North Park began as a home-based, grass-roots Sunday School, operated out of the home of Lena and Oscar Greene, in the fall of 1979. The Greenes were new Bramptonians who still attended the Pape Avenue Church of God of Prophecy in Toronto. In their new city, they quickly became entrenched in the vibrant West Indian community that was being established. With the aid of Rupert Miller, the transportation provider, students were able to attend consistently, which led to the inevitable growth of this class. The growth continued and reached an enrolment of approximately fifty children and several adults. This necessitated a second move to a larger facility, Earnscliffe Recreation Centre.
On January 11, 1981, Evangelist Delano Smith was appointed Interim Pastor, the mission ended, and the Bramalea Church of God of Prophecy began.
As the church’s first full-time pastor, Bernard Yorke, was able to devote the necessary time to evangelism, property acquisition and fundraising. With the leadership of Keith Dennis, who spearheaded the Building Fund, the long-held dream of acquiring a building was closer to reality. As Providence would have it, the sister church, Brampton Church of God of Prophecy, was on the same path. Separately, both churches were increasing numerically, and their leadership teams crafted visions for permanent places of worship. It took tremendous sacrificial giving of many of the pioneers of both churches before the vision could become a reality. However, the Brampton Church was further along in their plans and, under the leadership of Pastor Amos Daley, they acquired a property at 395 North Park Drive in 1985.
In 1989, the National Overseer, Brother Phillip, facilitated the needed collaboration and the ultimate merger of the two churches. In July 1991, Church of God of Prophecy, Brampton and Bramalea Church of God of Prophecy officially merged into one, thus becoming the Church of God of Prophecy, Brampton. Woodroe Thompson, a young visionary, was appointed pastor of the newly merged church. Accompanying him on this journey in ministry, was his wife, Pauline, and their sons, Adrian and Christopher.
On October 9, 1991, Pastor Thompson was mandated by the local church in conference to commence preparation for building. Construction commenced on April 5, 1993. Church members helped with laying of blocks and bricks, painting, cooking of meals, etc. Seniors, Women, Men, Youth, and Children answered the call for, “all hands-on deck” and could be seen on-site contributing towards the completion of the building. On August 15, 1993, a mere four months later, the first church service was held at 395 North Park Drive.
In October of 2000, Pastor Thompson made a proposal to the Eastern Canada’s Ministers Conference for a name change. He proposed that the Church of God of Prophecy Brampton, be changed to North Park Worship Centre (a Ministry of Church of God of Prophecy).
In January 2009, Pastor Woodroe Thompson was appointed Administrative Bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy, Eastern Canada. The position of Senior Pastor of North Park Worship Centre was appointed to Pastor Frank Douglas (Associate Pastor of West End Worship Centre). His wife, Jacqueline, and their children, Jeremy, Joshua and Kimberly embarked on this ministry journey with him. Pastor Douglas’ strengths in administration, procedures, organization, governance, preaching and teaching took North Park to new heights in all these areas. Because of his focus on Leadership Development, many emerging leaders were given the opportunity to develop their giftedness and talents.
The year 2019, saw another change in the senior leadership of North Park and was under Administrative Oversight of the Eastern Canada’s Administrative Bishop, Woodroe Thompson. Pastors Mark Lawrence and Fitzroy Matthews along with Associate Pastor Rovel Dunn and Youth Pastor Kyrel Thompson.
In 2021 Pastor Mark Lawrence was officially appointed lead pastor at North Park Worship Centre with his wife Dawn Lawrence accompanying him on this ministry journey.
North Park’s humble beginnings from a home-based Sunday School, to a Mission, to a local church, to a Neighbourhood Church, and finally to a Metropolitan Church, took approximately four decades. Throughout the years, the church experienced many highs and lows. However, with God’s Blessings, we have moved from strength to strength and strive to continue to offer effective ministry to the members and community.