Mt. Zion Apostolic Church, Acton's newest church, celebrated its grand opening and convocation on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by church officials, congregants and Acting Halton Hills Mayor Alex Hilson. The church is located on the northern outskirts of Acton on Main Street North (14009 Regional Road 25) and was formerly a Jehovah's Witness temple.
The building was acquired by the Mt.Zion Apostolic Ark Church of Jesus Christ in 2020 soon after the pandemic struck, when church services were cancelled across the province. Under the leadership of Pastor Tony Gayle and his wife Pastor-Evangelist Cora Gayle, their membership had been attending services in Toronto. “We have a group of friendly and family-oriented people who have discovered the joy of the Christian life style,” said Pastor Gayle.
The group was also marking the 12th anniversary of their inauguration as a church, with Apostolic Church followers coming from around the province and the USA. Two of the pastors leading the services were from New Jersey and Albany, New York.
The gathering took place over three days on the weekend beginning with a service on Friday and ending with a dinner on Sunday evening. The church is in the Pentecostal Tradition and the dedication was provided by Bishop Dr. Colin Cowley of Toronto.
“We're from Jamaican origin, for sure,” explained Pastor Gayle's wife Evangelist Cora Gayle.”We've been here a long time, since the 1960s and 70s. The Lord brought us a mighty, mighty long way, and we're here. No more COVID so we're having an opening today. Right now we have twenty-plus members and growing.”
Besides being a serving Councillor and Acting Mayor, Alex Hilson is also a lay preacher at St. Alban's Church in Acton. He had the following to say about the event: “Every organization is a community unto its own, and each one of these smaller communities is what helps make our larger community the unique and special place it is to live. “
“It is exciting for me, and the Town of Halton Hills, to welcome Mount Zion Apostolic Church to the community of Acton. Their energy, enthusiasm and sense of hope will be welcomed and I wish them great success as they embark on this new journey.”
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