The History of the Ottawa Adventist Church
The Ottawa Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2200 Benjamin Avenue officially opened its doors in January 1975. This milestone marked the culmination of many years of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving the Ottawa community.
The roots of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ottawa trace back to 1892, with the church being officially established in 1906. Its growth over the years is a testament to the dedication of pastors, evangelists, and lay members, including pioneers such as F.D. Starr, W.J. Hurdon, H.M.S. Richards (founder of the Voice of Prophecy), W. Belleau, A. Kaytor, D.J. Handysides, G. Vanderman, G. Knowles, and many others.
Members began worshipping in a property on 5th Avenue, then, as the membership grew, moved to a church on Spencer Street. Pastor John Howard was inspired to approach the National Capital Commission to request property adjacent to the new highway for an Adventist Church. Although it seemed too far outside of the city as it was then, with the help of a conference-wide offering, the land at 2200 Benjamin Avenue was purchased. By 1974 the new Ottawa Adventist Church building was completed, and the official opening was held in January 1975.
From the 1960s to the 1990s, the Ottawa Seventh-day Adventist Church focused on reaching the community through evangelistic series, healthy living seminars, vegetarian cooking classes, the Cardiac Health Improvement Program (CHIP), and smoking cessation programs. The church also became well-known for its outstanding musical groups, including Heralds of Hope. As the congregation grew, it gave rise to several new churches in the Ottawa area, including Ottawa East, Nepean, Ottawa Spanish, Ottawa French, Orleans, and Kanata.
In the early 2000s, despite members relocating to new areas, the church recognized the need to expand its building to accommodate growing needs. The primary goals were to enhance accessibility for members and visitors with a physical disability, increase the capacity of the sanctuary and fellowship hall, improve the functionality of ancillary rooms, and expand the parking lot.
Under the leadership of Pastors Orlando and Liz Pule, our journey of faith continued to evolve. In July 2017, with the generous support of the Ontario Conference, the church’s members, and the collaboration of the Ottawa Adventist School (OAS), the church Ottawa Seventh-day Adventist Church purchased the school building at 2191 Benjamin Avenue. This acquisition provided a new home for OAS and additional facilities to better serve our community.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the church to close its doors in March 2020, but worship continued uninterrupted as we quickly pivoted to online and streaming platforms. In-person services gradually resumed in accordance with government guidelines, and by 2023, we were able to gather fully without any restrictions.
Our senior pastor, Pastor Robert Greaves, has successfully guided us through the challenges of managing an expanded real estate portfolio. Under his leadership as well as that of Assistant Pastor Deon Rose, we have completed several major projects, including the replacement of the church roof and the upgrading of the HVAC system at the OAS building, both of which were completed in 2025.
Our church is dedicated to serving the community, and being a beacon of hope and compassion.
Our current programs and activities reflect this mission. These include feeding the homeless through the Touch of Love Ministry and assisting at the Shepherds of Good Hope; providing winter care packages; participating in the Big Give and Backpack Project; offering first aid training, health screenings, and the Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program; making visits to seniors’ residences by the Pathfinder Club; hosting Vacation Bible School; nurturing strong youth and children’s ministries; and organizing annual events such as the Black History Month Concert, youth gala, post-secondary student retreat, Seniors’ Banquet, and many other outreach initiatives.
Our congregation is characterized by rich diversity—both generationally and culturally. We are blessed with a large number of youth and children, whose energy and enthusiasm keep our Pathfinder and Adventurer Clubs thriving. Children’s Ministries regularly hosts Children’s Church and Youth Sabbaths draw young people from far and wide. The church also actively supports post-secondary students through the Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) organizations on Ottawa’s university campuses. Our annual cultural celebration brings together over 30 nationalities within our congregation, each of whom now calls Canada and our church community their home. We deeply value this diversity and are committed to creating an environment where all can find fulfillment and grow in their Christian journey.
Knowing that the Lord will provide for all our needs, and remembering how He has faithfully led us in the past, we face the future with boldness. Our faith in God is strong, and our congregation is united in purpose. May God continue to guide and bless each of us as we follow Him and serve our community.”