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39-488: Early in 1889 Elmore Harris , then pastor Bloor Street Baptist Church (later to become Yorkminster Park Baptist Church ), became convinced that there was need for a new ministry in the area in north-western part of Toronto that had been recently annexed to the city. After consulting with his congregation it was decided that Walmer Road was the most suitable spot for the church. Elmore Harris' father, Alanson Harris of Brantford (founder of A. Harris, Son & Co. Ltd. ) purchased

78-548: A Walmer supporter, suggested that the church provide space for a lay training institute to be known as the Toronto Bible Training School. Stewart became the first principal. Courses were held at Walmer Road church for the first four years and then they relocated to new facilities at 110 College Street in 1898. The vision of the founders was to train laypeople as Sunday School teachers, pastors' assistants, and as city, home and foreign missionaries. Initially

117-585: A community of believers with a commitment to outreach and service in the Annex and a strong reputation for creative leadership by skilled pastors and involved lay people. A detailed history of the church can be found in two documents: A Century for the City published in 1989 and Walmer at 125 published in 2014. Walmer Road Baptist Church was designed and built in 1889 and 1892 in the Gothic Revival style by

156-511: A leader and enabler. Dunn came to Walmer on February 6, 1964, after 11 years at First Baptist Church in Montreal and would facilitate one of the most exciting phases of ministry in Walmer's history. Reg Dunn had a very simple philosophy: work hard in one area; that area was community outreach. However he maintained a traditional program within the church allowing the familiarity of the worship, and

195-550: A preacher and evangelist. He had studied at McMaster University and knew Toronto well. He proved to be the pastor Walmer needed at a difficult time. During his 23 years at Walmer, the church grew to a membership of over 2,000. MacNeill resigned in 1930 to become the Principal of the Theological Faculty of McMaster University. At the same time McMaster was relocated to Hamilton Ontario. The man chosen in 1930 to fill

234-496: A proponent of Premillennialism and Dispensationalism . He was also an ardent Evangelical and helped build Gymnamsium YMCA type outreaches at Walmer Road Baptist Church. Harris was part of the editorial committee for the series of doctrinal tracts which were called The Fundamentals . He was considered to represent orthodox evangelical fundamentalism in the McMaster Divinity College controversy surrounding

273-408: A reputation as an excellent preacher and worship leader. He was also noted for being in touch with the real world. Neal's 12 years at Walmer saw a growing young adult ministry and a renewed look at worship. Bruce Neal resigned in the spring of 1984. The length of his tenure as senior pastor was exceeded only by those of MacNeill and Bentall. In October 1984, Dr. Daniel Dryer arrived bringing a love for

312-529: A valiant two-year battle with cancer, Buff died in 2012 and in early 2014, Steve Cox resigned after ten years of ministry at Walmer. In December 2015 Rev. Elaine Poproski from First Baptist Church, Simcoe Ontario, accepted a call to Walmer. She began her ministry here on Palm Sunday 2016. 43°40′07″N 79°24′25″W  /  43.66851°N 79.40686°W  / 43.66851; -79.40686 Elmore Harris Elmore Harris (b. February 23, 1855 Beamsville, Ontario – d. December 19, 1911 Delhi, India)

351-601: A young Western Canadian, the pastor of First Baptist, Regina. He possessed a gift they valued highly: preaching. Bentall arrived November 3, 1946, and the results of his ministry were soon evident. The next decade saw growth in many areas including work with young people and ESL programs as well as a renewed commitment to mission. In 1959, Howard Bentall resigned, after almost 13 years of very fruitful ministry—a period of service second only in length to John MacNeill's. During those years, about 800 members were added, 215 by baptism. When Bentall left for First Baptist Church, Calgary, he

390-520: The Bloor street church, Walmer road church, Ossington Avenue Baptist church, Century Baptist Church and Christie Street Baptist Church. Harris had a strong reputation for his expository preaching . On May 14, 1894, a group of lay people from the Toronto churches of St. Paul's Anglican, Knox Presbyterian and Walmer Road Baptist met to discuss the establishment of a training school for laypersons. This group

