The Story of GBC
The roots of Guelph Bible Chapel trace back over a hundred years to the late 1800’s, when a community of devout Christians in the City of Guelph assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their gatherings were characterized by prayer, fellowship, teaching, preaching, and the observance of the Lord’s Supper. The community originated as a Plymouth Brethren Assembly – an evangelical Christian movement arising early in the 19th century in the UK, which sought to return to the purity and simplicity of foundational Christian principles in their worship, doctrine, and practice.
Brethren Assemblies were characterized by the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper (known as the Breaking of Bread), an emphasis on the priesthood of all believers in encouraging active service and participation in the church, and commitments to evangelism, generous giving, and the Biblical practice of baptism. In many of these distinctives, the Brethren movement shared common ground with other evangelical movements arising from the Reformation, especially its English-speaking Puritan branch which championed a commitment to Biblical faithfulness.
Throughout its early years the Assembly met in various locations, including upper rooms on Wyndham Street and Macdonnell Street. A permanent structure – known as the Eramosa Road Gospel Hall – was erected in 1919 to serve as their hub of activity. For over four decades this hall was a focal point for the Brethren movement in Guelph, nurturing spiritual growth and fostering a sense of community among its members.
As the congregation continued to grow, the need for expansion became apparent. In 1958, driven by a desire to accommodate the growing numbers, the Assembly acquired a parcel of land on Waterloo
Avenue (now Silvercreek Parkway South) from the Guelph Bible Conference Centre for the nominal sum of one dollar. This marked a significant milestone in the congregation’s journey. Construction
commenced in the spring of 1960, culminating in the inauguration of the new facility on September 11th of that year, with Gordon Mitchell delivering the inaugural sermon.
In keeping with its Brethren heritage, GBC has been committed to leadership by a plurality of elders responsible for shepherding and leading the congregation spiritually, protecting the church’s doctrine, equipping members for ministry, and building the church up to maturity in Christ.
In 1974 the Assembly welcomed Murray McLeod, a retired missionary to India, to serve as its part-time pastor. Since then, pastors have played an integral role alongside lay elders in shepherding the congregation. The following men have served as lead pastor at Guelph Bible Chapel throughout the years:
– 1974 to 1981 – Murray McLeod
– 1981 to 1989 – David Booker
– 1991 to 1997 – Kirk Lithander
– 1998 to 2006 – Jack Correll
– 2005 to 2023 – Chris Timm
– 2023 to present – Dan Andrade
In 2022 Guelph Bible Chapel called Dan Andrade to serve as its pastor. He assumed the role on
February 1, 2023 as part of a healthy two-year pastoral transition process as pastor Chris Timm began stepping back after eighteen years of faithful service. Prior to this Pastor Dan served with his family as a church planter in North Africa. He is married to Lindsay and together they have four children – Sophia, Isabella, Elyanna and Yeshua.
Multi-generational ministry and family life have always been a focus for GBC. In the past, family ministries have included afternoon Sunday School classes, a ‘hobby club’ in which adult men mentored boys from the community, and the Awana program where kids were discipled. More recently, this has taken the shape of a summer day camp which serves as a catalyst for year-round children’s ministry, including Sunday morning Kids’ Church and a midweek kids’ program, as well as youth and young-adult ministries.
Support for global missions has also been a consistent commitment of Guelph Bible Chapel – the church has been instrumental in sending and supporting workers into mission fields around the world.
Members of the congregation are active in a wide range of leadership and service roles, ministering together as Christ’s church in discipling, encouraging, and caring for one-another; and responsibly stewarding the resources God provides. A Board of Directors (of which two thirds of the members are elders) manages the legal and financial aspects of incorporation.
From humble beginnings in the late 19th century to its present-day ministry, Guelph Bible Chapel is a testament to God’s grace and faithfulness – remaining committed to its founding principles of Biblical worship, genuine fellowship, and faithfulness to God’s Word. Guided by dedicated pastors, elders, and members, the congregation continues to thrive by God’s grace, embodying the Spirit of unity, service, and devotion evidenced by its founders.
Brethren Assemblies were characterized by the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper (known as the Breaking of Bread), an emphasis on the priesthood of all believers in encouraging active service and participation in the church, and commitments to evangelism, generous giving, and the Biblical practice of baptism. In many of these distinctives, the Brethren movement shared common ground with other evangelical movements arising from the Reformation, especially its English-speaking Puritan branch which championed a commitment to Biblical faithfulness.
Throughout its early years the Assembly met in various locations, including upper rooms on Wyndham Street and Macdonnell Street. A permanent structure – known as the Eramosa Road Gospel Hall – was erected in 1919 to serve as their hub of activity. For over four decades this hall was a focal point for the Brethren movement in Guelph, nurturing spiritual growth and fostering a sense of community among its members.
As the congregation continued to grow, the need for expansion became apparent. In 1958, driven by a desire to accommodate the growing numbers, the Assembly acquired a parcel of land on Waterloo
Avenue (now Silvercreek Parkway South) from the Guelph Bible Conference Centre for the nominal sum of one dollar. This marked a significant milestone in the congregation’s journey. Construction
commenced in the spring of 1960, culminating in the inauguration of the new facility on September 11th of that year, with Gordon Mitchell delivering the inaugural sermon.
In keeping with its Brethren heritage, GBC has been committed to leadership by a plurality of elders responsible for shepherding and leading the congregation spiritually, protecting the church’s doctrine, equipping members for ministry, and building the church up to maturity in Christ.
In 1974 the Assembly welcomed Murray McLeod, a retired missionary to India, to serve as its part-time pastor. Since then, pastors have played an integral role alongside lay elders in shepherding the congregation. The following men have served as lead pastor at Guelph Bible Chapel throughout the years:
– 1974 to 1981 – Murray McLeod
– 1981 to 1989 – David Booker
– 1991 to 1997 – Kirk Lithander
– 1998 to 2006 – Jack Correll
– 2005 to 2023 – Chris Timm
– 2023 to present – Dan Andrade
In 2022 Guelph Bible Chapel called Dan Andrade to serve as its pastor. He assumed the role on
February 1, 2023 as part of a healthy two-year pastoral transition process as pastor Chris Timm began stepping back after eighteen years of faithful service. Prior to this Pastor Dan served with his family as a church planter in North Africa. He is married to Lindsay and together they have four children – Sophia, Isabella, Elyanna and Yeshua.
Multi-generational ministry and family life have always been a focus for GBC. In the past, family ministries have included afternoon Sunday School classes, a ‘hobby club’ in which adult men mentored boys from the community, and the Awana program where kids were discipled. More recently, this has taken the shape of a summer day camp which serves as a catalyst for year-round children’s ministry, including Sunday morning Kids’ Church and a midweek kids’ program, as well as youth and young-adult ministries.
Support for global missions has also been a consistent commitment of Guelph Bible Chapel – the church has been instrumental in sending and supporting workers into mission fields around the world.
Members of the congregation are active in a wide range of leadership and service roles, ministering together as Christ’s church in discipling, encouraging, and caring for one-another; and responsibly stewarding the resources God provides. A Board of Directors (of which two thirds of the members are elders) manages the legal and financial aspects of incorporation.
From humble beginnings in the late 19th century to its present-day ministry, Guelph Bible Chapel is a testament to God’s grace and faithfulness – remaining committed to its founding principles of Biblical worship, genuine fellowship, and faithfulness to God’s Word. Guided by dedicated pastors, elders, and members, the congregation continues to thrive by God’s grace, embodying the Spirit of unity, service, and devotion evidenced by its founders.