Two centuries after its founding, the Dalesville Baptist Church in Brownsburg-Chatham held a commemorative event on Sunday, September 21. The celebration brought together members, neighbours, and former pastors under one roof to honour its 200th anniversary.
Dalesville Baptist Church was founded in 1825 by Duncan McPhail and Robert McNaughton after recognizing the need for a local church. Families would often walk long distances through the woods to worship.
Dalesville Baptist claims it is one of the earliest Baptist churches established in Canada.
Attendees filled the pews and reflected on the church’s history during a service led by returning Pastor Ted Molyneaux, who served from 1996 to 2000. Molyneaux reflected on the history of local Baptists, remembering past members and highlighting deep-rooted community connections.
“God gave life to this church for 200 years,” Molyneaux said. “While we worship today, I encourage all of us to reflect on our history and where we are today.”
During the joyful celebrations and collective singing of hymns, the congregation heard that partner organization Camp des Iles required refurbishment work for its dorms and swimming pool.
Camp des Iles is a Christian camp located in Saint-André-d’Argenteuil, which offers children aged six to 17 outdoor activities, skills development, and a chapel program.
Molyneaux explained that the camp’s tractor also needed repair.
In keeping with its tradition of community support, Molyneaux, on behalf of the congregation, presented a $30,000 donation to Camp des Iles Co-Directors Zachariah and Jaël Kenney, drawing applause from attendees.
The celebratory event ended with a group photo in front of the church.
As Dalesville Baptist Church looks to its third century, members say the heart of the congregation remains the same: faith, fellowship, and service to the community.
