Church Listings
WATERLOO COUNTY CHURCHES
A RESEARCH GUIDE TO CHURCHES ESTABLISHED BEFORE
1900
By Rosemary Willard Ambrose
Originally Published by:
Waterloo-Wellington Branch
Ontario Genealogical Society
Kitchener, Ontario
1993
Originally published with financial assistance from the Waterloo
Regional Heritage Foundation. Reprinted on this website with
permission of the author. Information was accurate as of the date
of the original publication in 1993.
Originally published as ISBN 1-55116-966-5
© Ontario Genealogical Society 1993. Printed in Canada by St.
Jacobs Printery, St. Jacobs, Ontario.
Churches are organized alphabetically by town, village or city,
within each Township: North Dumfries Township, Waterloo Township,
Wellesley Township, Wilmot Township and Woolwich Township. The
original publication included a Table of Contents and an Index;
these are not included in this on-line version.
INTRODUCTION
Several years ago I was asked by the Chairman of the Waterloo-Wellington Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society to coordinate the Waterloo County section of the Society's Places of Worship Records Inventory Project. What began as a relatively simple collection of information regarding dates and location of early baptism, marriage and burial records for Waterloo County has been expanded into this book because I quite frankly wished to learn more about the history of Waterloo County's churches. Having satisfied some of my curiosity in this regard it seems only fitting to share what I have learned with others. Information on the many early Waterloo County congregations established before 1900 is presented therefore in the hope and expectation that not only will it be of general interest but that the references from which the information has been obtained might be of use to other researchers.
Compilation of the information contained in this book would have been more difficult and certainly more time-consuming had I not had the gracious permission of Ryan Taylor to begin assembling data from that contained in his 1986 publication Family Research in Waterloo and Wellington Counties. This excellent book literally has been the base upon which I have built my book and the information from his chapter on Church Records has meant that I have been able to concentrate on collecting the historical data for each church's entry. In some cases additional details regarding dates and location of church records have come to light and have been added to that information gleaned from Mr. Taylor's book.
My book is divided into five sections, one for each of the Townships which made up Waterloo County prior to the formation of Regional Government on January 1, 1973: North Dumfries, Waterloo, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich. Each section has an alphabetical list of place names. Rural churches not in a specific community are placed at the end of each section. Denominations are sorted alphabetically within place name. For example, to locate Benton Street Baptist Church in Kitchener, one would look for Baptist churches in Kitchener in Waterloo Township. Should the name of a township relative to a certain place name not be known, there are maps at the beginning of each section which might be of use in ascertaining in which township a certain community is located. The Index also will be of assistance.
References are cited at the end of each entry and the Bibliographic entries at the end of the book contain keys as to the location of each Bibliographic source. The page following the Bibliography explains the keys in relation to locations. Readers are directed to an excellent publication by Dr. Elizabeth Bloomfield, Waterloo County to 1972: An Annotated Bibliography of Regional History, for further Bibliographic information.
Readers may wish to make note of the following details. 1) Waterloo Marriages 1858-1869 refers to a time period when clergy in Ontario were required to report all marriages annually to the government. The Waterloo marriages are available on microfilm at the Kitchener Public Library. 2) Where a Baptist congregation is in existence today, it would be advisable to contact the church, as records may have been kept differently by each congregation. An individual becomes a candidate for baptism in the Baptist church upon profession of faith and a record is usually kept regarding that event. Marriage and burial information might have been part of the records of a church or might have belonged to an individual pastor. 3) It is suggested that researchers contact churches and church archives in advance to set up a convenient time for a visit. 4) Information from the grave markers in the majority of Waterloo County cemeteries has been copied by members of the Waterloo-Wellington branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. Transcriptions of this information are available at the Kitchener Public Library.
All maps in this book have been copied from National Topographic System map sheet number Kitchener 40 P, Edition 2, ASE Series A 501, Copyright 1951, by Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada with permission of Energy, Mines and Resources Canada.
A publication such as this could not have been accomplished without assistance from libraries, archives, and individuals. The Grace Schmidt Local History Room at the Kitchener Public Library has been at times almost a second home to me and its knowledgeable, hard-working and caring staff always has been willing and able to search out documents from the wealth of information contained in the Room's local history collection. My sincere thanks to Susan Hoffman, Ryan Taylor, Linda Brown-Kubisch, Patricia Kauk and Mary Margaret Smith. My thanks also to Judith Colwell of the Canadian Baptist Archives, Jim Quantrell and Lynn Rams of the Cambridge Archives, Reginald Good of the Mennonite Archives of Ontario at Conrad Grebel College, Doreen Udit of the Lutheran Church Eastern Canada Synod Archives at Wilfrid Laurier University, and Kim Arnold of the Presbyterian Church in Canada Archives. Also much appreciated was assistance from the librarians in the Doris Lewis Rare Book Room in the Dana Porter Library at the University of Waterloo, and from the librarians at the United Church Archives. Regional librarians in Galt, Waterloo, Elmira and New Hamburg were also most generous in directing me to their local history collections. Tom Reitz, Manager/Curator of Doon Heritage Crossroads, provided information regarding records in the collection at Doon.
Once again thanks are due to Ryan Taylor who, as my editor for this publication, has guided me in the intricacies of preparing a book for print. Practical considerations, such as funding and distribution of copies of the book, have been more than ably addressed by Frank Phripp. My sincere thanks also to Catherine Lathey who gave the manuscript one final, meticulous, proof-reading. Ultimate responsibility for any errors or omissions is mine.
Many other people must be thanked for their time, assistance and interest as each has been presented with a request for information. I will attempt to list all of these individuals but ask for understanding should my less than perfect memory fail to remember someone. My thanks, therefore, to Dr. Linda Ambrose, Rev. Brooke Ashfield, Rev. Ronald Ashton, Roseanne Atwater-Hallatt, James Barrie, Brent Bauman, Evelyn Bauman, Eileen Beirnes, Helena Bilger, Dr. Elizabeth Bloomfield, Margaret Bolender, Harry Booty, Elmeta Bowman, Lorne Brubacher, John Clare, Hazel Clubine, Robert Clubine, Anna Cober, Dr. Paul Cornell, Rev. Robert Cotie, William Dietz, Rev. Raymond Erb, Father J.R. Finn, Rev. Daniel Gibson, Gloria Greenhough, Clarence Habermehl, Elinor Hilborn, Frances Hoffman, Gerald Hofstetter, Rev. Bud Hooper, Norma Huber, Marjorie Kohli, Kathryn Lamb, Dr. Ronald Lambert, Rev. David Lowe, Dona Madill, Rev. Brian Magnus, June McDonald, Rev. Franklin Morgan, Nesta Morris, Hilda Muller, Margaret Nicholson, Stan Norris, Rev. John Pearce, Evelyn Perrin, Sharon Richards, Jean Rickert, Rev. James Robb, Carrie Robinson, Lorraine Roth, Joan Schlotzhauer, Grace Schmidt, Rev. Erich Schultz, Rev. James Singleton, Esther Snider, Major Robert Speakman, Betty Stevenson, Donna Wall, Eldon Weber, Samuel Weicker and Gordon Willard.
Most important of all must be my deep appreciation to my husband, Gordon Ambrose, who has accompanied me to archives and libraries, been computer consultant and technician, advised when a certain word did not seem right, and has driven the countless miles throughout Waterloo County with me in order that I might check out existing churches be they in the centre of a city, in a village, or down a gravelled concession road. Without his encouragement and patience this publication might never have proceeded beyond the preparation stage.
Rosemary Willard Ambrose
Kitchener, Ontario
May 1, 1993
NORTH DUMFRIES TOWNSHIP
Ayr
Wesleyan Methodist
Ayr Methodist Church
Begun: 1864 Closed: 1926
A church was built in 1864 on Piper Street in Ayr. Administered
from Paris in the beginning, the congregation was later placed on
the Sheffield Circuit of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In 1895
that circuit was moved from the Hamilton Conference of the
Methodist Church to the Galt District, Guelph Conference.
The 50th Anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on March
11, 1914. In the same year the congregation purchased the pews from
Stanley Street Presbyterian Church which had joined with Knox
Presbyterian Church on May 31, 1914. On June 6, 1926 the
congregation voted in favour of union with Knox United Presbyterian
Church, the new church body to be known as Knox United Church. At
the time of union the Methodist church was known as the Piper
Street Church. Readers may be interested to learn that there is a
stone marker across the street from 65 Piper Street, Ayr, which
bears the inscription: "This stone marks the site of the Ayr
Methodist Church 1864-1926".
Records:
Baptism dates: 1906-1910* Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1906-1926* Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: 1906-1926* Location of records: United Church
Archives
*These records are from the "pocket register" of the Rev. Thomas H.
Ibbott and are available on microfilm at the Kitchener Public
Library. Also at the Kitchener Public Library, on microfilm, are
the Quarterly Board Minute Book (Rockwood Circuit) 1870-1886 and
the Parsonage Trustee Minutes 1888-1927. Methodist Circuit
Marriages 1896-1925 and Baptisms 1906-1926 have been indexed (Huber
and Taylor 1991a, 1991d) and are at the Kitchener Public Library as
well. *A Marriage and Burial Register 1906-1926 is also at the
United Church Archives. At the Archives of Ontario: Baptisms
1906-1910; Marriages 1907; Burials 1906-1910. Wesleyan Methodist
Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are in
an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Gemmell, WHS 1960(48):67; Methodist Church; A. Taylor
1970:257; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Knox United Church, Ayr,
Ontario, 1834-1984.
Ayr
Presbyterian
Knox United Church
Begun: 1842
Prior to 1842, Ayr members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in
Galt had been meeting in a log schoolhouse on Piper Street in Ayr.
The congregation decided on February 17, 1842 to build a church,
which was completed and dedicated on June 1, 1843. When the Synod
of the (Free) Presbyterian Church of Canada was formed in 1844
following the break with the Presbyterian Church in Canada in
Connection with the Church of Scotland, the congregation joined
with the former organization and became known as the Free Church.
It is of interest that Rev. John Bayne of Galt, who was considered
the founder of the Free Church in Canada, inducted the first elders
at the Ayr Free Church. Early ministers were Revs. Robert Lindsay
(1849-1854) and Duncan McRuer (1854-). With the union of all
Presbyterian churches in Canada in 1875 both Knox and Stanley
Street churches became part of the Presbyterian Church in
Canada.
The present church was built in 1887 and was opened for worship on
October 9, 1888. This church was joined by Stanley Street
Presbyterian Church on May 31, 1914 with the name of Knox United
Presbyterian Church; it was then joined by the former Ayr Methodist
Church on June 6, 1926 to become Knox United Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1856-1916* Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1896-1930* Location of records: at church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Records on microfilm at the Kitchener Public Library include:
Baptisms 1856-1916, Marriages 1896-1916, 1915-1930, Session Minutes
1844-1856, 1854-1914, and Minutes of Business Meetings 1847-1876.
Some marriage records may be found in Waterloo County Marriages
1858-1869 and in a publication by Huber and Taylor (1991b),
Some Ayr Presbyterian Marriages 1896-1920, also at the
Kitchener Public Library. The United Church Archives has the
Baptism Register 1856-1911 and the Marriage Registers 1896-1920 and
1915-1930, as well as the Session Minutes and Minutes of Business
Meetings for the dates as noted above under the Kitchener Public
Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Knox United Church, 214 Northumberland St., Ayr,
ON N0B 1E0; 632-7461.]
References: Gemmell, WHS 1960(48):67; A. Taylor 1970:256-257; R.
Taylor 1986; Whitson, WHS 1951(39):20.
Church History: Knox United Church, Ayr,
Ontario, 1834-1984.
Ayr
Presbyterian
Stanley Street Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1834 Closed: 1914
Early Ayr Presbyterians, most of whom had belonged to the United
Secession Church in Scotland, travelled to Galt or to St. George
for worship services. The Ayr congregation was organized by Rev.
George Murray on July 27, 1834; formal organization was on October
19, 1834, the date of the first Presbyterian church service in Ayr.
On October 31st of the same year work began on the construction of
a meeting house which was located one mile east of Ayr on the
Ayr-Wrigley Road. A newer church was built on the south side of
Stanley Street in Ayr in 1843 and was opened for worship on October
15th of that year. According to A. Taylor (1970:256) the "galleries
were finished in 1850 and the basement was made in 1869."
Rev. Alexander Ritchie who arrived in June 1842 was the first
full-time minister. He was still listed as minister to the West
Dumfries congregation at Ayr in 1859. Other early ministers were
George Irving (1861-1864), Stephen Balmer (1867-1868), and Walter
Inglis (c.1875-1885).
With successive mergers and unions of Presbyterian groups, Stanley
Street became United Presbyterian (Flamboro Presbytery) in 1857,
Canada Presbyterian (Paris Presbytery) in 1861 and Presbyterian
Church in Canada (Paris Presbytery) in 1875. The congregation
joined with Knox Presbyterian on May 31, 1914 with the name of Knox
United Presbyterian Church. The building was demolished in
1915.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1863-1914* Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1858-1868;1869-1892* Location of records: United
Church Archives
Burial dates: 1863-1872* Location of records: United Church
Archives
*Records on microfilm at the Kitchener Public Library include:
Baptisms 1863-1914, Marriages 1858-1868, 1869-1892, Burials
1863-1872, and Minutes 1834-1900. The Congregational Minutes
1834-1900 are also at the United Church Archives. Some information
can also be found in Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869,
on microfilm at the Kitchener Public Library. Huber and Taylor
(1991c) have published an indexed list of Marriages, Stanley
Street Presbyterian Church Marriages 1858-1892, also available
at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Canada Presbyterian Church; Gemmell, WHS
1960(48):65,67; Presbyterian Church; A. Taylor 1970:254-256; R.
Taylor 1986; United Presbyterian Church; Whitson, WHS
1951(39):19-20.
Church History: Knox United Church, Ayr,
Ontario, 1834-1984.
Branchton
Wesleyan Methodist/Presbyterian
Branchton United Church
Begun: 1859 Closed: 1970
On the Sheffield Circuit of the Wesleyan Methodists to begin with,
the congregation was on the St. George Circuit when a decision was
made to build a church in 1859. Built with financial assistance
from the Branchton and area Presbyterians, the stone church was
dedicated in December 1859; the minister at the dedication service
was Rev. William Lund. Rev. Thomas Fawcett, from St. George, was
the congregation's first minister. As a condition of their
financial support, the Presbyterians held services in the church on
alternate Sundays until c.1875 when they began to meet in the
Branchton Hall. The church was associated with St. George at this
time, in the Brantford District of the London Conference of the
Methodist Church.
