“Will Bethany church be here to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2027? The answer, as before, is in the hands of Divine Providence. In the meantime, we encourage Bethanyites to keep in mind that the church is ultimately the people working together, staying aware of the past but looking to the future, and, as the old saying goes, ‘keeping the faith.’”

— Extract from the Bethany Baptist Church 50th Anniversary book

History is the foundation of the future. This overview of key moments and milestones is presented in recognition of the faith and dedication of all those who came before us — and to inspire us to rebuild their vision, look to the future, and continue their legacy.

History 1

Those were years of leaping and scrambling, the early 1950s. World War II was over, the postwar reconstruction had begun. The “baby boom” was beginning to make itself heard. Ottawa was building rapidly toward the south and west to accommodate the army of new government employees and their families. Everything had to be done at once… The postwar feeling of relief and optimism matched the mood of the church planners.

— Bethany Baptist News #166, April 1977 – 25th Anniversary special edition

1952 — Founded

  • Feb 22 – A small group of Baptists living in the newly-built residential areas of south-west Ottawa and Nepean meet in one of their homes and decide to organize as a church.

  • Feb 25 – Dr. Donald Thompson of the Ottawa Baptist Churches Extension Board, Mr. Neil and Mary Price, Mr. Harold McCarthy, and Dr. Gerhard and Maria Harder meet to discuss the formation of a new Baptist church. A pro tem committee with Neil Price (chairman) and Harold McCarthy (Secretary) is elected.

  • March 30 – After a house-to-house survey, the first public meeting is held in the “old school house” at the corner of Merivale Road and Lotta Ave. Nineteen people attend; 14 support the establishment of a new Baptist church.

  • April 6 – The first worship service of the as yet unnamed congregation is held with guest preacher Dr. J.B. McLaurin, General Secretary of the Canadian Baptist Overseas Mission Board.

  • May 19 – A Building Committee composed of “all of the men of the City View Baptist Church group” is elected.

  • June 15 – Six names for the new church are proposed. Parkway Baptist Church and McLaurin Memorial Baptist Church tie, so the name choice is carried over. Property on Baseline Road east of Clyde Ave. is selected for construction of a chapel at a cost of $2,500.

  • June 28 – The first congregational picnic is held.

  • August 12 – George Y. Lockhart, a theological student at Carleton College, is welcomed as our first pastor.

  • October 26 – Bethany Baptist Church is adopted as the church name, with the motto “First and Foremost a Soul Winning Church.” The name was proposed by Mrs. Pearl Hardie (Member #6) after the village in the Gospels “where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived and where Jesus spent many a quiet hour.”

  • November 29 – A symbolic sod turning ceremony marks the beginning of construction of the new chapel at 1374 Baseline Road.

History 6

1953

  • February 22 – Bethany Baptist Church is officially inaugurated with 13 charter members.

  • March 28 – Dedication of the newly completed chapel, joined by choirs from Fourth Avenue and First Baptist Church.

  • March 29 – The first worship service in the new chapel is celebrated.

  • May 4 – Service of recognition by the Ottawa Baptist Association and the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec. Congregation has grown to 38 worshippers.

1954

  • April 21 – A Constitution is adopted, a Men’s Fellowship group formed, and the first Christian Education Committee organized.

1957

  • January 28 – A Building Committee is appointed and a Building Fund established. A Wolf Cub Pack is established as the 82nd Ottawa Group.

1958

  • September 30 – The first Bethany building at 1374 Baseline Road is sold to a doctor and became a medical clinic. (The original “ranch style bungalow” can still be seen today, now used as a Thai Restaurant.)

  • October 26 – Dr. Donald Thompson returns for Bethany’s second sod turning ceremony, marking construction of a new church building at 1366 Baseline Road.

1959

  • January 4 – The datestone for the new church is laid by Rev. E. Smith, Moderator of the Ottawa Baptist Association.

  • April 18 – The first wedding is held in the new building: Bernice McCausland and Mr. Sceviour.

  • April 19–26 – Week of dedication of the new church building.

  • April 26 – The first Baptismal service in the new church building is held for five new members.

Bethany Baptist Church is now firmly established and, riding the crests of the Baby Boom and Ottawa residential construction waves, begins to grow over the following years.

1960

  • October 23 – A Boy Scout Troop is added to the 82nd Ottawa Group. By the end of the year there are 84 members, with Sunday School enrolment of 163 and 19 teachers.

1961

  • March – Bethany Baptist News Vol. 1 No. 1 published. The monthly community newsletter, with a few name changes and stops and starts, will roll off the presses until 2018.

1965

  • October – The Junior Department of the Sunday School is moved to Laurentian High School, directly across the road.

1967

  • The Bethany Baptist News records discussion about their current location in what is becoming a busy commercial area.

1969

  • November – A new children’s Sunday School prefab extension is added to the rear of the church building.

1977

History 15

  • April 23–24 – Celebration of Bethany’s 25th Anniversary by 151 Members, plus Adherents and families, with many invited guests.

  • September – The first Pastoral Care Team is formed.

