Showing 29 results

People and organizations
CAN · Corporate body · 1897-

The Adam Fiddler United Church is located at the Sandy Lake First Nation reserve. The records of the Adam Fiddler United Church are held at the Prairie to Pine Regional Council Archives located in Winnipeg.

Bingham Memorial Hospital
Corporate body · 1922-

The Rosedale War Memorial Hospital was located in Matheson, Ontario. The small hospital first opened in 1922, financed partly by funds from the Forward Movement of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Woman's Missionary Society of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and a service club called the Rosedale Hospital Circle in the Rosedale area of Toronto. Accommodation soon became inadequate to meet this need for hospital services in the area. In 1934 a bequest of $25,000 was left to the Woman's Missionary Society of The United Church of Canada by Mrs. George A. Bingham, whose husband had been an outstanding surgeon in Ontario. The gift was designated for a new hospital at Matheson, to be named "The Dr. George A. Bingham Memorial Hospital." In 1954 the new hospital was opened to be operated jointly by the Woman Missionary Society and local committee. In 1958 the community took over the complete operation of the hospital under the new Ontario Hospital Services plan. The WMS equity in the building was made a gift to the community. The WMS relationship with the hospital terminated December 31, 1958. The hospital is still operational.

CAN · Corporate body · 1951 -2003

Birch Cliff United Church in Scarborough was established ca. 1951, formerly First United Church. First United Church was established in 1925, formerly Birchcliff Union Congregational Church. In 1951 the church was re-named Birch Cliff United Church. In 1998, Scarborough was amalgamated with Metropolitan Toronto to form the present day city of Toronto. The congregation closed on November 30, 2003.

CAN · Corporate body · 2003-

Birchcliff Bluffs United Church in Toronto was established on November 30, 2003 with the amalgamation of Birch Cliff United Church and Birchcliff Heights United Church. It is located at the former Birch Cliff United Church at 33 East Road at Warden Avenue and Kingston Road. It is still an active congregation of the United Church of Canada.

Birch Cliff United Church in Scarborough was established ca. 1951, formerly First United Church. First United Church was established in 1925, formerly Birchcliff Union Congregational Church. In 1951 the church was re-named Birch Cliff United Church. In 1998, Scarborough was amalgamated with Metropolitan Toronto to form the present day city of Toronto. The congregation closed on November 30, 2003.

Birchcliff Heights United Church in the former city of Scarborough, now Toronto, was established in 1925; formerly Birchcliff Heights Methodist Church, which was established in 1917. It was originally located on Willingdon Avenue at South Woodrow Boulevard and then in 1925 the church re-located two blocks south to Highland Avenue and South Woodrow, just north of Danforth Avenue, about half-way between Birchmount Road and Kennedy Road. Birchcliff Heights United Church amalgamated with Birch Cliff United Church to become Birchcliff Bluffs United Church in 2003.

Bula, Omega, d. 2023
Person · d. 2023

Omega Chilufya Bula (d. 2023) was a long-time staff member of the General Council Office of The United Church of Canada. She served in the Division of World Outreach as Area Secretary for Southern Africa and Gender Justice, as the first-ever Racial Justice Minister, and as Executive Minister of the former Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations (JGER) and Partners in Mission Units (PIM). Her commitment to partnership led to the formation of the Partner Council, and was instrumental in shaping the Principles of Global Partnership that guide the global partnership program of The United Church of Canada today. She was also a integral member of the Roundtable for Specialized Ministries. Bula was also involved with other ecumenical programs. She was involved with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life, and the Ecumenical Panel on a New International Financial and Economic Architecture. She worked with the All Africa Council of Churches as program executive of the Women's Desk and educated women across the continent on the adverse negative impact of structural adjustment programs imposed by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in the 1980s and 1990s. She developed videos on women, economic justice, and empowerment to mitigate against injustices experienced by African women. She also gathered women to listen and learn together how to practice life-affirming strategies and tactics. Upon retirement, she established a sustainable farm and guesthouse, providing educational and entrepreneurial support for members of her community, and worked with members of her church in Zambia and Canada to host a two-week children's camp in August, dubbed "Camp Chipembi." Omega passed away in 2023.

