Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian Church

Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian Church is a Canadian nonprofit religious organization established in 1997, serving the community of Wasaga Beach, Ontario. It functions as a congregation within the Presbyterian Church in Canada and provides regular worship services and community activities.

History

Although the current congregation was formally founded in 1997, the church building has a much longer history, dating back to 1922. Originally, the Wasaga Beach Community Church was constructed near the mouth of the Nottawasaga River, opposite Nancy Island, primarily for summer worship services. In 1964, the building was relocated to its present site at 6th Street and Mosley Drive.

In 1965, the church building suffered a fire of unknown origin, which damaged much of the structure, but the roof remained intact. The church board decided to rebuild the walls while preserving the roof, and services resumed by the summer of 1966. The congregation continued to meet in this church building for about another 30 years.

In December 1995, the Session of the First Presbyterian Church in Collingwood requested the Presbytery of Barrie to consider establishing a new Presbyterian congregation in the growing community of Wasaga Beach. A steering committee was formed, led by Rev. Wallace Little, to facilitate this process. After negotiations with the Board of the Wasaga Beach Community Church during late 1996 and early 1997, the Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian Church was officially formed on June 22, 1997[1].

Governance and Ministry

The church operates under the Presbyterian model of governance, with a session that oversees spiritual and administrative matters. Pastoral leadership has included interim moderators appointed by the Presbytery of Barrie, such as Rev. Dr. Neal Mathers, who has provided guidance and pastoral care to the congregation during transitional periods[3].

Community and Worship

Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian Church holds weekly worship services, typically on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. The church welcomes all individuals and families in the community. It offers a range of programs suitable for children and adults, aiming to foster a welcoming and supportive environment. Services and church activities are broadcast and recorded, enabling broader community engagement beyond the physical sanctuary[2][4][5].

This church is registered as a Canadian nonprofit organization under Business Registration Number 887039832RR0001.