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A Brief History

It all began in 1903 when Mr. J.A. Rose opened the first Chinese School cum Sunday School in a room on Sparks Street. By 1920 the Sunday School was moved to O'Connor Street under the leadership of Mr. Kung.

From the little Sunday School class, the Chinese Mission and Christian Association was formed in 1921. The mission had a congenial relationship with Chalmers United Church during this infancy period. The Association made its permanent home at 312 - 314 Lisgar Street. The property was bought by Miss A. Pinhey for $13,000.00 with a down payment of $100.00 raised by the fledging Association. It was in the premises that the Chinese Community first found its centre for various activities.

As the work of Christian Mission grew, teacher-evangelists were called to serve. These included Rev Paul Chan, Mr. Chow Lung Hing, Miss Ruth Yin, Dr Dong and Dr Y.S. Szeto. The Interdenominational Mission was also served by an Official Board, including community leaders like Mr. Joe Sheung, Mr. Kung, Mr. Szeto Art-lun, Mr. Leung Chak Lip, Mr. Mak Fung, Mr. Mak Ying, Mr. A.G. Rose, Mr. J.R. Day, Mr. H.S. McMillan, Dr William D. Noyes, Mr. R.G. Knox, Mr. H.C. Ellis, Mrs. W.H.S. Martin and Miss Lillan Crain.

In the 1950's, as Chinese immigration to Ottawa accelerated following the change in immigration law allowing relatives of Chinese Canadian citizens to come to Canada, the mission work grew. With good foresight, the United Church of Canada seconded Miss Winnifred Harris to serve with the Association, following her many years as a Missionary to China.

On October 28, 1962, under the leadership of Rev Samuel Choo*, the Chinese Mission and Christian Association officially joined the United Church of Canada. The Deaconess was Miss Evelyn Ricker who had been the United Church Missionary to China for many years. Those in leadership at that time included Mr. and Mrs. J.R. McGregor, Mr. Paul Mclntoch, Mr. A.W. McVicar, Miss E. Johnston, Miss M.E. Roe, Miss E. Smith and Miss Alice Mah. Rev. Stephen Liao left Winnipeg Chinese United Church in 1966 to serve at Ottawa Chinese United Church (Miss Kathryn Wu assisting) until 1972. Rev. Wing Mak became minister in February 1973 and under his leadership the church began to grow.

The numerical growth took place sometime in 1975 under the ministry of Rev Wing H. Mak. Indeed, the congregation outgrew 312 - 314 Lisgar Street facilities. The church moved to the Church Hall of the First United Church on 397 Kent Street. Rev. Mak departed in 1982 and served as minister at Winnipeg Chinese United Church. Rev. Pervis-Smith, a retired United Church minister served as interim minister for a brief period of time. Rev. William Wan became minister in 1982, with Mr. Victor Chow and Miss Nancy Chen assisting. The church continued to growth prompted a further move. On July 17, 1984, the Church bought the building formerly owned and used by the Central Gospel Tabernacle on 600 Bank Street, at a cost of $449,000. The building was then upgraded at a further cost of over $150,000 maintaining a seating capacity of over 500.

As a result of the decision by the United Church of Canada to permit gay and lesbian ordination, a large proportion of the congregation (over 300 souls), including Rev. Wan, split from the United Church in 1989 to form what would eventually be called the Chinese Christian Church of Ottawa. The remaining faithful members continued to work at 600 Bank Street re-calling Rev. Mak in 1989. He remained until 1995 when he again left OCUC. The church had no minister, meanwhile, Mr. Rod Bennett and family, having served as a Free Methodist pastor, had begun working with the English membership and youth in late 1995. In mid-1996 Rev. T.K. Ng of Hong Kong Lutheran background arrived. His ministry was ended in December 1997. After Rev. Ng departure, Mr. Bennett was invited to remain on as overall pastor relying, of course, upon skilled and faithful interpreters. He received a M.Div. degree from Tyndale Seminary in Toronto in 1998. Since then, Mr. Bennett has journeyed slowly toward United Church ordination through studies at Queens Theological College, while pasturing the church. During this period, there has been steady growth, at times astonishing, as a result of recent surges in Mandarin-speaking Chinese immigration to Ottawa, and God’s blessing, but this growth has been tempered by equally astonishing losses due to the high-tech employment downturn as many of these new families had to move away to find work. Average attendance in the past three years has been about 100. Over 80 individuals have been baptized into the Christian faith during Pastor Bennett’s tenure. Some long-standing members of the church remain, who were there when the church joined the United Church of Canada.

Rev. Mel Newman, a retired United Church chaplain and minister, who is a member of Trinity United, has officiated at Holy Communion, Baptism and wedding services. Rev. James Christie of South minster United has acted as supervisor and advisor to Mr. Bennett.

In 2006，Rev Wilson Chan became the church senior pastor.

Ministers and Pastoral Co-workers since 1962 include: