David Mainse
On Sept. 25, Rev. David Mainse passed away at the age of 81 following a five-year battle with leukemia. Mainse was the founder of Crossroads Christian Communications and longtime host of Canada’s longest running daily television program, “100 Huntley Street.”
100 Huntley Street had its origins as a 15-minute, weekly show on a Pembroke TV station in 1962 and his local media ministry grew into an international multimedia program, broadcast school, national prayer centre, and international relief and development organization (Crossroads Emergency Response and Development Fund). “He was passionate about people, about Canadian unity, and about ecumenical dialogue,” Lorna Dueck, Crossroads CEO, said in a statement. “That passion led to innovation. David used the platform of daily television to model open, respectful conversation on faith among citizens across denominations and faith groups from coast-to-coast. And his cross-Canada tours made broadcast history.”
Mainse launched 100 Huntley Street – named after the street address of his Toronto studio – in 1977. He would later move operations to Burlington, Ont.
Mainse successfully argued before the CRTC that there was merit in allowing religious groups to own and operate television broadcast stations. In 1998, Mainse launched CTS (now YES TV), which featured “100 Huntley Street,” religious and current affairs programming, and syndicated family friendly sitcoms and dramas.
In 1998, Hamilton Right to Life’s Jim Arsenault said “while he’s not recognized as a pro-life leader, he’s been involved in major pro-life projects.” One notable project was the TV program Feel the Heartbeat featuring then Family Ties star Michael Gross and former Miss Canada Catherine Swing. The show was a one-hour program Crossroads helped Alliance for Life produce.
In 1997, Mainse said his television ministry would emphasize social and moral issues, including abortion, as part of the program’s “Take a Stand” campaign. They broadcast one of Linda Gibbons’ arrests outside a Toronto abortuary.
Mainse was born August 13, 1936 in Campbell’s Bay, Quebec and studied studied theology at Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in Peterborough, Ont. He pastored Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada churches in Brighton, Deep River and Hamilton.
He married Norma-Jean Rutledge in 1958, who survives her husband after 59 years of marriage. He is also survived by four children – Elaine, Ellen, Reynold, and Ron – 16 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.
