Heritage

"Our Heritage"
Hillsdale Wesleyan Church

The Hillsdale Wesleyan Church began holding services prior to June 11, 1967 when the first
ground breaking service was held. The Reverend Walter W. Jewell was the founding pastor. The
vision was implemented and a number of circumstances worked together as they saw very
promising developments and changes in people's lives. The church grew rapidly in the first few
years and added an additional building to accommodate the congregation. The thrust of it's early
ministry was through a bus ministry which swelled the ranks to approximate 202 in Sunday
School and the low 104's in Worship service. There are people still in the church from the early
days of the church.
During this time the church developed a Day Care ministry which helped to pay for these facilities.
There has been a number of changes over the years and a retooling to reach out to others with
varying degrees of success.
The church has had six senior pastors Reverend Walter W. Jewell   1966 - 1981 Reverend
EldonF. LeRoy 1981 - 1986 Reverend Arthur Maxwell 1986 - 1988 Reverend Wayne Briggs    
1988 - 1995 Reverend David Schrader 1995 - 2002 Reverend Hanford Branscombe 2002 -
This church is alive, because of the devotion of it's people that have stayed true to the
Commission of Christ to bring the gospel to others. This church is not just a building or
congregation but a warm fellowship of people that has shared the love of Christ. It is presently
developing a broad strategy to fulfil it's mission. Our Main theme is centred around the idea of
developing a "Contagious Passion for Obedience to Christ."