Our Story
About Grace Fellowship
To worship God faithfully, grow in Christ together, and serve our city with love.
Grace Fellowship Church was founded in 1952 by a small group of families committed to building a multigenerational congregation in the heart of Guelph. Over seven decades, we have grown into a community of over 500 members — spanning four generations, representing dozens of backgrounds, and united by the ancient faith we hold in common.
We believe in the historic Christian faith: one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the authority of Scripture; the Lordship of Jesus Christ; the resurrection of the body; and the life of the world to come.
We also believe that faith is not a private matter. It is lived in community — in sung prayers, shared meals, honest conversations, acts of mercy, and the steady discipline of showing up for one another through every season of life.
Our doors have been open since 1952. They remain open today.
72 yrs
In Guelph
500+
Congregation
18
Ministries
3
Mission Partners
What We Believe
Our Values
Scripture as Foundation
We read, study, and preach the whole counsel of God — not selectively, but faithfully. The Bible shapes our worship, our decisions, and our common life.
Worship That Endures
We cherish liturgical worship rooted in centuries of tradition — hymns, creeds, sacraments — alongside contemporary expressions of the same enduring faith.
Multigenerational Community
From nursery to nursing home, we are one congregation. We intentionally create space for grandparents and grandchildren to worship, serve, and eat together.
Faithful Service
We are deeply embedded in Guelph's social fabric — partnering with local food banks, shelters, and schools to meet tangible needs in Christ's name.
Gracious Orthodoxy
We hold our convictions with confidence and our neighbours with compassion. Theological depth need not mean closed doors.
A Word from the Pulpit
Rev. Thomas Whitfield
Senior Pastor
Grace Fellowship is not a perfect church — and we have never pretended to be. We are a congregation of ordinary men and women who have found, over and over again, that God's grace is sufficient.
What I love about this community is its rootedness. We do not chase trends. We do not reinvent ourselves every season. We hold to what is true, we sing what has been sung for centuries, and we serve our city with steady, unglamorous faithfulness.
If you are looking for a church that will challenge you, hold you accountable, pray for you in hard times, and celebrate with you in good ones — you have found it. Come and see.
Our Journey
Church History
The Founding
Twenty-two charter members gathered in a rented hall on Wyndham Street to form Grace Fellowship. Rev. Arthur Pringle was called as the founding pastor.
The Elm Street Building
The congregation moved into the current building on Elm Street, constructed largely by volunteer labour over two summers.
A Season of Growth
Under Rev. David MacPherson, membership doubled through a decade of community outreach and the launch of the Senior Companions ministry.
Renovation and Rededication
A major renovation added the Fellowship Hall and expanded the sanctuary capacity to 400. The building was rededicated in a service of thanksgiving.
New Leadership
Rev. Thomas Whitfield was installed as Senior Pastor, bringing a renewed emphasis on expository preaching and intergenerational ministry.
Seventieth Anniversary
The congregation celebrated 70 years of faithful ministry with a week of special services, a heritage display, and the release of a congregational history book.
The Team
Our Staff
Rev. Thomas Whitfield
Senior Pastor
Thomas has served Grace Fellowship since 2008. He holds a Master of Divinity from Knox College, Toronto, and a Doctor of Ministry from Regent College, Vancouver. He is passionate about expository preaching and pastoral care.
Deacon Margaret Osei
Associate Pastor & Pastoral Care
Margaret joined our staff in 2019. She leads our pastoral care ministry, oversees small groups, and preaches regularly. Margaret holds an MDiv from Tyndale Seminary and has a deep commitment to intergenerational faith formation.
Jonathan Hartley
Director of Music & Worship
Jonathan has led worship at Grace Fellowship for 15 years. He holds a Bachelor of Church Music from Wilfrid Laurier University and directs both the Chancel Choir and the Contemporary Worship Team.
Susan Brennan
Church Administrator
Susan has been the organizational heart of Grace Fellowship since 2011. She manages all administrative operations, coordinates volunteers, and is typically the first friendly voice you hear when you call.