Sherbrooke Mennonite Church

From Russia with faith. That’s one way to describe the journey of many members who found a spiritual home at Sherbrooke Mennonite Church. Right here, on Sherbrooke Street, this church has been a beacon of faith and community since its first service in 1965. Sherbrooke Mennonite Church wasn’t built overnight. It grew from the vision of Erwin Cornelsen and the support of Vancouver First United Mennonite. The church quickly became a melting pot of cultures, welcoming emigrants from the Soviet Union, Germany, and South America. In the 1970s, a wave of immigrants, primarily from South America, further enriched the vibrant tapestry of Sherbrooke Mennonite Church. The church’s growth was so significant that an annex had to be built in 1973. Initially, services were held in German, reflecting the heritage of many members. However, by 1974, separate English and German services were established to cater to the evolving linguistic landscape of the congregation. This continued until 2010 when the German service ended. The story of Sherbrooke Mennonite Church is also a story of expansion. It birthed Peace Mennonite Church in Richmond in 1980. It also nurtured the Vancouver Vietnamese Mennonite Church in 2001 and the Sherbrooke Korean Mennonite Fellowship in 2004. Both groups shared the Sherbrooke facilities. Interestingly, in the 1990s, the church faced a decline in membership as retirees moved to places like Abbotsford and younger families sought affordable housing in the Fraser Valley. This shift transformed Sherbrooke Mennonite Church into more of a drive-in church than a community church. Despite these changes, its commitment to serving the community remained strong. The church partnered with others to address substance abuse through the Place of Refuge program and provided food assistance through the Food Bank. It also connected with neighborhood children through a Summer Ministries Program. Members actively participated in the Fraser Street Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Store. In 2023, First United Spanish Mennonite Church joined Sherbrooke Mennonite Church, adding another layer to the rich tapestry of this vibrant community. Sherbrooke Mennonite Church continues to evolve, reflecting the changing needs of its community.