Bethel is a thriving community of believers, amalgamated around the truth of God and known well for its love of others. We fellowship often, reach out always, and pray expecting. We have a variety of musical emphasis and talent.
"To present as many as possible, as complete as possible, in Christ."
"To be a vibrant community-based church, known in Sidney and throughout the peninsula for its Christ-centered ministry to every member of the family, encouraging them to seek intimacy with God that they might be more like Him."
"We are a place to bring as many people as possible into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ."
"We are a place to belong, where you are accepted with Christ's unconditional love in an atmosphere of care and nurturing."
"We are a place to become all that God intended us to be, committed and equipped disciples of Christ."
"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Psalm 127.1
Brief History of Bethel Baptist Church, Sidney, B.C. 1946 - 2011
In 1941, the original church building at 2355 Beacon Avenue was erected by a local businessman and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mason. They had a real desire to see a ministry for the youth of the community. At the time, the little airport at Sidney had many airmen there who were training for the air force and preparing for war overseas. There was a tremendous need for ministry to both the airmen and their families. This ministry became known as "The Children’s Church".
After the war was ended, a more stable ministry was desired and so Mr. Mason called on the assistance of Dr. J. B. Rowell of Central Baptist Church in Victoria. With his guidance, a Baptist work was begun in Sidney. On June 2nd 1946, Pastor Donald Merrett assumed the position of pastor and this work became known as Bethel Baptist Church. After two years, Pastor Merrett felt that he needed further education, and resigned to attend Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto.
Pastor Bill Bye, with his wife Grace, began their ministry at Bethel in May, 1948. On May 4th, 1950 the church became an organized body under the Convention of Regular Baptist Churches of British Columbia. The signing charter members were: Pastor Bill Bye, Edith Mason, Elsie Randall, Grace Bye, Joseph Mason, Edwin Randall, John B. Knowles and Arthur V. Trigg. The organized body assumed the name of "Bethel Regular Baptist Church, Sidney, B.C." In 1952 a new extension and renovation was made to the church building on Beacon Avenue.
In May of 1953, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mason deeded the property and building to the Church. The Church drew up bylaws and became incorporated under the Societies Act, and Thomas L. Wescott commenced pastoral duties. In 1956, Rev. William Morton and his wife Marie commenced seven years of pastoral service. On June 2nd, 1963, Ronald W. and Joyce Prepchuk began two years as pastor. In 1965, Rev. Barnet Harrison and his wife began four years of pastoral service. From 1969 to 1972 John Ballard was the pastor.
From 1973 to 1979, Rev. Darrell D. Eddy, with his wife Jessie, pastored the congregation. In July 1975, the church constitution was revised and the name of the Church was altered to "Bethel Fellowship Baptist Church" to reflect the affiliation with the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. In November 1977, the church’s 25th Anniversary was celebrated. Former pastors and wives who were able to attend were: Donald C. Merrett, H. Bill and Grace Bye, Barbara Wescott, Marie Morton, Ronald W. and Joyce Prepchuk, Barnet T. and Catherine Harrison, John T. and Barbara Ballard, and Darrell and Jessie Eddy.
In January of 1978, the church property at 2355 Beacon Avenue was sold to the Danclair Investments Ltd. for the sum of $175,000. The Bank of Nova Scotia is presently on the site where the former church building was located. The church then purchased almost an acre of property on 2269 Mills Road, for the sum of $85,000. On April 3, 1978, Edward G. Weisner, contractor, commenced work on the construction of a new church building. Interim church services were held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, then on Resthaven Drive, from February 1978 to January 1979. The first worship service in the new building was held on January 28, 1979, and the Dedication Service of the new building and property and the Church body was held March 18, 1979. The total cost of this church building came to approximately $98,500.
Pastor Norm and Betty Harrison arrived in 1980 for four years of ministry, leaving to re-join the Sudan Interior Mission. During this time the Church Constitution was revised and up-dated. A portable building was purchased and moved onto the church property, and a two-service format was introduced. Associate Pastor Brian Joyce and his wife Cathy also came on staff in 1983. In 1985 a daughter church was formed on Salt Spring Island, and our associate Pastor Brian Joyce and Cathy, left us to serve as its first pastor.
Pastor Gerald Meller, with his wife Mae and daughters Cherylin and Wendy, began their nine year ministry in 1985. During this ministry, the sanctuary was expanded to seat approximately 80 more people, by removing the baptistry and small side rooms, and the interior of the sanctuary was painted and decorated. In 1990, Assistant Pastor Mike and Judi Millard were added to the church staff for full time service, and served until August 1993, when Pastor Mike left to take further studies at Northwest Baptist Seminary. New hymnals were purchased. In 1994 Pastor Gerry Meller suffered a mild heart attack and had to resign.
In August 1995 Pastor Bill and Laurie Zylstra with their family, Marty, Beth-Ann and Caleb arrived from Ontario to begin their ministry with us. On July 1st 1996 Pastor Peter Rashleigh came on staff to minister to our youth for a short time. On September 15, 1996 Bethel held an Anniversary Service celebrating 50 years of ministry in Sidney. Many former pastors were in attendance, with the message given by Bethel's first pastor, Don Merrett. May Nunn, the longest standing member) was interviewed and Pat Lenaghan ministered in music.
In 1998, after various interim pastorates, Pastor Mike and Judi Millard commenced a nine year ministry among us, until 2007. The name of our church was changed to Bethel Community Baptist Church (Fellowship Baptist) to reflect the desire of the church to serve the community.
It was also a time of transition, when our property was given over to the Bethel Care Society for the development of a new church facility, which would include 70 complex care units, a children’s day care and a counselling centre. Our old church was razed, and we met temporary at the Shoal Centre from January, 2007 to December, 2009. The new pastor and his wife, Pastor Bill and Krys McLean, began their ministry at Bethel in the Shoal Centre, in January, 2009, and we all moved into our new building in December, 2009, with the first service in the new church building on January 11, 2010.
Over the past 65 years, the ministry of Bethel has been an important outreach into the community of Sidney. There have been many who have come to know Christ and followed in Baptism as a result of the program and ministry of Bethel. As well as the regular worship services, there have been ongoing boys and girls club programs, vacation Bible schools, and prayer services. Although we have had several different pastors, and many people who have come and gone from Bethel, the ministry continues to demonstrate that it is the Lord who sustains this ministry at Bethel. The town of Sidney has changed dramatically from the 1940's, with the community of airmen and local industry, to be a retirement and dormitory community for Victoria. The same need is still present, in that people need to come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As we continue, with God's help, to function as a Community Baptist Church in this area, we pray that we will have an effective influence in bringing others to Christ, until He returns.
Copyright ©2010 by Bethel Community Baptist Church (Fellowship Baptist). All Rights Reserved.
