Our History
A Brief History of the St Marys United Church
During the mid 1800's, a Methodist congregation help services in the stone schoolhouse which stood on the corner of James and Queen streets across the street from the present day water tower. In 1856 they acquired a new property on the corner of Church and Elgin and built their own stone building, which was later enlarged. The only part of this building that is still standing today is the stonework on the east facade of the present church auditorium and vestry. In 1869 a frame structure to the south of the church proper was built for the use as a Sunday School. 1869 was the formal entry of the congregation into the Wesleyan Methodist Church with a recorded membership of 168.
With Rev. S.D Rice, D.D, at the helm, 1876 saw two milestones in our church life. The congregations of the Wesleyan Methodist and New Connection Methodist Churches united and a new building for worship was built. It was described as "very rough masonry" but the new building (the present building) was in marked contrast. The building was finished in 1879 and cost $13,000. It's north and west facades are still unchanged, but in 1948 it was found necessary to remove the steeple.
The interior has been completely altered. The auditorium originally faced the east with two west entrances, there was a gallery at the west end, the pulpit and the chairs were in the east, and the organ alcove was where the east window is now. In 1893 the need for the Sunday School and Young People's Society led to today's church school hall. When completed, the new building was connected at east and west ends with the church leaving a courtyard between the two buildings. In 1896, when the church was remodelled to its present style, the courtyard became the alcove for the organ, pulpit, and the choirloft. The present parsonage was added in 1905 and the great Casavant organ was added in 1907.
A Memorial Hall was added in 1924 for $7000 to remember those who served in the Great War. The Hall and a stone horse shed was build before the turn of the century were removed in 1981 and a plaque on the stone wall marks their contributions to our church life.
Although the buildings may have changed, generations have come and gone, the spirit of the early Methodists, enriched in 1925 by presbyterians, and Congregationalists and in 1968 by the members of the Evangelical United Brethren goes on. We build today on the spiritual foundations set firmly in place by our founders.
"The church is wherever God's people are gathered..."
Credit: All the above information was researched from the St Marys United Church 1986 complimentary Photo Directory and Professional Colour Portraits by Ontario Photo Church Directories A Division of Professional Portraits Ltd.
During the mid 1800's, a Methodist congregation help services in the stone schoolhouse which stood on the corner of James and Queen streets across the street from the present day water tower. In 1856 they acquired a new property on the corner of Church and Elgin and built their own stone building, which was later enlarged. The only part of this building that is still standing today is the stonework on the east facade of the present church auditorium and vestry. In 1869 a frame structure to the south of the church proper was built for the use as a Sunday School. 1869 was the formal entry of the congregation into the Wesleyan Methodist Church with a recorded membership of 168.
With Rev. S.D Rice, D.D, at the helm, 1876 saw two milestones in our church life. The congregations of the Wesleyan Methodist and New Connection Methodist Churches united and a new building for worship was built. It was described as "very rough masonry" but the new building (the present building) was in marked contrast. The building was finished in 1879 and cost $13,000. It's north and west facades are still unchanged, but in 1948 it was found necessary to remove the steeple.
The interior has been completely altered. The auditorium originally faced the east with two west entrances, there was a gallery at the west end, the pulpit and the chairs were in the east, and the organ alcove was where the east window is now. In 1893 the need for the Sunday School and Young People's Society led to today's church school hall. When completed, the new building was connected at east and west ends with the church leaving a courtyard between the two buildings. In 1896, when the church was remodelled to its present style, the courtyard became the alcove for the organ, pulpit, and the choirloft. The present parsonage was added in 1905 and the great Casavant organ was added in 1907.
A Memorial Hall was added in 1924 for $7000 to remember those who served in the Great War. The Hall and a stone horse shed was build before the turn of the century were removed in 1981 and a plaque on the stone wall marks their contributions to our church life.
Although the buildings may have changed, generations have come and gone, the spirit of the early Methodists, enriched in 1925 by presbyterians, and Congregationalists and in 1968 by the members of the Evangelical United Brethren goes on. We build today on the spiritual foundations set firmly in place by our founders.
"The church is wherever God's people are gathered..."
Credit: All the above information was researched from the St Marys United Church 1986 complimentary Photo Directory and Professional Colour Portraits by Ontario Photo Church Directories A Division of Professional Portraits Ltd.