For 90 years, Tenth Church has been located in the heart of Vancouver, committed to expressing God's love in word and deed in this ever-changing city and world. With nearly fifty churches tracing their roots back to Tenth, and ministry partners in Cambodia and various parts of the world, we are grateful for the ripple effect of our community in our region and beyond.
In the early spring of 1935, while Vancouver buzzed with the construction of the Lion’s Gate Bridge, a small group of people began gathering in George Bowman's home to pray. Reverend John Fee, a retired missionary to China, joined the Bowman family, Sydney and Lottie Anderson, and Maude Chatham. They would become the nucleus of a spiritual movement that would shape Vancouver's future. This modest group outgrew Bowman's living room and moved to hold revival meetings at Alma Academy Hall, led by faithful evangelists Reverend Gordon Wishart and his wife Myrtle. Despite their humble beginnings in a dance saloon near Broadway and Kingsway, their community grew.
Soon they wanted to purchase property at the geographic centre of the city, the northwest corner of 10th Avenue and Ontario Street. The owners were not inclined to sell the land, but later a fire broke out and consumed the existing building. With just $825, they secured the almost one-acre lot in the heart of Vancouver.
The church officially affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in 1938, under the leadership of Reverend Thomas Read. By 1939, a new sanctuary was built, and the congregation began to grow. The arrival of Reverend Willis Brooks in 1946 helped create three decades of stability and expansion, establishing Tenth Church as a flagship within the Alliance.
However, with rising real estate prices in Vancouver and members moving to the suburbs, attendance at the church declined. Ken Shigematsu's appointment as senior pastor in 1996 brought a renewed focus on welcoming people of diverse backgrounds, engaging contemplative spiritual practices, and seeking social justice for all. We hosted Filipino and Japanese congregations and launched the Oasis Café and shelter ministries.
In the new millennium, we adopted a multi-site model, launching new congregations at Evening (2007), Kitsilano (2009), East Van (2014), and UBC (2019). Throughout the years, we have been committed to welcoming people of all backgrounds and actively engaged in local and global missions.
We believe God has called us to the centre of Vancouver to serve the diverse community that resides here: artists, families, professionals, the homeless, singles, athletes, scholars, and international students. God has also given us the privilege of advocating on behalf of children and women vulnerable to the sex trade in Cambodia, walking alongside vulnerable teens in Mexico, and supporting orphans in China.