CAN · Corporate body · 1925-2011

Centennial-Rouge Pastoral Charge, Scarborough, was established in 1950 as Centennial-Fairport-Rouge Pastoral Charge, after Centennial United Church in Scarborough and Fairport United Church left Dunbarton-Fairport Pastoral Charge. In the mid-1950s, Fairport returned to a two-point charge with Dunbarton. Centennial-Rouge continued as a two-point charge until Rouge Hill United Church closed in 1971. It was then a single-point charge until it disbanded in 2011. In 1998, Scarborough amalgamated with Metropolitan Toronto to form the city of Toronto.

Centennial-Rouge United Church, located at 6540 Kingston Road in Scarborough, was formed in 1971 with the amalgamation of Centennial United Church in Scarborough and Rouge Hill United Church in Pickering. The church held its final service on June 26, 2011.

Centennial United Church in Scarborough was established in 1925, formerly Methodist. The Centennial Methodist Church in Scarborough was formed in 1883 as a merger of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Village of Highland Creek and the Bible Christian Methodist Church in Pickering. The members alternated buildings to host services until a new building was complete in 1891. At this time, the members decided to call the church Centennial Methodist Church. It formed part of the Washington Methodist Circuit until 1925. The Church joined the United Church of Canada in 1925.

Rouge Hill United Church, located in Pickering, was established in 1949. The first Church, however, was not dedicated until February 25, 1962. In 1971, the church amalgamated with Centennial United Church in Scarborough in 1971 to form Centennial-Rouge United Church.

Corporate body · 1925-

Central United Church, located at 12 Young Street in Welland, was established in 1925, formerly Methodist. The Methodist Church in Welland was formed in 1862 on East Main Street, but later moved to King and Young Street. The church joined the United Church of Canada in 1925. It is still an active congregation of the United Church of Canada.

Chemong Day School
Corporate body · 1906-[1920]

Chemong Day School was located on what is now Curve Lake First Nation, along Mud Lake in Ontario. It was operated by the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. Wesleyan Methodist records indicate that the school was operational in 1906, and in 1909 the Department of Indian Affairs gave permission to the Methodist Missionary Society to provide a qualified teacher. Records indicate the school was open as late as 1920, however, further research is required to confirm details about its operation, and opening and closure dates and general history.

CAN · Corporate body · 1958-2017

Church of the Master United Church was formed in 1958, formally known as Bendale United Church. The church first held services at the Bendale Public School until the winter of 1959 when a portable church was moved to the future site of the new church at 3385 Lawrence Ave East, at the corner of Bellamy Road North and Lawrence Avenue East. In 1998, Scarborough amalgamated with Metropolitan Toronto to become the city of Toronto. The congregation held its last service on June 4, 2017.

God's Lake Day School
Corporate body · September 1, 1922-September 1, 1929, June 10, 1931-September 1, 1968

God's Lake Day School was located at God's Lake Narrows, Manitoba. It was operated by The Methodist Church of Canada, and after 1925 The United Church of Canada . The school first appears in government records in 1912, though it was often listed as a summer or seasonal school. This school closed in 1914 due to staffing issues. It reopened in 1920 and may have operated as a 'regular' school until the 1930s, when it again became a seasonal school. During this entire time, it appears there was no dedicated school building, though there may have been one built in 1924, and another in 1934. In 1943 church records show there were two schools on God's Lake Reserve, and in 1953 it appears a new day school was built. By the mid-1960s there was still a one-room school house on the reserve with most students having moved to residential schools by 1957. Government records suggest the school was open until 1968. Further research is required to confirm the closure dates, more information about the operation and general history of the school.

