“And He is the head of the body, the Church.” —

Our History

Westgrove Gospel Chapel: A Living Legacy of New Testament Christianity

Nestled in the heart of West Edmonton, Westgrove Gospel Chapel stands as a quiet yet steadfast witness to a movement that began nearly two centuries ago, a movement rooted not in ecclesiastical tradition, but in a radical return to the simplicity of the New Testament church. Its story is not merely local; it is woven into the broader history of the Plymouth Brethren, a fellowship of believers who sought to strip away hierarchy and ritual in favor of fellowship, Scripture, and shared ministry.

Origins in the Plymouth Brethren Movement

The journey began in Dublin, Ireland, in the mid‑1820s, when disillusioned believers such as Edward Cronin, Edward Wilson, Francis Hutchinson, John Gifford Bellett,and Anthony Norris Groves gathered to “break bread” in simplicity. Their conviction that every believer is a priest and that Christ alone is head of the Church sparked what came to be known as the Plymouth Brethren. 

By 1832, under the influence of John Nelson Darby and the prophetic fervor of the Powerscourt Conferences, the movement took shape. It emphasized lay-led ministry, weekly communion, and the rejection of clericalism.

Global Expansion and Missionary Zeal

The Brethren’s reach soon extended beyond the British Isles. George Müller and Henry Craik embodied its principles through orphan care and faith-based ministry in Bristol. Meanwhile, Anthony Norris Groves pioneered missions in Baghdad and India, championing indigenous leadership and trusting God for provision without financial appeals, a radical model of faith and autonomy. 

Though small in number, the Brethren exerted a disproportionate influence on global missions. Groves is often called the father of faith missions for his example of relying solely on God for support rather than fixed salaries.

Arrival in Canada: A New Frontier

The Brethren story in Canada began in the 1860s with hymn writer Joseph M. Scriven in Ontario. The movement gained momentum through visits from John Nelson Darby and the tireless evangelism of Donald Munro, who planted assemblies across southwestern Ontario and Toronto. Working with T. D. W. Muir and John Ironside, Munro helped establish key assemblies such as McNab Street Gospel Hall and Broadview Gospel Hall, culminating in the first united Toronto Conference in 1894. 

J. J. Rouse, once a Congregational minister‑in‑training, was deeply moved by Munro’s preaching. His embrace of Brethren principles fueled itinerant evangelism throughout rural Canada, laying the groundwork for many future assemblies.

The Brethren in Edmonton: Foundations of Faith

In the early 1900s, Rouse brought Brethren teaching to Edmonton, forming early assemblies at Boyle Street, Norwood, and 97th Street Hall. A revival in 1933 at 97th Street Hall sparked renewed unity and spiritual vitality, leading to the establishment of Bethel Gospel Chapel in 1945, a cornerstone of Brethren life in the city.

The Birth of Westgrove Gospel Chapel

Westgrove’s story began humbly in the mid‑1930s with a weekly Bible study hosted by Archie and Elsie Gibson in their west Edmonton home. Supported by Sunday School teachers from 97th Street Hall, the group grew steadily, drawing families for Bible teaching, missionary reports, and fellowship. 

After meeting in a rented Quonset hut, the assembly built its own facility in 1961, originally named Westgrove Gospel Hall. By the 1970s, it had adopted its current name, Westgrove Gospel Chapel, a reflection of its evolving identity and enduring mission. 

Today, Westgrove is home to approximately forty families who continue in the New Testament tradition of doctrine, prayer, fellowship, shared ministry, gospel proclamation, and Christ-centered community.

Values and Vision

Westgrove Gospel Chapel remains anchored in the values that have defined the Brethren movement for generations: reverence for Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, simple gatherings, and active evangelism. From a living-room Bible study to a thriving fellowship, Westgrove stands as a testimony to the faithfulness of God and the enduring power of prayer, fellowship, and His Word.

A Network of Faith: Global Presence

Originating in Britain and Ireland in the 1820s, the Open Brethren have expanded into some 160 countries, a growth driven by their deep missionary commitment. Current estimates suggest more than 40,500 congregations worldwide, reaching roughly 3.6 million people. 

Beyond their numbers, the movement has shaped evangelicalism through its distinctive views on church structure, eschatology, and living by faith. Many raised within Brethren assemblies have gone on to influence numerous Christian organizations and denominations. 

Today, the movement’s center of gravity has shifted to the Global South, where Indiahosts the largest membership, over 750,000 believers. Across Africa,rapid expansion continues in countries such as Angola, Zambia, Chad, and Nigeria, where assemblies often anchor rural mission and community work. Growth in South America remains steady, and the worldwide network is increasingly defined by locally led assemblies rather than traditional foreign oversight.