Our Church
On a Spiritual Journey
On January 27, 1979, a group of 35 Seventh-day Adventists formed a company at Yorkgate Community Centre. They were drawn from the Willowdale, Perth, Toronto West and Kingsview Village Seventh-day Adventist Churches. These faith-filled believers called themselves the Downsview Seventh-day Adventist Church and started their spiritual journey.
We were led by many pastors and met at various places of worship. Our senior pastors were:
- Pr. Travis Afflick
- Dr. Andrew King
- Pr. Ledford Morris
- Dr. Ken Campbell
- Pr. Frankie Lazurus
- Pr. Eustace Henry
- Dr. Steve Cassimy
- Pr. Cyril Newman
- Pr. Bob Sparenberg
Our associate/assistant pastors were:
- Pr. Michelle Clarke
- Pr. Samuel Sinnanainar
- Pr. Sean Folkes
- Pr. Leonard Northe
- Dr. Ida Smith
- Pr. Garth Dottin
- Pr. David Thompson
- Pr. Prem Nathan
God was always leading our congregation. In 1994 He sent Pastor Ken Campbell. Pastor Campbell joined forces with our flock and helped us to realize our dream of having our own place of worship. In less than two years, Downsview Church was led to 37 Bakersfield where we became one of the first Adventist churches to launch tent meetings in Ontario in recent times. To God be the glory.
Another major project that we undertook was to build a new church building on the property of 37 Bakersfield. After many years of planning, and saving, this dream was accomplished.
Founding Members
Members from Willowdale Church
- Sis. Florence Agrippa
- Sis. Phyllis Akers
- Bro. Stephen Akers
- Sis. Judith Allen
- Sis. Michelle Allen
- Sis. Phylis Allen
- Sis. Addis Anderson
- Sis. Marion Bainbridge
- Bro. Kevin Bainbridge
- Bro. John Bainbridge
- Bro. Robert Bainbridge
- Sis. Beverly Bonner
- Bro. Horace Bonner
- Bro. & Sis. Nigel Buxton
- Sis. Barbara Chambers
- Sis. Y. Ennis
- Bro. Granville Farr
- Sis. Eva Francis
- Sis. Maxine Francis
- Sis. Jacinth Guthrie
- Bro. & Sis. Hawkins
- Sis. Felicia Leacock
- Sis. Millicent Lindsay
- Bro. & Sis. Lue
- Bro. & Sis. M. Manzer
- Pastor L. Milliken
- Bro. Lance Mitchell
- Bro. Danny Molorino
- Sis. Helen Morgan
- Sis. J. Noel
- Sis. Esmie Riley
- Sis. Deslyn Stephens
- Sis. Inez Williams
Members from Harvie Church
- Sis. Alfeda Allen
- Sis. Dotrice Ashley
- Bro. George Ashley
- Sis. Zerfry Ashley
- Bro. & Sis. Gllimore
Members from Perth Church
- Sis. Monica Dennie
- Sis. Audrey Dennie
- Bro. & Sis. Leslie Bridgett
- Bro. Anthony Bridgett
- Sis. Gladys Gayle
Members from Kingsview Village Church
- Bro. Marvin Loney
- Bro. & Sis. Trevor Shaw
Archives
In the early days
a small group of worshippers met at the Yorkwoods Gate Community Centre.
Services were conducted by
Pastor L. Milliken
Our first pastor, Pastor Bob Sparenberg, arrived in May 1979
Shortly after Pastor Sparenberg arrived, our place of worship shifted to Westview Centennial Secondary School
Our next stop was C.W. Jeffries Secondary School.
Pastor Cyril Newman became Downsview’s new pastor
Pastor Haskell Edwards became our new pastor in January 1985
Beverley Hills United Church on Mayall Avenue was another stop along our journey
After years of moving from place to place we purchased our own property at 37 Bakersfield. There were many renovations to be done, but we came together to renovate the building into a beautiful sanctuary.
As a church we decided to step on in faith and build an ediface to the glory of God. Our church was built on the property that we already owned. 37 Bakersfield St became to the home of two church buildings.
Downsview Church Organized
Cloudy skies darkened the morning, yet there was sunshine in the souls of God’s people as they gathered at the Yorkwoods Gate Community Centre on
Downsview S.D.A. Church Welcomes Pastor B. Sparenberg
The Downsview church, which was organized on March 31, 1979 is happy to have its own pastor, Robert Sparenberg. We extend a warm welcome to
First Baptism and Visitor Day
June 21 was a happy day for the Downsview congregation. They witnessed the baptism of Sister Pittman by Pastor Sparenberg at Willowdale. This was the
EMI Program Successful in Downsview
“To God be the glory, great things He hath done!” Those are the words spoken by members of the Downsview Church as they look over
Concert Given to Aid Downsview Fund
A sacred concert directed by G. Gayle and a Harvest festival which featured the Pathfinders and special speaker E.C. Beck, have together brought in over
Farewell to Sparenbergs and Welcome to Newmans
Members of the Downsview congregation met recently to bid farewell to Pastor and Mrs. Bob Sparenberg and family. Their new location is the province of
