History

History of the Simcoe Gospel Chapel:

Simcoe Gospel Chapel traces its roots back to the merging of two groups around 1920. One group hailed from the Simcoe area while the other originated in Port Dover and its surrounding rural areas. Initially, gatherings consisted primarily of worship and the breaking of bread, with occasional special gospel meetings arranged whenever visiting speakers were in the vicinity.

The Port Dover Group (mid-1800s–1906)

The origins of the Port Dover group can be traced back to the mid-1800s. The first documented gatherings took place in the basement of a Mr. Wilson Porter's home, located two miles east of Port Dover (Lot 17, concession 3, Woodhouse Township). Around the same time, circa 1840, a Mr. Thomas Corbett immigrated from Ireland and purchased a farm located one mile east of Port Dover on the Lake Shore Road (Lot 15, Concession 1, Broken Front, Woodhouse Township). These were the first meeting places of what would later become Simcoe Gospel Chapel. Following Thomas’s passing, James Corbett, his son, inherited the farm. James expanded the house to include two parlours. One of these parlours served as a meeting space until 1906. In 1906, the decision was made to construct a meeting place at Five Points (Dog’s Nest). The Porter family generously donated the lumber, and everyone pitched in to build a structure for such purposes under the guidance of a Mr. Thomas Slack, who was a skilled carpenter. They met there after it was completed.

The Simcoe Group (1890s–1920)

The earliest documented Simcoe Group meetings were held in a Mrs. Polly's modest store around 1890, which was situated in Simcoe on Colborne Street North, just north of North Main Street, on the east side. Around 1900, a Mr. John Lee purchased a 200-acre farm on Highway 24, two miles north of Highway 3. There, he constructed a sizable home with a designated spacious room intended for gatherings where believers would break bread. Around 1920, some individuals from this group began attending meetings at Five Points. Towards the end of World War II (1944-1945), after the death of many older members, some individuals returned to Simcoe and gathered at the Sons of Scotland Hall (located at Kent St. and Peel St.). At that time, the Nelson Street Gospel Hall was under construction. The building located at Five Points was sold and relocated to Port Dover to serve as a private residence. However, it was too large to transport over the lift bridge using horse and buggy. As a result, it ultimately became the Port Dover Yacht Club Building. Following this, meetings were held at the Sons of Scotland Hall.

The Nixon Hall Connection

In 1946, a Lawrence and Isabel Misener began hosting meetings in Nixon. They leased an unused church building for $1.00 per year. And not long after, they purchased materials for $100.00 and constructed a new hall. Part of their fellowship included an afternoon Sunday School. An addition to the Hall was built in 1961. The Nixon Hall fellowship continued until June of 1974. 

The Nelson Street Gospel Hall Connection

In the fall of 1947, the Nelson Street Gospel Hall was opened. In 1948 an afternoon Sunday School was also started. Children would be brought in from the surrounding areas by car to hear the Gospel message. In early 1957, a Paul and Dorothy Fletcher (then living in Brantford and afterward Hamilton) visited the Gospel Hall in Simcoe, Paul having visited it when he was a child. At that time, the Miseners, who Paul and Dorothy knew informed them that they would be moving to Florida. The Miseners had been praying for someone would take over the Nixon Sunday School, and Paul and Dorothy Fletcher felt the Lord leading them to do accept that ministry.  For the next little while, then, on Sundays, Paul and Dorothy Fletcher travelled from Brantford and later Hamilton to the Gospel Hall in Simcoe and then to the Nixon Hall for the afternoon Sunday School, then back to the Gospel Hall in Simcoe for the evening service, and then home again in Brantford/Hamilton at night. In August of 1959, when their involvement in the church increased, they decided to leave their employment and move to Simcoe. So, from the late 50s to the early 70s, Paul and Dorothy Fletcher supported both the Nixon and Simcoe Halls, and eventually the Cedar St. Chapel (starting in the 60s) on a part-time basis.

Cedar Street Chapel

The Chapel on Cedar Street, which cost $41,300 to open, began operations on April 17, 1966. The funding for this project included $6,800 from the sale of the Nelson Street property, $5,400 from special offerings, and a $29,500 mortgage from the Stewart Foundation. It was then that it was named Simcoe Gospel Chapel. In 1968, the chapel expanded by purchasing additional lots and constructing an addition to the existing building. On the first day in the new building, 93 people attended the Family Bible Hour. Many were drawn to the church seeking a place where they could enjoy fellowship and find sound, fundamental Bible teaching for themselves and their children. The Chapel often reached full capacity during its three main services: the Breaking of Bread, Family Bible Hour, and the Evening Service. Due to the church's growth, a new, larger location was sought. Ultimately, a two-acre site was purchased on Highway 3, east of Simcoe, where the current building stands. This site was formerly occupied by Ruth's Wayside Inn. Welcon Construction of Guelph was awarded the construction contract. Upon completion, the total cost for the property, building, landscaping, and parking lots was nearly $300,000. Moreover, in 1972, the elders of the Chapel invited Paul (and Dorothy) Fletcher to leave his employment and to work full time for the Simcoe Gospel Chapel, which he and Dorothy did. 

Simcoe Gospel Chapel (1974 to the Present)

In 1974, the church purchased the current property on Highway 3, where Ruth's Wayside Inn previously stood. The inn was demolished to make way for a new 8,120 square foot facility. The cornerstone for this new building was laid in December of that year. Inside, the auditorium was equipped with temporary partitions to create two large classrooms, which were utilized for children's programs. By 1980, the church had outgrown its new building, leading to the construction of an addition that doubled the facility's size to over 17,000 square feet (Ralph Smith Construction). The temporary partitions in the auditorium were removed to allow for the installation of a third section of pews. Additionally, the walls of the former youth room were demolished to merge the old and new hallways. The ladies' washroom and study were expanded, and an office space was integrated with the study. Four large classrooms were created behind the nursery, while the youth room and a library were moved to the upper level. Moreover, a larger gymnasium, along with a kitchen and storage room, were added to the lower level.

Throughout its history, Simcoe Gospel Chapel has been a witness to many vibrant ministries: Sunday School, AWANA, Day Camp, Christian Education Outreach, Port Dover Chapel, Joy Bible Camp, Small Bible Study Groups, Women’s Ministies, Men’s Ministries, Music/Worship program, Triple C Day Camp. It has supported numerous mission’s ministries: Missionary Services, Rural Life Mission, HCJB World Radio, International Needs, Crossworld, Canadian Lifelight Ministries, AWANA, Operation Mobilization, Word of Life, Iran Radio, Campus for Christ, Joy Bible Camp, Extreme Response, Rayjon Share Care Group, The House of Hope, New Brunswick Bible Institute, Team Mania, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and so many more individual missionaries.

Like many churches today, we are fewer in number.  Nevertheless, the Kingdom of Heaven’s work continues. The Harvest is still plentiful, and we count it as a joy to continue to do the work that Jesus has given us to do.

Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest... I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

- John 4:35, 38

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

- 1 Corinthians 3:6-11

Pictures of the Simcoe Gospel Chapel throughout the years:

In order: Nelson St. Chapel, Simcoe Gospel Chapel on Cedar St., then our current building on Highway 3 (with a picture of what Ruth's Wayside Inn looked like and what the Chapel looked like right after construction)