History of the Church

In 1894, the first Sunday school was commenced in the home of Mrs. Crawford at the corner of Tower St. and what is now known as Loftus St. (We cannot tell the exact site on the map today.) 

Early in 1895, a church was built on the two blocks of land on the corner of Oxford and Melrose Streets donated by Mr. Jesse Leeder. 

The first session meeting was held in December 1897 under the oversight of St. Andrew’s Church. 

A Sunday School for the Chinese commenced in 1903. That year, it was decided to form a local Session. 

In 1909 it was decided to transfer the existing building to the corner of Kimberley and Ruislip Streets, the present site of the church building.

In 1926? A new worship hall was built with the money donated by Miss Annie Henderson, the daughter of a foundation Elder. It became known as Henderson Memorial Presbyterian Church.

1977 as the result of uniting church movement, many Presbyterian congregations decided to join in the movement. But Henderson Memorial Presbyterian church was one of the Presbyterian congregations that did not join the Uniting Church.

In 2001, as the result of American Missionary, Rev Stephen Young’s efforts, the Japanese worship service was commenced in St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church. Soon they moved to Henderson Memorial Presbyterian Church. Free English Classes have been the way of outreach since the time of Rev Stephen Young.

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