429-661: The Charter members. By 1891 the membership was already about 350 and in December it was decided that more space was necessary. Mr. Alanson Harris and Mrs. John Harris, immediately agreed to provide the funds. And what is now the main sanctuary of the church was erected at a cost of $ 70,000. Upon completion it was the largest Baptist building in Canada. The dedication of the new sanctuary took place on November 6, 1892. Throughout its more than 125 years, Walmer Road Baptist Church has been

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468-703: The High School, Beamsville, and subsequently at St. Catharines Collegiate Institute. In 1877 Elmore Harris obtained a B.A. from the University of Toronto having previously left behind the family business to pursue pastoral studies. At the McMaster convocation in May 1899 the degree of Doctor of Divinity, D.D. was conferred. From 1876 – February 1882 Elmore served at Centre Street Baptist Church, St. Thomas where he succeeded Mr. Hurd. During his pastorate at Centre St.

507-662: The McMaster senate in 1908, "I feel that the attitude of the Old Testament Scriptures in the Chair of the Old Testament Literature in this institution is not the attitude of the Baptist denomination." It was not only the lectures that concerned Harris but the books read by the students. Matthews view was to let the students figure things out for themselves. Harris believed that it was better for

546-581: The Oxford County area. Elmore's grandfather John Harris served in pastorates at Westminster (Middlesex County) and afterwards at Townsend (Haldimand County). Elmore's maternal grandfather was Thomas Morgan a minister originally from Wales who served in the U.S. and then in Southwestern Ontario. Elmore Harris married (September 7, 1877 at Brantford) Ruth Davidson Shenston (1858–1910). Ruth was the daughter of Thomas Strahan Shenston of whom

585-652: The Shenstone Memorial Baptist Church in Brantford , Ontario is named. Together they had 5 children: Burton Shenstone, b. June 11, 1878; Helen Mary, b. February 1, 1881 (who became the mother of E. Harris Harbison ); Frederick Morgan, b. June 12, 1886; Frank Elmore, b. December 7, 1890; Erdman Gordon, b. December 17, 1898. Elmore Harris was an uncle to Canadian painter Lawren Harris . Elmore remarried to Olive Marion Culham on September 6, 1911 in Toronto. He received his early education at

624-620: The Upper Canada Bible Society. Upon his death he bequeathed to The Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto the payment of $ 2,000, been named in perpetuity in the Hospital in College street in 1912: — "The Frank Elmore Harris Cot," by bequest of the late Rev. Dr. Elmore Harris, Toronto; During his tenure at Bloor Street, Elmore became aware of the teaching of William Newton Clarke (1841-1912) a known Liberal theologian (who

663-553: The architectural firm of Henry Langley and his nephew Edmund Burke . The interior of the church was built to accommodate 1540 people on the floor and in the galleries. The church entered its next and last building program in 1912. A new structure was erected in the space between the two older buildings, and was dedicated as the Ruth Shenstone Harris Memorial Church School on January 18, 1914. A comprehensive renovation of this Education Wing

702-633: The board of China Inland Mission-Toronto. From 1898-1903 Harris served on the Board of Governors of McMaster University. From 1906 Harris was Honorary lecturer on the English Bible at McMaster. It was stated of Elmore Harris that under his direction he had "done more than any other member of the Baptist denomination (whether clerical or lay), by influence and pecuniary aid, to further the cause of that church in Toronto and its suburbs." Elmore Harris and his wife were at some point elected Life Members of

741-401: The church. In 1959, BTI was relocated to Brantford, Ontario. Elmore Harris served from October 1889 to November 27, 1895, when he resigned as pastor on account of failing health. Harris continued to serve in an advisory capacity until his death in 1911. Rev. W. W. Weeks, from First Baptist Church, Moncton, New Brunswick, began at Walmer Road Church in December 1895. The membership at that date