The church remained Methodist until 1910. In July 1911, the
Presbyterians bought the building for $350. Rev. C.D. Farquharson
was minister to the newly-organized Presbyterian congregation.
Improvements were made to the church building over the next few
years: the church was redecorated, new seats were purchased, gas
lighting was installed (in 1914), and a porch was built on the
front of the church, in 1915.
When some Presbyterian churches joined with the Congregationals and
Methodists in 1925, this congregation became Branchton United
Church. The congregation held its last service on December 27,
1970; a newspaper report at that time referred to the Church as
being 111 years old. The church building was converted then into a
private residence which when visited in the Spring of 1992 bore
very little resemblance to the former church building.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1913-1968* Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1898-1966* Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: 1912-1968* Location of records: United Church
Archives
*Baptism, Marriage and Burial dates include Methodist, Presbyterian
and United Churches - reflecting the changes in the Branchton
Church over the years. The Register of the Sheffield Circuit of the
Methodist Church for 1886-1916 is at the United Church Archives.
Also at the United Church Archives are Membership Lists 1916-1925
and the Communicants' Roll 1911-1968. Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms
for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are in an indexed card file at
the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Branchton, Ontario]
References: Fowler, WHS 1952(40):45-46; Methodist Church; A. Taylor
1970:266; R. Taylor 1986; Turnbull n.d.; WHS 1970(56):70.
Galt
Anglican
Trinity Anglican Church
Begun: 1840
An Anglican missionary, Rev. Michael Boomer, arrived in Galt in
1840 to organize the community's first Anglican congregation.
Services were held in the Township Hall until the fall of 1844 when
a new stone church was completed. The building was opened and
consecrated in October, 1844 by Dr. Strachan, Bishop of the Diocese
of Toronto. Land for the church had been donated by the Dickson
family and the cost of the building was assumed largely by the
Dicksons and by Absalom Shade. The first Rector of Trinity Church,
Rev. Michael Boomer, was to minister to the Galt congregation until
moving to London in 1872 when he became Principal of Huron College
and Dean of the Huron diocese. Dean Boomer was followed by Reverend
Canons Brock (1872-1873), Curran (1873-1877), Hinks (1877-1886) and
Rev. Canon Ridley who was rector from 1886 until his sudden death
in November 1915.
The first Parish Hall was built in 1855 through the generosity of
Mr. Shade. When Mr. Shade died in 1862 his Will provided funds for
the construction of a Rectory along with an endowment fund to
provide for the rector's salary. The church was enlarged in 1856,
and in 1868 the Parish Hall was made larger. The interior of the
church was altered in 1885-1886 and the Norman Tower was added
during the same time frame through the generosity of Matthew Wilks.
Work began on rebuilding the Parish Hall with the laying of the
cornerstone on July 17, 1911. Electric lighting was installed in
1916. The Parish Hall was further enlarged in 1956; the new Chapel
of the Holy Trinity was built about the same time.
Canon Ridley established a Mission in Preston in 1888. Construction
of St. John's Anglican Church in that community was begun in 1889
with dedication services held in 1890. St. James Anglican Church in
Hespeler also began as a Mission of Galt. Work began in 1919 on St.
David's Mission at the corner of Pollock and Chalmers Street in
Galt. The Mission, which began as a Sunday School, was dedicated by
Archbishop Williams in April 1920.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1850- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1850- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1850- Location of records: at church
Records on microfilm at the Cambridge Public Library include:
Vestry Minute Books 1877-1916, and the Parish Registers for
1850-1916, which include Baptisms, Marriages and Burials. A
transcription of the Burials 1851-1874 (Huber 1984) is available at
the Kitchener Public Library. Some early marriages may be found in
Huber (1986).
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 12 Blair Road Cambridge, ON N1S 2H5, located in
the Galt section of Cambridge; 621-8860]
References: Cant 1915:35-46; Denis-Nathan, WHS 1970(58):27,29; Galt
1928:26; R. Taylor 1986; WHS 1971(59):73.
Church History: Thomas, Rev. A.B. Trinity
Church, Galt, Ontario, Centenary Souvenir 1844-1944. Galt:
C.E. Knowles Printing, 1944.
Galt
Baptist
South Water Street Baptist, First Baptist, Avenue Road
Baptist Churches
Begun: 1876
According to Cant (1915:67), "About 1850 or 1851 the colored people
in the village of Galt, who were Baptists, held their services in a
house on King Street." The services were eventually discontinued.
Some years later the Baptist organization held meetings in the same
building on King Street, and were "regularly organized" (Ibid.).
This was the early Baptist Church shown on Pollock's 1867 Map of
Galt on King Street near Queen Street. Later services were held in
the Methodist New Connexion Church. The Canadian Baptist
July 21, 1870, (pg. 2) reported that the [Church] Council had met
July 5, 1870 to consider organizing a Baptist congregation in Galt.
The "newly formed church" had 14 members.
A Baptist Church was organized in 1876 by Dr. Thomas Leslie
Davidson from the Guelph Baptist Church, and services were held in
a number of downtown locations until a small building was erected
in 1878 at the corner of South Water and Chapman Streets, and
opened for worship on Sunday, October 6, 1878. Rev. Robert Clark
was ordained pastor of the congregation the next day, October 7,
1878. This small church was replaced by a newer, larger one on the
same site in 1886. The cornerstone for the new church was laid on
August 5, 1886, with Rev. Dr. Castle, Principal of McMaster Hall,
Toronto, officiating. Opening services in the new brick church were
held on February 6, 1887; Rev. Dr. Castle preached at the morning
service. An auditorium was built in the next year. Early pastors
were Rev. Thomas Baldwin (1876-1878) and Rev. William S. Walker
(1879-1888).
The church was known as South Water Street Baptist until August 7,
1955 when the name was changed to First Baptist Church by unanimous
vote of the congregation. A new Christian Education wing was opened
and dedicated the next year, on April 5, 1956.
On May 26, 1978 First Baptist and Delta Park Baptist churches voted
to amalgamate effective July 1, 1978, and to relocate to a new
facility when finances permitted. The two congregations continued
to meet as one in the Water Street South building with the name of
First Delta Baptist Church. The Water Street South property was
sold to the City of Cambridge in November 1982 and the congregation
then met in Avenue Road School. A sod turning ceremony was held in
February 1983 and the congregation moved into the new building in
November of that same year. The official opening and dedication
service was held in January 1984.
A Sunday School Mission, which was to become Delta Park Baptist
Church, was opened July 1, 1909 in a building on North Water
Street. The mission became a church in 1919 with the name of
Bremner Baptist Church until 1943 when Rev. W.F. Bremner, for whom
the church was named, died. The church was renamed Delta Park
Baptist Church at that time.
Records:
Baptism dates*: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1896-1954 Location of records: Canadian Baptist
Archives
Burial dates*: unknown Location of records: unknown
The membership list for 1888 is at the Canadian Baptist Archives,
as are the Minutes 1895-1933. Records at the Canadian Baptist
Archives may be seen with written permission from the church.
*Please refer to the Introduction for an explanation regarding
Baptist church records.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Avenue Road Baptist Church, 465 Avenue Road,
R.R. # 3, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S4 - located in the Galt section of
Cambridge; 621-4391.]
References: Baptist Church; Cant 1915:67-69; Struthers 1971; R.
Taylor 1986.
Church Histories: 1) South Water Street Baptist
Church, Galt, Ontario c.1930 & 1934 [brief Church Histories].
2) How the Avenue Road Baptist Church Came To Be,
n.d.
Galt
Congregational
Congregational Church
Begun: 1875 Closed: 1877
No records have been found, but one source (Walkington) states that
in 1876 the congregation consisted of 50 adherents and 17 members.
The church was opened in 1875, abandoned in 1877, and taken over by
the Methodists in 1878 - also according to Walkington.
References: R. Taylor 1986; Walkington 1979.
Galt
Free Methodist
Lincoln Park Free Methodist Church
Begun: 1876
A group of thirteen people who had been holding prayer meetings in
Galt were organized in 1876 into a Free Methodist Society by Rev.
Charles H. Sage of the North Michigan Conference. Galt was the
first Free Methodist congregation in Canada. Rev. D.D. Marston
(1877-1878) was the first resident minister, followed by James
Craig (1879) and J.H. Winter (1880). The Canada Conference of the
Free Methodist Church was organized at a meeting in Galt in
1880.
Early services of the Galt Free Methodist Church were held in a
house on Brook Street owned by Mr. & Mrs. E. Rhodes until a
church was built. The first parsonage was built in 1904 on land
donated by J. Ballantine. In 1909, when J.A. Fletcher was minister,
the church and parsonage were sold and a downtown church was built
at 37 Wellington St. An adjacent building was purchased for a
parsonage. In May 1953 the sod was turned for a new church on South
Street at Centre Street; a basement church was opened in October of
that year; the upper part of the church was built c.1956.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 31 South St., Cambridge, ON N1R 2N6 - in the
Galt section of Cambridge; 621-7722.]
References: Cant 1915:71-72; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Campbell, J.A. History of the
Galt Free Methodist Church, 1956.
Galt
Methodist New Connexion
New Connexion Methodist Church
Begun: 1840 Closed: 1875
Early services were held in an upper room of a building erected in
1840 by Isaac Sours (or Sauer) on the east side of Water Street
South, just south of the future location of South Water Street
Baptist Church. Although not an ordained minister, Mr. Sours
preached to this Methodist New Connexion group. Some years later he
built a small stone chapel on the north side of Dickson Street,
just west of Ainslie Street, which he gave to the congregation. Mr.
Sours died on August 16, 1852 in his 50th year and was buried in
Mount View Cemetery in Galt. The congregation continued on without
a leader until Rev. James McAllister became minister in 1856. Of
interest: Mr. Sours' name has been spelled Sours, Sowers, Sauer,
and Sauers Error! Bookmark not defined.. The
cemetery stone is recorded as Sours and his widow was referred to
as Mrs. Sours. Churchmen in Waterloo Township referred to him as
Rev. Sauer.
The New Connexion Church on the north side of Dickson Street
between Ainslie and North Water Streets is shown on Pollock's 1867
Map of Galt. The Minutes of the 46th Annual Conference of the
Methodist New Connexion Church of Canada in May, 1874 recorded that
the Galt Mission, with David Smyth of Galt as preacher, had 1
Chapel, 1 parsonage, a Sunday School, and a congregation of 160. In
1874 the New Connexion and Wesleyan Methodists joined to form the
Methodist Church in Canada. The Galt Methodist New Connexion Church
is reported to have been sold c.1880.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates unknown* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for Marriages
1860, 1862-1867. Refer also to Huber (1986) for possible early
marriages.
References: Cant 1915:58; Hamilton 1941:35; Methodist New Connexion
Church; Semple 1985:i(chart); R. Taylor 1986; Wesley United Church
1954; Young 1880:185,242.
Galt
Primitive Methodist
Primitive Methodist Church
Begun: c.1843 Closed: c.1865
Primitive Methodist meetings may have begun as early as 1843 when
the congregation was on the Guelph-Galt Primitive Methodist
Circuit, but it is unknown just exactly when a congregation was
officially organized. At the First Annual Conference of the
Primitive Methodist Connexion, Canada West, at Brampton 27 April-1
May 1854, the Galt Mission was in the Hamilton District; the pastor
at the time was the Rev. John Davison. Galt was a separate Mission
until 1858 when it was joined with Blenheim for several years. For
a short time again, Galt was considered a separate Mission - from
1861-1863. Membership was low (just 27 in 1861), and although
joined once again with Blenheim in the Hamilton District in 1864,
the Galt Primitive Methodist Mission was removed from the Church
Table of Statistics as of the 1865 Annual Conference. Galt is
mentioned once more, in the Minutes of the 1871 Annual Conference,
when the Guelph Mission asked for and received permission to sell
the Galt Church in order that the money received from the sale
might be loaned to Guelph to help defray expenses on their church.
By this time some members of the congregation had joined either the
New Connexion or the Wesleyan Methodists.
Pollock's 1867 Map of Galt shows the Primitive Methodist Church and
Mission located on the northwest corner of North Street and Ainslie
Street North. The Primitive Methodist Church building was said to
have belonged to the Y.M.C.A. in 1879.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1857-1878* Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1858-1879* Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: 1857-1858* Location of records: United Church
Archives
*These records at the United Church Archives are for the
Guelph-Galt Primitive Methodist Mission. There are, as well, other
record books relating to this Mission at the United Church
Archives. See also Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for
Marriages 1861-1862, 1865-1869. Refer to Huber (1986) for possible
early marriages.
References: Primitive Methodist Church; Semple 1985:i(chart); R.
Taylor 1986; Wesley United Church 1954; Young 1880:185.
Galt
Methodist
Lincoln Avenue United Church
Begun: 1891
Lincoln Avenue Methodist Church began as a Mission of Ainslie
Street Methodist Church (later Wesley United) before the turn of
the century. Recognizing the need for a Sunday School in the
neighbourhood of the present Lincoln Avenue Church, Mr. A.E.
Mullet, a member of the Ainslie Street Church, provided a home
which belonged to him on McNaughton Street for the purpose. The
Sunday School, which was to lead to the organization of Lincoln
Avenue Methodist Church, began in this house in November 1891 but
was later moved to another location on Chalmers Street.
In 1897 a frame building which was used as a church was built on
the northeast corner of Pollock and Lincoln Avenues.
Matthew English Conron was appointed by the Hamilton Conference in
1909 to be the first minister, and during his time plans for a
church were made. (Two years later, in 1911, Rev. Mr. Conron was
ordained a minister at the Galt Methodist Church with Rev. Alex. J.
Irwin presiding. He then moved to Hamilton where he served Calvary
Methodist Church from 1911-1914.) The new church, on the southeast
corner of Pollock and Lincoln Avenues, was dedicated on September
10, 1911, during the ministry of Rev. W.H. Sterne.
On June 10, 1925 the Congregational and Methodist churches and some
Presbyterian churches united to form the United Church of Canada.
