The Birth of Stoney Creek Baptist Church
In 1954, Rev. James Gibson of Bethel Baptist Church in Hamilton and some of his congregation began to explore Saltfleet and Stoney Creek to find a site for a Baptist Church to minister to a growing population.
By January 1955 Mr. Gibson and his people had found a location at the corner of Gray Road and Collegiate Drive. The site was approved by the extension committee of the Niagara-Hamilton Association of Baptist Churches, and was purchased by the Ontario and Quebec Convention of Baptist Churches.
In the summer of 1955 Bethel Baptist Church conducted a vacation Bible school on the site in a tent. Funding for the tent was shared by other Baptist Churches. More than 50 children attended the vacation Bible school.
A strong leader was found in the form of Walter Kilby, who with his wife Dorothy and family attended Mount Hamilton Baptist Church.
On October 16, 1955, the first ever Baptist service was conducted in Stoney Creek and held in the kindergarten room of the new Collegiate Drive School. Mr. John Watson, B.A. a McMaster Theology student led the service. At the service there were 25 adults and 9 children in attendance and the offering amounted to $13.23.
Attendance continued at the Collegiate School and during 1956 a constitution was drafted.
On Sunday November 25 Coronation Baptist Church in Hamilton provided their building for the service of organization. The constitution was adopted that day and Stoney Creek Baptist Church was officially born.
On October 8th 1957, excavation of the Church began at the site.
On November 10, 1957, the Rev. Mr. Mildon presided over the laying of the corner stone. The builder was a Baptist, Mr.John Hurlburt B.A. Sc., of Toronto. Much of the work was done by men who devoted their time to roofing, insulating, painting and laying tile floor etc.
With the efforts of the finance committee $3000.00 was raised for the down payment for the mortgage.
On December 1st, 1957, the Rev. O.E. Broughton was called as the first Pastor.
The Church building was completed by May 1958. On May 13, 1958 the Niagara-Hamilton Baptist Association held a service of recognition at Cheyne Presbyterian Church in which Stoney Creek Baptist Church was made a part of the bigger world of Baptist Churches.
On September 7th 1958, opening services were held and dedication services began the following week.