Mortgage-Free at Philly: A Celebration of God’s Faithfulness

The Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church was established in 1992. Our journey began when Evangelist Fitz Henry was invited by Dr. Fitzroy Maitland, then the Ontario Conference Ministerial Secretary, to speak at an evangelistic series titled “The King Is Coming.” More than 300 people were baptised, and 120 of them remained to form the Philadelphia Company.

The first Sabbath service was held on November 7, 1992, at Seneca College. Thereafter, we journeyed through what felt like a desert for a few years. We were at Wilmar Heights United Church at 963 Pharmacy Avenue; the Church of St. Andrew at 2333 Victoria Park Avenue; and then Grace Reform Christian Church at 25 Channel Nine Court – all in the Scarborough area. While we appreciated the services from our landlords, we never really felt at home in any of those churches. A desire burned within our hearts to find a building where we could make our home.

In November 2011, our pastors at the time, Dr. Fitzroy Maitland and Pastor Joseph Amankwah, led an all-night prayer vigil. A week later, we found a building for sale at 65 Grand Marshall Drive. However, before we could make an offer, the government passed a bylaw restricting the sale of commercial buildings to churches and schools because of the potential loss of tax revenue.

A year later, the bylaw was repealed. By then, the asking price had dropped by $2 million. As another indication of God's leading us to that community, the vendor agreed to absorb $468,000 in taxes that we would otherwise have had to pay.

On November 25, 2011, we officially closed the deal. By the first week of December, we had taken possession of the building at 65 Grand Marshall Drive, Scarborough, Ontario—a place we now call home. On December 17, 2011, we began worshipping in our new church building, with a mortgage to be paid over 15 years.

As God would have it, on our church's 34th anniversary, on a Sabbath day, November 7, 2026, we were able to celebrate the full repayment of our mortgage in its fifteenth year!

For the weekend celebration, we chose the theme “Remembering, Thanksgiving, and Rejoicing.” On Friday evening, we reflected on God's goodness and remembered the journey that had brought us to this milestone. Pastor Wallin O'Connor delivered the message. We also paid tribute to members who had passed away and are now resting in Christ, awaiting His return.

On Sabbath morning, we marked our 34th anniversary with our annual Thanksgiving and Homecoming Service. Our lead pastor, Pastor Jayson Levy, delivered the message.

Later that afternoon, we rejoiced as we celebrated the burning of our mortgage, with another message delivered by our former pastor, Pastor Jermaine Parker. The celebration also featured congratulatory messages from former pastors, Ontario Conference representatives, and other dignitaries.

The program concluded with Head Elder Michael Edwards, Associate Pastor Ha Rim Ji, and Pastors Jayson Levy, Halsey Peat, and Jermaine Parker leading the congregation in a litany. Pastor Levy then officially burned a copy of the mortgage, symbolising the church's freedom from mortgage debt.

To God be the glory! Our mortgage is paid in full!

Samanta Lyle
Communications Head, Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church