Our History

THE BEGINNING

Almost 30 years ago, a handful of members of the Rosebank Brethren in Christ Church (Petersburg) began a Bible study in their Kitchener home.  Friends were invited and their Bible study grew. Some of these friends (and their families) began attending Rosebank Church. There were now a number of people from the city of Kitchener attending Rosebank. With 160 active members, Rosebank had begun talking expansion in 1976 and, in the spring of 1978, made the decision to start a new church in Kitchener

Kitchener's first Brethren in Christ Church, Westheights Community Church, began morning services in the music room of Westheights Public School on November 26, 1978. The new church began with 10 families formerly from Rosebank BIC Church in Petersburg. Pastor Ron Lofthouse served as a pastor to both congregations (Rosebank and Westheights) in the early days. As church attendance grew, services were moved to the gymnasium.

THE FIRST BUILDING

Due to continued growth, in 1986 the Westheights Community Church building was constructed at 82 Westheights Drive. The church continues to meet at this location.

Many Rosebank members gave Westheights a successful start. Then in 1999, Westheights had the opportunity to make a similar expansion, when some of our own members helped the new Pathway BIC Church in the Doon area have a successful start.

THE SENIOR PASTOR

Todd Lester is the Senior Pastor of the church and has been serving in that role for the past seven years. Pastors from the past include Ron Lofthouse from 1978 - 1980; Phil Keefer from 1980 - 1983;David Illman from 1983 - 1997; Keith Wiggin 1997 - 2000.