History

The Entwistle Community Church had its beginnings in 1931 when a community Sunday school was started in St. Peters Anglican church in Entwistle. It was the only Sunday school in the area and it continued to grow to an average attendance of 60 people each week. Because of various circumstances it met in several different locations, one of which was the Garnet Welwood home east of Entwistle. When Cecil Welwood moved to B.C., they donated their little 12’ x 20’ house to be used as a church. It was then moved into town, where ten feet were added on to it. It was called the Entwistle Community Sunday school. It is still standing today, first being used as a church, then a manse, an annex, and now a private residence. A New church building was built in November 1954, and both buildings were moved to their current location in central Entwistle.

Pastors from various denominations had been serving this congregation. The church felt very strongly that they wanted to keep this a non-denominational church. In 1956, they became acquainted with the Canadian Sunday School Mission and asked if they would supply them with a pastor. Earl and Helen Johnson came to pastor and were here until 1961. During this time, natural gas was brought into the buildings as well.

In 1961, Robert and Loretta Koehn came to pastor, also with the Canadian Sunday School Mission. During this time, several improvements came to the church building and congregation. A youth group was started weekly for young adults to study Gods word and get some physical activity as well.

The Koehn’s left in 1970, preceded by Cecil and Ruby Cowie. Under their pastoral leadership, there was further growth in the church. Our congregation grew with an active youth group and the beginning of AWANA clubs, which created a need for a larger building. During this time, we also became affiliated with the Baptist General Conference. In 1984, the Cowies were replaced by Art and Rhoda Rhoads who lead out congregation until 1988.

The Church was without a pastor until 1990, when Roy and May Harbinson arrived to serve until 2000. It was during these years that the new church building project began, and in 1994 we moved into our new facilities. During our time of transition from 2000-2001, Ali and Ken Bender graciously agreed to be in term pastors at Entwistle Community Church. Our congregation had prayers answered in 2001 when Larry and Heather Nutbrown and their family moved from Simcoe, Ontario to lead ECC. Our congregation continues to grow under their leadership, and we are always seeing new faces on Sunday Mornings. Our church continues to grow spiritually and physically, with the constant addition of new outreach programs and ministry opportunities being presented.