Church History
From the very beginning, our church has been about knowing the one true God, meeting with him together, glorifying him, and enjoying him in all his goodness. That’s still our desire today.
Church History
Founded with a Gospel Focus
In 1953, the Reverend Samuel Dempster took a trip east from western Ontario with Dr. H. C. Slade to explore where God might be opening a door to plant a new church. As the story goes, they never made it further than Kingston.
The next year, Rev. & Mrs. Dempster arrived in Kingston and began the work they were convinced God had called them to. They rented the old Liberal Hall at 770 Princess Street, spent hours in prayer, and knocked on over 1000 doors. After all the effort, it was somewhat disappointing when only 10 people were in attendance when the first service was held. But that initial group persevered in their efforts, people responded to the word of God, the services began to grow, and by God’s grace the church covenant of Fundamental Baptist Church of Kingston was signed by 12 charter members in October 1956.
Children’s Outreach and Growth
In the early years, the church had a major ministry to children and a busy bus ministry that brought many people to the church every Sunday. The congregation had changed their meeting location to Orange Hall in January 1955, and buses would travel around the city to gather men, women, and children for Bible School and Sunday Worship to the building at 670 King St. in Portsmouth (still standing today!). The church continued to grow under the faithful ministry of God’s word, and as they recognized the need for more space, the young congregation took a major step of faith in embarking on a building project. A lot was purchased on Bath Road in 1959, the first Sunday in the new building held in October 1962, and by 1979 the congregation had paid off the bonds that financed it. We remain indebted to the sacrifice of the generations before us for the building that continues to serve us today.
But more importantly, we’re indebted to them for the gospel foundation they established in passing on the faith once delivered to the saints and for their example of gospel sacrifice and gospel work.
Transitions
The 80’s and early 90’s saw transitions in leadership. With Rev. Dempster stepping down due to declining health, Rev. Carl Muller was called to serve as pastor in 1985. Pastor Peter Ryttersgaard succeeded him in 1990. The name of the church underwent a transition as well. The term “Fundamental” no longer carried the connotations it had at the church’s founding, and so in the 1990’s, the congregation voted to change the name to “Bath Road Baptist Church,” as we’re still known today.
Through all these years, God has faithfully preserved this congregation and continued to build his church. And his faithfulness has continued in recent transitions as well: The interim ministry of Tim Mitchell, the transition to leadership through a plurality of elders, and the process of calling Dr. David Rennalls to serve as Senior Pastor in 2024.
Bath Road Baptist Church Today and Tomorrow
Today, Bath Road Baptist Church remains a vibrant family of believers continuing to grow in our faith and in our love for one another. Our hope and prayer is that this lampstand in the City of Kingston would continue to burn brightly for many decades to come and that the Lord would find us faithful when he comes to call us home.
Join us!
