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.

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

Website: Richmond Bethel Church

Denominational Affiliations:

British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1971-present)

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (1971-present)

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-present

Richmond Bethel Church Membership

Year	Members
1971	105
1975	180
1980	247
1985	240
1990	190
1995	208
2000	172
2004	167

Maps

Richmond Bethel Church, Richmond, BC

Author(s)	Richard D Thiessen
Date Published	November 2009

Cite This Article

MLA style

Thiessen, Richard D. "Church on Five (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. November 2009. Web. 16 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Church_on_Five_(Richmond,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=136708.

APA style

Thiessen, Richard D. (November 2009). Church on Five (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 16 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Church_on_Five_(Richmond,_British_Columbia,_Canada)&oldid=136708.

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