Our Legacy
A 50+ Year Journey of Faith, Community, and Service
Our Story
From a Basement in Malton to a Movement of Hope
The story of Friends of Malton begins not in 2023, but in the autumn of 1973, when a faithful couple named Beresford and Sybil Somerville gathered a handful of believers in the basement of their Malton home. What started as a prayer meeting would grow into one of the most vibrant congregations in the Church of God fellowship — and the spiritual home for generations of families.
For over 50 years, the people of this community have been the heartbeat of a mission rooted in faith, fellowship, and service. From the pioneers who planted the seed to the volunteers who serve today, we are a family united by faith and purpose.
Our strength isn't in buildings or budgets — it's in the people who say “yes” to serving their neighbours with compassion and excellence.
Legacy Honors
Beresford & Sybil Somerville
Founders of the Malton Church of God
In 1973, Beresford and Sybil Somerville answered God's call to plant a church in the heart of Malton. Arriving in Canada on June 22, 1973, they wasted no time — by October 23 of that same year, the Malton Church of God was born in the basement of their home.
Brother Somerville served as Sunday School Superintendent, church bus driver, Deacon, and boys club leader. Sister Somerville was a woman of prayer, faith, and action who poured her life into nurturing the vision. Together, they built not just a church, but a family — a community of believers who would carry the torch of faith for generations to come.
On April 19, 2026, Friends of Malton hosted a Photo Unveiling Ceremony to formally honour the Somervilles' legacy. Their story is our story. Their faithfulness is our foundation.
“They planted a seed in faith, and God grew a forest.”
Our Journey
50+ Years of Faith in Action
The Seed is Planted
Beresford and Sybil Somerville arrive in Canada on June 22, 1973. Just four months later, on October 23, they establish what would become the Malton Church of God — meeting in the basement of their own home for the first nine months.
Officially Organized
The congregation is officially named the Malton Church of God under the Church of God organization. Services move from the Somerville home to Ridgewood Public School, giving the growing fellowship more room to worship.
A New Chapter Begins
A young Pastor Huel O. Wilson and his wife Clementina Wilson are assigned to Malton, fresh from his apprenticeship at the Agincourt Church of God under Bishop Dalton Fraser. The congregation migrates to the halls of Darcel Public School. Under Wilson's leadership, the church experiences extraordinary growth — soon running three buses to bring the community together for worship.
A Pillar of Faith
The Malton Church of God stands as a pillar of faith in the community. Hundreds of hearts are brought to the Lord, families are restored, new members flock to the ministry from outside of the town of Malton, and the church becomes a beacon of hope for the entire Malton community.
A Brand New Home
After years of outgrowing every space they worshipped in, the congregation set their sights on 7050 Bramalea Road. They were told no — multiple times. Lenders rejected them. But the faith of the Malton Church of God could not be denied. Some members believed so deeply in the future of this ministry that they temporarily put their own homes up as collateral. Their sacrifice was rewarded: the industrial unit was transformed into a sacred sanctuary, and the congregation finally had a permanent home to call their own.
A Community Flourishes
The church expands into a second unit, becoming a hub for Sunday schools, food bank outreach, and youth programs. It hosts renowned evangelists like Maxine Johnson, W.A. Blair, and Joshua Kelly, and becomes one of the largest and most vibrant congregations in the fellowship, with chairs spilling into the hallways.
New Leadership, Continued Legacy
Pastor Huel Wilson is appointed Administrative Bishop for the Church of God in Canada. Dr. Canute Blake takes over as Senior Pastor, further building upon the foundation of faith. The church continues its forward momentum, carrying the torch of ministry into a new era.
Malton Becomes New Life Covenant Centre
The building at 7050 Bramalea Road transitions to become the New Life Covenant Centre (NLCC). Though the name above the door changes, the legacy of worship, fellowship, and community service that defined the Malton Church of God continues to echo through its halls.
Friends of Malton is Born
Fourteen devoted alumni of the Malton Church of God come together to form Friends of Malton — a Christian non-profit continuing the mission of service, fellowship, and hope that began over 50 years ago. Their first act: organizing the inaugural celebration event honoring Bishop Huel O. Wilson and First Lady Clementina Wilson.
Our Spiritual Home
7050 Bramalea Road
For over 20 years, 7050 Bramalea Road was more than a building — it was the heartbeat of our lives. It was where we were baptized, where we raised our children, and where we discovered the depth of our faith. Many of us were born and raised within those walls, serving on committees and witnessing the power of faith in action.
Though the physical building has changed, the spirit of 7050 Bramalea Road lives on in every gathering we host, every family we serve, and every prayer we lift. We carry that address in our hearts — not as a place we go back to, but as a foundation we build upon.
The Legacy Continues
Friends of Malton exists to ensure that the mission planted by the Somervilles and nurtured by Bishop Wilson and countless faithful servants continues to bear fruit — in this generation and the next.