History

The Oxford Baptist Church was founded in November 1890, when forty members of First Baptist church were granted letters of transfer to begin a second Baptist church on the corner of Oxford and Hunter Streets. The first minister to be called to the Oxford Street Baptist Church was Rev. W.T. Tapscott who began his pastorate in May 1891. By 1900, the church had grown to 142 members.

In 1958 the people of Oxford Baptist Church planted a daughter work, which would become known as Huron Park Baptist Church. On May 7, 195X, a recommendation was passed which came from the combined meeting of the Deacons' Board of O.B.C and nucleus of the Huron Park Baptist group, "That the members of Oxford Street Church interested in identifying themselves with Huron Park Baptist work organize as a Fellowship group and then make plans for calling a pastor on a temporary basis."

In 1960, only two years after the opening of the new Huron Park Baptist Church, a major building program was launched at O.B.C., which was to include a new educational building where the house east of the church used to stand, and a new church auditorium. The official opening and dedication service took place on Sunday morning, February 3, 1963. The following are part of the words spoken at
the dedication service:

"We, the members of this church, now dedicating ourselves anew, earnestly and unitedly pray that the Almighty God may ever manifest His presence in this place and that our constant aim shall be the exalting of the Lord Jesus Christ, the salvation of the lost, and edification of the saints. Amen."

Since its early beginnings O.B.C. has obeyed the divine command of Jesus Christ to "go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Over the years many members have answered the call to serve their Lord as missionaries in distant locations such as Africa, Europe, and South America. Others have been called to full-time service here in Canada.

In 1990 O.B.C celebrated 100 years of God's faithfulness. On that occasion these words were recorded, "As we conclude this history of one hundred years of praise and progress; in the annals of O.B.C, we thank God for His past blessings and continued care over us.

As we face the future, we are confident 'that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.' (Philippians 1:6) As we head into the 21 st Century our desire is to be a community of faith that has a passion for Jesus and compassion for people. We give thanks to God for His faithfulness over these last 115 years.

But as we celebrate what God has done we also have faith in what God is going to do. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)