The Church of God in Toronto is a Christian nonprofit organization operating in Toronto, Canada. Established in the mid-20th century, it is part of the broader Church of God movement, which traces its origins to the late 19th-century Holiness revival in the United States[2][4].

History

The Church of God in Toronto's roots are tied to early missionary efforts in the 1960s. In 1965, Reverend Ralph Koschewitz and his wife, retired ministers from Michigan, relocated to Toronto with the aim of establishing a congregation[5]. They collaborated with members of the Elahie family from Trinidad and a separate group led by Reverend Irvine G. Wyns, who was pastoring believers in Toronto's Rexdale area. By January 1966, these groups merged to form the first Church of God congregation in Toronto, with Wyns as pastor and Reverend E. Boettcher as co-pastor[5].

The congregation initially met in a German church before purchasing a dedicated building at 2810 Weston Road, which was officially dedicated on April 24, 1966, as the Humberlea Church of God[5]. Leadership transitions included Reverend John S. Bridal, who served from 1972 until his move to oversee Western Canada operations in 1976[5].

Beliefs and Practices

The church adheres to traditional Christian doctrines, emphasizing the authority of the Bible as the foundational text for faith and practice[3]. It aligns with the broader Church of God movement’s focus on holiness, sanctification, and Pentecostal experiences such as divine healing and speaking in tongues[4][5].

Organizational Structure

As part of the global Church of God network, the Toronto congregation operates under a centralized governance model, reflecting the denomination’s historical development under early leaders like A.J. Tomlinson, who formalized its structure in the early 20th century[4]. The church participates in international ministries focused on evangelism, education, and community care[4].

The organization holds a registered charity status in Canada under Business Registration Number 889488177RR0001.