Orchard Park Bible Church (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada)
The Orchard Park Bible Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON began services and formally organized in 1971. The first building was occupied in 1975, with a subsequent building program in 1995/96. George Wichert and Vic Loewen are considered the founding leaders of the group. The congregation originated through division from Virgil Mennonite Brethren over a desire to use the English language in worship.
In 1975 there were 136 members; in 1985, 185; in 1995, 267; in 2001, 228. The congregation has been affiliated with the Ontario Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1971-), the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1971-) and the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1971-2002). The language of worship is English.
The church is located at 434 Hunter Rd., R.R. 3, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0. (905) 468-7416. It is 2 km southwest of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Pastor Ray Russell served in 2002 as a fulltime congregational leader.
Bibliography
Mennonite Brethren Herald (27 May 1988): 51; (1 September 1995): 17.
When Your Children Shall Ask: a History of the Ontario Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 1957-1982. 1982: 71-73.
Friesen, C. Alfred. Memoirs of the Virgil-Niagara Mennonites. 1984: 52.
Additional Information
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To cite this page:
MLA style: Epp, Marlene. "Orchard Park Bible Church (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. January 1989. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 25 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/O734.html>
APA style: Epp, Marlene. (January 1989). "Orchard Park Bible Church (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 25 July 2008 <http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/O734.html>