1984

  • September 6 – Bethany becomes the sponsoring church for the new Bilberry Creek Baptist Church.

History 25

1987

  • On the recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee, the congregation makes the decision to relocate and build “a modern building in a community setting.” The motto adopted: “Building to Share.”

1989

  • Spring – Purchase of a 3.65 acre parcel of land at 382 Centrepointe Drive for a brand new church building next to the newly developed Centrepointe neighbourhood. The land includes an old red brick farmhouse which begins to be used as a community outreach ministry.

  • November 11 – The farmhouse is officially opened as Centrepointe House, a Christian centre for outreach, counselling, and retreats.

1991

  • September 8 – Groundbreaking ceremony for the new church site, marking the beginning of construction.

1992 — New Building

  • March 1 – The Seniors’ Group is formed in recognition of a new phase in Bethany’s development.

History 16

  • April – The new church building is completed in time for our 40th anniversary.

  • April 26 – Affirmation Sunday. A final “affirmation service” is held in the old church building with an emotional summation of Bethany’s history.

  • May 3 – The “Bethany on the Move” pilgrimage from the old church to the new church, 3.5 kilometres west along Baseline Road, for the official opening and first worship service.
  • June 6–7 – A dedication weekend and service is held for the new Bethany Baptist Church.

1994

  • January 11 – The City of Nepean gives Bethany a Design Award for the new church building, considered an appropriate and impressive gateway to the Centrepointe community.

  • July 2–3 – Bethany Baptist Baby Boomers’ Reunion of the Century! A total of 187 attend the weekend event.

  • September – The Bethany Bloomers gardening group is established to begin greening and beautifying the church grounds.

1995

  • January 8 – Bethany adopts the Home Group concept, created in the spirit of the first New Testament churches.

  • February – Bethany votes to support the Longfields ministry being established in the expanding Barrhaven community.

  • November 12 – The tapestry in the Sanctuary, woven in memory of Letizia “Tish” Taylor, is dedicated. It incorporates the Cross and the Tree of Life extending its roots into water.

1996

  • March 19 – Bethany begins participating in the Community Employment Action Program to help local unemployed people find work.

1997

  • October – Phase 1 of the “Greening of Bethany” landscaping project begins. Over 200 shrubs are planted on the northern slope and 10 community plots created beside Centrepointe House.

1999

  • December 17 – Kenny Bullerwell, charter Member #1, passes peacefully after 47 years as an active member, beloved Sunday School teacher, and coach. A spruce tree is planted in his memory in 2001.

2000

  • Another phase of the landscaping project is completed with a rock garden at the northeastern corner of the church grounds.

2001

  • October 14 – The 50th Anniversary year of celebration is officially kicked off. The Bethany Newsletter also announces the church and Pastor now have e-mails!

  • October 21 – Tree planting ceremony for Ken Bullerwell, Member #1 and last remaining charter member.

2002

  • February 10 – The 50th anniversary celebrations begin with the annual International Luncheon celebrating “50 Years of Family.”

  • May 18–19 – Bethany’s 50th Birthday Weekend Celebration — breakfast for 65, evening meal for 175 at the Nepean Sportsplex, and a Sunday service attended by 215 people.

  • September 14 – Bethany builds its first website. This month also marks community outreach with a neighbourhood fair.

People who have studied the life cycles of congregations suggest that the years around the 50-year mark are crucial for any church… If we are going to climb the next hill it will take effort exerted by all the people who are part of the church. I pray that as you seek out your future as a church here, you will do so prayerfully, open to the faithful leading of God.

— Pastor Fred Demaray, 2003 Annual Report

2005

  • January 1 – A new Constitution takes effect, reorganizing the committee structure into three new commissions under the supervision of the Church Council.

2009

  • After 20 years as a Christian outreach centre, Centrepointe House is transferred to the Matthew House charity to be used as a home for refugees.

2012

  • April 29 – 60th Anniversary celebrated with a special service attended by 188 people, followed by a meal in the gym.

“…where do we want to go in the next 60 years? Where will we be in 2027 when we celebrate 75 years? My hope as we travel with God is that we are firmly trusting that God is guiding our steps. I lean heavily on the knowledge that Jesus often said: ‘Do not be afraid.’ (Matthew 10:26)”

— Pastor Maryann Turcott, 2012 Annual Report

2020

  • March 18 – Bethany closes its doors in response to government mandates. Worship services recommence via telephone and internet broadcasting with Pastor Maryann continuing to conduct services from Bethany.

2021

  • April 15 – The Church Council votes to reopen the doors for in-person worship, following government safety guidelines.

  • Father’s Day, June 20 – Bethany reopens for in-person worship, beginning a journey of steady progress back to normal church life.

  • September 14 – The Church Council votes to reject a vaccine passport policy on the grounds of partiality and discrimination, so no believer would be denied worship and fellowship.

2022 — 70th Anniversary

  • Sunday, July 3 – We celebrate our 70th Anniversary on a glorious sunny day with a wonderful outdoor service and BBQ attended by 70 old and new friends.

  • July 6 – Bethany’s Administration Commission formally announces the reopening of rental event space for community events.