Trinity Canadian Reformed Church was instituted, by the grace of God, on August 26, 2001.  The inaugural worship service was held in the gymnasium of Guido de Brés Christian High School in Hamilton.  157 members left Cornerstone Canadian Reformed Church in Hamilton on Stonechurch Road to begin this new venture.  Rev. Cl. Stam, pastor of Cornerstone Church, officiated in the inaugural worship service.  He chose as text 1 Timothy 3:15:  "...if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

Shortly thereafter the congregation began holding worship services in Knox Presbyterian Church in Binbrook, Ontario. 

In December, 2001, a call was extended to the Rev. D.W. Vandeburgt, pastor of the American Reformed Church in Denver, Colorado in the United States.  The LORD was pleased to answer our prayers, and Rev. Vandeburgt accepted the call extended to him. 

On April 14, 2002, Rev. D. Vandeburgt was installed as pastor and teacher of Trinity Canadian Reformed Church.  Rev. Cl. Stam conducted the installation service, during which he spoke on 2 Timothy 1: 6-7:  "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."  Rev. Stam explained that although the glowing embers of the gift of God are there, there is a danger that they will die out all together.  Together, with God's blessing, the congregation and the minister must remain intensely busy with God's Word, continually keeping the flame alive.  It was a powerful sermon, demonstrating how we should all work together to to keep God's love and glory alive.

In the afternoon service, Rev. Vandeburgt preached his inaugural sermon, using as text the words of 1 Corinthians 2:1-5:  "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.  For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.  My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."  He spoke humbly and powerfully about what defines a minister and what his main task is, which is to proclaim the whole counsel of God.  He pointed out that Paul declares that true preaching must be focused on God, not to entertain or win the approval of those who listen.  When Christ is the centre of the preaching, then we can be assured that the Spirit is at work.  As a congregation, we must respond in faith to the proclamation of the Word and daily repent and believe.

Two weeks after the installation of our new pastor, the congregation welcomed the Vandeburgt family through song, poetry, humour and gifts.  The congregation used the opportunity to demonstrate their happiness, thankfulness and love towards the family.

The congregation has since continued to grow.  Every Sunday the Word and Spirit enrich us.  Bible Study groups and other committees are active.  There have been numerous births, and we have had new members join our congregation. 

On July 1, 2007, the congregation had outgrown the Knox Presbyterian Church building and so we began worshipping in the Binbrook United Church just down the road.  The United Church facilities served us well until January of 2009 when we were able to move into our own church building.  We are thankful to Knox Presbyterian Church in Binbrook and the Binbrook United Church for graciously allowing us to rent their facilities for the past 6 and 1 1/2 years respectively.

On January 4, 2009, we were privileged to conduct our first worship service in our own church building.   The congregation purchased the former Seneca Unity School building at 32 Unity Road just north of Caledonia, and after nearly 7 1/2 years of existence, we have a place to call home!  The major portions of the renovations were complete to the point that we could move into the building and begin to use it. 

Rev. Vandeburgt led the inaugural worship service by preaching from 1 Peter 2 : 4, 5 ("As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.")  We were reminded that the building that we now call home is just that -- a building, built out of dead stones.  While a lot of work went into preparing this building for use, the work of building the church of Christ has to continue.  We are called to be living stones, built together on the one Cornerstone who is the Lord Jesus Christ.  As congregation we were encouraged to remember that the spiritual house is much more important than the physical building that we are now using.  We are to be priests in that spiritual house, offering sacrifices of praise to God, and sacrifices of love and care for one another. 

It was an overwhelming and exciting experience.  It is hard to believe that we managed to transform an old school building into a sparkingly clean, freshly painted and fully functional church building.  Classrooms have been converted into a fellowship hall (two classrooms together with a wall removed), a catechism/meeting room, a nursery (complete with sleeping room, drop off area, hooks, cubby holes, change counter, etc.), a consistory room, a kitchen, future library etc.  The gym is not recognizable as a gym anymore since we have the pulpit, chairs, baptismal font, organ, speakers, and liturgy boards in place.  We look forward to praising God in this building for the next years! 