Goodfish Lake Day School
Corporate body · January 1, 1884-June 30, 1925, June 29, 1948-September 1, 1995

Goodfish Lake Day School was located at Goodfish Lake in Alberta. It was operated by the Missionary Society of The Methodist Church of Canada, and after 1925 The United Church of Canada. According to Department of Indian Affairs records, a school was built in 1884, and opened in 1885. As of 1898, classes were being held in a nearby home as it was halfway between the school at Goodfish Lake, and the one at nearby Whitefish Lake. Records also indicate that there was a small boarding house for these students, supported by the Methodists. In 1908 Church and Department officials discussed opening a boarding school at Saddle Lake and closing the day schools at Whitefish, Goodfish and Saddle Lakes though it does not appear that it was built. Although the Whitefish Lake school was closed around 1910 and students sent to nearby Red Deer Industrial School, the school at Goodfish Lake stayed open until June, 1925. Little is known about the Goodfish Lake Day School after this time. In November of 1959, the Edmonton Journal reported on a “New Reserve School” called "Pakan Protestant School" at Goodfish, 30 miles west of St. Paul. Correspondence from 1966 noted that the Pakan School, otherwise known as the United Church school may have had a kindergarten class. Further research is required to confirm the closure dates, more information about the operation and general history of the school(s).

Hughes, Robert, 1869-1955
Person · 1869-1955

Robert Hughes was a Methodist Church (Canada) then United Church of Canada minister. He worked for a time in Dawson City, Yukon and the remainder of his career was in British Columbia: White Rock, 1925-1927, Ocean Park, 1928-1954. He died June, 1955.

Jenkins, William, 1779-1843
Person · 1779-1843

The Rev. William Jenkins was one of the first Presbyterian ministers in Upper Canada. Born on September 26, 1779 in Kirriemuir, Scotland, Jenkins studied at the University of Edinburgh with the intention of becoming a minister in the Associate Synod of the Secession Church in Scotland, but left before he graduated.

In 1799, Jenkins immigrated to New York, where he continued his theological studies in connection with the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Saratoga, with noted proficiency in Hebrew and Greek. He was licensed to preach and ordained in 1807, and called as a missionary to the Onyota'a:ka, or Oneida, in Oneida Castle. He would remain here until 1816 when, following the death of Onyota'a:ka Chief John Skenandoa, he was sent to minister to various communities in Upper Canada. He made enough of an impression on the residents of Richmond Hill that they petitioned the Presbytery of Saratoga to have him as their permanent minister. Jenkins moved to Markham Township in 1817 and purchased a 200 acre farm near Cashel.

Upon his arrival, Jenkins was the only Presbyterian minister in Upper Canada. As a result, his itinerant ministry took him as far west as the Grand River and as far east as the Bay of Quinte, although he was primarily based out of Richmond Hill and Scarborough. Because he was one of the few outside of the Anglican Church who was allowed to perform marriages, he regularly married Methodists, Baptists, Mennonites, and Quakers.

More Presbyterian ministers started to arrive after Jenkins. In 1818 the Presbytery of the Canadas was formed, which he joined in 1819 after being released by the Presbytery of Saratoga. In 1825, it was dissolved and replaced with the United Synod of Upper Canada. However, it eventually entered into union with the Church of Scotland and agreed to accept money from the clergy reserves. As a voluntarist, Jenkins believed this linked it too closely to the British state, which he viewed as tyrannical and oppressive, and he left in 1834. He was admitted into the Missionary Presbytery of the Canadas in 1837, which was linked to the United Associate Synod of the Secession Church of Scotland and therefore not formally connected to the state in any way.

Jenkins was politically active against the Family Compact and the government of Upper Canada, frequently speaking out and denouncing them from the pulpit. He was a founding member of the Friends of Religious Liberty, a group formally opposed to the actions of the government. While he never formally joining, he was sympathetic to William Lyon Mackenzie's 1837 rebellion. Jenkins' son, who did join the rebellion, was forced to flee to the United States with Mackenzie upon its failure.

Jenkins was married in Scotland to Jane Forrest, but she died before he emigrated. He met and married Mary Hatfield Stockton while in Oneida Castle. Together they would have eleven children, nine of whom survived into adulthood. After a prolonged illness that gradually restricted his ability to continue his itinerant ministry, Jenkins died on September 25, 1843 at the age of 63.

