A beacon of faith. That’s Scarborough Baptist Church. Standing proudly it has witnessed generations gather. It’s a testament to enduring faith. For over fifty years this church has served the Scarborough community. It began in 1967 with a small group of three families. They prayed and planned. Their vision was to establish a church in Toronto’s Chinatown.
Their first service was in November. Only twelve people attended. Reverend Andrew Wong became the senior pastor. The Toronto Chinese Baptist Church (TCBC) grew under his leadership. By the mid-1980s the church was full. Attempts to expand locally failed. An opportunity arose. A church site on Birchmount Road became available. Scarborough was attracting many Hong Kong Chinese immigrants. This presented a perfect opportunity for expansion.
Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church (SCBC) was born. The first service at 2610 Birchmount Road took place on April 6th 1986. The official inauguration followed in October 1987. Initially SCBC operated under the same pastoral team and church government as TCBC. They were separate churches serving distinct purposes. Reverend Warren Lai joined as Senior Pastor for SCBC on January 1st 1988.
SCBC thrived. It became multi-generational multilingual and multi-congregational. More space was needed. A new Education Wing was added. By 1997 the church leadership began discussions. They planned for the new millennium. After years of prayer and deliberation the “Move & Grow” initiative was approved.
The search for new land proved challenging. They considered many options. God’s providence intervened. A property on Kennedy Road reappeared on the market. It had been conditionally sold to Walmart. The land was purchased in June 2002. The new church campus was built. They moved into the new building in September 2007. The first Sunday services were held on September 16th 2007. Scarborough Baptist Church continues to flourish a testament to faith perseverance and God’s guidance. It serves as a welcoming space for spiritual growth and community. Its story is a testament to its resilience and enduring spirit.