History
History

Rideauview Bible Chapel opened its doors in 1967, after the congregation outgrew the Grace and Truth Chapel on Clarey Avenue in the Glebe. For two years during construction, we met at the McGregor Eason Public school on Dynes road. As part of the post-war boom, the congregation had many growing families. Times were good and land was affordable, compared to today. A number of men in the assembly were experts in the building trade, which greatly reduced the cost of construction, though not the quality of the building. Since then, a whole generation has come and gone. Only a few of the original group are still with us. Over twenty years ago many left Rideauview with our blessing to form a similar congregation in the west end of Ottawa, which meets at Bridlewood Bible Chapel, on Eagleson Road in Kanata. So while numbers have varied over the years, the chapel can seat over 200 adults comfortably in the main auditorium, and is often near capacity.

Many of us have come to Rideauview from other cities, where we enjoyed a similar form of worship. Rideauview’s roots are from an informal world-wide fellowship of independent local churches sometimes referred to as Open Brethren assemblies. Their origin dates back to 1830s in England and Ireland when a number of Anglican clergy left the Church of England to practice Christianity according to New Testament principles. To this day, we continue to follow many of those practices, including:

  • Having no clergy;
  • Sharing leadership;
  • Recognizing spiritual gifts with no formal training required;
  • Meeting weekly for the Lord’s Supper;
  • Welcoming all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, who are living according to Christian principles, to the Lord’s Supper – regardless of their church affiliation.

Because we are so close to Carleton University and enjoy easy access from Ottawa U and Algonquin college, we are blessed to have 50 or so students in the congregation. When students get married and start families, they often settle in Ottawa and make Rideauview their church home. Rideauview is the spiritual home to nearly 150 adults and over 50 children. We offer programs and activities for all ages, designed to help our faith in Jesus Christ grow through Bible study, prayer and sharing our lives together. Please come and visit.