Humble Beginnings
Lachute Baptist Church began with the ministry of Rev. John King, who started holding Sunday worship services in Lachute, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become a fully established congregation. Many of the early members came from the nearby Dalesville Baptist Church, which acted as a “mother church” to the growing fellowship in Lachute.
According to The History of the Counties of Argenteuil, the first official services took place in Olivet Hall, where Rev. John Higgins began preaching to a congregation of 50 to 100 people around the beginning of May 1886.
The Church Building
In 1887, with a membership of 51, the church decided to construct a permanent place of worship. Rev. John Higgins personally raised $5,000 to support the project. The construction contract was awarded to Mr. Louden of Cornwall.
The church lot, measuring 56 by 180 feet and stretching from the river to what is now Grace Street, was purchased from Mr. Patenaude for $1,000. The structure was built with a wooden frame and finished with a brick exterior.
On March 14, 1954, a fire damaged the interior of the church auditorium. During his pastorate from 1957 to 1959, Rev. Kenneth Miller led a major building effort that included extensive renovations to the auditorium and the construction of a church hall. Many members of the congregation worked alongside Pastor Miller to complete the project. The new two-storey brick addition included Sunday School rooms, washrooms, a kitchen, and a large hall.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, the church building stands as the oldest church structure in Lachute, with only minor changes made to its exterior over the years. This sturdy and enduring landmark remains in use and is officially recognized as a heritage religious building in Québec—underscoring its significance in the province’s architectural and spiritual heritage.
Pastoral Lineage
The church has seen a rich pastoral history:
- Rev. John Higgins (1886 – 1894)
- Rev. S.R. Cresswell (1894 – 1896)
- Rev. J.N. Silcox (1897 – 1901)
- Rev. Mark Styan (1902 – 1906)
- Rev. W.E. Morgan (1907 – 1908)
- Student Pastor Emmerson (1908 – 1909)
- Student Pastor F.H. Jeffreys (1909)
- Rev. Taylor (1909 – 1911)
- Student Pastor T.R. Sorton (1911)
- Student Pastor I.J. Ransom (1911 – 1912)
- Rev. J.F. Forsythe (1912 – 1917)
- Rev. G.V. Collins (1917 – 1923)
- Rev. MacEwen (1924 – 1926)
- Rev. McLaren (1926 – 1927)
- Student Pastor J. McDermott (1923)
- Rev. John Ford (1927 – 1929)
- Rev. A. Penman (1929 – 1931)
- Rev. Dyson (1932 – 1935)
- Rev. Roy Hisey (1936 – 1938)
- Pastor W. Tompkins (1938 – 1940)
- Rev. Harold Charlton (1940 – 1945)
- Student Pastor Douglas Steven (1945)
- Rev. W.H. Britton (1946 – 1953)
- Rev. D.C. Merrett (1953 – 1956)
- Rev. K.R. Miller (1957 – 1960)
- Rev. W.L. Hisey (1960 – 1973)
- Rev. Gary Simpson (1974 – 1982)
- Dr. David Brandon (1982 – 1984)
- Pastor Barry Howson (1985 – 1991)
- Rev. Eric McGrath (1992 – 2001)
- Pastor Mark Hardwick (2002 – 2012)
- Pastor Ray Leroux (2012 – 2018)
- Pastor Mikael Girard (2020 – 2021)
- Rev. Toe‑Blake Roy (2021 – now)