Klemtu Day School
Corporate body · September 1, 1903-June 30, 1919, October 1, 1921-September 1, 1957, September 1, 1958-August 30, 1979

Klemtu Day School was located at Klemtu (formerly known as China Hat Reserve), British Columbia. It was operated by The Methodist Church of Canada, and after 1925 The United Church of Canada. Department of Indian Affairs records first show a Methodist-run Day School at Klemtu in 1903. When the school first opened, it received no assistance from the Department and the schoolhouse was the property of the Church. At some point, the Department began to supply all the materials for the school. Like many day schools in the region, it was only kept open when enough families were on the reserve. The schoolhouse was inspected in March 1911 with only six children present as much of the village was away. There is little information on the Klemtu Day School after 1912, but records show it remained open until at least 1943 with an average daily attendance of around 10 children. In 1934, the schoolhouse at Klemtu was very run-down and described as “not worth the attempt” to repair. By the 1940s, the Church was still nominating teachers to the school. In April 1941, the Board of Home Missions asked the Department to build a teacherage at the “new school” at Klemtu. Little is known about the school after the 1940s, though Government records indicate it closed in 1979. Additional research is needed to learn about it's general history and operation.

1866-1947

Keziah Margaret Laing (1866-1947) was born at Nassagaweya, Halton County, Upper Canada. She took nurse's training at the General Hospital in Guelph, Ontario then attended the Methodist Training School in 1900 before going to Japan as a missionary with the Methodist Church (Canada) Woman's Missionary Society. From 1900-1905 she was stationed at Kanazawa doing evangelistic work. Afterwards, she returned to Canada and worked at Morley Residential School in Morley, Alberta from 1906-1910. From 1910-1916 she worked at Port Simpson Hospital in Lax Kw'alaams, British Columbia, initially as a nurse and eventually a superintendent. She retired in 1921 and died in Winnipeg in 1947.

Person · 1912-2011

Rev. Dr. A. Marshall Laverty (1912-2011) was born in Toronto, and educated at the University of Toronto, graduating with honours in 1937. That same year, he was ordained as a minister in The United Church of Canada. He served parishes in Toronto (1937), Manitoulin Island (1937-1939) and Stirling (1940-1941) before enlisting as Chaplain in the Canadian army in 1942, and serving with troops in Europe. After the war, he was appointed as Chaplain at Queen's University; the position the first of its kind to a Canadian university. During his time at Queen's he performed baptisms, marriage ceremonies and funeral services for Queen's people, and was a counsellor and mentor as well. He was also active with numerous charities in the Kingston area, serving on the Frontenac County Board of Education for more than 30 years. He retired as Chaplain in 1983 but remained very active in the community. He received many awards for his service and was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1985. John was married to Frances Laverty.

Lebret Residential School
Corporate body · 1884-1998

Lebret Residential School was located on the west edge of Lebret on the northern shore of Mission Lake east of Fort Qu'Appelle and approximately 80 km northeast of Regina. It operated from 1884 - 1998 (114 years) under the Roman Catholic church and officially closed on June 30, 1998.

d. 1950

Isabella McIntosh Loveys (d.1950), known as Isabel, was a missionary to Honan and longtime Home Mission Executive Secretary of The Woman's Missionary Society of The United Church of Canada. He was born in Glengarry County, Ontario. She attended McGill University, graduating in Social Sciences. From 1903-1927 she was a missionary to Honan with the Presbyterian Church of Canada. Afterward, she began home mission work at St. Columba House, Montreal, and enlisted with the Woman's Missionary Society as a church social worker in Verdun, Quebec. She was then appointed as an Immigration Worker at the port and railway terminals of Montreal, later becoming a 'Special Colonization Agent' with the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways and travelling around Canada. Afterward, she became Travelling Secretary of the Woman's Missionary Society. In 1935 she became the first Home Mission Executive Secretary of the Woman's Missionary Society. During her time with the W.M.S. she was also an active member of Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Toronto, was a member of several committees of the Board of Christian Education, was on the executive of the Board of Evangelism and Social Service, and was a member of the Board of Home Missions, and a member of a number of Committees and Commission of the General Council. She retired from her position with the W.M.S. in 1958. She was married to Mr C. Maxwell Loveys, an official with the C.N.R. in Montreal.

