Did you know that the Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church wasn’t always located here on Finch Avenue West? It began its journey in 1952 a time of immense growth in North York. The Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church started as a humble gathering. Dr Robert Steele collected signatures to gauge community interest. By November 1952 enough enthusiasm sparked the formation of committees. The first board members met on December 8th. They chose the name Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church. By December 20th 1952 the church officially welcomed its first 32 members.
The Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church’s early meetings took place at 5325 Yonge Street. This was a 250-seat United Church. Seven months later the church purchased the property for $45000. This might seem like a risky investment. It proved to be a pivotal decision. The church sold the property two years later for $60000. This profit fueled an even more ambitious project.
Two founding members Dr Gordon Arnott and Dr Erwin Crawford had a vision. They wanted a ministry of healing. They purchased a large plot of land just a block away. The cost a mere $35000. This land held more blessings than anyone imagined. The Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church had space for a hospital and a school. On September 3 1955 the church voted to build both. The school was completed first. The congregation held its first service in the new school in the summer of 1956. The church building officially opened on December 20 1957. This was five years after the church’s official establishment.
The Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church continued to grow. Expansions took place in 1987. These included increased storage enlarged cloakrooms office spaces and a mother’s room. A further project added a kitchen Youth Chapel elevators a library and more. Today the Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church remains a pillar of the North York community. It operates the Helping Hands Community Store and supports the North York food bank. The church also maintains strong ties with the Bathurst-Finch Hub. The Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church’s legacy continues to inspire. This small church grew into a community hub of faith healing and education. Its story is a testament to faith perseverance and the transformative power of community.