One hundred years ago this past June, disciples of Christ began meeting at this place, to worship God, to honour their Lord, to announce the good news, and to love each other.
For a century of time they have worshiped, fellow-shipped, and evangelized. Relationships on every level have been richly blessed. Today, we gather to remember, worship, share, and to rededicate ourselves to the cause of Christ.
BEFORE
Strathmore emerged from a rich history experienced during the previous century. As the country struggled to recover from the ravages of the War of 1812, in Toronto, then known as “York,” two young men from Ireland, who had Anglican influences in their lives, read the scriptures and determined that they should be baptized. Each baptized the other, in the Toronto harbour!
One of these, James Beaty by name, began meeting with a group that identified as “Disciples of Christ,” in the home of James Armstrong. (In 1834, “Toronto” incorporated with 1,000 residents.) Then in 1841, the group assembled in a church building formed from two homes joined together, on the corner of Shuter and Victoria Streets. With Beaty’s support, in 1862, a brick building was erected on Louisa St. Across the front of this building, carved in stone, was the scripture, “IF YE CONTINUE IN MY WORD, THEN ARE YE MY DISCIPLES INDEED,” Jn. 8:31. Then in 1876, leaving the Louisa St. building, as required by James Beaty, now a lawyer and member of parliament, the congregation moved to Albert Hall, then to Temperance Hall, then to Alice St. The Louisa St. building was finally razed in 1884, and the engraving was stored in a work yard. Forty years later, in 1924, 62 years from its first installation, it was retrieved and incorporated in the Strathmore building! Disciples of this influence also later worshiped at Bathurst St., (1902), and Bayview Ave, (1945).
Influences from east Toronto, however had the more direct effect on Strathmore’s beginnings. Moving from Meaford, on the Georgian Bay, where a congregation after the New Testament order had been meeting since the early 1800s, came in the 1890s the Trout and Duncan Stirling families (cf. Harriet (Trout) Stirling, one of Canada’s first female doctors). Meetings were held first in the Stirling home on Main St. (Samuel Keffer, Beamsville, held a meeting here.) Then a group of disciples met in a hall owned by Edward Trout, at Main and Swanwick Sts. Included in the “East Toronto” fellowship with Ralph Schell, preacher, were Alfred Firth, from Meaford, (who had attended the Beamsville Bible School), and Annie Jones (husband, Alexander) who conducted a popular Bible school in her house at 183 Gillard Ave. Five blocks away, on the corner of Coxwell Ave. and Strathmore Blvd., an open field
at the time, Ralph Schell pitched a tent, in late 1923, and conducted a gospel meeting. Eight surrendered in baptism. Schell then promoted the beginnings of the Strathmore Blvd. Church of Christ.
Plans were laid for the construction of a brick building. A Sunday school was promptly begun, temporarily conducted in nearby Earl Haig School, and directed by Alfred Firth. The East Main property was given to the new work. The Shuter St. engraving was retrieved from its work yard and incorporated in the front of the building. Brick laying was done by Colin Cameron, expert brick mason, of the Wychwood Church of Christ. The cost of the building was $18,000.
(The choice was made to locate the building on the side street, Strathmore Blvd., rather than on the main corner, Coxwell Ave. — looking forward to the future when a more commodious building might be erected. That time did not come. Necessity required that the corner lot be sold, and Strathmore settled into its permanent location. Five sister congregations shared a similar experience in Toronto!)
1924
The Strathmore Blvd. Church of Christ opened on the first day of June, 1924. Edna Wade was the first convert, age fifteen, and eighteen new members were added the first year. Bertha Brooks and Edie Doherty were early members. First memories center in the preachers and teachers who served. D. H. Jackson served as the first full-time preacher; (he passed away in one year in 1925). Maitland Watterworth, Earl C. Smith, and Kenneth Carl Spalding followed. Wallace Cauble served during 1928-33. Then came Madison Wright, F. L. Brooks, and W. G. Charlton. J. Scott Greer preached during 1936-39.
