Church on Five (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)
Richmond Bethel Church in Richmond, British Columbia has its roots in a 1940s Sunday School project known as "Cottages Mission." In the mid-1950s the Vancouver Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church agreed to assume the work and all assets including property and buildings were donated to the Vancouver church. In 1965 the Vancouver MB Church erected a larger building, allowing for more children as well as the holding of church services. At this time the name changed to Richmond Bethel. Other Mennonite Brethren churches in the area such as Culloden and Fraserview also became involved in this project.
At this time discussion started regarding the planting of a Mennonite Brethren church in the Richmond area. After considerable discussion from provincial conference leaders and area church leaders Richmond Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church was officially organized in 1970 and officially joined the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in 1971. A sod-turning ceremony for their building took place on 23 April 1972.
On 17 December 1972 the first worship service was held in the new facility, and on 14 January 1973, the building was dedicated to the Lord. The Killarney Park Mennonite Brethren Church also gave a portion of land, provided that Richmond take over the financial obligations. This land was then sold and the money used to build the second stage of the three-stage building process. The building program began in May 1976 and the dedication service was held in October 1977.
The church continued to grow and Sunday morning services were becoming too crowded. Two services were begun in the late 1970s. In 1979 a daughter church was begun in Delta, known as the Cedar Park Mennonite Brethren Church.
Richmond Bethel's sanctuary was destroyed by fire in May 1989 and rebuilt in November 1989.
In 2016 Richmond Bethel merged with a Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation, The Way, to form a new church, Church on Five. Rob Inrig was the lead pastor at that time.
Bibliography
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies. "Richmond Bethel MB Church." http://www.mbconf.ca/home/products_and_services/resources/published_genealogies/mb_provincial_conferences_and_church_congregation_records/british_columbia_archives/richmond_bethel_mennonite_brethren_church_archives/ (accessed 29 November 2009).
Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 18; (9 February 1990): 22.
Mennonite Reporter (4 October 1976): 10; (26 June 1989): 3; (29 April 1996): 13.
Archival Records
Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies (Winnipeg, MB): Volume 375; Microfilm reel 69.
Additional Information
Address: 10200 No. 5 Road, Richmond, BC V7A 4E5
Phone: 604-274-2811
Denominational Affiliations:
British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1971-2016)
Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1971-2016)
General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America (1971-2002)
Richmond Bethel Church Leading Ministers
| Minister | Years |
|---|---|
| Herbert J. Brandt | 1970-1983 |
| Henry Unrau | 1983-1984 |
| Henry P. Petkau | 1984-1987 |
| Brad Julihn | 1987-2005 |
| Harry Heidebrecht (interim) | 2005-2007 |
| Scott Tolhurst | 2007-2015 |
| Rob Inrig | 2016-present |
Richmond Bethel Church Membership
| Year | Members |
|---|---|
| 1971 | 105 |
| 1975 | 180 |
| 1980 | 247 |
| 1985 | 240 |
| 1990 | 190 |
| 1995 | 208 |
| 2000 | 172 |
| 2004 | 167 |
| 2015 | 150 |
| 2020 | 107 |
Maps
Richmond Bethel Church, Richmond, BC
| Author(s) | Richard D Thiessen |
|---|---|
| Date Published | May 2023 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Thiessen, Richard D. "Church on Five (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. May 2023. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Church_on_Five_(Richmond,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175637.
APA style
Thiessen, Richard D. (May 2023). Church on Five (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Church_on_Five_(Richmond,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=175637.
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