On August 2, 2009, a chapter ended in the history of our congregation. Rev. Vandeburgt and his family said farewell as they prepared to move to Burlington-Waterdown in order to serve God's church there.  In his farewell address, Rev. Vandeburgt preached on 2 Corinthians 13: 11 - 14:  "Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."  It was an emotional day for all of us as we reflected on 7 years of faithful service by our beloved pastor and teacher. Over the 7 years a strong bond of love and respect had developed between pastor and congregation. We will miss their faithful service but we entrust them to God's providential care as they continue their work in their new surroundings.

A week after Rev. Vandeburgt said farewell to the congregation and we to him, the congregation was gladdened with the news that Candidate Rodney Vermeulen had accepted the call extended to him by this congregation on July 19th. What a blessing from the Lord that within such a short time period we could receive a new pastor and teacher, and that God's Word would continue to be proclaimed faithfully from the pulpit by one of His servants! Candidate Vermeulen was examined by Classis on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, and after sustaining his exam was declared eligible for ordination.

On Sunday, October 4, 2009 during the morning service we could witness the beautiful moment in which Candidate Vermeulen was ordained as minister of the Word, and installed as minister of Trinity Canadian Reformed Church! Rev. W. denHollander, pastor of Bethel Canadian Reformed Church in Toronto (with whom Candidate Vermeulen had done his internship) conducted the ordination service. He chose as text 2 Timothy 2: 8:  "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel." The theme for the sermon was: "Be motivated by Christ's resurrection." 1) It is the basis of your faith. Through Christ's resurrection we have been restored to our offices as prophets, priests and kings, causing us to love Him and live for Him. 2) It is the source of your strength. Christ, as Pastor of our lives, allows us to share in his life. He leads us by his Word and Spirit, giving us strength and courage to fulfill our daily tasks. 3) It is the gospel for your work. The gospel of the living Christ contains the promises of the risen Christ. He, the true Messiah, will reign on David's throne forever. After the appropriate form was read Candidate R. Vermeulen was ordained and installed by the laying on of hands. Dr. G.H. Visscher and Rev. J. Van Vliet also participated in the laying on of hands with Rev. denHollander.

In the afternoon service, Rev. Vermeulen preached his first sermon as our pastor, using Colossians 2: 2,3 as his text: "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." The theme for the sermon was: "Know the mystery of God, namely Christ." This knowledge is 1) The central focus of Paul's ministry. In Christ we are granted the assurance of faith, the riches of understanding the mystery of salvation, and a peace that knows no end. That peace results in self-sacrificing unity between believers. The love that Christ showed to us, miserable, unlovable sinners, we are to show to one another. 2) The certain foundation for our life. Unless we look at Christ's cross with the eyes of faith, we see nothing but a pitiful, dying man. Yet, with the eyes of faith we see our Saviour and the treasures of wisdom and knowledge contained in Christ. In him we have all we need to live lives pleasing to God. Once we were enemies, now we are reconciled to God, in Christ. Without Christ, life is a hopeless end, but with Christ, life is an endless hope.

On October 16, 2009 the congregation again gathered in the church, this time to welcome our new pastor and his family. The evening was a wonderful mixture of singing, performing, speeches, and games. In one of these presentations our most senior member, Mrs. J. Hutten was given the "Mother of Us All" award. Through family lineage and marriage connection it was shown that all the members of the congregation are connected to Mrs. Hutten, even Rev. Vermeulen and his family! It was a wonderful evening of fun and fellowship

As time progresses, this 'brief history' is becoming less and less brief. And yet, through it all we continue to see the hand of our faithful God and Father who has blessed us so richly as congregation. It is our prayer that our heavenly Father will continue to go with us, preserving us as a true body of believers, redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and renewed by the Holy Spirit!

Soli Deo Gloria!