The early beginnings of the Harbour of Hope Chapel in Port Edward stem from the Canada Inland Mission outreach under the leadership of Harvey Enns to the Japanese, native Indians and whites working in the fish canneries in 1951.  However the founding leader is considered to be Jake Bergen, pastor from 1952 to 1958. The work was largely successful among the children with the congregation remaining relatively small, having 24 members in 1965 and 7 in 1975.  Christian teachers in the local school district were very much involved in the work of this church through the years. 

The first church building was dedicated in 1956 although it had been built some time before.  The congregation was formally organized in 1962 and was accepted into the membership of the British Columbia Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches in the same year.  Some of the other leaders included Henry Thiessen (1958-1959), John and Janice Goertz (1959-1964), Walter Friesen, J. R. Dick, Reg Bennett, Menno Friesen (1977-1981) and Allen Davis (1981-1983).  This church dissolved in 1983 after a new church was begun in Prince Rupert and members chose to attend that church.

Bibliography

Additional Information

Address: 557 Harbourview Dr., Port Edward, BC

©1996-2008 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.

To cite this page:

MLA style: Epp, Marlene and Hugo Friesen. "Harbour of Hope Chapel (Port Edward, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. June 2008. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 12 October 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/H372.html>

APA style: Epp, Marlene and Hugo Friesen. (June 2008). "Harbour of Hope Chapel (Port Edward, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 12 October 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/H372.html>