On December 1, 2024, Tenrikyo Canada Church conducted its 90th anniversary service. On the same day in 1934, Canada Church was established as a directly supervised church of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.
The service drew followers from all twelve church affiliations present in Canada—mostly people living in the country but also young followers from Japan who were in the country for work or study. The gathering embodied the second Shinbashira’s original intention of establishing a church that would unite all Tenrikyo followers in Canada beyond their affiliations. They performed the seated service and the Dance with Hand Movements together in high spirits.
After the service, Rev. Hiroshi Alexander Fukaya, bishop of Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters in America and counselor to Canada Church, delivered a congratulatory address. He encouraged followers to recall the words that the Shinbashira spoke at the 80th anniversary service of Canada Church and reaffirm the significance of the church’s establishment. He also expressed his hope that the path would be passed on to the next generation.
Following Rev. Fukaya’s address, Rev. Raymond Shoichi Okura, head minister of Canada Church, pledged to enhance the church as a center for missionary work, with particular emphasis on nurturing the next generation who will carry on the faith.
