Forward Baptist Church, Toronto

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Forward, here’s a cool snapshot from our history.  This is an article from a church publication entitled The Forward News, written in 1941 for the church’s 22nd anniversary!  The article is reproduced below. We have left all the typos as they appear in the original to maintain historical accuracy, and so that you know that we aren’t the only ones who spell things incorrectly in bulletins!

Aggressive Evangelical Group of East Toronto Concludes 22  Years Of Outstanding Ministry

    The first services of Forward Baptist church were held in Snell’s Hall in the year 1919, when a small group of people met together to establish a New Testament  church in East Toronto. A short time later a basement building was constructed on Woodbine Avenue near Gerrard Street, were this small brand of believers met to worship and work.  After consistent spiritual and numerical growth in both church and Bible school, the present church building was erected; dedication services being held in January of the year 1930.

    The character of the work of Forward Baptist church has never changed.  Throughout the past years, and we pray God for the years that lie before us, we shall constantly beseech men and women to be reconciled to God.  We preach Christ and Him crucified, not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. We endeavour to declare the whole counsel of God for the salvation of sinners, and the spiritual blessing of believers.

    To-day, after twenty-two years of faithful ministry eighteen sons and daughters of this church are serving Christ in Africa, China, India, South America, and the West Indies, while several others are actively engaged in full time work for the Master in the homeland.

    Our Sunday morning Bible School, where the Bible is the only text book, and the only attraction, ministers to nearly six hundred boys and girls each week.  Many of these young people have been brought to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour, and are daily following Him.

    The Lord Himself declared: “My house shall be called an house of prayer,” and in obedience to His express command, a large place is given to the ministry of intercession.  Prayer meetings are held every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, and one for women only on Thursday afternoon.

    We thank God for all His goodness to us during these past years, and our prayer is that He will lead us into a greater sphere of usefulness in the days to come.  We cordially invite you to come and see what great things the Lord hath done for us, whereof we are glad.