Welcome to Courtenay Fellowship Baptist Church

The beginning of Courtenay Baptist Church goes back to the year of 1953. The seed thought for a Baptist work to begin in the Comox Valley was found in a lady by the name of Mrs. Leah Evans. She was the wife of Mr. Bert Evans and mother of five children. She was a close friend of Miss Mary Farrow, who is now Mrs. Mary Morson. At that time they worshipped together at the Four Square Church in Courtenay.

One day Mrs. Evans shared her heart’s concern with Mary in that her husband was not attending church and thought that if there was another denomination in town, possibly he would attend. Mrs. Evans liked the Baptists and Mary agreed to that choice. So the two ladies agreed to pray about the starting of a different denomination and preferably a Baptist denomination.

Mrs. Mary Morson during that time owned and operated the Royston Beach Auto Court. In the February of 1953, visitors from out of town came to Mary’s auto court and rented a small cabin. They were Pastor Phillips of Ruth Morton Baptist, Pastor Kerr and Norman Scott, a student at Northwest Baptist Bible College. They came to our valley to survey the possibilities of starting a Baptist Mission here. The three men contacted Margaret Emmett and Elizabeth White who had indicated an interest in starting a Baptist church. Immediately Mary Morson and Leah Evans saw the good hand of God at work. Their prayers were being answered. Mrs. Evans mentioned to Pastor Kerr, “the day a Baptist work started in town she would bring her five children to it.” That is what you’d call an instant Sunday School! Soon there were others interested in this new mission. Some names include: Miss Judy Evans, Mrs. Jessie Richardson, Mr. Art West and wife, Bernice.

Mr. Norman Scott was asked to come to the Comox Valley to Pastor the Baptist Mission. He commuted from the College to Courtenay every week-end until after he graduated, then moved there for full-time ministry. It was arranged to meet in the Scout Hall for Sunday services. At times Pastor Scott preached to just three ladies, but always believed that the Lord would increase the numbers and he worked to that end. They also met regularly during the week for prayer at the homes of Leah Evans and Mary Morson because the Scout Hall was not available. Once Pastor Scott settled into his suite in the home of Ben Evans at 910 England Avenue the prayer meetings were held there. It wasn't long before others were interested in the new Baptist Mission. These people included: J. Edwin Warkentin and wife, Marjorie and their six children. The Warkentins were a key family in the church along with Margaret Emmett and Elizabeth White. Mrs. Leah Evans and her children faithfully attended the church and Mary Morson attended evening services.

Then on November 16, 1953, the new Baptist Mission held its first organized meeting as a church. It was to be known as the Courtenay Regular Baptist Church. They had a total of eight charter members: Edwin & Marjorie Warkentin, Jessie Richardson, Margaret Emmett, Cal & Bernice West, Norm Scott and Leah Evans. At this meeting they appointed their first deacons, Mr. Warkentin and Mr. West, and Norman Scott became their first Pastor. In its early years, it was a Home Mission Church.

To God be the glory for the vision and burden found in two ladies to start Courtenay Baptist Church.
To God be the glory for a Church that was started on prayer and God-fearing people.
To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Now, for the rest of the story....

Later on, meetings were held in various halls until the erection of the first real church building in May 1958 on the corner of Piercy Avenue and Cumberland Road. Construction costs for this building was $5,817.00. The membership had risen to 22 and the Sunday School attendance was 49. The pastor now was Len A. Thorpe, who remained for 10 years.

He was followed by Pastor Tipton Williams, who passed away in 1972 after 5 years of leadership in this church. He was followed by Pastor Dick Reeve. Under his leadership a new building was erected on Lake Trail Road and the first service in this building was held on August 24, 1975. The membership in this year stood at 39 with morning service attendance at 105.

In September of 1978 Pastor Glen Priebe began his ministry at Courtenay Baptist Church. Membership is now 64. On April 25, 1982 the sod was turned to build a wing to the existing building. On November 30, 1983, the 30th Anniversary of Courtenay Baptist Church was celebrated with the dedication of the new wing to the glory of God.

In 1985 Pastor George Paulovich began an interim ministry and in February 1986 became the Senior Pastor. Membership is now at 75.

In 1988, the need was seen for additional Pastoral Staff. Pastor Russell Reid started his ministry with us in July 1988 as Youth Pastor, taking the position of Youth and Christian Education leader.

In October 1988, Rev. Ivan Johnson began an interim ministry which ran until July 1989 when Rev. Stan Braunberger began his ministry as Senior Pastor.

In the summer of 1989 the lower auditorium underwent some renovations to enlarge the Sunday School rooms for more efficient use.

In January 1991 Pastor Miles S. White began his ministry as Assistant Pastor of Youth and Christian Education. Two morning services were implemented as the church continued to grow. In the fall of 1993, just prior to our 40th Anniversary the position of a Permanent Part-time Youth Pastor was needed and a search committee was formed. In August 1994 Randy Dyck joined our Pastoral Staff and took over this position and Pastor Miles White is now our Associate Pastor.

The need for further expansion to the present building was seen and in 1993, plans were approved to add an Administrative Wing to the present building and by November 1994, the Contractors were busy. Our Office Staff increased and we now have two ladies in the Office during the week. The present membership is 115.

In 1996 our new wing was completed and the staff are enjoying the much bigger offices and the congregation, the enlarged foyer. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness in helping us through this building project debt free and able to continue moving ahead. We are thankful for the ;many visitors and others who have chosen to make this their church home as they settle in the Comox Valley.

In September 1996 we welcomed Peter and Sandy Rabey and family to the Comox Valley. Peter is now our Senior Pastor. The present membership is 122.

As of February 1, 1999, Pastor Miles is no longer with CFBC and the Search Committee are now looking for someone to fill the position of Assistant Pastor.

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