The church building was extended in the early ‘forties. Five classrooms were added on the lower level, and an apartment for the preacher’s family was provided on the upper level. It was reported that member, Joe Ewing, worked hard on the improvement. (He and his family lived at 364 Strathmore Blvd. We note that the church building is at 346 Strathmore Blvd.)
During the ‘forties, came Jack McElroy from Tennessee, whose stay was cut short, but who contributed to the placement of the next four preachers at Strathmore, whom he recruited and gave some training. (McElroy would return for “gospel meetings” at Strathmore and elsewhere in the province.) These four were Raymond Crumbliss (1940-1943), Charles Lemons (1944-1946), Ernie Fletcher (1947), and T. J. Mitchell (1947-1950). Charles Lemon’s wife was “Nellie,” and Ernie Fletcher’s wife was “Mitylene.” T. J Mitchell arrived as a bachelor and married a Strathmore member, Olive Peddle, daughter of Munden Peddle. Brother Peddle was in charge of the Sunday-school program, which featured on the lower floor a six foot stand and a projector that used glass slides for singing—as I remember. (These four preachers impacted my life in significant ways. GHE)
[My personal experience, 1943-1950, GHE]
[In early August, 1943, I, with my brother, David, and mother, Mary Ellis, began meeting with the saints at Strathmore. We had moved from Hamilton where for three years we had attended the Sanford Ave. Church of Christ. This had been possible because of the kindness of Alex Fisher who drove us to meeting each Sunday. There, David was baptized by Lemuel Keffer. And there, I became impressed by the message of the 4’x8’ sign hanging from the ceiling, “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” Brother Fisher also made it possible for David and me to attend Omagh Bible School for two years, 1942 and– 1943. I was baptized by Raymond Crumbliss in the Sixteen Mile Creek at Camp Omagh in July, 1943, two months away from twelve years old. For seven years, 1943-50, my teen years, my life was shaped at Strathmore. The four preachers, cited above, were good men, who had a distinct influence in my life, contributing, no doubt, to the direction I chose in later years. In late summer, 1950, Ed Haufschild, highly regarded at Strathmore, drove me and my five suitcases, to the bus station in Toronto, on my first trip to Abilene, Texas, and Abilene Christian College, where I hoped to prepare for a life of preaching.]
Robert McCready was the first “son” of Strathmore to preach for the congregation, having studied at David Lipscomb College, in Nashville, Tn., and serving 1950-54. His wife, “Reathel,” was well loved. Robert was followed by Ralph Perry, who grew up in Tintern, Ont., and who also studied at Lipscomb. Ralph married Joyce Dale, daughter of Herbert Dale of Strathmore. Ralph, who served Strathmore, 1954-1960, was well known for the Sunday School program he developed at Strathmore, where over 200 students were enrolled at one time. Ed Bryant preached at Strathmore, 1960-69.
From Strathmore, members went out to plant new congregations: in 1954, to Ajax, Ont., John Sanna and his wife, Ardath (Stevenson); and in 1969, to Bramalea, Ont., Fred Whittington and his wife, Thora (Stevenson).
1964
Strathmore celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1964. The preacher in 1964 was Ed Bryant. He preached during1960-1969. The elders then were George Barber, Ed Haufschild, and Grant Stevenson. To commemorate the occasion, a large montage was prepared and hung in the entrance-way, picturing the history, leadership, and outreach of the congregation. (The lettering was done by Ed Bryant and the framing by Fred Whittington.) This included the pictures of eleven young men who had, by then, gone out from Strathmore to preach the Gospel; (added here are places where these men went to preach): Walter Dale (GLCC, Niagara Falls), Geoffrey Ellis (GLCC, Waterloo), Howard Ewing (California), Roger MacKenzie (Georgia)*, Victor McCormick (Ohio)**, Robert McCready (Alabama), Ronald Meecham (Pennsylvania), Louis Pauls (Meaford), Arthur Peddle (Michigan), Bert Thompson (Kingston), and Blenus Wright (Thunder Bay). (*Roger, while preaching in Georgia, baptized a young lady who would later become my (GHE) son’s wife while at Harding College. **Vic was still preaching at age 85, in Florida.) Pictured were Strathmore’s older members: Alfred Firth, Daniel Yake, O. H. Jackson, Bert Noad, Edna Weir, Wm. Houlgrave, Violet Grey, Kate Jordan, Bertha Brook, and Edie Doherty. The most recent baptisms are pictured, Al and Joanne Parker.