In 1928 the church was referred to as Lincoln Avenue Community
United Church. Fire in 1935 damaged the interior of the church, but
the congregation was able to return to the church after a six week
period during which time services were held in the Anglican Mission
Sunday School (now St. David's Anglican Church) on Pollock
Avenue.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*The Lincoln Avenue Methodist Marriage Register for 1912-1913 is at
the United Church Archives.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 73 Pollock Ave., Cambridge, ON N1R 2B4 - located
in the Galt section of Cambridge; 621-5900.]
References: Cant 1915:59-60; Galt 1928:81; Lincoln Avenue
United Church History, 1991 (unpublished); Wesley United
Church 1954.
Galt
Wesleyan Methodist
Wesley United Church
Begun: 1854
The Galt Wesleyan Methodist church was established in 1854 with the
arrival of the Rev. George Kennedy (1854-1855). A first church
building was located on the north side of North Street not far from
the corner of North and Ainslie Streets and next to the Primitive
[Methodist] Church and Mission, as shown on Pollock's 1867 Map of
Galt. In 1872 the Wesleyan Methodist congregation, known as Ainslie
Street Methodist Church, purchased the former Knox Free
Presbyterian church building at the northeast corner of Dickson and
Ainslie Streets. At the Annual Meeting of the Wesleyan Methodist
Church in June 1872, the "Galt Mission" was given "permission to
sell the old church and apply the funds in aid of paying for the
new one." Rev. John B. Clarkson was minister at the time.
After the union of the Wesleyan and New Connexion Methodists in
1874 the two congregations became one. The new united congregation
also included Primitive Methodists whose church had closed c.1865.
The former Knox Church building, which had been used for Methodist
services, was sold to the Town in 1877 and was removed in
1879.
Construction of the present Wesley Church was begun in 1879 and
completed in early 1880. The congregation was given permission in
1878 at the Annual London Conference of the Methodist Church to
sell "the church lot" and to apply the proceeds towards the
building of the new church. At the 1880 Annual Conference
permission was granted to sell the "late New Connexion property in
Galt" and to apply the proceeds towards the new church. Rev. John
V. Smith, who was appointed to Galt in 1875, was minister when the
new church was built. New galleries were added in 1885; dedication
services to mark reopening of the sanctuary for worship were held
on February 14, 1886.
When the Methodist Church voted for union with the Congregationals
and many Presbyterian congregations to form the United Church of
Canada on June 10, 1925, the name of the church was changed to
Wesley United Church. More space for a Sunday School was made in
1937 in the enlarged church basement; an addition for the chapel
and the ladies' parlour was built at the same time.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1888- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1888- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1888- Location of records: at church
The original records are at the church. Records on microfilm at the
Cambridge Public Library include Register of Members 1888-1902 and
the Marriage Registers 1888-1904. In Waterloo County Marriages
1858-1869: Marriage records for 1858-1859, 1861-1864,
1866-1868. Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County
c.1830-c.1874 are in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public
Library. Some records for Births 1860 and Marriages 1854-1855 are
in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County 1855-1861, on National
Archives microfilm C-15758, available at the Kitchener Public
Library. Refer also to Huber (1986) for some early marriages.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 6 Cambridge St., Cambridge, ON N1R 3R6 - located
in the Galt section of Cambridge; 621-6060.]
References: Cant 1915:58-61; Hamilton 1941:35; Hulet, WHS
1964(52):43; McLaughlin 1987:66; Methodist Church; Semple
1985:i(chart); R. Taylor 1986; WHS 1971(59):73; Wesleyan Methodist
Church 1872:101; Young 1880:184-185.
Church History: One Hundred Years of Christian
Witness 1854-1954. Wesley United Church Galt, Ontario. A
Brief History, 1954.
Galt
Presbyterian
Central Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1880
A United Presbyterian congregation was formed on April 6, 1857 by
Rev. John M. King, and a church was built at the junction of
Metcalfe Street and the Blair Road. The church was renamed The
Second Canada Presbyterian Church in 1861 and then Melville
Presbyterian Church on January 7, 1866. In early 1870 the church
was joined by the members of the short-lived Bayne Church and the
name was changed to Union Presbyterian Church; it then became
Central Presbyterian Church (with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church)
on May 18, 1880. Rev. James A.R. Dickson had been called to Union
Church on October 14, 1879 and therefore assumed the ministry for
the new joint congregaton. Rev. Dr. Dickson was to remain minister
until forced to retire in January 1914 due to ill health. Ministers
who followed him were Revs. M.B. Davidson (1914-1952) and David
Gowdy (1952-1974).
On July 26, 1880, the cornerstone for a new stone church was laid;
nearly two years later, on March 5, 1882, the opening sermons were
preached in the new church. The gallery was added in 1889 and in
1905 electric lighting was installed. The church bells date from
the following year, 1906. Many years later a large addition was
constructed for office, meeting and Christian Education space; it
was opened and dedicated on April 10, 1954.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1880- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1880- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1880- Location of records: at church
The church holds the 1832-1875 St. Andrew's Church baptismal
records, as well as records of other early Galt Presbyterian
churches. The Communion Rolls 1852-1953, which include United,
Second Canada, Melville and Union Churches, are also at the church.
Marriages for 1851-1899, which include St. Andrew's, are on
microfilm at the Cambridge Public Library. At the Archives of
Ontario: Baptisms 1832-1902 and Marriages 1851-1899. The Church of
Latter-Day Saints microfilm 0204131 contains Baptisms 1879-1902 and
Marriages 1898-1899. Refer also to Huber (1986) for early
marriages.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Queen's Sq, Cambridge, ON - located in the Galt
section of Cambridge; 623-1080.]
References: Barrie, WHS 1982(70):8-14; Dickson
1904:64,89-90,106,129,136; Presbyterian Church; A. Taylor 1970:198;
R. Taylor 1986; Young 1880:204.
Church Histories: 1) Dickson, James A.R.
"Ebenezer." A History of Central Presbyterian Church, Galt,
Ontario. Toronto: William Briggs, 1904. 2) Barrie, James R.
A Century at Central 1882-1982. Ayr: Ayr News, 1982
Galt
Presbyterian
First United Church
Begun: 1824
An Associate Synod of North America [Presbyterian] congregation,
with its base in the United States, the Church's original communion
rolls give the date of organization as July 8, 1824. The first
church building was erected in late 1828 or early 1829, and was
enlarged in 1841. The church often was referred to as Strang's
Meeting House for Rev. James Strang who arrived in Galt in 1832 and
who was ordained minister to the congregation on July 3,
1833.
The Associate Synod of North America, to which the congregation
belonged, was "the American counterpart of the Antiburgher wing of
the Scottish Secession" (Grant 1988:72). It is of interest to note
that when the cornerstone for the new Town Hall was laid in 1857
Rev. James Strang was referred to as the minister of the United
Secession Church. The United Presbyterian Church of North America
was formed on May 26, 1858, the result of a union of several groups
including the Associate Synod Church. In 1863, the frame meeting
house was replaced by the present stone building; the official
opening was on April 24, 1863. (The date stone above the front door
reads: United Presbyterian Church 1863.)
In early 1907 the congregation held a vote to determine whether or
not to disassociate itself from the American church body and join
the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The vote was strongly in favour
of this change. Release from the United Presbyterian Church was
granted on May 13, 1907. The following week the church, now known
as First Presbyterian Church, received its official welcome to its
new church association at a Guelph Presbytery meeting. In 1925
First Church was the only Presbyterian congregation in Galt to vote
for union with the Methodist, Congregational and some Presbyterian
churches to form the United Church of Canada, thereby becoming
First United Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1833- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1835- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1833- Location of records: at church
At the Archives of Ontario: Baptisms 1833-1900, Marriages
1835-1903, Burials 1855-1907, and the Communion Roll 1824-1889. At
the Presbyterian Church Archives: Baptisms 1833-1899, Marriages
1835-1899, Burials 1855-1899, Congregational Book 1828-1899, and
Communion Roll 1824-1879. Records on microfilm at the Cambridge
Public Library include Baptisms 1833-1903, Marriages 1835-1903, and
Burials 1833-1907. Refer also to Huber (1986) for early marriages.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints microfilm 0204144
contains Session Minutes 1849-1895, Congregational Records
1829-1899, Baptisms 1833-1902, Marriages 1835-1903, Deaths
1855-1906, and Communion Rolls 1824-1903.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 15 Wellington St., Cambridge, ON N1R 3Y4 -
located in the Galt section of Cambridge; 621-8441.]
References: Cant 1915:25-29; Dickson, WHS 1977(65):15; Grant
1988:72,78; Hamilton 1941:25-26; Quantrell, WHS 1988(76):113; A.
Taylor 1949:13; A. Taylor 1970:188,196,286; A. Taylor, WHS
1974(62):30; R. Taylor 1986; Young 1880:83.
Church History: Taylor, Andrew W. Banners
Unfurled. The History of First United Church, Galt, 1824-1949.
Galt: Galt Printers, 1949.
Galt
Presbyterian
Knox's Galt Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1844
This was the Rev. John Bayne's church, a Free [Presbyterian] Church
which was founded by him in 1844 with a majority of the members
from his former church, St. Andrew's. Dr. Bayne died on Nov. 3,
1859 and in 1861 the Synod of the (Free) Presbyterian Church of
Canada of which he was said to be the founder joined with the
United Presbyterian Church in Canada to become the Canada
Presbyterian Church. Ministers who followed Rev. Bayne were Revs.
John Thompson (April 18, 1861-March 9, 1864) and James K. Smith
(September 28, 1865-c.1885). In 1875 church union created the
Presbyterian Church in Canada from all remaining divisions of the
Presbyterian Church. In 1925 the congregation voted 548-363 to
remain a Presbyterian Church rather than join the United
Church.
After Rev. Dr. Bayne and his followers left St. Andrew's Church,
they worshipped in William Biggar's barn until the first Knox
Church building (of stone) was erected at the north-east corner of
Ainslie and Dickson Streets in 1845-1846. This church was sold to
the Wesleyan Methodists in 1872 for their use. It was removed in
1879.
The present Knox's Galt Presbyterian Church was built in 1869 (the
cornerstone laying ceremony was on June 18, 1869) and opened for
worship on September 11, 1870. The cornerstone was laid on May 25,
1908 for a large Sunday School addition which was completed in
1909. Fire on April 16, 1989 gutted the entire Christian
Education/office wing and damaged the church itself; the
reconstructed wing (within the original stone walls) and the
repaired church were reopened on Sunday, April 7, 1991.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1856-1901 Location of records: Cambridge Public
Library*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
*Please note that some of the early records held at the church were
either lost or damaged by fire or water in the fire of 1989.
Requests for information from the church are respectfully refused
as of this point in time until a complete assessment of the
remaining records is completed. Records on microfilm at the
Cambridge Public Library: Baptisms 1856-1901. At the Archives of
Ontario: Baptisms 1856-1901. Refer also to Huber (1986) for early
marriages. Baptisms 1856-1901 and Annual Reports 1889-1900 are
available on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
microfilm 0203316.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 7 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge, ON N1S 2L3 - located
in the Galt section of Cambridge; 621-8120.]
References: Canada Presbyterian Church; Cant 1915:30,34,46-52;
Cowan, WHS 1969(57):49; Presbyterian Church; Quantrell, WHS
1988(76):121; R. Taylor 1986; Young 1880:198-203.
Church History: Sanders, Constance, ed. The
Story of the Congregation of Knox Presbyterian Church of Galt
1844-1969, 1969.
Galt
Presbyterian
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1832 Closed: 1880
The first minister of St. Andrew's was Rev. William Stewart of
Kenmore, Scotland, who arrived in Canada in 1831. He ministered to
this congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Canada in
Connection with the Church of Scotland from 1832-c.1834. Rev.
Stewart was followed in 1835 by the Rev. John Bayne. In 1844 Rev.
Bayne espoused the cause of the Free Church of Scotland which had
been formed in 1843, as a result of the Disruption, when a large
number of clergy and laity had split from the Church of Scotland in
part because of disagreement over the right of a congregation to
call its own minister.
Rev. Bayne was instrumental in founding the Synod of the (Free)
Presbyterian Church of Canada, in 1844. This caused a deep division
in the congregation of his own church, St. Andrew's. The result was
that Rev. Bayne formed a new congregation in 1844, known as Knox
Free Church, which was made up of the majority of the members of
the congregation of St. Andrew's. St. Andrew's remained with the
Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada in Connection with the
Church of Scotland.
St. Andrew's church building, of frame, was begun in 1833 and
finished in 1835; according to Young (1880:74) it was built on the
west hill overlooking the village.
After the departure of Rev. Bayne, St. Andrew's was served by Revs.
John Malcolm Smith (1848-1850), Hamilton Gibson (1850-1860), Robert
Campbell (1862-1866), James B. Muir (1867-1874), and William Masson
(from 1874 until his resignation in October 1879). Rev. Smith and
Rev. Gibson also travelled to Woolwich once a month to preach to
the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in
Winterbourne.
On May 18, 1880 St. Andrew's and Union Presbyterian Churches joined
together to form Central Presbyterian Church; the St. Andrew's
Church building was taken down in 1889.
[Note: the present-day St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Galt
dates from c.1917, the outgrowth of a Mission School of Central
Presbyterian Church which had its beginnings c.1891. (A. Taylor,
WHS 1950(38):37-38.)]
Records:
Baptism dates: 1832-1875 Location of records: Central Presbyterian
Church
Marriage dates: 1849-1879 Location of records: Central Presbyterian
Church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
On microfilm at the Cambridge Public Library are: Baptisms July 15,
1832-March 9, 1834; October 18, 1844; February 14, 1845-June 1848;
November 26, 1848-February 1862; December 1862-February 1875. Also
Marriages February 1849-November 1857 and 1858-1879; including
several pages for February 16, 1850-September 5, 1850; January 30,
1851-Oct 22, 1852; and January 2, 1854-March 1857 (all indexed).
Those records for St. Andrew's currently at Central Presbyterian
Church are: Session books 1836-1879, and the Church Minutes Book
1846-1863. At the Archives of Ontario: Baptisms 1832-1902,
Marriages 1851-1899. Some Births for 1837, 1839, 1852-55, 1860 are
in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County, National Archives
microfilm C-15758, which is available at the Kitchener Public
Library. Huber (1986) contains some Marriage information. The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints microfilm 0204131
contains Baptisms 1832-1862, 1861-1875, and Marriages
1849-1879.
References: Barrie 1982; Cant 1915:30; Dickson 1904:106; Grant
1967:11, 1988:123-126; Hamilton 1941:26; Hebblethwaite, WHS
1946(52):79-82; Presbyterian Church; Quantrell, WHS
1988(76):113,119,121; Smith 1965:108; A. Taylor 1970:205-206; R.
