francis Hatch @ Lennoxville +1989-1994
- Douglas Buchanan @ Lennoxville 1995-1998
- Richard Strout @ Lennoxville 1999-2021+
- John W. Rivett @ Sawyerville +2003-2006
- Douglas Beattie @ Sawyerville 2007-2021+
Alumni
- Who’s Who at Grace Chapel, Sherbrooke, QC 1935/1940-2021+
- Visiting Ministry at Grace Chapel, Sherbrooke, QC
Sources
AAB's
- Light & Liberty Publishing Assembly Address Book: 1936
- Walterick Publishers Assembly Address Books: 1943, 1948, 1950, 1954-1956, 1958-1980, 1982-1983, 1985-1987, 1989-2000, 2003-2004, 2006-2008
- ECS Ministries (Emmaus International) Assembly Address Books: 2009-2010, 2013-2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
- News of Quebec
- Grace Chapel 1940-1970
