50th Anniversary
Celebrating God's Faithfulness

The history of the Mt Brydges Christian Reformed Church actually begins in the East CRC in Strathroy, which was established in 1951. In 1965, a second church  was formed called Westmount CRC, now called Compass Church. During 1975, East CRC was experiencing growth once again. Various methods were tried, such as providing more chairs in the foyer, a portable TV in the back room, but this was only a temporary solution. The idea of a new church arose. At this time Joop DeVoest sr, Ralph Kok and Klaas Moes got together and realized that many members of the East CRC lived outside of the Strathroy area and wondered if these members would be willing to start a new church in Mt Brydges.

 

On January 17th 1976, a committee was set up to work on establishing a daughter church. The committee consisted of Henk Slaa, Bill Bruinink, Joop DeVoest sr., and Klaas Moes. The committee enlisted about 45 families, the majority from East CRC, and also some from the Westmount CRC and London 1st CRC. A proposal for the Classis meeting which was held on May 11, 1976 was accepted and the Lord Blessed us with the use of the United Church in Mt Brydges.

 

On June 15th 1976, under the supervision of our mother church East CRC, an organizational meeting was held. At this meeting members were recognized and the results of the voting for elders and deacons were elected. Elders: Jake Bulk, Marinus Noordermeer, John Renkema and William Smink. Deacons: Gerry Bakker, Ralph Kok and Allen Zietsma. Installation was held that same evening officiated by Rev. Kranenburg.

 

Because the United Church building could be rented for Sunday services only and one evening during the week, provisions had to be made for other meetings that needed to be held. The town hall was rented for Busy Bees and Calvinettes, Mrs. Bruinink’s garage on Emerson street provided a room for Young Peoples and Cadets. Southwest Middlesex Medical building for Council meetings and Granddad’s Cookie Factory, the former Dashwood plant,  for Sunday School classes.

 

Rev. G Bomhof and JoAnn accepted a call in August of 1976 and stayed till 1980. He officiated his first funeral for 15 year old Ben VanBrenk. Leading the church and dealing with many sorts of events, services for weddings, baptisms and profession of faith.

 

Pastor Max Lise and Jeannie  accepted a call in 1981 – 1985. During those years tragedy struck the close knit church. Larry Boersma died in a car accident in Strathroy. A month later another car accident took the lives of three more members. William Smink, Geoffrey Goris and Kelly Knapp,  killed in a head on collision going to a hockey game.

 

In 1979 the council appointed a long range planning committee of Klaas Moes, Henk Noordermeer, Arnold Oldewening and William Smink. This committee was to find prospects and plans to buy property for the future building of our own church. In 1983 after much searching, the committee learned that the property of Mr. Snelgrove was available. The decision was made to buy this property and in 1984 the decision was made to start building the church. Members of the building committee were Guert Buis, Joop DeVoest sr., John Faber, John Vanderlinde and Arnold Zietsma. On June 21, 1985, the sod turning, groundbreaking was held with the Theme “Building in Love-Built in Love.

 

Rev. John Top and Hennie accepted a call from 1987 – 1996. Pastor Top began and led the Walk of Witness, celebrating Good Friday, where all the churches in town participated.

 

Pastor Vic Vandermolen and Nancy accepted a call September 1999-to 2007 and was installed by his son Rev Geoff Vandermolen. The annual Christmas dinner which Pastor Vic started and was hosted for the community, was always well attended with dinner and entertainment. During his time here, the name of the church was changed to Hope Community Christian Reformed Church in 2005.

 

Pastor Phil Apoll and Lori accepted a call in 2008 and have been with us so far for 18 years. Pastor Phil started four mission trips. Managua, Nicaragua 2011, Leon, Nicaragua 2013, Diri amba, Nicaragua 2015 and Santo Domingo, Dominican 2024. For a couple years we shared our church building with the Catholic Church of Delaware which was closed due to damages.

 

The first 25 years the church members were very active. The Young Peoples did a play in the London District Drama Festival and in May of 1979, won first prize. They also won first in 1980, 1981 and 1984. There was a ladies bowling team, the church hockey team called the Barons, craft group [which is still going on]. There were many fundraisers. One which was making over 400 dozen oliebollen for New Years, vacation Bible School had as many as 200 children. There were more groups like the Ladies Society, Vital signs, Busy Bees, Sunflowers, Cadets, Calvinettes [over 75 girls – ¾ from the community,] now called GEMS,SOS – Sister of Support [now called Women’s Fellowship], the Volunteers – catering for community functions for the church and the community,    Farmers night dinners, hockey banquets, Coffee Break, Men’s Life, Rest Home volunteers, Sunday School, Church School, Catechism and Young Couples Camping.  The Christmas dinners for the community serving around 300 people, Mexican ministries were held in our church. Ongoing groups are Forge [ men’s fitness and Bible Study], Book Club and Seniors Bible Study.

 

In 1976, our membership was 48 families. By 1980 we grew to 70 families. Then, in 1989 we added close to 20 more families. In 2000 our membership was Blessed with over 100 families. Over the years, many members have passed away to their eternal home. We have celebrated many milestones within our church members which includes weddings, anniversaries, birth / baptism of children and birthdays.

 

Our church has gone through ups and downs. Happy times and sadly many deaths. We are a small church but are very close knit. We Thank God for all that He has done. We pray for continued support and growth for our church. We celebrate God’s Faithfulness