Difference between revisions of "Grace Chapel, Sherbrooke, QC"

Revision as of 22:12, 27 May 2021

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 indeed 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.

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 $15,000.

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. Then, too, over the years the assembly benefited from the presence and ministry of one or another of several resident workers whom the Lord sent their way. Missionary David Long, home from Angola during the war years, was a tremendous help in the early days. Others include Addison Welch who came in 1948, remaining for many years, and Richard Strout, preceded by his son Mark. Richard and Virginia arrived in 1994 and 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. +1936+
• 489 and 239 Montreal Street 1940-1942
• 267 Montreal St. 1942-2021

Correspondents

• Arthur Clare Hill, M.D. (1907/1908-1991) +1936-1983+, 1986-1987+
  • 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 +1936-2021+

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

Other

• Ancestry.com