Administrative History

Church on Five has its roots in the Richmond Bethel church and a Sunday School project known as “Cottages Mission.” Two men began teaching Sunday School to the children of the area in the 1940s. In the mid-fifties, the Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church agreed to assume the work and all assets including property and buildings were donated to the Vancouver church. Soon there were more children than there was room, so, in 1965, the Vancouver MB Church erected a bigger building. Now the children could better be accommodated and church services could be held. At this time, the name changed to Richmond Bethel. Other MB churches in the area such as Culloden and Fraserview also became involved in this project.

It was also at this time that discussion started regarding officially starting a Mennonite Brethren Church in the Richmond area. After considerable discussion from provincial conference leaders and area church leaders, a new church was started in 1970 and officially joined the Mennonite Brethren Conference in 1971. A sod turning ceremony for their building took place on April 23, 1972.

On December 17, 1972, the first worship service was held in the new facility, and on January 14, 1973, the building was dedicated to the Lord. The Killarney Park Mennonite Brethren Church also gave a portion of land, provided that Richmond take over the financial obligations. This land was then sold and the money used to build the second stage of the three stage building process. The building program began in May of 1976, and the dedication service was held in October of 1977.

The church continued to grow and Sunday morning services were becoming too crowded. Two services were begun in the late 70s. In 1979, a daughter church was begun in Delta, B.C., known as the Cedar Park Mennonite Brethren Church.

The church is indebted to Pastor Herb Brandt, who served the church from 1970–[198-], for many of the practices and traditions of the Richmond Bethel Church.

Church on Five launched in 2016 as two churches, Richmond Bethel and The Way, joined together for the greater purposes of God.

Leaders of the congregation include the following: Herb Brandt (1970–1983), Henry Unrau (1983–1984), Henry Petkau (1984–1987), Brad Julihn (1987–2005), Harry Heidebrecht (2005–2007), Scott Tolhurst (2007–2014), Nick Toews (2014–2016), Chris and Rachel Wilson (2018– ).