780-476: The city and a renewed concern for the Annex community. Under his leadership a number of innovative moves were made in the lead up to the celebration of Walmer's centennial in 1989 including the establishment of house groups as a formal part of the church's discipleship program. During this time the BCOQ's BUILD program was partially housed at the church. At the end of 1993 Dan Dryer retired. In July 1995, Michael Blair

819-567: The darkest days of the depression. In 10 1/2 years, he added 766 members, over 350 by baptism. In June 1940, Dr. Bingham resigned to become the first full-time general secretary of the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, and in these early days of World War II, the church turned to Adiel Jarrett Moncrief, who began his ministry October 26, 1941. Like Bingham, Moncrief came from a large church (First Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida),

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858-544: The educational and social programs within Walmer to provide the stability needed to support the outreach. He served as President of the Canadian Council of Churches from 1966 to 1969. In 1971, Reg Dunn resigned, moving to Amherst, Nova Scotia. To lead Walmer through the 1970s, the congregation turned to Bruce W. Neal, an Ontario native, from James Street Baptist Church in Hamilton. He arrived at Walmer in 1973 with

897-417: The enormous shoes of John MacNeill was Dr. Herbert H. Bingham. Coming from First Baptist Calgary, Bingham faced a difficult task. Although a strong preacher and evangelist, and much-loved by the congregation, he faced the twin challenges of succeeding a beloved and famous pastor, and leading the church through a time of great economic hardship. It is said of him, however, that he never became discouraged, even in

936-496: The lot on Walmer Road at the corner of what was soon to become Lowther Avenue, at a cost of $ 7,600. In April 1889, Elmore Harris resigned as pastor of Bloor Street Church, effective October 15, 1889. The first building (which can now be identified by the short tower some distance west along Lowther Avenue) was completed and opened on October 20, 1889. Sixty-two people transferred from the Bloor Street Church and became

975-522: The membership nearly tripled and they built a new building. February 1882 – October 15, 1889 Elmore served at Yorkville Baptist Church helping the church to expand into larger facilities at Bloor Street Baptist Church. (see Yorkminster Park Baptist Church (Toronto) ). October 20, 1889 – November 27, 1895 Elmore served in the pastorate at Walmer Road Baptist Church . During the years from 1871 to 1895, some 1,000 believers had been baptized by Mr. Harris. During his ministry in Toronto, 1882 to 1895, he organized

1014-532: The modernist teachings of Isaac George Matthews (1871-1959) professor of Old Testament and Systematic Theology at McMaster University from 1904 to 1919 who began to be criticized in 1908, but kept his job. (Matthews had been a student pastor at First Baptist Church in Brantford (where the Harris family attended) and was a graduate of McMaster, obtaining his PhD from University of Chicago). Elmore Harris addressed

1053-406: The students to be told what was right. Others like the dean of Theology (and professor of New Testament and Patristic Greek) Jones Hughes Farmer (1859-1928) noted that Baptists have always believed in personal freedom. (Ever after, McMaster was suspected by many Baptists as excessively liberal). Thomas Todhunter Shields began to take more of that role after the death of Elmore Harris. Elmore Harris

1092-714: The training program was two years. In 1912 it became the Toronto Bible College and is now the Tyndale University College and Seminary . During Howard Bentall's time as pastor in the 1950s, a vision for a lay training institute was once again revived and beginning in September 1955 the Baptist Training Institute (BTI) was formed. It was designed as a one-year lay training program and at first, classes were conducted at

1131-768: The west, when a new bridge across the ravine brought that church within easy reach. Hewitt Avenue Mission was begun in 1909 in the Brockton Village neighbourhood (now Roncesvalles, Toronto ) on Hewitt Avenue. It eventually became High Park Baptist Church. Memorial Institute became a ministry of Walmer in October 1911, when they agreed to take over the work of Memorial Baptist Church, on Tecumseth Street south west of Queen and Bathurst in downtown Toronto. A significant ministry to poor people living in downtown Toronto continued in this location until 1942 when it ceased operation. In 1894, Elmore Harris and Dr. William Stewart,

1170-512: Was 480. By 1900 it was 700. Mr. Weeks was considered "an earnest preacher and a most indefatigable worker". He served until 1904. Weeks was followed in 1905 by Oliver Horsman from New Jersey, but he was soon involved in a doctrinal controversy and resigned in January, 1906. John MacNeill arrived in 1906 from First Baptist Church in Winnipeg. At 32 years old he already had a growing reputation as

1209-545: Was a Canadian Baptist pastor . He was the founder of the Walmer Road Baptist Church and one of the founders of Toronto Bible Training School in 1894 which soon changed its name to Toronto Bible College (now Tyndale University ). Elmore Harris was the son of Alanson Harris (founder of A. Harris, Son & Co. Ltd. ) & Mary Morgan. Elmore's paternal grandfather was John Harris an early Baptist pastor whose family had emigrated from New York state to

Walmer Road Baptist Church - Misplaced Pages Continue

1248-558: Was a graduate of Hamilton Theological Seminary NY – later Colgate Theological Seminary). Clarke taught New Testament Interpretation and Homiletics at the Toronto Baptist College from September 1883-early 1887. It undoubtedly had an influence on his later beliefs and desire to fend for the truth. Elmore Harris is named as one of the editors of the Scofield Reference Bible . He was Calvinistic and

1287-485: Was called as Lead Pastor bringing to the community his deep commitment to evangelism and his considerable skills in guiding worship. Steve's wife, Buff (Elizabeth)—also an ordained minister—joined the pastoral staff as Director of Administration in 2008. Among many other activities, under her guidance a major project "Under the Roof " allowed the replacement of the slate on the north side of the sanctuary roof. However, following

1326-558: Was called to be the new senior pastor. Blair brought an effective preaching ministry as well as administrative skills. He helped the church work toward a new structure for leadership and guided the church to create the concept of the Walmer Centre in preparation for the major renovation of the education wing of the church that was undertaken in 2000. In 2001 Michael Blair resigned. After a lengthy search, in February 2004, Steve Cox

1365-493: Was designed to prepare laypersons to serve in the burgeoning programs of the newly developing YMCA, numerous Sunday schools springing up in Toronto and outlying areas, and a growing world movement in missions. In 1912 the name was changed to Toronto Bible College ( Tyndale University ). Elmore Harris served as the first President of the school. For many years Elmore Harris lectured at McMaster in Bible. In 1893 Elmore Harris joined

1404-623: Was led by Elmore Harris, and included the well-known Casimir Gzowski Jr. (son of the builder of the Grand Trunk Railway and grandfather of broadcaster Peter Gzowski), Robert Kilgour of the Kilgour Brothers (a manufacturer of paper bags and paper boxes), John Drysdale Nasmith (a baker) and Samuel J. Moore of the business forms fame (a Sunday school leader at Dovercourt Road Baptist Church ). The Toronto Bible Training School, established in 1894, resulting from this initiative,

1443-519: Was replaced by a Maritimer, Harvey L. Denton, who commenced his ministry on September 20, 1959. Denton came from Murray Street Baptist in Peterborough. Much of Denton's relatively brief time at Walmer—he retired in 1963—would be spent assessing the implications a report on ministry. In 1963 Harvey Denton resigned. He was followed by Reginald S. Dunn, also from the Atlantic provinces. Reg Dunn was

1482-418: Was the author of numerous books and had an excellent reputation as a leader. Walmer represented a significant challenge. Moncrief's main task was to pastor a church in wartime; the atmosphere in the congregation was a sense of a painful task that must be done. He served effectively through the war years but on December 28, 1945, Adiel Moncrief submitted his resignation. In 1947 Walmer Road called Howard Bentall,

1521-482: Was undertaken in 2000. Outreach and church planting was a key activity of the church from the very beginning. Christie Street Mission was founded in 1898 by the congregation from Walmer Road. In 1907 it became Christie Street Baptist Church under pastor H. R. Nobles. Spadina Road Mission was born in 1907 to serve the area at Spadina and St. Clair Ave. In 1914 the Mission merged with Wychwood Road Baptist Church just to

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