In 1970, the exterior stairway entrance was replaced by an enclosed access to the two levels. The dedication of the new entrance was held on October 4. Present at the ceremony was Colin D. Cameron, son of Colin Cameron, who engaged in the building’s construction in 1924. Although somewhat obscured by the addition, the engraved scripture, John 8:31, is still readable. A time capsule was included that contains a poem written by Anita Harris. A gospel meeting was then begun, by Charles Lemons. Unfortunately, this was cut short because of illness in his family; Murray Smith concluded the meeting. Elders at the time were John Cargin.
1974
The fiftieth anniversary came in 1974. At that time there were 125 members. The elders were John Cargin (his wife, Margaret, was from Meaford), Charles Harvey, and Grant Stevenson. Marvin Johnson, of Winnipeg, was preaching then, and served in this roll during 1969-82. He then served a
number of years as an elder. Marvin Johnson was followed by preachers, Mark Bryson, Roy MacDonald, and Jonathan Tabije.
Strathmore established its Hispanic ministry in 1986, supporting an active Hispanic ministry. Santiago Molina, of Honduras, arrived in June, with his family arriving in June. Santiago Molina became the full-time minister in this work. (Santiago had a part in establishing the Ibero Americano Encuentro ministry, an annual gathering of believers in Central Americano.) The first Spanish speaking meeting at Strathmore was held in the lower auditorium on November 16, 1986, with 11 people in attendance. Since then, the Spanish group has grown to 40+ and is a vibrant part of our congregation. The Hispanic fellowship at Strathmore was the first of the multi-cultural fellowship that would subsequently develop. The Hispanic services are held Sunday afternoons. Marlon Molina is following his father’s steps as he preaches in both languages, and manages the Key to the Kingdom program.
With elders now William Harvey and Marvin Johnson, beginning in 1987, and serving Strathmore for the next 30 years, was Max Craddock, with his wife, Cledith. Max thus holds the record for years preached at Strathmore, from 1987 until his semi-retirement on June 20, 2017. Max came to Canada as a 19 year-old, from Ohio, to serve the Sanford Ave. Church of Christ in Hamilton. He went on to preach at Fenwick, serve as Dean of Boys at GLCC, and plant a church at Grimsby. At Strathmore, in 1992, Max coordinated the “Good News is for Sharing” effort, a project that attempted to place a teaching tract in every home in Canada. This was an extension of the American, “One Nation Under God” effort, re-titled to match Canadian perceptions. (Arthur Peddle, a Strathmore “son,” preaching in Cookeville, TN, at the time, was engaged in the American effort.) Then, in 1994, Strathmore supported the American effort to launch a Canadian-wide TV broadcast, as an extension of the American nation-wide program, “Key to the Kingdom.” Then, in 2005, with Max Craddock doing the preaching and co-ordinating, Strathmore took on responsibility for the Canadian-wide program. Max was known for his service as a church planter, Christian educator, Christian journalist, and as a media evangelist.
1999
The 75th anniversary took place in 1999. To celebrate that occasion Audrey (Haufschild) Wright, wrote, “Remembering 62 for ‘75.” Several of these memories are included here: “Raymond Crumbliss baptized her (Audrey’s) mother. Charles Lemons baptized her father, Ed Haufschild. Reathel McCready taught art as well. Sunday School was at 3:00 pm. Olive Peddle married the preacher, T. J. Mitchell. We would rent a street-car to take us to the picnic at High Park. Clarence Peddle went to Harding College, and came home, “Arthur.” Goldie Tallman did the painting over the baptistry. The apartment rooms upstairs in the church building became classrooms. John Sanna taught Friday night Young People. One meeting had Jack McElroy, S. H. Hall, Roy Osborne, and William Madearis preaching in a two week effort. Wendell Stevenson and Glenda Doherty married. Audrey Haufschild and Blenus Wright married in 1955. Preacher Ralph Perrry would scrub the basement floor Saturday nights. Strathmore hosted the “June Meeting” at Eastern High School. At the Mutual Arena roller skating, Chuck Harvey met Joyce; Roger MacKenzie met Marie Carlisle.”