Taylor 1986; Young 1880:74,85,198,203.
Church History: See Central Presbyterian Church
History.
Galt
Presbyterian
Union Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1870 Closed: 1880
The church was formed from the union of Melville Presbyterian
Church and the short-lived Bayne Church (or the New Presbyterian
Congregation) on April 13, 1870. Bayne Church had been formed on
August 19, 1869, and had held its first and last communion in
November 1869. In June of 1879 the pulpit of Union Church, which
had been occupied by Rev. Richard Bentley since 1871, became
vacant. Rev. James A.R. Dickson, who was soon to serve the new
united Central Presbyterian Church congregation, was called to
Union Church on October 14, 1879. Union joined with St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church to become Central Presbyterian Church on May
18, 1880. The Union Church building was sold to Thomas Hamilton and
was "used as a dwelling until destroyed by fire in 1890" (Barrie
1982:33).
Records:
Baptism dates: 1870-1880 Location of records: Central Presbyterian
Church
Marriage dates: 1870-1880 Location of records: Central Presbyterian
Church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Session Minutes 1870-1880, and Managers' Records 1870-1879, are
also at Central Presbyterian Church. Baptisms 1870-1880 are on The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints microfilm
0204131.
References: Armstrong 1881; Barrie 1982; Dickson 1904:64,89-90;
Presbyterian Church; A. Taylor 1970:198; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: See Central Presbyterian Church
History.
Galt
Presbyterian
United, Second Canada, and Melville Presbyterian
Churches
Begun: 1857 Closed: 1870
Rev. John M. King, representing the United Presbyterian Church,
arrived in Galt in the Fall of 1856. A new congregation was formed
in January 1857. Rev. John Duff from Elora presided at the official
organization of this new congregation (Presbytery of Wellington) on
April 7, 1857; the congregation was said to number 135. The first
church building was located at the corner of Metcalfe Street and
the Blair Road; the first pastor was the Rev. John James, who was
inducted as minister to the congregation on September 29,
1857.
In 1861 the United Presbyterian Church and the (Free) Presbyterian
Church united to form the Canada Presbyterian Church. The church is
recorded in the First Annual Minutes of the new organization as
"Galt, 2nd Congregation" (Canada Presbyterian Church 1862:5). The
"first" was Knox Presbyterian Church. Rev. William T. Murdoch
(1862-1870) was ordained on September 10, 1862, and on the same day
was inducted as the first minister of the church as Canada
Presbyterian.
The church was renamed Melville Presbyterian Church as decided at a
congregational meeting on January 7, 1866. In the autumn of 1869
dissatisfied Knox Church members left to form the short-lived Bayne
Church which joined with Melville on April 13, 1870 to become Union
Presbyterian Church. In 1875 the Presbyterian Church in Canada was
formed from the Canada Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church
of Canada in Connection with the Church of Scotland, and two other
Presbyterian churches. On May 18, 1880 Union Church joined with the
St. Andrew's congregation to become Central Presbyterian
Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1857-1870 Location of records: Central Presbyterian
Church
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The following records are currently located at Central Presbyterian
Church: 1) United Presbyterian Church - Baptism rolls (includes
Melville) 1857-70, Communion Rolls 1857-1863, Session Minute Books
1858-1863; and 2) Second Canada Presbyterian Church - Record Book
1860-1870, Communicants' Roll (includes Melville) 1863-1870. On
microfilm at the Cambridge Public Library: the Baptism Roll Book
(including Melville) for United Presbyterian Church, 1857-1870;
indexed. Baptisms 1857-1870 are on The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints microfilm 0204131.
References: Barrie 1982; Canada Presbyterian Church; Cant
1915:52-58; Dickson 1904: 31,53,64,89-90; A. Taylor 1970:198; R.
Taylor 1986; United Presbyterian Church; Young 1880:204.
Church History: See Central Presbyterian Church
history.
Galt
Roman Catholic
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1858
Early missionaries from Niagara and St. Agatha were probably in the
Galt area as well but mention is made only of Preston and Hespeler.
However, Galt is included in the records at the time of Father John
Holzer who did missionary work from New Germany (1848-1852) and
Guelph (1852-1863). He is reported to have visited Galt in
November, 1851 when he conducted Mass in a small house. Services
continued to be held in private homes, in a cooper's shop, and in
the upstairs of the Fire Hall. Catholics in Galt were few, none
wealthy, and land for a Catholic church was not easily obtained.
Father Holzer finally was able to secure property for this purpose
by enlisting the services of a go-between; the deed for the
property is dated December 19, 1855. A frame church was built in
1858-59, and the dedication service, conducted by the Rt. Rev. John
Farrell, Bishop of Hamilton, was on Sunday, May 13, 1860.
From 1827 to 1834 the Galt area was served from Niagara-on-the-Lake
by Fathers James W. Campion, Cassidy, and John Cullen, although
there is no record that they actually came to Galt. Galt was
attended to by priests from St. Agatha and Guelph from 1834-1852,
from Brantford 1853-1857, and from Paris 1858 until 1876 when the
congregation received its first resident pastor, Rev. Jeremiah
Ryan. Galt became a Parish in the following year, 1877, and from
that time the records remained in Galt.
The growing congregation necessitated the construction of a new and
larger church in 1879-1880. The first frame church was moved to
church property on Rose Street where it continued as the place of
worship for the congregation until the new brick church was
completed. The Rt. Rev. Peter Crinnon, Bishop of Hamilton,
conducted the cornerstone laying ceremony on Tuesday afternoon, May
18, 1880. Dedication services for the new church were held on
January 9, 1881, also by Bishop Crinnon.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1877- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1877- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1877- Location of records: at church
Mahler (1962) states that records for Galt citizens are in the
early registers of St. Agatha, New Germany, and Guelph's Church of
Our Lady. Some early records might also be at Paris, to 1876.
Preston church records may include the Roman Catholics from Galt
who travelled there for church services and the sacraments before
the Galt Church was built. See Waterloo County Marriages
1858-1869 for marriage information for 1860. Some Births for
1860 are in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County, National
Archives microfilm C-15758, available at the Kitchener Public
Library. Baptisms and Marriages in the Niagara District 1830-1832
(Norfolk 1992a) and 1827 Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials at
Dundas, and Guelph 1827-1830 (Norfolk 1992b) have been transcribed
and are available at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 53 Wellington St., Cambridge, ON N1R 3Y6 -
located in the Galt section of Cambridge; 623-3773.]
References: Cant 1915:76-81; Spetz 1916:162-166; R. Taylor
1986.
Church History: Mahler, Louis J. History of
Saint Patrick's Parish, Galt, 1827-1962, 1962.
Galt
Salvation Army
Cambridge Citadel Corps
Begun: 1884
According to the Dumfries Reformer of March 20, 1884, the
Salvation Army arrived in Galt on Friday, March 14, 1884 and
conducted meetings in the town that evening and on the following
two days, the 15th and 16th as well. Handbills announcing the
arrival of the Army had been circulated on March 10, 1884.
The Galt Corps was the 29th Salvation Army Corps established in
Canada. Early meetings were held in the upstairs of the old fire
hall on Water Street South and in the Temperance Hall which was
located above John Sloan's grocery store on Water Street South, not
far from the Main Street corner. Several years later property was
acquired on Mill Street (later Ainslie Street South) and a two
storey building was erected. This building was to serve the Galt
Corps until 1950.
Land was purchased on Shade Street near Main Street (12 Shade
Street) in October 1946 for a new Citadel. It was not until 1949,
however, that work was begun. The cornerstone laying ceremony was
conducted on Saturday, November 26, 1949 by Commissioner Charles
Baugh. On June 3, 1950 a final service was held in the old hall on
Ainslie Street, after which the Galt Corps marched to the new
Citadel for the key turning ceremony. By the late 1970s additional
space was again a necessity; a decision was made to enlarge the
Shade Street Citadel rather than move to a larger property away
from the centre of the city. The sod turning ceremony for the new
Citadel which was to be attached to the north side of the older
building was held on November 30, 1981. The last services held in
that building were on Sunday September 5, 1982; services on the
next three Sundays were held in the Young Peoples' Hall. The
official opening and dedication of the new church was conducted by
Commissioner Arthur Pitcher, Territorial Commander for Canada and
Bermuda, on Saturday, October 2, 1982; the first services were held
the next day, Sunday, October 3, 1982. The old church was converted
into a new Young Peoples' Hall, used for services and meetings,
with a large, efficient kitchen adjacent to it.
The first Commanding Officer in Galt was Captain Fred Galletley who
was affectionately referred to as "Lightning Fred." Other early
officers (1884-1885) were Captains James Ludgate, George Fisher and
Mary Powell. Of interest: in August 1885, Doon was considered an
Outpost of Galt. In 1888 the Galt Corps was seeking followers in
Preston.
Records:
Dedication dates: 1978- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1973- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Soldiers' enrolment: 1921- Location of records: at church
Located at the church also are two Corps History Books: 1926-1980,
and 1981 to the present. Salvation Army records at the Army's
Heritage Centre (Archives and Museum) on Bayview Avenue in Toronto
are available to researchers subject to certain conditions. Contact
the Archives at (416) 481-4441 for further information.
[ADDRESSS/LOCATION: 16 Shade St., Cambridge, ON N1R 4J5 - located
in the Galt section of Cambridge; 623-1221.]
References: Cant 1915:66; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: History of Cambridge (Galt)
Citadel Corps 1884-1984, 1984. 2 pps.
Roseville
Evangelical Association
Grace United Church
Begun: 1852
Although the Evangelical Association had missionaries in the area
as early as 1839, it was not until 1852 that services were held in
Roseville. A place of worship known as Union House was built a mile
west of the village in 1853 by the New Mennonites and Evangelicals
where both congregations worshipped until the former built their
own church in the village in 1898.
The Evangelical congregation continued to worship in Union House,
and later (1895) in the United Brethren in Christ Church until 1919
when they purchased the present building from the Mennonite
Brethren in Christ [built in 1898]. A manse was built c.1923 with
building materials taken from the former Strasburg Evangelical
Church which had closed c.1910. Necessary renovations to the church
were accomplished in 1927 and an addition which was built in 1979
provided much needed space. The Evangelical Church and the United
Brethren in Christ Church united to form the Evangelical United
Brethren Church on November 16, 1946, and on January 1, 1968 the
Evangelical United Brethren churches joined with the United Church.
At that time, Grace was separated from Wilmot Centre which did not
wish to join the United Church. Having shared a full-time pastor
with Wilmot, Grace then became a student charge due to financial
constraints.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1865-1958 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1865-1936 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
In the beginning, the congregation was included with Plattsville on
the Blenheim Circuit of the Evangelical Association. The
Evangelical Circuit Register for 1881-1914 is at the United Church
Archives. Also at the United Church Archives is the Church Record
Book with the Minister's Comments, 1839-1957. Records at the United
Church Archives include Wilmot Centre.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Roseville, ON N0B 1E0; 696-2794]
References: Getz 1964:5,38; Kinzie, WHS 1951(39):40; Perrin 1967:8;
A. Taylor 1970:280; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History:The History of Grace.
Roseville: Grace United Church, n.d..
Roseville
Lutheran
Roseville Lutheran Church
Begun: c.1852 Closed:
A frame church which was built in 1852 was later sold to the
Methodists, and then to the United Brethren in Christ c.1884. The
same building is in use today by the Roseville congregation of the
United Brethren in Christ, although somewhat changed in appearance
due to extensive remodelling and the addition of a new wing.
Cronmiller (1961:119) states that in September 1853 Roseville was
ministered to by Rev. Charles Frederick Diehl (1853-1855), along
with New Hamburg, Petersburg and Mannheim.
Records: No records have been found
References: Cronmiller 1961:119.
Roseville
Mennonite
Roseville Mennonite Church (Detweiler Meeting
House)
Begun: 1822 Closed: 1966
Services began in homes in the area with the arrival of the first
settlers around 1822. A first meeting house was built about 1830
approximately a half-mile west of Roseville, on the south side of
the road. One acre of land on the northeast corner of Lot 37,
Concession 11, North Dumfries Township, was transferred from Samuel
C. Snyder. The deed for the property was dated 1830, but it was not
registered until August 1842. A stone meeting house was built in
1855 just slightly east of the old log meeting house; the church
was dedicated on November 25, 1855 by the congregation's first
minister, Jacob F. Detweiler. Henry Shantz, Enoch Detweiler and
Solomon Gehman were the ministers who followed Jacob F.
Detweiler.
Sunday School began in 1924 and in 1933 Young People's Bible
Meetings were organized. The latter meetings were held in
conjunction with those of the Blenheim Mennonite Church. A Sunday
School classroom was added to the Detweiler church in 1956.
Moses Bowman, a layman from First Mennonite Church in Kitchener,
was ordained minister to Detweiler Mennonite Church in 1938 where
he continued to serve until the time of his death in 1964. The
small congregation was served by visiting ministers until it
disbanded in January 1966. Some of the remaining families are
reported to have joined with Blenheim Mennonite Church at that
time.
Records:
Records at the Mennonite Archives of Ontario include the Church
Record Book 1862-1940 and the Sunday School records 1924-1966. For
information from these records please contact the Archivist at
Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L
3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: just west of Roseville on the south side of the
road]
References: Burkholder 1935:70-71; Detwiler, WHS 1965(35):36-40;
Epp 1974:125; Epp 1982:269; Kinzie, WHS 1951(39):42; Norman Shantz
1984:18-19; A. Taylor 1970:281-282.
Roseville
Mennonite
Hallman Meeting House
Begun: 1837 Closed: 1891
It is not known just when the first log meeting house of the
Hallman congregation was built. However, on June 1, 1847 a one-acre
plot of land, for a meeting house and burial ground, was deeded
from Adam Unger to trustee, Jacob H. Detweiler. This land was east
of Roseville on the northwest corner of Lot 31, Concession 11 of
North Dumfries Township, and on the south side of the Blenheim or
Roseville Road, which was built westerly from Galt. A stone cairn
made up of old tombstones stands on this property today.
A new brick church, called Hallman Mennonite Church, was
constructed in 1854 (Burkholder 1935:104) or 1856 (Taylor 1970:282)
on land on the north side of the road, just west of the old meeting
house. The congregation is reported to have disbanded in 1891. The
property was sold soon after.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The meeting house was located approximately one
mile east of Roseville, toward Galt]
References: Burkholder 1935:104; Kinzie, WHS 1951(39):43; A. Taylor
1970:282-283.
