By Jarvis Ebenezer CRC Anniversary Committee
Note: This poem was missing its second half in the November 16 publication.
God is faithful, He’s mighty and great
Jarvis Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church has a reason to celebrate.
Seventy-five years of worship and praise
To Him be the glory for all of our days.
In 1947 a group of immigrants came who only spoke Dutch
They arrived with their families and didn’t have much.
But they gathered for worship every Sunday
To grow in their faith, to sing and to pray.
The Chalmers Presbyterian Church is where they would meet
There was plenty of room for now, everyone had a seat.
The congregation was formally organized on Nov. 28, 1948
To worship as a church family was so very great.
Erie Christian Reformed Church was the name given then
With 22 families and six single men.
By 1950 the membership had grown and they needed more space
Two acres were purchased in Jarvis, this would be their new place.
A new church building was being built, they were thankful and glad
“Let’s worship together before it’s done, it won’t be that bad”.
But a bird flew in and they got wet from a rain
They were happy when it was done, they would stay dry again.
The new building was dedicated in 1952 on April 23
To God be the glory, His blessings they did see.
From the Chalmers Church an organ was given to lead in singing
Their praises in song to God they were bringing.
By August 1954 the church had a new name
Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church is what it became.
Church activities they now started to plan
So library, choir, Sunday School, and Catechism classes began.
By 1957 the church had grown each year
More churches were needed it became very clear.
The daughter churches were York Maranatha and Simcoe Immanual CRC
They were thankful and knew this is where God wanted them to be.
A new parsonage was built in 1966 for the minister and his family
Lots of room and an office were wonderful to see.
God continued to bless Ebenezer year after year
With members and Pastors who became so dear.
By 1974, plans were made to build again, the old white church had become too small
The new church would have a large sanctuary and a fellowship hall.
Praise God, enough funds were raised to begin
In December 1975 the new building was finished and everything moved in.
Ebenezer continued with worship and praise
There were committees and clubs, they were blessed in many ways.
By 1990, once again the building became too small
There were two morning services taking place to make room for all.
Another church was needed as far as they could tell
So Hagersville Community CRC was formed that year as well.
The congregation had a meeting in June 2009
An administration wing would be added, it now works so very fine.
Now here we are today, to God we give all glory
For Jarvis Ebenezer, her people and her story.
We’ve been blessed with caring Pastors who faithfully would preach
And many volunteers are needed who lovingly will teach.
There’s Sunday School, Cadets, and Gems just to name a few
Also Coffee Break and Bible Studies, so many things to do.
Caregivers, quilters, and knitters will help those in need
There’s a Praise Team for worship and in song they lead.
Together with other community churches there’s Refugees of Hope
New immigrants will need assistance to learn and to cope.
VBS is also something we’ve hosted for many, many years
Combined with local churches it takes a lot of volunteers
To share the Good News with children we love.
Each day they learn and sing praises to our Father above.
The Pork and Corn Roast and Soup Sunday are always a big hit
So many gather for a meal there’s hardly room to sit.
God has blessed us so richly over 75 years He guided us all through our joys, sorrows, and tears. Please join us for worship as we give thanks, pray, and sing All glory and honour to God we will bring.
Sunday, November 26, 2023 please save the date We hope to worship our God and his goodness we’ll celebrate. To God Be the glory, He’ll leave us never
He’s Faithful then, Faithful now and Faithful forever.
