Wesleyan Methodist Church

1857 - 1925

The Wesleyan Methodist Church was built in 1857 on the north side of Albert Street between Centre and Alice Streets.  It was the second church built in the village.

The burial ground was just north of the Church. Many of the early pioneers of the area were buried there.  In 1950, the Horticultural Society cleaned up the site and placed the headstones from this burial ground and the burial ground beside the South School across the street in a cement wall at the back of the grounds.  In 1954, a monument was erected to honour the pioneers.

Location: Center Street near Albert Street

The first trustees of the Church were Thomas Rear and John Allison. In 1870, the Church was on the same circuit as the churches at Eastville (Holt), Boaks, Rayners, Mount Zion, Sharon, Ebenezer, Wesley and Mount Pleasant.

In the summer of 1878 the Wesleyan congregation built a new church on the east side of Alice Street, on the site of the present day United Church.  This was on land donated by Mr. George Rear.

A new church was needed because the existing church had become too small for the size of the congregation.  A new site was needed because the planned new structure would not fit on the existing site on Albert Street.

The opening of the new Church took place on the last Sunday in February in 1879.  Several guest speakers spoke at the dedication services on Sunday and a tea party was held on Monday, the admittance fee was 25 cents per person.  The Sharon Choir provided the music.

Location: Alice Street

The cost of the new Church and its furnishings was around $4,500.  This money was paid for by donations from the parishioners and fund raising events by the Ladies Aid. Initially a mortgage was needed to finance the venture.  This mortgage was paid off in 1894.  In 1882 the old building on Albert Street was sold to Ernest Brooks for $200.

Soon after the new Church was opened, some members complained about climbing the steep hill to attend services.  In 1880, the men had a bee to build a path through the Porter lot from the Church to the main street.  It didn't make the hill any less steep, but it did shorten the walk. Several sets of steps were built along the path.  In 1895, a high board fence was built on either side of the path with a gate at each end.  The gates were kept locked except at service time.

In the early days, local preachers assisted the ministers.  Local preachers were men in the parish who could preach the gospel.  These men had to have a license to preach.  Each year, to renew his license, the local preacher presented himself before the Church Board and proved that he was worthy of the position.

In 1883, the Methodist Churches in Canada formed a union and the congregation of the two Methodist Churches in Mount Albert voted to unite.  The newly formed congregation decided to continue to use the new Methodist Church on Alice Street and the Primitive Methodist Church on Main Street was closed.

In 1890, the annual garden party took place at the home of Robert Rowland, on Centre Street.  The Mount Albert brass band provided the music.  Tea was served between 6 pm and 8 pm after which an interesting program of music and speeches was presented.  In 1890, the annual Sunday School picnic took place at Big Bay Point and Barrie.  The Presbyterian Sunday School joined them on the picnic.

The first "Ladies Aid" was organized on July 6, 1907.  The Ladies Aid raised money to provide for the upkeep of the parsonage and to support the Church's charities.  Garden parties were held from 1913 to 1916.  During the first world war, these parties were replaced by free-will offerings.  In 1921 the garden parties were reinstated.  Most of the money the ladies raised was by holding a strawberry supper in June and a fowl supper in the fall.

On June 10, 1925, an act of parliament made it possible for the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Canada to unite and form the United Church of Canada.  In that year, the congregations of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in the village voted to unite.

At first, services were held alternately in the two churches, but in 1926, the congregation voted to use the former Methodist Church, as it was larger, and the Presbyterian Church was closed.

Location: Alice Street

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