Roseville
United Brethren in Christ
Roseville United Brethren in Christ Church
Begun: c.1860
Although early meetings are reported to have begun in the Roseville
area as early as 1860, it was not until 1881 that Rev. George
Backus of New Dundee came to the area to conduct regular services
in Roseville homes on Sunday evenings. The first services were held
in the home of Mrs. Jacob Bricker; there were seven charter members
in the group. Shortly after this time, c.1884, the present church
building, which was originally of frame and dates to 1852 when it
belonged to a Lutheran Congregation, was bought from the Wesleyan
Methodists who had acquired it earlier from the Lutherans. The
first United Brethren in Christ pastors after Rev. Backus were
Revs. David B. Sherk and Jacob. B. Bowman. The congregation
remained on a circuit until 1969 when the connection ended with New
Dundee and Roseville became independent. A parsonage was purchased
in 1971 and on September 9, 1973 a sod-breaking ceremony was held
for the Christian Education addition. Dedication services were held
on October 6, 1974.
A split in the United Brethren in Christ in 1889 resulted in two
groups calling themselves by that name. One group joined the
Congregationals in 1906. The other group remained United Brethren
in Christ until November 16, 1946 when most congregations of the
United Brethen in Christ organization joined with the Evangelical
Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church - later to
join with the United Church on January 1, 1968. This congregation
is one of three United Brethren in Christ Churches in Waterloo
County today. The others are Stanley Park in Kitchener, and New
Dundee. The headquarters of the church is in Huntington,
Indiana.
Although the building was originally of frame construction,
remodelling and renovations have resulted in the church building of
today.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1883- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1935- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1921- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Contact the Pastor, Roseville, ON NOB 1E0;
696-3005.]
References: Getz 1964:5; Kinzie, WHS 1951(39):42; Perrin 1967:9;
Roseville 1981; A. Taylor 1970:280; R. Taylor 1986.
WATERLOO TOWNSHIP
Blair
Baptist
Blair Baptist Church
Begun: c.1845
The Baptist Church on Old Mill Road in Blair is said to have been
built in 1854 by a Regular Baptist congregation. Rev. James Sim may
have held Baptist services in this church, although his services
are reported to have begun c.1845. Elder Sim, as he was said to
have been called, had been ordained at Waterloo [Township] on
October 5, 1841. "Elder Bayly preached the ordination sermon"
(Canada Baptist Magazine, December 1, 1841, pg.
138).
Rev. Sim is reported to have travelled from his home in Hawkesville
in Wellesley Township to the Blair area every other weekend through
the years c.1845-c.1860. He also attended to a Baptist congregation
in Preston. The County of Waterloo Gazetteer 1864 recorded
Blair as having "one church, Bible Believers", and that the church
"was erected in 1854, of brick, size 30 x 40, at a cost of $1,200;
it [could] accommodate 300 persons; Rev. James Sim, pastor."
James Sim eventually left the Baptist Church for the
Christadelphian c.1865, taking many of his followers from Blair,
Preston and area with him. It is possible that the Christadelphians
worshipped in this Baptist Church for awhile until they built their
own church in Blair. They later, in 1880, built a new church on
Richmond Street (now Old Mill Road ) in Doon. Rev. Sim died in
Waterloo in that year. The Blair Christadelphian Church is listed
as being closed in Evans Gazetteer 1884-1885.
An article in the Hamilton Spectator on Nov. 14, 1953
described the former Baptist church in Blair as being
non-denominational. The present Blair Baptist Church was organized
in August 1959 and rededicated in April 1960 as the Blair
Evangelical Baptist Chapel. It now is a member of the Fellowship of
Evangelical Baptist Churches, and is called Grace Baptist
Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
There is no information at the Canadian Baptist Archives regarding
the early years of this church.
References: Canada Baptist 1841:138; Doon & Blair
W.I.; Heritage Cambridge 1976:10; High, WHS 1960(48):33; McDonald,
WHS 1985(73):94.
Bloomingdale
Mennonite
Bloomingdale (Schneider or Snyder) Mennonite
Church
Begun: 1824
Services began in 1824, and in 1826 a first meeting house, known as
Schneider's or Snyder's, was built northwest of Bloomingdale, and
east of the Grand River, on land (part Lot 7) donated by Jacob
Schneider. Henry Weber was the first minister to this congregation,
from 1824 until 1854. He was followed by Moses Erb who was ordained
minister to the congregation on April 14, 1854. The church building
was primarily used as a school in the beginning; the first teacher
was John Bauman from Pennsylvania. Church services were held in
homes. Dorothy Sauder, in her 1972 history of the church, states
that "Prior to 1860, Schneider's was the only [Mennonite] place of
worship on the Grand River and, until the 1889 Martin schism, it
was one with the Martin congregation with ministers serving both
groups" (Sauder 1972:8). Services were held on a two-week schedule,
at one meeting house and then at the other.
Snyder's was affected by division in the church in the early 1870s.
The majority of the congregation joined the Reforming (or Reformed)
Mennonites, a group organized by Solomon Eby on May 15, 1874, and
from 1875-1879 the meeting house was used almost exclusively by
them. It was here that the conference was held on March 23, 1875 in
which the New Mennonites and the Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites
joined together as the United Mennonites. However, because the
original deed to the church property had been lost or perhaps never
duly executed, a new deed was drawn up on January 15, 1879, giving
ownership of building and property to the group of more
conservative Mennonites in the congregation.
The present church was built in 1878 on approximately the same site
as the first meeting house. Renovations to the church building were
carried out in 1951. One main entrance, to replace the two separate
entrances, was part of the changes made. Further improvements were
made in 1985. The name of the church is now Bloomingdale Mennonite
Church.
Records:
Baptisms 1868-1902, from Abraham W. Martin's Bishop Book, have been
transcribed by Isaac R. Horst and published in his book,
Baptism Records 1842-1980. Some records may pertain to
Bloomingdale. The book is available at the Kitchener Public
Library. For information regarding the availability of any other
early records, please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel
College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: just west from the northern edge of Bloomingdale
- Bloomingdale, ON N0B 1K0; 745-2411]
References: Burkholder 1935:89; Epp 1974:125; Epp 1982:269; Good
1988:86.
Church History: Sauder, Dorothy. Trail's End.
The Oxbow, September 1972.
Bloomingdale
United Brethren in Christ
Bloomingdale United Church
Begun: 1860
On the Waterloo Circuit of the United Brethren in Christ, the first
church building, known as the Ebenezer Chapel, was built 1860-1861
on the Winterbourne Road at the junction of that road and the Town
Line Road with the Conestogo Road, a junction known as the
"Crowsfoot", soon after the arrival in the area of the circuit
rider, Rev. S.L. Downey. This first church soon became too small
for the growing congregation and the present church site in
Bloomingdale was purchased c.1878. A new plain white brick church
was in place by the fall of 1879.
A split in the United Brethren in Christ Church in 1889 resulted in
two branches each calling themselves United Brethren in Christ. One
group remained United Brethren in Christ until November 16, 1946
when the United Brethren in Christ Church united with the
Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
The other group joined the Congregational Church in 1906, and then
the United Church in 1925. The Bloomingdale church belonged to this
latter group, although some members who had supported the first
group left the church. The minister from Alma Street United
Brethren in Christ Church in Berlin held services for them in homes
and then in a small house purchased by Joseph Snyder c.1900 and
converted into a church. This small congregation existed for only
another 10 years or so.
A 40 foot tower was added to the church in 1904 at the same time
renovations were made to the interior. Dedication services to mark
the reopening of the church were held on June 5, 1904. The
Bloomingdale congregation joined with the Congregational Church in
the spring of 1907 when the transfer of the church property from
the United Brethren in Christ Church to the congregation was
completed. Bloomingdale was served by the same pastors as
Hawkesville (1864-1905) and West Montrose (1862-1907). Bloomingdale
became a United Church as of June 10, 1925 and was later with
Highland Road United Church in Kitchener. An addition was built on
the north side of the church in 1961.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: some at United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1898-1931* Location of records: at United Church
Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: some at United Church
Archives
The United Brethren in Christ Waterloo Circuit Register for
1874-1907 at the United Church Archives is said to contain some
Bloomingdale references as does the Marriage Register for
1898-1931. *Marriages from January 11, 1898-September 12, 1906,
March 10, 1909-December 10, 1924, and February 18, 1926-December
14, 1931 include many references to Bloomingdale and several to
Rosendale, and have been transcribed (Madill 1986a); a copy of the
transcription is at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 19 Main St., Bloomingdale, ON NOB 1K0;
745-0535.]
References: Bloomingdale W.I.; Getz 1964:5; Sherk, WHS
1924(12):107; R. Taylor 1986; United Brethren in Christ
Church.
Breslau
Mennonite
Breslau (Cressman) Mennonite Church
Begun: 1815
Services were begun in Breslau in 1815. In 1834, Benjamin Eby's log
meeting house, which had been built in Berlin in 1813, was moved to
Breslau to the Cressman farm. Preaching services which were held
every four weeks began in the reconstructed meeting house in 1837.
A new brick church was built in 1856, at which time the old log
meeting house was moved to Frederick Schaefer's brickyard. The old
building may have been used for storage or an office until
approximately 1880 when it was clad with white "Breslau Brick" from
the brickyard, and used as a home by Frederick Schaefer and his
family. The address of the house is reported to have been 18
Woolwich Street; it was still standing in 1985, according to Alder
1985, with the original log walls possibly preserved within the
brick ones.
A summer Sunday School was begun in June of 1872. It was held in
the Breslau schoolhouse until 1877 when it was moved to the church.
Sunday School continued on in the summers only until 1889 when
Sunday School classes began to be held all year.
The 1856 white brick church was taken down in March 1908, and was
replaced with a new white brick church. In 1968 the name of the
church was changed from Cressman Mennonite Church to Breslau
Mennonite Church. Major renovations were made to the church in the
same year. It is of interest to know that land amounting to
approximately three acres was deeded to the congregation by
Christian C. Snyder in three parcels, in 1837, 1859, and
1870.
Joseph Hagey, the first minister at Cressman's, was ordained on
February 10, 1839. He was ordained bishop in 1851. Ministers who
followed him in serving the church at Breslau were Jacob Woolner
Sr., Elias Weber, Isaac A. Wambold, Jacob S. Woolner, and Oscar
Burkholder. Services were held every four weeks from 1837-1867, and
bi-weekly from 1867-1894 when weekly services were begun.
Records:
Some Births and Deaths for 1860, from the records of Joseph Hagey,
may be found in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County, on
National Archives of Canada Microfilm C-15758. This microfilm is
available on interlibrary loan, or at the Kitchener Public Library.
It is believed that baptisms conducted by Joseph Hagey from
1865-1866 are in Abraham W. Martin's book of baptisms. These
records have been transcribed by Isaac R. Horst, and are in his
book, Baptism Records 1842-1980, published in 1980 and
available at the Kitchener Public Library. The Sunday School
Records 1872-1948 are at the Mennonite Archives of Ontario. For
information regarding these records, please contact the Archivist
at Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L
3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 226 Woolwich St. (west side), Breslau, ON NOB
IM0; 648-2501]
References: Alder 1985; Burkholder 1935:66-68; Cressman, WHS
1969(57):39; Epp 1974:125; Epp 1982:269; Good 1984:1.
Church History: Burkholder, Oscar. Cressman
Mennonite Church, Breslau, Ontario, 1956.
Breslau
Mennonite
Breslau Missionary Church
Begun: 1872
Meetings are reported to have been held in 1872 in a building at
the corner of Woolwich Street and Mader Lane by a group who were
followers of Solomon Eby. Conferences to consider reorganization of
the church were held in 1874 and 1875, the most important of which
was considered to have been the meeting at the Bloomingdale
Mennonite Church on May 23, 1875. Members of the New Mennonites and
the Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites joined together at that
meeting as the United Mennonites. At a meeting in Blair in 1879 a
union, called the Evangelical United Mennonites, was formed from
the United Mennonites and the Evangelical Mennonites. Four years
later, in 1883, the Ohio Brethren in Christ (Tunker) joined with
the Evangelical United Mennonites to form the Mennonite Brethren in
Christ.
Dedication services were held on Christmas Day, 1882, for the new
Breslau Mennonite Church which had been built during the year.
Henry Goudie was minister to the congregation from 1881-1884. He
was followed by Peter Geiger (1884-1885) and Frank Moyer
(1885-1886). Solomon Eby, a member of the congregation who was
minister from 1886-1889, had been one of the organizers on May 15,
1874 of the Reforming Mennonites.
On May 6, 1959 a decision was made to construct an 1800 square foot
addition to the church. The sanctuary was enlarged and new pews
were installed in 1978; dedication was in September of that year.
Rev. Leonard DeWitt, president of the Missionary Church was guest
speaker on Sunday, November 21, 1982, when the church's 100th
Anniversary service was held. Of interest: the sign eteched in the
glass above the doors on the northwest side of the back section
reads "United Missionary Church."
Records:
For information regarding the availability of early records, please
contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University of
Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 102 Woolwich St. (west side), Breslau, ON N0B
1M0; 648-2712]
References: Cressman, WHS 1969(57):39; Epp 1974:153; Epp 1982:269;
Good 1988:86.
Church History: Breslau Missionary Church.
Breslau Missionary Church 1882-1982. 100th Anniversary,
1982.
Breslau
Lutheran
Peace Lutheran Church
Begun: c.1860 Closed: c.1927
The Lutheran congregation in Breslau is reported to have been
organized c.1860 by Pastor Immanuel Wurster of St. Peter's Lutheran
Church in Preston, who served there from 1854-1881. Pastor Wurster
also organized the Lutheran congregations in Hespeler and Shantz
Station at about the same time. A church, which was built in 1885,
was located on the south side of Mill Street in Breslau. The
building was still there in 1969, in use as a residence.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1885-1922 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University
Marriage dates: 1886-1915 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University
Burial dates: 1888-1917 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University
Records in the Lutheran Church Archives at Wilfrid Laurier
University also include the Confirmations 1888-1914 for this
church.
References: Cressman, WHS 1969(57):39; St. Peter's Preston 1934; R.
Taylor 1986.
