Administrative History

In 1972, the Fraserview Mennonite Brethren Church, together with the British Columbia Mennonite Brethren Board of Missions and church extension initiated some programs for the recent immigrants from India. Contacts were made on the street as well as in the shopping area with members of the Sikh community.

In fall 1974, a group of 4 (2 people of Sikh background and 2 people of Hindu background) were baptized in the Fraserview MB Church.

In 1977, the attendance grew to about 20, and the group was named the Hindi Gospel Chapel. They met Sunday afternoons in the Fraserview facility. In 1978, it was suggested that the name be changed to Hindi–Punjabi Gospel Chapel so that the community would be aware that there were Sikh Christians in the fellowship.

In 1979, the Fraserview Church moved from South Vancouver to Richmond into newly constructed facilities. The Chapel also moved with Fraserview, and thus started morning services as of January 1, 1979. The church continued to grow in the new community, and as of 1985 they had 21 members, 7 adherents and an average attendance of 35–40 people.

Santosh K. Raj, who pioneered the work since its inception in 1973, was ordained in 1978 and leads the church.