“Sharing a vibrant faith for Montreal and its region” is more than just a motto. It’s the living purpose of the \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne de Saint-Laurent.
This is a story that starts not with bricks and mortar. It begins with people and a shared vision. Imagine a group of men and women. They are united by a desire to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. This is the essence of \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne de Saint-Laurent.
To truly understand the spirit of this church, let’s rewind a little. We travel back to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Figures like Martin Luther and Jean Calvin called for a return to the teachings of the New Testament. From this movement emerged the Anabaptists in Zurich, Switzerland.
These folks wanted to reform the church even further. They championed the separation of church and state. They advocated for adult baptism. This contrasted with the common practice of infant baptism. Their views led to persecution. Anabaptists were even called “rebaptizers.”
Enter Menno Simons, a Dutch Catholic priest. He questioned some religious practices. Simons found himself agreeing with the Anabaptists. He left the Catholic Church in 1536 to join them. He helped restructure the movement. The group eventually became known as the Mennonites. They were peaceful followers of Menno Simons.
Centuries later, in 1860, a spiritual renewal swept through the Mennonite community. This led to the emergence of the Mennonite Brethren Church. Between 1874 and 1880, many Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren immigrated to North America. They were seeking religious freedom.
The \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne de Saint-Laurent’s story in Quebec began in the 1950s. English-speaking missionaries came to learn French. They initially intended to serve in Zaire. Political changes in Zaire in 1960 prompted them to start evangelical work in Quebec. The Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches sent its first missionary to Quebec. The aim was to establish a Mennonite Brethren presence in the province.
Ernest and Lydia Dyck settled in St-Jérôme in 1961. They established a Mennonite Brethren community. It grew and multiplied. By 1984, several local churches formed the Association des \u00c9glises des fr\u00e8res mennonites du Qu\u00e9bec.
The \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne de Saint-Laurent itself started holding services in 1967. It officially organized in 1969. The Canada Inland Mission played a key role in its beginnings. Ernest Dyck’s work in St-Laurent involved sharing literature and sermons. The first meeting place was a rented office space.
In May 1970, David Franco became the first French worker to serve the congregation. The church joined the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in December 1969. Before settling into its own building in 1974, the church moved five times. The first building was a duplex. The church used the main floor. The upper floor was rented out. An increase in attendance led to a move to a school auditorium in 1980. A new church building was constructed in 1984.
\u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne de Saint-Laurent holds a special place in history. It was the first French-speaking Mennonite Brethren church in Montreal. In 1992, it merged with \u00c9glise de la Persévérance. Services are conducted in French.
Today, the \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne de Saint-Laurent embraces its Anabaptist values. These include the kingship of God, faithfulness to Jesus, listening to the Holy Spirit, and respecting the Word of God. They also emphasize the pursuit of peace, collegiality within the church, and bearing witness through both evangelism and acts of charity.
The \u00c9glise Chr\u00e9tienne de Saint-Laurent continues to be a beacon. It is a place where faith and community intertwine. It extends the Kingdom of God. It reveals truth. It nourishes souls. It guides people on the right path.