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9-12 . Wanton may, Wednesday, Penman 12, 1975 Story by Lynne Vance stunted last February ser- photo by Port McCurdy vices were held in Winston " , _ Public School and the con- Mushroorhing Church at- gregation numbered only tendance has forced a Wa- R. In July the present facil- terloo congregation to seek ities were ready for use and larger facilities. the then congregation of so Over the past year Velvet began worshipping at a new Hills Baptist Church on King location. These facilities St. N. near University Ave. are now over crowded. A Baptist church looks for better facilities Profile Over the past year Velvet Hills Baptist Church on King St. N. near University Ave. has experienced what has to be termed phenomenal growth. f . Waterloo numbers 884 and 885 can have GENERAL ANSWERING SERVICE MILEAGE FREE. Don't Miss Out . . . When ihe church was in- CE RESERVE YOUR LINE TO WATERLOO Call ’General' Today (f?iOt4rp/L]Rtiril[qr"A. MllEAGE CHARGE 86 Bridgeport Rd. E. (Towers Plaza) .0. PHONE 885-3640 0 0 . --41 55 MONDAY, TUESDAY. & WEDNESDAY STEAK HOUSE and TAVERN Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 5 to 9 p.m. Invites you to dine for less. . . from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. David Atkinson, M, mar- ried, and father. of one girl, is the pastor. Originally from Starter, Atkinson mov- ed to the K-W area in Sep- tember 1966 to attend Em- manuel Bible College in Kit- ehener. After graduating he founded the Emmanuel Christian Centre in Elmira. He served as Dean of the Baptist University in Florida for one year before return- ing to Waterloo to establish his own church. Atkinson attributes the popularity of Velvet Hills Baptist Church to "a vib- rant and enthusiastic obedi- encetothe word ofGod." "We are a fundamental church in that we adhere to a literal interpretation of the scriptures unless a figur- ative explanation is obvious. This has made our people stronger. our convictions stronger and our attraction stronger, " he said. He also credited the church workers for the suc- cess of his ministry as they go out and visit house to Complete Dinners Complete Dinners for for ot house. Three bus captains work various parts of the city to bring those without transportation to church on Sundays. His workers try to reach people who do not have a home church rather than take members away from established congregations. On Sunday Pastor Atkinson is aided. by four assistants Velvet Hills Baptist Church pastor David Atkinson stands in front of the over-crowded quarters his congregation of 400 use each week. The church. which began with a meagre " members last year, is currentlv seeking expanded facilities in the city but zoning has posed a problem. and a number of volunteers who teach Sunday school classes. This formula seems classes. This formula seems Today parking has again to be working since atten- become inadequate but dance at both services has worse than that the church been excellent. building itself is too small. Wednesday evenings an- Another location. the old otherservice is held which Cluthe factory building on attempts to relate the Bible the comer of Columbia and tocurrent events and present King Streets was found fol- world conditions. This ser- iowinga frantic three month vice may help satisfy the search but existing zoning is "hunger for stability and prohibitive. Atkinson has solidity" Atkinson feels is appeared before the city abroad today. committee of adjustment in When Velvet Hills Church an attempt to have the regu- first moved to the .King sf. lation changed. The Cluthe N. location there was an building is zoned light indus- obvious parking problem. trrcominerciai and to es- City zoning demands that a tablish a religious institution church provide parking on involves a zoning change its own property. Fortu- which the committee of ad- nately the owner of the old justment has no authority to trollev tum-around beside enact. ' When Velvet Hills Church first moved to the .King sf. N. location there was an obvious parking problem. City zoning demands that a church provide parking on its own property. Fortu- nately the owner of the old trolley tum-around beside the church gave his per- mission for the patrons of Velvet Hills to park on his property and Waterloo city council passed a variance to 'rr Waterloo's Sewing Machine Centre Sales and Service Complete instructions given at our store _ with every machine sold. gpa'lky (tite::?,, WESTMOUNT SEWING CENTRE Elastic for Lingerie & Quilted Nylon Scissors and Pinking Shears Sharpened Single & Double Knits O Nylons Tricots . Laces 0 Sheers O Lycra Ion-"Iv new! A SOUND Dunnoo sou": WOW!” "on 'hoprirm Cqerteo - In“. Mu! . Wank. A Phooo 7”! T Westmount Sewing Centre See Our Fabric Collection AND SEWING $01001 the zoning by-law to legalize this practice. To change the zoning a lengthy process taking any- where from four months to a year is involved. Accord- ing to city chief planner J 1N Richard Danziger an appli- cation and plan must be sub- mitted to council and pub- lic hearing announced. After this the planning depart- ment must make a recom- mendation which council Will consnder. Should the change be passed by coun- cil a zoning by-law docu- ment will be made public and objections (if any) heard. The Ontario Munici- pal Board has the final word after, a municipal board hearing which airs any ob- jectionsto the change. ’ Meanwhile. the Velvet Hills congregation is forced to meet in facilities that are too cramped for their rapidly growing group. If new facilities are not found a third Sunday service may be initiated. Despite these possible shortcomings. Atkinson is not one to be dis- couraged easily. He believes Velvet Hills Baptist Church "can be a positive influence in the city." And he intends to prove it.