Faith Baptist Church

In 1957, a dream took root in the burgeoning east end of Toronto. Two couples, the Hulse’s and the Stubbs’, envisioned a beacon of faith. They founded the Lawrence Avenue Baptist Church. Right here, where Faith Baptist Church now stands, the story began. Initially, services were held at G.B. Little Public School. By the spring of 1958, the congregation, bolstered by new members, purchased land on Lawrence Avenue East. Faith Baptist Church, originally known as Lawrence Avenue Baptist Church, officially opened its doors on October 10, 1958. The construction of the church building itself is a testament to the dedication of its early members. Starting in 1963, under the leadership of Pastor Hulse, they built the church with their own hands, sourcing materials from industrial sites and wherever they could find affordable supplies. The church was dedicated in March 1967, coinciding with Canada’s Centennial year. Faith Baptist Church quickly became a hub of activity. Morning and evening worship services, Sunday school, bus routes for neighborhood children, prayer meetings, and ladies’ mission circles filled the week. Pastor Hulse, however, felt the strain of this growth and the physical demands of the building project. He resigned in 1972. A series of interim pastors followed, leading to a significant moment in the church’s history. In 1973, Lawrence Avenue Baptist Church merged with Highland Baptist Church. This led to the name change we know today: Faith Baptist Church. The church continued to grow and serve its community, even amidst changing demographics and the challenges of reaching a diverse population. The church supported numerous missionaries around the globe. One notable missionary sent from Faith Baptist Church was Eileen Dillon. She dedicated her life to serving with HCJB in Quito, Ecuador. Faith Baptist Church has seen many pastors guide its flock over the years. Pastor Ted Angrove, who served from 1983 to 1997, introduced reformed doctrines to the congregation. His wife, Audrey, remained a steadfast member of Faith Baptist Church. Pastor Brian Robinson served from 1998 to 2017. He recalled his early days at Faith Baptist Church with humility, questioning how he could contribute to a church in a challenging part of Toronto. He discovered a dedicated congregation. Together, they built a thriving community of faith. Today, Faith Baptist Church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith. It is a symbol of a community built on love, truth, and the teachings of the Bible. The church continues to serve its neighborhood and support missionary work worldwide. It is a place where love and truth intertwine, like two wings of an airplane, carrying the message of faith forward.