Breslau
United Brethren in Christ
Breslau United Brethren in Christ Church
Begun: c.1866 Closed: c.1893
Part of the Waterloo Circuit of the United Brethren in Christ, the
congregation was added to the Circuit in 1866-1867 when the pastors
were Revs. A.B. Sherk, D.B. Sherk, Henry Krupp and G. Rutt. At the
Quarterly Conference of the United Brethren in Christ on July 18,
1868 approval was given for the purchase of a site for a church at
Breslau. The church was built later in that year. Discussion at the
Quarterly Conference on February 10, 1883 concerned a refusal to
transfer a lease from the Mennonites to the Lutherans for use of
the church building - whether because the church premises were
being shared with the Mennonites or because the United Brethren in
Christ was no longer an active congregation is not known.
Breslau is listed for the last time in the Financial Report of
November 18, 1893. In June 1896 arrangements were made with the
"Trustees of the Breslau Church ... to make arrangements to loan
[the church] organ for use in the United Brethren Church at West
Montrose ... ." In December of the next year, 1897, the Breslau
Trustees were given permission to rent the church. Permission was
granted later (January 12, 1901) to sell the church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: some at United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: some at United Church
Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: some at United Church
Archives
There are references to this congregation at the United Church
Archives in the Waterloo Circuit Register of the United Brethren in
Christ Church for 1874-1879.
References: Bloomingdale W.I.; Cressman, WHS 1969(57):39; R. Taylor
1986; United Brethren in Christ Church.
Bridgeport
German Baptist
Bridgeport Free Church
Begun: 1848 Closed: c.1955
Land on the Bloomingdale Road was donated on November 16, 1848 by
John U. Tyson for a free cemetery and free church, to be available
for the use of any denomination. The first German Baptist
congregationError! Bookmark not defined. in Canada
was organized here on September 10, 1851 by the Rev. August
Rauschenbusch. (This 16-member congregation was the forerunner of
Benton Street Baptist Church in Berlin/Kitchener.) The first pastor
was Rev. Henry Schneider who was ordained to the Baptist Ministry
on November 12, 1852.
Regular Sunday services in the Free Church were discontinued
c.1955. The community then assumed responsiblity for the
maintenance of the building which was donated to the Boy Scouts for
their use. The Scouts continued to meet in it until 1968 when the
front entrance was damaged by fire. The church was repaired and
some renovations also were accomplished at the same time through
the generosity of the Bridgeport Women's Institute. The building,
which is designated as a Heritage Landmark of the City of
Kitchener, has a plaque on the front wall of the church which
reads: FREE CHURCH ERECTED 1848.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown*
Marriage dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown*
*As this was a "Free" church, records would be located with the
church to which each individual belonged. Information from the Free
Church Cemetery has been recorded and published by the
Waterloo-Wellington Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society; the
original records are with the City of Waterloo Cemetery Board. The
Minute Book for the Free Church, Bridgeport for 1879-1930 is at
Doon Heritage Crossroads. A partial transcription which has been
made of this small Minute Book is available at the Kitchener Public
Library.
References: Bridgeport W.I.; Clubine c.1976; Lamb, WHS 1979(67):60;
Zimmerman, WHS 1965(53):18-23.
Bridgeport
Evangelical Association
Bridgeport United Church
Begun: 1876
The early Evangelical Association congregations in Berlin and
Waterloo date back to August 1839 when a Camp Meeting was held over
a number of days at David Erb's farm (Lot 7, German Company Tract)
at Lexington. Classes (or congregations) in Berlin and in Waterloo
were organized at that meeting by Bishop John Seybert - on August
29th. Twenty-six charter members were divided into the two classes.
Class leader for Waterloo and vicinity was Jacob Hoffman. His
brother, John, was class leader for Berlin.
The Waterloo class, along with classes at Lexington and Breslau,
was connected to the Berlin Mission until the organization of the
Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association in 1864. The
Waterloo Mission was formed at that time. In 1866 the Breslau class
was merged with the Lexington class and in 1876 the Lexington
class, with 31 members, was referred to as the Bridgeport class for
the first time.
An old log schoolhouse was purchased in 1879 for $500.00 on
condition that it be used only for Sunday School services, not for
preaching. The exterior walls were covered with lumber and the
building was dedicated on November 9, 1879. A new white brick
church was built ten years later, in 1889, when the old schoolhouse
became inadequate for the growing congregation. This church was in
use until 1934 when the present building was completed. A decision
had been made at a congregational meeting in July 1933 to proceed
with construction of a new church. The ground-breaking service was
held on August 28, 1933 and on October 1 of that year the
cornerstone was laid by Rev. W.J. Zimmerman. Dedication services
were held in the new red brick church on Sunday March 18, 1934. In
1942 the old brick church was sold to Mr. Minnacker for $100. An
addition which was built on to the west side of the church in 1958
provided additional space for the Sunday School, as well as offices
and a kitchen. The new complex was dedicated on November 30, 1958
with Professor John F. Schaefer of Naperville, Illinois preaching
the dedication sermon.
Bridgeport and Waterloo were a joint parish from 1876 until 1910,
when Bridgeport was joined with Strasburg. This association lasted
until 1914 when Bridgeport called its own full-time pastor. The
Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren in Christ Church
on November 16, 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren
Church. On January 1, 1968 when the Evangelical United Brethren
joined with the United Church, Emmanuel's name was changed once
again - to Emmanuel United Church. In February 1987 the
congregation voted to change the name of the church to Bridgeport
United Church.
Rev. J. Kaechele (1864-1865) was pastor in 1864 when the Waterloo
Mission was formed; Solomon Kraft was the Bridgeport class leader
when the schoolhouse was bought in 1879 and Rev. S.R. Knechtel
(1888-1891) was pastor in 1889 when the new white brick church was
built.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1912- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1912- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1912- Location of records: at church
The church historian Wilfrid W. Roedding reported in 1967 that the
church's records from 1879-1910 had been lost.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 40 Bridge St. E., Bridgeport, ON N2K 1J5;
745-0931.]
References: Bridgeport W.I.; Getz 1964:11 (picture), 38;
Featherston, WHS 1939(27):82; Lamb, WHS 1979(67):60; R. Taylor
1986.
Church History: Roedding, Wilfrid W. Local
History of Emmanuel United Brethren Church, Bridgeport
Congregation. Emmanuel United Church as of January 1, 1968.
November 1, 1967 (appendix to October 1969).
Bridgeport
Lutheran
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: c.1861
It is believed that a congregation was formed in the 1850s and that
services were held in the Free Church, Bridgeport (built in 1848)
prior to 1861 when the congregation's first pastor, the Rev. Jacob
Hoelsche (1861-1873), began his ministry. The congregation was
regularly organized at that time. Services and Sunday School
continued to be held in the Free Church. Rev. Hoelsche was followed
by Revs. J.L. Rau (1876-1878) and A.R. Schultz (1878-1882) who were
from Elmira, and by Rev. Immanuel Wurster from Preston,
1882-1887.
A church was built at 606 Lancaster Street in 1889; consecration of
the new building was held on July 22, 1889. The congregation was on
the Conestogo-Breslau Circuit at the time. The church was enlarged
considerably in 1939 with basement renovations and the construction
of an addition to the back of the church. Dedication for this major
task was on October 1, 1939.
The 80th Anniversary of the founding of the organization of the
congregation was celebrated on October 19, 1941 with the dedication
of a new entrance to the church. Land on Waterloo Road (now
Bridgeport Road) was purchased in 1949, with plans to build a newer
and larger church. It was not until May 27, 1956 that a
ground-breaking ceremony was held to signal the beginning of
construction of the new church. The cornerstone was laid July 15,
1956, and on March 31, 1957 the new church was offically opened and
consecrated by Dr. A.G. Jacobi, President of the Canada Synod.
Final services had been held in the old church one week before, on
March 24, 1957. (The old church building had been advertised for
sale on February 9, 1957.)
According to Eylands (1945:92) the church at one time was joined in
a parish with St. James in St. Jacobs, and St. Matthew's,
Conestogo. Of interest: The hand which was on the steeple of the
old church is now on the former Freeport United Church which was
relocated in 1962 to Doon Heritage Crossroads.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1859-* Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1873- Location of records: at church
*The first baptism recorded in St. Paul's Church Book was July 18,
1859.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 544 Bridgeport Rd, Waterloo, ON N2K 1N7;
743-4464.]
References: Bridgeport W.I.; Cronmiller 1961:146,180; Eylands
1945:92; Featherston, WHS 1939(27):82; Lamb, WHS 1979(67):60; R.
Taylor 1986; Waterloo Trust 1967; Weicker, 1985; WHS 1965(53):20;
Zimmerman, WHS 1964(52):40-41.
Church History: Centennial 1861-1961. A Brief
History of St. Paul's, Bridgeport, 1961.
Bridgeport
United Brethren in Christ
Bridgeport United Brethren in Christ Church
Begun: c.1871 Closed: c.1884
Bridgeport was on the Waterloo Circuit of the United Brethren in
Christ. The Mission was added to the Circuit c.1871-1872, and was
dropped from the same Circuit c.1884-1885. The first reference to
Bridgeport in the Quarterly Conference Minutes of the Waterloo
Circuit of the United Brethren in Christ was in the Minutes for
July 30, 1871. The last mention of Bridgeport as a station on the
Circuit was on May 12, 1883. Bridgeport's name was dropped from the
Circuit's Financial Reports as of 1884-1885.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
There are some references at the United Church Archives in the
Waterloo Circuit Register of the United Brethren in Christ for
1874-1879. *Several marriage records of Bridgeport residents from
January 11, 1898-September 12, 1906 have been transcribed (Madill
1986a), and are available at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Bloomingdale W.I.; R. Taylor 1986; United Brethren in
Christ Church.
Doon
Christadelphian
Doon Christadelphian Church
Begun: c.1865 Closed: c.1916
The Christadelphians in the Blair area may have worshipped at first
in the Baptist Church in Blair, which was built c.1851, until they
built a meeting house of their own. Christadelphian history in the
area is partially connected with Rev. James Sim. He had been
ordained a Baptist minister in 1841 and is reported to have
preached in the Blair area from c.1845-c.1860. Sometime during this
period he left the Baptist Church for the Christadelphian as did
many of his followers in the Blair-Preston area. Pastor Sim, or
Elder Sim as he was said to be called, died in Waterloo in
1880.
In the same year, 1880, a new church was built by the
Christadelphians on Richmond Street (now Old Mill Road) in Doon.
The frame building was covered with red brick in 1889 - the
datestone on the church read "Christadelphian Meeting House 1889".
This church was in use until 1916 when it was closed. It was later
sold in 1936 to Margaret Ross who used it as a residence until her
death in 1971. The building deteriorated so badly during the next
decade that it was considered unsafe and therefore was demolished
in 1981.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: Doon & Blair W.I.; Heritage Cambridge 1976:10;
Hoops 1981.
Doon
Wesleyan Methodist
Doon United Church
Begun: 1864 Closed: 1983
At first, the congregation worshipped in the nearby Wesleyan
Methodist Mission which had been built in 1864. The first minister
was the Rev. Charles Freshman D.D. of the Preston Mission, Hamilton
District, who ministered to the German Wesleyan Methodist
congregation in Preston and area until c.1869. Rev. Freshman soon
reported that English services were needed in Doon, and Doon was
therefore attached to the Preston English mission along with
Kirkland's and Ellis's. In 1868 the present red brick church was
built on Durham Street just a short distance northeast of the
Mission building. (The marker stone above the front door of the
church reads: "WESLEYAN Methodist Church, A.D. 1868".) In 1888 the
whitewashed interior of the church was painted for the first time.
Further improvements were made, including gas lighting to replace
the oil lamps in 1929 and electricity in 1949.
In 1897 the church was placed on a Circuit with Preston; in 1925 it
became a United Church. Regular services were discontinued in 1960
after the minister, Rev. Arthur Lewis, was called to Lincoln Avenue
United Church in Galt. Few services were held after that, sometimes
only two in a year. Presbytery decided to sell the building in
1983, a sale which was completed the next year, 1984. [When a
photograph was taken on May 24, 1991 the church was found to be not
in use, with some windows broken.]
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Durham Street (dead-end) on the east side of
Doon (not far from Conestoga College).]
References: Bean, WHS 1941(29):172; Doon & Blair W.I.;
Methodist Church; Wesleyan Methodist Church; Eby, WHS
1966(54):50.
Doon
Presbyterian
Doon Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1853
The Minutes of the 1852 Annual Meeting of the Presbyterian Church
of Canada refer to a joint charge of the congregations of Woolwich
and Doon Mills in the Presbytery of Hamilton. In 1853 and 1854 Doon
Mills was a charge with New Aberdeen. Formal organization of the
Doon congregation was on July 9, 1853 by Rev. Dr. John Bayne of
Knox's Presbyterian Church in Galt, who had held the first church
service in Doon just two days before. The present church was built
in 1854 on land donated by Mr. Robert Ferrie. Dedication services
were held on December 31, 1854, with Rev. Bayne conducting the
morning service and Rev. Duncan McRuer of Knox Presbyterian Church,
Ayr preaching in the afternoon.
The congregation was placed on a two-point charge with New Hope
(Hespeler) on October 25, 1855 with Rev. Thomas Isaac Hodgskin as
missionary. A first communion service was held on February 25,
1856. Later that year (October 16, 1856), Rev. Hodgskin was
inducted as minister; he later resigned from the Presbyterian
Church. (The Minutes of the 1863 Annual Meeting of the Canada
Presbyterian Church recorded that effective June 24, 1862 Rev.
Hodgskin was considered no longer to be a minister or member of the
Church.) Rev. Malcolm McKenzie arrived in the Fall of 1861 and was
ordained and inducted to the service of both churches on February
12, 1862. Rev. George Haigh became Minister to Doon, Preston and
Hespeler on April 24, 1876. On March 20, 1883 Doon and Hespeler
were made into a pastoral charge under Rev. Haigh and were
separated from Preston, which became a Mission Station.