Oxford House Day School
Corporate body · September 1, 1907-January 1, 1967

Oxford House Day School was located at Oxford House, Manitoba. It was operated by the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, after 1874 The Methodist Church of Canada and after 1925 The United Church of Canada. Wesleyan Methodist records from 1854-1855 show that the missionary reported that it was not possible to start a school at Oxford House as fishing was very poor and families had to search for food to keep from starving. Despite this, it appears that a day school was soon opened for around 30 children. During the next twenty years, little is known about the school. A missionary report from 1882 noted an average attendance of almost 58. Department of Indian Affairs records state that as of 1913, the Oxford House Band had no reserve but lived on the shores of Oxford Lake, mostly in tents, a few houses and in winter camps. During the 1920s and 30s, the school was regularly open with an average attendance of between 10 and 30 children. It also appears to have been open during the 1940s. In 1954, Church correspondence mentioned two new Protestant schools—one at the former mission; the other, around the lake near the hospital. By 1957, there were plans for a third school at Oxford House and two teachers were requested. It is unclear which of these schools were affiliated with the United Church, but correspondence suggests that children were segregated on the basis of religion at the Oxford House Day School. By 1966, Oxford House was described as 150 miles east of Norway House with a church, a hall built in 1962 and “6 Protestant classrooms.” Government records suggest that the United Church-affiliated schools closed in 1962 and 1967. Additional research is needed to learn about the difference between the schools, their operations and general history.

Peters, Eunice, 1898-1991
Person · 1898-1991

Eunice Peters was a Methodist and United Church of Canada missionary to West China, 1923-1948. Peters was born on September 10, 1898 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She was educated at the Provincial Normal School and taught in New Brunswick before attending the Methodist National Training School in Toronto. In 1923 she was appointed by the Women's Missionary Society of the Methodist Church to West China. She received language instruction at Fowchow and taught at the missionary school there until 1926. Records indicated that she was assigned to teach at schools in several different cities during her time in China: Kiating (1926-1928); Fowchow (1929-1930); Chungking (1930-1932); Junghsien (1932-1936); Chungking (1938-1941), where she also carried out urban social work; Chengtu (1941-1947), and finally Kiating (1948) where she was responsible for evangelistic work. Between 1944 and 1946 she studied at the Hartford Theological Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, where she received a Bachelor of Religious Education. In 1948 she returned to Canada, where she was eventually posted to the Chinese United Church Mission in Victoria, British Columbia from 1952 to 1962. She formally retired to Victoria in 1964. Eunice Peters died on February 5, 1991 at the age of 92.

Person · 1869-1931

Edward Joseph Rattee was a minister with The Presbyterian Church in Canada, then The United Church of Canada. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England in 1869 and came to Canada in 1882. He graduated from Dalhousie University in Arts, and from Queen's University in Theology. He was ordained in 1892 and worked in the Maritimes: Salina (1892), Noel (1893-1898), Blue Mountain (1899-1902), Clifton (1903), Princetown (1903-1914), New Richmond (1915-1918), then Quebec: Longeuil (1919-1920), Windsor (1921-1923), and Joliette (1924-1931). He died in November, 1931 in Joliette.

Saddle Lake Day School
Corporate body · 1881-April 30, 1924, June 1, 1949-September 1, 1981

Saddle Lake Day School was located on Saddle Lake 125, Alberta. It was operated by The Methodist Church of Canada and after 1925, The United Church of Canada. Department of Indian Affairs records indicate that in 1887 The Methodist Church purchased former Anglican mission buildings at Saddle Lake with plans to move them to the western boundary of the reserve and immediately open a day school for the Saddle Lake (Thomas Hunter’s) and Blue Quill Bands. The school was funded by a Department grant, and opened in January 1888. It closed due to low attendance during the 1904-1905 school year. In 1908, 10 acres were set aside north of Saddle Lake for a new church, parsonage and schoolhouse but it is unclear whether a new school was constructed. Although the inspector’s report from 1909 reported that the school building at Saddle Lake was unfit for use, the Department did not wish to build a new schoolhouse as they were uncertain of where the band would permanently locate. Consequently, classes were held in the old mission building. By 1911, the kitchen of the old mission building was being used as a classroom even though it was poorly furnished and unsuitable. It is unclear what became of the old schoolhouse owned by the Department. In 1916, the agent reported that “an Indian house is now being used as a school building,” but due to poor attendance little progress was made. Little is known about the school after 1925. By the 1960s, children at Saddle Lake were integrated into public schools. Additional research is needed obtain more information about the school and to determine when it closed.

