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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 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.
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 $15,000fifteen 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. Then, too, over the years In those days the assembly also benefited from the presence and ministry of one or another of several resident workers whom the Lord sent their wayvisiting preachers including [[Mel Wistner]], H. A. Missionary David LongIronside, home from Angola during the war yearsErnest Tatham, was a tremendous help in the early days. Others include Addison Welch who came in 1948Jack Wyrtzen, remaining for many yearsDavid Kirk, and Richard StroutAlfred P. Gibbs, preceded by his son Mark. Richard Frederick Tatford and Virginia arrived in 1994 and continue to the present timeothers.
Missionary David Long, home from Angola during the war years, was a tremendous help in the early days. Other resident workers include Alison Welch who came in 1948 and remained for over thirty years. Richard and Virginia Strout, preceded by their son Mark, 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==