The congregation later, in 1893, became a second charge to Preston,
when Hespeler called its first full-time minister. In the same
year, Rev. Herbert Francis Thomas became minister to the two-point
charge of Doon and Preston. However, it was not until 1972 that
Doon became independent. An ordained minister was appointed in 1976
and a manse was purchased in 1977. A new addition was constructed
in 1980 and dedicated on November 9, 1980. The congregation of Doon
Presbyterian Church became self-supporting as of July 1, 1982. Ten
years later, another addition was completed, and officially opened
and dedicated on Sunday, September 27, 1992.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1862-1944 Location of records: *
Marriage dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
*The Baptism records for 1862-1944 are available on The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints microfilm 0204132. The location
of early Marriage and Burial records is unknown, but Waterloo
County Marriages 1858-1869 has information on Marriages 1858,
and 1862-1869. A transcription of the Communicants' list 1855-1858,
taken from the Doon & Blair Women's Institute Tweedsmuir
History (1970), is at the Kitchener Public Library. Dates on
church: 1875-1975-2075.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 35 Roos St., Kitchener, ON N2P 2B9 - overlooking
the Grand River, in the Doon section of Kitchener; 748-4540]
References: Bean, WHS 1941(29):171; Cleghorn, WHS 1953(41):15-18;
Doon & Blair W.I.; Knox Preston 1991:7; Moyer, 1979:23;
Plumtree, WHS 1982(70):148-149; Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor
1986.
Erbsville
Lutheran
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Begun: 1852
St. Paul's, associated with St. Peter's, Heidelberg, was founded in
1852 by Rev. Franz Adam Peifer (1852-1859). Land was donated for a
cement block church (since known as Allemang Church) and cemetery,
which were located several miles north of Erbsville. The church was
completed in 1853 and the Kirchenbuch (Church Book) was begun in
the next year, 1854, by Rev. Peifer. The present yellow brick
church was built in 1877 in the village. Rev. Peifer died in 1859
and in 1860 Rev. Daniel Stahlschmidt began his ministry to the two
congregations of St. Paul's and St. Peter's, Heidelberg; he was
followed by Rev. J. Brezing in 1873 who ministered to the
congregation until 1887. Services in German were conducted in this
church from the beginning until 1939 when German language services
were discontinued. An addition was built on the back of the church
in 1952.
[The stone marker above the front door reads: "Evan. Lutheran/St.
Paulus Kirche/1877".]
Records:
Baptism dates: 1878- Location of records: St. Peter's,
Heidelberg
Marriage dates: 1878- Location of records: St. Peter's,
Heidelberg
Burial dates: 1878- Location of records: St. Peter's,
Heidelberg
An old book, containing Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, and
Communicants' records for the years 1854-1877, is located at the
Eastern Canada Synod Lutheran Church Archives at Wilfrid Laurier
University. Text in the book is in German.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Erbsville, on the east side of the road. The
Church is one of a two-point charge with St. Peter's Lutheran
Church in Heidelberg. Contact Heidelberg-Erbsville Lutheran Church
Parish; St. Clements 699-4171]
References: Cronmiller 1961:120-121; Eylands 1945:77-78; R. Taylor
1986; WHS 1961(49):69-71.
Erbsville
Wesleyan Methodist
Erbsville Methodist Church
Begun: 1867 Closed:
In a letter published in the Christian Guardian of
November 26, 1867, Rev. Charles Freshman the German Wesleyan
Methodist missionary stationed at Preston wrote: "Last Sunday I was
permitted to dedicate to the worship of the Triune God a new church
(or meeting-house, as we would call it), in Erbsville, and to
preach three times to a very large and devoted congregation".
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Reference: Freshman 1868:282.
Freeport
United Brethren in Christ
Freeport United Church Doon Heritage
Crossroads
Begun: 1861 Closed: 1961
A church congregation, which was at first on the Waterloo Circuit
of the United Brethren in Christ Church, was organized at Freeport
in 1860 by Rev. S.L. Downey. A church was built, and dedicated in
1861 [on part Lot 13, Beasley's Broken Front (B.B.F.)]. The church
was located not far from the south side of the bridge over the
Grand River at Freeport, on the west side of what is now known as
old Highway 8. Freeport was added to the Woolwich Circuit of the
United Brethren in Christ in 1877. The Quarterly Conference of
September 1, 1877 was held at Freeport; the Financial Report from
that meeting lists Freeport for the first time.
When a split occurred in the United Brethren in Christ Church in
1889, the Freeport church was part of the group which later joined
with the Congregational Church in 1906. The Congregationals then
joined with the Methodists and some Presbyterian congregations to
form the United Church of Canada on June 10, 1925. In 1944 the coal
oil lamps in the church were replaced by electricity at the same
time that the church was redecorated.
The Freeport church held its 100th Anniversary service on June 11,
1961 but disbanded in the Fall of the same year; members of the
congregation who wished to do so became charter members of Christ
the King United Church, Kitchener. In 1962 the church building was
relocated to Doon Heritage Crossroads as a gift from the United
Church of Canada. The hand on the steeple is from the old St.
Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Bridgeport which was built on
Lancaster Street in 1889.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The location of the church records is unknown but there are
references to the church at the United Church Archives in the
Circuit Register of the Waterloo Circuit of the United Brethren in
Christ for 1878-1907. In addition, two Sunday School Record Books
for 1903-1919 and 1919-1946 are at Doon Heritage Crossroads. The
Waterloo Circuit Marriage Register 1898-1931, also at the United
Church Archives, may contain references to Freeport. A
transcription of the early records from St. Paul's United Church,
Preston, by Dona Madill (1986a) contains references to Freeport
residents.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Doon Heritage Crossroads, R.R. 2, Kitchener, ON
N2G 3W5 - on the Huron Road in east Kitchener, off Homer Watson
Blvd., open May 1-Dec 31; 748-1914.]
References: Getz 1964; Sherk, WHS 1924(12):105; R. Taylor 1986;
United Brethren in Christ Church; WHS 1961(49):69-71; Waterloo
Trust 1967; Zimmerman, WHS 1964(52):40.
Hespeler
Anglican
St. James Anglican Church
Begun: 1882
As a mission of Trinity Anglican Church, Galt, the first Anglican
service was conducted by Rev. Canon Hinks of Galt in the Royal
Templars' Hall on Cooper Street. Later services were held in the
Temperance Hall. The Parish of St. James was organized in 1884 and
on June 17, 1893 the cornerstone was laid for a church. Dedication
services were held on October 28, 1893 by Bishop Baldwin of the
Diocese of Huron. St. James was separated on January 1, 1890 from
Preston, to which it had been attached since its organization, and
continued on as a separate parish. Rev. E. Lee became Rector but
only for a short time as he resigned in the Fall of 1890. Rev. W.N.
Duthie then became rector of the parish, effective November 1,
1890. The congregation celebrated a Golden Jubilee in 1943. This
first church, which was located at 30 Harvey Street, Cambridge
(Hespeler), Ontario, was closed in 1990 when a new church was
erected on Ellis Road.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1883- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1883- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1883- Location of records: at church
Parish records at the Diocese of Huron Archives for the years
1891-1913 for St. John's Anglican Church in Preston may include
references to St. James
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 520 Ellis Rd., Cambridge., ON N3C 1M6 - located
in the Hespeler section of Cambridge; 658-4547.)
References: Hespeler 1901:5; Hespeler 1966; R. Taylor 1986.
Hespeler
Baptist
Hespeler Baptist Church
Begun: 1889
The congregation was organized by South Water Street Baptist
Church, Galt, and a first meeting was held on July 16, 1889 at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. William Wingfield. Regular services began on
July 28, 1889 in Glick's Hall with Pastor Frank Beattie from Galt
as preacher; there were 30 people present. When the weather became
too cool to meet in Glick's Hall, services were held as of October
27, 1889 in the Mechanics' Institute Hall above James Salt's
blacksmith shop. Pastor Beattie preached for the last time on
November 6th and on November 24, 1889 Rev. John M. McQuarrie, who
had been called to Hespeler, preached his first sermon. Formal
organization of the congregation as the Hespeler Regular Baptist
Church had taken place on October 11th, but the special service to
officially transfer membership of the 19 charter members to the new
church was not held until December 25, 1889. A Sunday School was
organized on January 15, 1890 and opened on January 26th.
Services continued in the Mechanics' Institute Hall until 1892 when
plans were made to build a church. On June 12, 1892 a building lot
on King Street (now Tannery Street) was purchased for $150; the
contract for the building which was signed on October 14th was for
$1400. A service of dedication was held on Saturday evening,
February 11, 1893 at 7:30 p.m., and the new brick church was
officially opened the next day, on February 12, 1893 at 10:30 a.m.
with Rev. S.S. Bates of College Street Baptist Church in Toronto as
guest speaker. The Preston Baptist Church was organized on May 7,
1895 and for most of the next decade its congregation was
ministered to by the pastor from Hespeler.
Electric lights were installed in the Hespeler church in 1902 and
on December 18, 1904 the first service was held in the newly
enlarged and remodelled church. In 1927 the congregation joined the
newly organized Union of Regular Baptist Churches of Ontario and
Quebec.
Arrangements were made in February 1951 for the construction of a
new church at the corner of Adam and David Streets and on April 4th
the Salvation Army's offer to purchase the old church (for $8,500)
was accepted. The sod-turning ceremony was held on May 1, 1951, the
corner stone was laid on June 29, and on November 4, 1951, at 9:45
a.m., the door opening service was held at the new church. The
church was again enlarged with the construction of an addition in
1960. The church celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1964.
Early pastors who followed Rev. McQuarrie (1889-1892) were Revs.
William Freed (1892-1895), William Peer (1895-1896) and A.R.
McDonald (1896-1901).
Records:
Baptism dates: 1890*- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: c.1890- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: c.1890- Location of records: at church
*The first baptisms were those of five individuals who were
baptised in the Speed River on April 20, 1890. Please refer to the
Introduction for an explanation regarding Baptist Church
records.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 76 Adam St., Cambridge, ON N3C 1M6 - located in
the Hespeler section of Cambridge; 658-4220; no mail inquiries,
please.]
References: Heritage Cambridge 1976:56; Hespeler 1901:5; Hespeler
1966; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Buehler, Allan M. The Hespeler
Baptist Church 75th Anniversary 1889-1964, 1964.
Hespeler
Evangelical Association
Evangelical Church
Begun: c.1840 Closed: 1922
Joseph Harlacher, an Evangelical missionary stationed at Berlin, is
said to have preached to Hespeler Evangelicals as early as 1840.
Early meetings were held in various places, including a
schoolhouse, until the Evangelicals and New Connexion Methodists
joined forces in 1847 to build a place of worship on the same site
where the Methodists would eventually, in 1868, build a new church.
This was at the corner of Queen Street and Hungerford Road. The
Evangelical congregation worshipped, in German, in this union
church until 1863 when they built their own church. (The site, at
31 Tannery Street, is now that of the Hespeler Missionary Church.)
In 1874 the Rev. Stephen Morley became the first resident pastor
and English-language services were begun in addition to those in
German.
In the early 1890s the Hespeler Mission, which was in the South
District of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association,
included Strasburg. Rev. W.J. Yaeger was pastor to the two
congregations which numbered 127 members in 1893.
The Hespeler Evangelical Association Church (according to Duff,
1987) closed in 1922 and the few remaining members joined the
Hespeler Methodist congregation, which became Hespeler United
Church in 1925 and then, in 1961, St. Luke's United Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1884-1922 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1876-1920 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Membership Lists 1876-1921 and Annual Meetings 1897-1922 are also
located at the United Church Archives, as are the Quarterly
Conference Minutes 1908-1922. Some marriage records for 1867 are in
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869.
References: Duff 1987; Evangelical Association; Hespeler 1901:5; R.
Taylor 1986.
Hespeler
Lutheran
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1860
A first Lutheran service was held by Rev. Jacob Hoelsche from St.
Peter's Lutheran Church, Preston in 1854 in a non-denominational
community meeting house located on Cooper Street. Rev. Hoelsche
resigned in the same year. Services were held over the following
years by various pastors, sometimes those from other denominations.
The congregation was formally organized in 1860 by the Rev.
Immanuel Wurster, also from Preston, who became the first pastor,
serving St. James in a joint Parish with the Preston church. He
continued in this capacity for the next twenty-one years, until his
resignation on December 1, 1881.
Continuing growth of the congregation made necessary a building
with more space. A decision was made on July 26, 1866 at a
congregational meeting held in the community meeting house to build
a church. The congregation met to choose a building plan for the
new stone church on July 15, 1867. Rev. Wurster officiated at the
laying of the cornerstone for the church on August 25, 1867. The
building was completed in October 1868 and dedicated on November 1,
1868. It was a plain structure at first - the wooden spire was
added in 1884.
The congregation, known at first as St. Jacobs German Lutheran
Evangelical Church of Hespeler and Vicinity, was served from
Preston until December 4, 1886 when the first pastor, Rev. E.
Littwien, was called. At that time, the connection with Preston was
severed; the parish then was made up of St. James, and the churches
at Shantz Station and Breslau. A parsonage was built on Harvey
Street in 1892, to be replaced in 1965 by a new one on Elizabeth
Street. In 1912 Hespeler became a parish on its own, and in 1913
English-language services were begun. German services were
discontinued entirely in 1934. The Church Hall was built in the
newly excavated basement of the church in 1947; dedication services
for this major task were held on December 14, 1947. The
congregation celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the present church
building on Sunday, October 18, 1992.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 96 Queen St. E., Cambridge, ON N3C 2B1 - located
in the Hespeler section of Cambridge; 658-9621]
References: Cronmiller 1961:142; Eylands 1945:90; Heritage
Cambridge 1976:60; Hespeler 1901:5; Hespeler 1966; R. Taylor
1986.
Church History: The One Hundredth Anniversary
of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hespeler, Ontario,
1860-1960, 1960.
Hespeler
Methodist New Connexion
St. Luke's United Church
Begun: 1837
Meetings began in homes with the arrival of a Methodist New
Connexion missionary in 1837. In 1844 New Hope (formerly
Bergeytown) was on the Trafalgar Circuit and was ministered to by
the Rev. W. Bothwell and two local preachers. Land was donated in
1849 by David Rife Sr. for a stone church called the New Hope
Chapel which was located on Queen Street at Hungerford Road. This
Chapel was constructed jointly by the New Connexion Methodists and
the Evangelicals, who were to build their own church in 1863. In
1851 the congregation was on the Nassagaweya Circuit. Membership
continued to grow with the resultant formation in 1858 of a new
circuit, the New Hope Circuit. The name of New Hope was changed to
Hespeler in the same year with the subsequent renaming of the
circuit to the Hespeler Circuit. Early pastors were Revs. James
Bell (1858), James Hall (1859-1860), James White (1861-1863), Elias
Williams (1864-1866) and James Hill (1867-1870).
