
From
Easter 1982 until the end of June 1982 Rev. Barry Day of Trinity,
Mrs. Josephine Mewett (a member of his congregation) and Mrs. Diana
McLeod, Trinity’s organist, conducted Services in the Kawartha
Heights school, also assisting were six couples who lived in this
area.
This pilot project was successful and it appeared that there was sufficient
interest to warrant a “mission project". With the approval
of Peterborough Presbytery and under the supervision of Rev. Cameron
Reid planning meetings were held over the summer months.
During these meetings the name was chosen, the services of a retired
minister, Rev. Frank Whiteley, were obtained, the school auditorium
(for worship) and one classroom (for a nursery) were rented for the
following year.
The first service was held the Sunday after Labour Day, 1982. The
congregation was constituted on February 27, 1983 with 101 members.
The land for the church was purchased in February 1984.
In September 1984 the church moved to Crestwood High School, Rev Whiteley
retired and Rev. Dan Yourkevich became Westdale's first full time
minister. An office was rented in Brealey West Shopping Center.
In June 1987 construction started, with work crews from the congregation
working along with the construction crews.
The church was officially opened and dedicated January 17, 1988. In
June of 1988, Rev. Dan advised the congregation he would be leaving
Westdale at the end of August. To allow sufficient time to search
for, interview and issue a call for a new minister. Rev. John Sloan
was called to serve as an interim minister.
In July 1989, Rev. Joan Henderson, accepted a call and ministered
to the congregation until her death of December 1995. Rallying from
the trauma of this sad experience, the congregation was served during
the months of January to October 1996 by Rev. Bradley Weeks and the
Rev. Louise Graves. In November of that year, Rev. Brad covenanted
with the congregation to become Westdale’s third full time minister.