Hillside was born out of a calling to a small group of people in the early 1960’s. They knew that there was a need for an active community church in Coquitlam and they were hearing the call from God to work with one another in fellowship to be a community of faith and share the love of Jesus with their neighbours. This group began going door to door in the Austin Heights and Maillardville neighbourhoods, meeting and showing love to this community. First meeting out of their homes, they grew in numbers and began renting a small space in a storefront on the corner of Austin and Marmont. This little church loved children, and neighbours first began sending their children, and eventually came themselves. Many people found Jesus in those early days.

1393 Austin Avenue

As they grew, they began seeking a more permanent home for this little movement. In what would have been a great amount of faith, certainly some nerves and a healthy dose of risk, Austin Avenue Chapel stepped into a great part of their legacy and purchased the 1393 Austin

Avenue site. In the mid-60’s, they built the western half of the current Hillside facility. What we know as the West Hall and Nursery was, at first, the sanctuary where weekly worship services took place.

The church continued to grow, and many more people came to faith in the 1970’s. Bursting at the seams, Austin Avenue Chapel stepped out in faith once again and, in 1977, work began on the construction of an expanded facility, adding what is today our sanctuary and fellowship hall. During the 1980’s, there was a profound move of God among youth in our community, and at Austin Avenue Chapel, weekly youth events often drew more than 100 teens.