What major challenges has the Montreal Chinese Alliance Church faced in the past 40 years?

Since its inception, the Montreal Chinese Alliance Church has been dedicated to serving the Chinese immigrant community in Montreal. The church's development has closely reflected immigration trends—experiencing growth during times of influx and facing challenges during periods of decline. In the 1970s, many new immigrants and overseas students from Hong Kong became part of the church community, contributing to a season of vibrant growth. However, from 1976 onward, political and economic instability in Montreal led many families and professionals to relocate, resulting in a period of difficulty for the church. Even so, the arrival of overseas students helped sustain its ministry.

A renewed wave of immigrants from Hong Kong in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s ushered in another period of prosperity and expansion. This growth slowed again in the late 1990s due to a global recession, a decline in Hong Kong student enrollment, and the return of many immigrants to their homeland.

Although the spiritual health of the church is more or less affected by these external factors, our church still maintains its fine traditions and, relying on the grace of the Lord, spares no effort in teaching the truth, loving one another, and preaching and evangelizing.

How many Chinese Missionary Alliance churches are there in Montreal?

There are four Chinese Missionary Alliance churches in Montreal. Grace Church was established in 1988. There were two main reasons for opening the church: insufficient space and the desire to strengthen the Mandarin ministry. However, our church continued to operate in Cantonese and English. Taking advantage of the 10th anniversary of Grace Church, our church and them jointly established the South Shore Alliance Church. This was a very challenging decision because we left the traditional big city church model and tried a new family-oriented community church. Moreover, the late 1990s was a time of global economic downturn and financial difficulties. Finally, this approach is an ideal church planting model because it is the result of the joint efforts of the "mother church" and the "child church".

In June 2000, Grace Church opened the first Alliance Church in West Island, which was fully in Mandarin. Two years later, West Island Alliance Church was financially and administratively independent.

In view of the continuous immigration of compatriots from China and their preference for living together, Grace Church opened the fifth Chinese Mission Church in Verdun in 2002, named Montreal Verdun Mandarin Alliance Church.

At the beginning, the church rented a local Lutheran church in the city center for gatherings. In 1977, it purchased a garage and converted it into a chapel. In 1983, it purchased and moved into the church on Marie-Anne Street. In 1992, the church bought and moved into the current Queen Mary site. At the same time, the old site was handed over to Grace Church for use. Other branches are currently renting other sites.

Future plans for MCAC?

While addressing the immediate needs of the congregation remains important, the church has never lost sight of its foundational calling as a Christian community. Through a broad range of ministries and initiatives, we continue to be a church that proclaims the Gospel, nurtures spiritual growth, cares for one another, and offers heartfelt worship to God. We recognize that the church must not fall into a pattern of mere maintenance. Instead, we are committed to ongoing renewal—both personally and organizationally. This includes actively seeking fresh opportunities for ministry, courageously stepping beyond our comfort zones, and faithfully calling more members to participate in the work of the Kingdom.

Looking ahead, the church’s strategic focus over the next five to seven years includes the strengthening of our Mandarin-language ministry and a renewed investment in the spiritual formation and leadership development of the next generation. With God’s guidance, we press forward with faith, hope, and purpose.

Milestones of the Mission

Important Years

• 1972 Montreal Chinese Missionary Alliance Church was established

• 1976 First Annual Missionary Conference

• 1977 Purchased and renovated the old garage at 177 Pine East

• 1983 Purchased and used the chapel at 405 Marie-Anne East

• 1988 Grace Church was established

• 1992 Purchased and used the church site on Queen Mary Street, the original site was used by Grace Church

• 1998 South Shore Chinese Missionary Alliance Church was established

• 2000 West Island Chinese Missionary Alliance Church was established

Spreading Branches

Our church has taken the initiative and assisted in the establishment of Missionary Alliance churches in different places. These include Ottawa, London, Ontario, Sheridan, Detroit, Scarborough, five cities in Australia, London, England, etc. Pastor Kaan and Pastor Chan were both loaned out to help promote local church ministries and missionary fields. 

Beautiful Footprints

Over the past thirty years, we give thanks to God for calling more than fifty members of our congregation into full-time ministry. These individuals have served as pastors, missionaries, theological educators, and gospel workers across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Hong Kong, Indochina, and China. Alongside them are many faithful “unsung preachers” laboring quietly behind the scenes. At present, two of our members are enrolled in seminary, while over twenty others have pursued theological studies in recent years. This growing commitment reflects the congregation’s earnest desire to respond faithfully to the Lord’s call and serve His Church with dedication and love.

Over the years, many brothers and sisters in the Chinese and English churches have participated in short-term mission experiences arranged by the church or sponsored by other organizations. They have traveled to the United States, Canada, France, China, Panama, Kenya, Guatemala, etc.

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

Over the past thirty years, more than seven hundred people have been baptized in this church, more than two million dollars have been pledged for missionary work, more than fifty preachers have been appointed, and five independent churches have been established for the Missionary Alliance.