East Aldergrove Mennonite Brethren Church
In 1947, a group of brethren from North Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church established their own community church in Aldergrove, British Columbia. With limited resources, they purchased land and constructed a simple sanctuary. The congregation formally organized in 1947 and joined the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The building underwent expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate the growing community. Services transitioned from German to bilingual and then exclusively English. In the mid-1980s, the church embraced contemporary music and changed its name to Ross Road Community Church in 2000. The church has been actively involved in church planting and had a membership of 379 individuals and an average attendance of 439 in 2010.
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In the early days of 1947, a group of brethren from the North Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church gathered with a vision to establish their own community church. They were predominantly farmers residing in the Aldergrove and Mount Lehman areas, west of Abbotsford, British Columbia. Determined to have a place of worship in their own vicinity, they purchased five acres of land on the corner of Ross and Sinclair.
With limited financial resources but unwavering faith, they acquired the land for $1,500 and constructed a simple sanctuary in the form of a basement covered with roofing material. The building process, supervised by John Buehler, cost an additional $3,000. The modest space was equipped with a wood furnace for heating and basic benches for seating.
On June 13, 1947, with 93 charter members, the congregation formally organized as an independent entity. Worship services commenced on June 15 of the same year, and shortly afterward, in 1947, the church joined the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The dedication of the building took place on April 18, 1949, marking a significant milestone for the growing congregation.
Over the years, as the church community expanded, the building underwent several expansions and renovations. In 1970, an education wing was added at a cost of $25,000, followed by the construction of a multipurpose building in 1977, amounting to $149,115.91. By 1981, due to the congregation's growth, the main sanctuary required rebuilding. The final expansion occurred in 1991, resulting in the construction of a new kitchen and education wing at a cost of $169,000.
Not only did the physical structure evolve, but the services themselves underwent transformations. Initially conducted solely in German, a shift towards bilingual English and German services began in 1959. By the late 1960s, the transition was complete, and services were exclusively in English. In the mid-1980s, the church embraced a more contemporary style of music, departing from its traditional roots. Reflecting these changes, the church officially changed its name to Ross Road Community Church in 2000.
Throughout its history, Ross Road Community Church has actively engaged in church planting endeavors. In 1951, the congregation assumed responsibility for a Sunday school ministry in the County Line area, which eventually grew into an independent church called County Line Gospel Chapel in 1958.
In 2010, the membership of Ross Road Community Church consisted of 379 individuals, with an average attendance of 439, demonstrating the ongoing presence and impact of the church within the community.
With limited financial resources but unwavering faith, they acquired the land for $1,500 and constructed a simple sanctuary in the form of a basement covered with roofing material. The building process, supervised by John Buehler, cost an additional $3,000. The modest space was equipped with a wood furnace for heating and basic benches for seating.
On June 13, 1947, with 93 charter members, the congregation formally organized as an independent entity. Worship services commenced on June 15 of the same year, and shortly afterward, in 1947, the church joined the British Columbia Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. The dedication of the building took place on April 18, 1949, marking a significant milestone for the growing congregation.
Over the years, as the church community expanded, the building underwent several expansions and renovations. In 1970, an education wing was added at a cost of $25,000, followed by the construction of a multipurpose building in 1977, amounting to $149,115.91. By 1981, due to the congregation's growth, the main sanctuary required rebuilding. The final expansion occurred in 1991, resulting in the construction of a new kitchen and education wing at a cost of $169,000.
Not only did the physical structure evolve, but the services themselves underwent transformations. Initially conducted solely in German, a shift towards bilingual English and German services began in 1959. By the late 1960s, the transition was complete, and services were exclusively in English. In the mid-1980s, the church embraced a more contemporary style of music, departing from its traditional roots. Reflecting these changes, the church officially changed its name to Ross Road Community Church in 2000.
Throughout its history, Ross Road Community Church has actively engaged in church planting endeavors. In 1951, the congregation assumed responsibility for a Sunday school ministry in the County Line area, which eventually grew into an independent church called County Line Gospel Chapel in 1958.
In 2010, the membership of Ross Road Community Church consisted of 379 individuals, with an average attendance of 439, demonstrating the ongoing presence and impact of the church within the community.