Corporate body · 1925-

Saint Luke's United Church was established 1925, formerly Methodist; known as Hespeler United Church until a new building was erected circa 1962. Hespeler Methodist Circuit was established 1874, formerly Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connexion Society; in 1884 it joined the Methodist Church (Canada). Hespeler Methodist Church was established in 1884, formerly Methodist Church of Canada; in 1925 it joined the United Church of Canada.

Saugeen Village Day School
Corporate body · [1829]-1868-1869-June 30, 1974

Saugeen Village Day School was located on the Saugeen 29 Reserve near Chippewas, Ontario. It was operated by the Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada, after 1833 the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, after 1874 The Methodist Church of Canada, and after 1925 The United Church of Canada . A Methodist Episcopal missionary report showed that by 1831, a schoolhouse was established “among the Indians of Sah-Geeng” [Saugeen] with 25 to 30 children. It was regularly open during the 1840s and 50s. In 1865, the school had an average daily attendance of 10, while 11 children were off the reserve hunting with their parents. During this time, a separate day school opened at nearby French Bay, five miles from the "Saugeen Village School". The teacher at French Bay was also appointed by the Wesleyan Society but the salary was paid from band funds. In 1882, the Indian agent advised that two schoolhouses were being built on the reserve—one at French Bay, the second in a central part of the reserve, both with houses for a teacher. The following year, the agent reported that there were now three schools operating on the reserve; French Bay, Scotch Settlement and Saugeen Indian Village. By 1894, a new schoolhouse that could hold 50 students had been completed in the village. The Department ‘Statement of Day Schools’ for 1897 identified the Saugeen Day School as “Undenominational.” It is unclear if the Methodist Missionary Society changed its relationship with the school at this time. The Society may have continued to be involved in the selection of teachers for the day school after 1897, as correspondence from 1908 onwards shows Church officials regularly communicated with the Department regarding issues at the school such teacher pay, qualifications and appointments. The day school closed in 1974. Further research is needed to learn more about its operations and general history.

Corporate body · 1925-

Sixth line United Church, formerly Methodist, was established in 1925. The Church was part of a three point charge including Courtright and Corunna. In 1956, Corunna separated to form a single point charge, creating the two point charge of Courtright-Sixth Line Pastoral Charge.

Person · 1883-1957

Rev. Dr. John Thomas Stephens (1883-1957) was a minister with the Methodist Church (Canada), then the United Church of Canada) who spent most of his career working with home missions. After union, he worked in Saskatchewan: Biggar (1925), Calder (Ukrainian, 1926-1930), Regina (Settlement House, 1931-1933), and Alberta: Edmonton (All Peoples Mission, 1934-1951), he was retired ministry in Edmonton (1952), North Burnaby (1953-1955), and White Rock (1956-1957). He was one of the organizational leaders of All People's Mission in Edmonton, and was involved with the opening of the Bissell Institute. He died in August, 1957.

1891-1978

Dr. Henry Warren Treffry (1891-1978) was born in Howard City, Michigan. He was ordained in The United Church of Canada by Saskatchewan Conference in 1927. During his time as minister he served in many places throughout Saskatchewan: Turtleford (1927), Shamrock (1928-1929), Admiral-Cadillac (1930-1933), Griffin (1934-1935), Shortoaks (1936-1937), Tantallon (1938-1940) and in Ontario: Hilton (1942-1944), Thorndale (1945-1947), Cairngerm (1948-1955), Oakdale (1956-1960), Strathroy (1961-1967), London (1968-1976). He died in May, 1978.