Who We Are

A closer look at where it all began

Where It All

Began

1952

Eight families in Islington came together to establish the Islington Evangel Centre (IEC). Initially, meetings were held in rented spaces above Edward Hardware, then moved to the Canadian Legion, and later to Wedgewood School. The first pastor, Ernie Zilch, had previously served as the Assistant Pastor at Stone Church alongside his wife.

Islington Evangel Centre was incorporated in 1952, and By-laws were developed to govern its operations. The church also established a Missions Policy to fulfill the Great Commission.

1953

Land was purchased at the corner of Wedgewood and Burnhamthorpe. After eight years of ministry by Pastor Zilch, the church was led by Pastors David Bowen, Len Evans, Ed Corley, and David Edwards until 1974.

1974

Reverend David Sture became the Senior Pastor and dedicated a whole decade to his service, guiding the congregation with his wisdom and compassion during his tenure.

1984

Pastor David Macfarlane assumed the leadership of the church, bringing fresh vision and inspiration to the congregation. Under his guidance, the church experienced steady growth, both in membership and community engagement. As a result of this increasing enthusiasm and the need for a larger space, the church made the significant decision to relocate to a new facility at the intersection of Martin Grove and Albion in 1985. This move not only accommodated the expanding congregation but also allowed for new opportunities to serve the community more effectively.

1994

Pastor Wayne McNeilly was appointed as the Senior Pastor, and with the Lord’s blessing, the church relocated to its current campus on Queens Plate Drive. Many staff members have served with excellence and dedication, contributing significantly to the growth and development of the overall ministry at IEC.

2006

The IEC community fell under the guidance of Reverend Dennis White, who began his journey with the congregation as the Interim Pastor. His leadership and dedication quickly led to a more permanent role as Senior Pastor, later serving as Associate Pastor until 2012. Throughout his tenure, Reverend White played a vital role in shaping the spiritual and communal life of the church, leaving a lasting impact on its members and fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

2012

Pastor Dave dedicated over 35 years of his life to serving the Islington Evangelical Church (IEC). Throughout his tenure, his primary mission was to guide and support each member in their spiritual journey, empowering them to reach their fullest potential in their relationship with Jesus Christ. In 2012, he took on the important role of Senior Pastor, where he led the congregation with compassion and wisdom until his well-deserved retirement in 2023. Under his leadership, the church experienced growth and deepened its sense of community, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many.

2024

We are incredibly fortunate to have Pastor Prince Okechukwu guiding us as our Lead Pastor. His heartfelt leadership inspires us daily, and we give thanks to the Lord for His goodness. As we continue our journey of faith, may His blessings abundantly surround us. Together, we seek to fulfill our mission of deeply loving God, embracing one another, and making passionate disciples who will share His love with the world.

We want to express our gratitude for the prayers, hard work, and sacrifices of all the individuals, their families, elders, deacons, and staff who have been a part of this journey, from our first location at the Canadian Legion to our current location. Even today the prayers of the first families are being answered.

May the Lord be praised for His faithfulness.