Max Craddock continued preaching at Strathmore on occasion during his semi-retirtrathmore continues to supportement, as well as speaking for Key to the Kingdom until close to his passing on December 15, 2019.
2004
Key to the Kingdom was first shown in Canada on the Vision Network in 1996 when it was the product of 16th and Pile congregation of the Church of Christ in Clovis, New Mexico. The speaker during that time and until Nov. 2004, was Michael Tackett. Then Strathmore aired the first Canadian production in March, 2005, with Max Craddock the speaker. Max then taught the Canadian programs of the Key to the Kingdom, a new lesson every week, even after his retirement, from that time until his passing, December, 2019. Bob Hibbard also recorded lessons for Key to the Kingdom before his passing. Strathmore continues to support Key to the Kingdom through television, and plans to continue reaching out through social media in the future.
2014
In October, 2014, Max received an invitation to visit Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas. He was invited to share a description of the Strathmore Church of Christ, with particular attention to the multiplicity of ethnic groups then sharing in the congregation’s fellowship—which at the time was reported to be thirty-five! This was considered as being both remarkable and laudable.
Bob Hibbard was Strathmore’s preacher from June, 2017 until he and his wife, Debra, went in 2020 for advanced Biblical studies at Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies in Tennessee. They studied there from from July, 2020 to June, 2022, when they returned to Toronto and Strathmore. They resumed their work with emphasis upon both the local community as well as cross-Canada outreach through Key to the Kingdom. Sadly, Bob passed away on October 31, 2022. Debra continues that local outreach with the assistance of local members. This outreach has resulted in several recent baptisms.
Tony Brewer was the preacher in 2020 and 2021. With the arrival of the Covid pandemic, government health mandates limited the numbers who could assemble. Worship services were broadcast on the internet, with a limited number permitted to attend in the building. While Covid is largely behind us now, that was a disruptive time in our century’s experience! Sadly, several of our leaders have passed away recently: Santiago Molina, Hispanic evangelist, Oct. 2020; Peter Dwomoh, elder, Mar. 2022; and Marvin Johnson, preacher and elder, May, 2022. Currently, the elders at Strathmore are Stephen Gill, Moises Velasco, and Jean Volcy; and the deacons are Kwabena Akuoko, Edward Brown, Gerry Ellis, Leo Razon, and Immanuel Velasco. Starting in 2021, several men of the congregation started taking turns both in teaching and preaching. It was discovered that Strathmore is gifted with several men who are very good preachers! Strathmore is blessed by all who serve! Specific ministries have been established: Families and Visitation, Evangelism, Edification, Administration, Information, and Technology. The search for a full-time evangelist continues.
In recent times, the congregation has conducted the following seminars: “Congregational Evangelism,” with speaker, Matt Wallin, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2023; “Personal Evangelism,” with speaker, Austin Fowler, Mar. 29-31, 2024; and, “What We Believe,” with speaker Robby Eversole, May 31-June 2, 2024.
Attendance figures currently are (average): English, 147; Spanish, 40. On the last day of each month a combined English and Spanish service are conducted, with an average 180 in attendance.
Not one brick of the Strathmore church building is sacred. Yet, together the bricks of the building located at 346 Strathmore Blvd. have provided shelter for the saints who have been gathering in this place now for 100 years. These believers “…like living stones, are being built into the spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (I Pet. 2:5)
“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and people. It said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.” Rev. 14:6-7.
Give God the glory!
Presented by Geoffrey Ellis, September 21, 2024
Note: With appreciation to the CANADIAN CHURCHES OF CHRIST HISTORICAL SOCIETY.