Sheridan Park Alliance Church – A History
Throughout more than four decades, the people of Sheridan Park Alliance Church (SPAC) have sought to bless their community
Formed as part of a denominational project celebrating Canada’s Centennial year, the tiny group of Christians that would adopt the name Sheridan Park Alliance Church (SPAC), held their first worship service October 1, 1967 at Sheridan Park Public School.
Led by 25-year-old theology graduate Stuart Lightbody and his wife Jo Anne, from its beginning the new church sought to serve those in their midst, and to reach out and offer care and spiritual support to people in their community.
They made calls, knocked on doors and visited homes. Well over 1,500 personal contacts were initiated in the first six months. But by the end of the first year, attendance at Sunday morning worship services averaged just 22.
“This year of beginnings has been good,” wrote Lightbody at the time. “It has been hard, we admit,” he added candidly. “But then our sacrifice is often the means of our growth.”
Missionary candidates, the Lightbodys left for Mexico in November, 1968. But prior to their departure, they launched a building fund with a personal donation of $100.
Second pastor arrives
In January 1969, SPAC’s second pastor, Roger Powell and his wife Joan arrived. Still in the midst of their seminary studies, and themselves headed for missionary service upon graduation, the Powells nevertheless answered the young church’s need for a pastor. Powell initiated the first SPAC community Bible study. The study, held on Woking Crescent, resulted in several people deciding to put their faith in Jesus Christ.
Writing in SPAC’s 1970 annual report, Powell echoed the sentiments of his predecessor. “The response to our presence in our community has been variable from time to time,” he penned. “Often it has been positive and sometimes most encouraging; at other times it has been slow...”
Still, SPAC programs were thriving. Sunday school attendance peaked at 61. Pioneer Girls drew up to 30 girls weekly. “Thursday Mornings in the Park” attracted dozens of children in the summer. And a bi-weekly teen group had a loyal following in spite of the growing challenge described by leaders as, “a crippling lack of facilities.”
The Powells left for missionary service in August 1971, and in October of that year, SPAC welcomed their first permanent pastor, Bud Downey, together with his wife Margaret.
A need for permanence
With the need for a building of their own becoming increasingly apparent to the congregation, they purchased an empty 2.45 acre on Fifth Line West. The sale closed March 6th 1973.
One day later, on March 7, 1973 the congregation—then meeting in Homelands Senior Public School—formally organized with 27 members.
The Downeys left SPAC in June, 1975 to begin ministry at Rexdale Alliance Church. They were succeeded in April, 1976 by Franklin Thomas and his wife Donna. The church entered a period of rapid growth, and began to investigate a building program. The sod was turned in September 1978, and the building was dedicated to God’s glory one year later.
Growth and change
Over the next several years, the SPAC family grew and changed and grew and changed some more. Additional staff were hired, served well, and moved on to serve in other places. Individuals, couples and families arrived and left. Weddings took place, babies were born and friends were laid to rest. New ministries and programs were launched and special events were held.
When the Thomas family left SPAC for new ministry responsibilities with the denomination (The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada) in 1991, it was Dr. Bob Biggs, together with his wife Patti who took up the reins of leadership in 1992.
The congregation wholeheartedly supported and participated in Mission Ontario – the Billy Graham Crusade. A Filipino ministry launched and a Chinese church began. ESL classes started. Church members participated in evangelistic outreach training. Sunday morning worship expanded to two services and adopted new styles and formats. Small groups were initiated. Short-term mission trips were undertaken. Summer Kidz Kamps and after-school programs were held.
Writing in his 2005 annual report, his last with SPAC, Biggs noted that in spite of many challenges, “Sheridan Park Alliance Church continues to… [bring] recognition to God for his great love, grace and faithfulness to people who look to trust Him fully.”
New beginnings
January 1, 2008 marked a new year and a new beginning for SPAC as Pye Chew—together with his wife Lorie and their children Luke and Esther—joined the church family.
Under Pastor Pye’s energetic leadership, the church developed a new approach to interacting with our community; an approach aimed at fulfilling our vision of “Connecting With Others In Jesus Name.”
The longer version of our vision statement reads:
Guided by the Holy Spirit,
We Will Make Connections With Our Community
In the Name of, and For the Sake of Jesus Christ,
Trusting God to Build His Church
In March 2009, SPAC’s board of elders crafted five strategies to fulfill that vision:
Guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit we will:
1. Love our community in practical ways
2. Build relationships with a view to sharing Jesus
3. Care for the Body of believers
4. Grow believers toward Christ-like maturity
5. Equip and empower believers for ministry and mission
In answer to this strategic approach, several new means of caring for our community have been implemented. Among them: a biannual clothing drive and give-away is helping area residents meet the seasonal wardrobe needs of individuals and growing families. The eight-week Alpha Canada program “The Marriage Course” is offered once or more each year to couples in the broader community who desire to strengthen their marriages. And a church-run food bank provides regular assistance to a small but growing number of local families.
Today we are a growing, multicultural, multigenerational Christian community serving Mississauga and Oakville that seeks opportunities to bless our community and one another, and to make Christ’s presence felt in our world through simple acts of caring and kindness.
We welcome men, women and children of all ages and stages in their faith journey. Like any family, we’re far from perfect, but together we strive to worship and serve the One who is!