The Embassy Church began in 1954. At that time, Ed and Dorothy Wright led Sunday school on a bus in northern Oshawa. In 1955, six lots were purchased on Byng Avenue for a future church.
1956
Having outgrown the school bus, we moved into a ranch-style home church. In 1958, Calvin Morgan began leading ministry. We held services every night with the exception of Mondays.
1962
Byng Avenue Pentecostal Church was officially opened and dedicated on November 11, 1962. It seated 200 people (adults and children). The former house church was renovated as a parsonage. We joined the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). Pastor David Strome initiated Byng's expansion in 1976/77.
Oshawa This Weekend, Friday March 3. 1978, pg. 11.
Our Lead pastors
1954-1958 Edward & Dorothy Wright 1958-1960 Calvin Morgan 1960-1966 George Carroll 1966-1969 Frederick Spring 1969-1974 Ian Presley 1974-1982 David Strome 1983-2021 Doug Schneider 2021-Present Léon van Weerden
Edward & Dorothy Wright Calvin Morgan George Carroll Frederick Spring Ian Presley David Strome Doug Schneider Léon van Weerden
cOMMUNITY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH
COMMUNITY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH
1989
Renamed Community Pentecostal Church, our new building seated 700 people and officially opened on April 30, 1989. This initiative was led by Rev. Doug Schneider, who had been the church's Senior Pastor since 1983.
We celebrated our 50th Anniversary by faithfully expanding the building with an auditorium that seats 2,500-3,000 people. Over the years, we have been able to present amazing dramas and notable concerts through this addition. The original church building continues to be used as the Family Centre for kids and youth ministry and other events.
"Church is not a building, it's about the people and spending time with each other, making lasting friendships and working together." Pastor Doug
THE EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
2003
Shortly after our expansion, the church was renamed to The Embassy of the Kingdom of God—a reflection of our mandate and philosophy of ministry. Today, we are generally known as The Embassy Church.
2021
Our beloved Pastor Doug passed away to be with the Lord on December 27, 2021. With great comfort and hope, we celebrated his life a week later on Monday, January 3rd. He was known for making everyone feel like his best friend through the love of Christ. #Together we remember and continue to press forward in the upward calling of Christ that Pastor Doug did so faithfully.
Pastor Léon van Weerden became our Lead Pastor on March 6, 2022. On June 26, 2022, the original church sanctuary was renamed the Douglas A. Schneider Family Centre Auditorium in honour of him.
Is this the end? Hardly.
The best stories are yet to be written and told. We’d love for you to join us and share the excitement of what is clearly the hand of the Lord upon our lives!