In 1874 at the 46th Annual Conference of the Methodist New
Connexion Church it was reported that the Hespeler Circuit, which
was described as being a Mission of Galt, in the Guelph District,
had 4 Chapels, 1 parsonage, 1 Circuit preacher, 2 local preachers,
2 Sunday Schools and a congregation totalling 580 individuals. In
the same year, 1874, the Wesleyan Methodists and the New Connexion
Methodists united to form the Methodist Church in Canada.
Hespeler became a single charge c.1892 when the Rev. Dr. George H.
Cornish was the minister, and from that date the church was
considered to be self-supporting. Union with the Congregationals
and some Presbyterian congregations resulted in the formation of
the United Church of Canada on June 10, 1925; the Hespeler
Methodist Church became known then as Hespeler United Church.
The 1849 stone church was torn down in 1868 to make way for a
newer, larger stone church which was to remain the place of worship
until 1961 when a new church was built on Franklin Boulevard. The
final service was conducted in the old stone Hespeler United Church
on October 8, 1961, and dedication of the new St. Luke's United
Church was held a week later on October 15, 1961. The congregation
celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 1987.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1899- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1899- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1899- Location of records: at church
The United Church Archives has the Circuit List of Members for
1867, a list of Baptisms 1861-1863 and the Quarterly Board Minutes
1853-1916 for the Nassagaweya and subsequent circuits. See
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for Marriages from
1862-1864, 1866-1868.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 1620 Franklin Blvd, Cambridge, ON N3C 1P2 -
located in the Hespeler section of Cambridge; 658-2351]
References: Hespeler 1901:5; Methodist Church; New Connexion
Methodist Church; R. Taylor 1986.
Church Histories: 1) Duff, Daniel S. Journey
of Faith 1837-1987: St. Luke's United Church, Cambridge (Hespeler),
Ontario, 1987. 2) Panabaker, Arnold T. One Hundred Years
of the United Church, Hespeler 1837-1937, 1937. 3) Panabaker,
Cornelius A. Unpublished manuscript written for the 120th
Anniversary of the church, 1956.
Hespeler
Mennonite
Wanner Mennonite Church
Begun: 1829
A small wooden meeting house was built in 1829 on a corner of the
farm belonging to Samuel Bechtel which was located in the vicinity
of the present-day regional headquarters of the Ministry of Natural
Resources near the intersection of Highways 24 and 401. The site
for this community meeting house, as well as a school and a burial
ground, had been chosen on August 8, 1829. The land was donated by
Samuel Bechtel and his wife Barbara (Baumann) on March 15, 1830. A
new meeting house, of white brick, was built in 1837 on the east
side of Henry Wanner's farm, somewhat north of the first meeting
house. Meetings at first were held every eight weeks. The deed of
land for the meeting house known as Wanner's was dated October 15,
1837. Early preachers were David Sherk, who had been ordained by
Benjamin Eby in July 1837, Jacob Bretz, Jr., and Joseph
Hagey.
Joseph Hagey was ordained bishop in 1851. During his time divisions
occurred in the church by a surge of enthusiasm for a Methodist
form of revivalism. Solomon Eby of Port Elgin, who announced his
own conversion in December 1869, was leader of a group which
believed that members could be converted through participation in
revival meetings. John Baer of Wanner's became associated with
Solomon Eby, and was compelled to leave the church in the spring of
1874, as were Eby and his other followers. The new church movement
resulted in organization conferences which culminated in the
conference on March 23, 1875 at Bloomingdale where New Mennonites
and Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites joined together as United
Mennonites. The United Mennonites favored revival meetings, Sunday
Schools and prayer meetings, and were opposed to the use of alcohol
and tobacco.
The date of construction of the meeting house which replaced the
one built in 1837 is somewhat in doubt. It is possible that a new
building was erected in the early 1870s; it is also possible that
the 1837 building only underwent extensive renovations at that
time. There is no doubt, however, that a new brown brick church was
built in 1938. An education wing was added in 1969.
The earliest Mennonite Sunday School in North America was begun in
1842 and was held jointly by the Wanner and Hagey Meeting Houses.
It was discontinued after a short time because of a division of
opinion within the congregations. An attempt was made later, in the
mid-1860s, to begin another Sunday School, but this, too, did not
last long. Many years later, on June 10, 1896, a meeting was held
to organize a Sunday School. Anson Groh was appointed
superintendent.
Records:
Some Births and Deaths for 1860, from the records of Joseph Hagey,
may be found in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County, on
National Archives of Canada Microfilm C-15758. This microfilm is
available on interlibrary loan, or at the Kitchener Public Library.
For other information regarding the availability of early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: near Hespeler, at the corner of Beaverdale and
Maple Grove Roads - R.R. 21, Hespeler, ON N3C 2V3; 658-4902]
References: Burkholder 1935:93-95; Epp 1974:125; Good 1988:86;
Snyder, WHS 1963(51):27-28.
Church History: Bechtel, Ken. Strangers Within
the Gates. Wanner Mennonite Church 1837-1987. Petrolia, ON:
Browns Photography and Printing, 1987.
Hespeler
Presbyterian
St. Andrew's Hespeler Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1855
A congregation was organized in 1855 and on October 25, 1855
Hespeler (known at the time as New Hope) was placed on a two-point
charge with Doon. Thomas Isaac Hodgskin was minister to the two
congregations, beginning his service as a missionary, and later
being called (September 30, 1856) and inducted October 16, 1856 to
the joint congregations as pastor. Rev. Malcolm McKenzie, who
arrived in the Fall of 1861, was ordained and inducted to the
church on February 12, 1862. It was during his ministry that the
congregation's first church was built on Cooper Street in
1862-1863, on land which had been donated in 1856 by Robert Forbes.
A first communion was held on May 31, 1863.
The charge was shared with Preston and Doon from April 24, 1876
when the Rev. George Haigh was formally inducted as minister to the
three congregations. On March 20, 1883 Doon and Hespeler were made
into a pastoral charge under Rev. Haigh and were separated from
Preston, which became a Mission Station. Rev. Haigh resigned on
October 16, 1892, but it was not long before the Rev. Daniel
Strachan was called as Hespeler's first full-time minister - in
January 1893. He was ordained and inducted on February 9, 1893. As
of November 15, 1893 Hespeler was separated from Doon and became a
separate, self-sustaining charge.
A decision to build a new church was made in early 1908, land on
Queen Street was purchased, and the present church was built in
1909-1910. After dedication services were held in the new church
March 13, 1910, the old church became Alexandra Hall. It remained
as such until 1916 when it was sold to the Roman Catholics to
replace their own church on Cooper Street which had been destroyed
by fire. St. Andrew's celebrated its Centennial in 1955, the same
year in which the manse was built. Services were held on Sunday
October 25, 1992 to celebrate the 137th Anniversary of the
organization of the congregation.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1900- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1858- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1867- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 73 Queen St. E., Cambridge, ON N3C 2E5 - located
in the Hespeler section of Cambridge; 658-2652]
References: Couling, WHS 1975(63):40; Doon and Blair W.I.; Heritage
Cambridge 1976:58,59; Hespeler 1901:5; Hespeler 1966; Presbyterian
Church; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Diamond Jubilee
1855-1915. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church,
Hespeler, October 25, 1915.
Hespeler
Roman Catholic
St. Mary of the Visitation Roman Catholic
Church
Begun: 1857
Early missionaries came to the area c.1827 beginning with Father
James W. Campion who was followed by Father Cassidy and Father John
Cullen. Next came the St. Agatha missionaries, Fathers John Louis
Wiriath (1834-1837), Peter Schneider (1837-1844), Simon Sanderl
(1844-1846), and then the Jesuits. About this time a Mr. Barrett of
Puslinch approached Rev. John Holzer, the Jesuit Superior, about
building a church in Hespeler. Rev. Holzer agreed to the
request.
The cornerstone for a stone church was laid on September 6, 1857.
Consecration services were held later that autumn by the Rt. Rev.
John Farrell, Bishop of Hamilton. A large addition was built c.1900
which changed the rectangular church into the shape of a cross.
Sadly, the church was destroyed by fire on March 18, 1916, at which
time the congregation purchased the former Presbyterian Church
nearby on Cooper St. This building had become Alexandra Hall in
1910 when the Presbyterian congregation had moved into their new
church on Queen Street East. The new St. Mary of the Visitation
Roman Catholic Church was dedicated on June 25, 1917. Another fire
on January 19, 1918 destroyed the altar and caused considerable
smoke damage to the interior of the church. The damage was repaired
in good time. Renovations to add space were made in 1957 and
1966.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1890- Location of records: at church*
Marriage dates: 1890- Location of records: at church*
Burial dates: 1890- Location of records: at church*
Father George Laufhuber began the Hespeler Register in 1857. Some
early records could be at St. Agatha, or at the Church of Our Lady
in Guelph, as the parish at one time was in charge of the Jesuits
from Guelph. Records from 1863-1868 could be in Paris as the Parish
at that time was attached to Paris. In 1901 the church was reported
to be attached to Galt. Father Joseph F. Crofton became the first
resident priest on March 25, 1906. The first burial in the church
cemetery was that of Nicolaus Fedy in late 1856. The first Baptism
is said to have been in the spring of 1858. Baptisms and Marriages
for the Niagara District 1830-1832 (Norfolk 1992a) and 1827
Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials at Dundas, and Guelph 1827-1830
(Norfolk 1992b) have been transcribed and are available at the
Kitchener Public Library. *No access is permitted to the church
records.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 16 Cooper St., Cambridge, ON N3C 2N2 - located
in the Hespeler section of Cambridge; 658-4443.]
References: Heritage Cambridge 1976:59; Hespeler 1901:5; Hespeler
1966; Quantrell 1989a; Spetz 1916:150-159; R. Taylor 1986
Hespeler
Salvation Army
Cambridge North Citadel Corps
Begun: 1886
The first meetings of the newly formed Hespeler Salvation Army
Corps were held in 1886 in the community meeting house on Cooper
Street, although the first listing of the Corps was not until 1896.
The first officer listed was Captain Phoebe Bentley, as of
September 17, 1896.
In 1930 a building was purchased on Adam Street. The officers in
charge at that time were Ensign and Mrs. Petrie. This first church,
known as the Adam Street Mission, was demolished in the Spring of
1992 when renovations were made to the Hespeler Library.
The Hespeler and Preston corps amalgamated in 1936. In 1951 when
Captain and Mrs. Archibald McCorquodale were the officers in
charge, the Hespeler Corps purchased the former Baptist Church on
King Street (now Tannery Street) when the Baptists built their
present church on Adam Street. The Salvation Army's offer of $8,500
for the Baptist Church building was accepted by the latter
congregation on April 4, 1951. The Baptists held the opening
services in their new church on November 4, 1951 and on Thursday
November 29, 1951 the congregation of the Salvation Army Hespeler
Corps held their first service in their new church. The service was
at 8 p.m. with Brigadier Green, the Division Commander from
Hamilton, officating.
Records:
Salvation Army records at the Army's Heritage Centre (Archives and
Museum) on Bayview Avenue in Toronto are available to researchers
subject to certain conditions. Contact the Archives at (416)
481-4441 for further information.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 18 Tannery St., Cambridge, ON N3C 2B9 - located
in the Hespeler section of Cambridge; 658-9850.]
References: Buehler 1964:6-7; Hespeler 1966.
Kitchener
Anglican
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church
Begun: 1856
Early Anglican services were held in the Berlin area in the 1840s
by the Rev. Michael Boomer of the Galt Mission. In 1856 William
Jaffray moved from Galt to Berlin and established an
English-language newspaper, the Berlin Chronicle. An
Anglican, who had attended Trinity Church in Galt, Mr. Jaffray led
in the formation of a congregation in Berlin, where he acted as Lay
Reader. Two other gentlemen influential in establishing the
Anglican presence in Berlin were Henry Joseph Fletcher Jackson and
Dr. David S. Bowlby. Land was purchased on April 5, 1861 on the
southeast corner of Water St. N. and Short (now Duke) Streets, and
the first church, of red brick with white brick trim, was built in
1861.
The church was demolished in April 1894 to make room for the
present church which was built on the same site and dedicated on
October 7, 1894. A Parish Hall was built in 1927 and the church was
enlarged in 1955. Early rectors who followed the missionary, Thomas
S. Campbell, were the first rector Rev. E.R. Stimson (1859-1864),
Rev. Dr. John Schulte (1864-1867), Rev. Henry Jessop (1868) and
Rev. Alexander Sydney Falls (1869-1876).
Records:
Baptism dates: 1858- Location of records: at church*
Marriage dates: 1878- Location of records: at church*
Burial dates: 1859- Location of records: at church*
*Early records: Baptisms 1858-1872, Marriages 1878-1889, Burials
1859-1890, and Confirmations 1870-1888 have been transcribed and
published by the Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical
Society. The Parish Registers 1859-1890 are at the Diocese of Huron
Archives.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 23 Water St. N., Kitchener, ON N2H 5A4;
743-0228.]
References: Smith, WHS 1956(44):13; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley
1937:137-138.
Church History: The Church of St. John the
Evangelist, Kitchener, Ontario - 125th Anniversary, 1856-1981,
1981.
Kitchener
Baptist
Benton Street Baptist Church
Begun: 1851
The congregation of the first German Baptist Church in Canada was
organized in Bridgeport on September 10, 1851 by Rev. August
Rauschenbusch. A church was built in Berlin at the corner of Benton
and St. George Streets in 1852, with Rev. Henry Schneider as the
first pastor. Pastors who followed Rev. Schneider were Revs. Ed.
Austermuehl (1863-1864) and C. Bodenbender (1865-1871).
By 1883 the congregation had grown to 140 members and the new and
larger church which was built on the same site was opened in
December of that year. The pastor at the time was Rev. Jacob
Fellman, who had begun his service as pastor on August 23, 1876.
Sunday evening services in English were attempted in 1891 but were
not continued because of poor attendance. However, an
English-speaking Baptist congregation, to be known as King Street
Baptist Church, was organized in Berlin on November 10, 1895; seven
members of the new congregation were from the Benton Street
church.
The name of the church was changed from German Baptist Church to
Benton Street Baptist Church in March, 1918 when the congregation
ceased holding services in the German language. On January 25, 1928
the church "withdrew from the Baptist Convention of Ontario and
Quebec ... " (Clubine 1976). The church later "became affiliated
with the Fellowship of Independent Baptist Churches" (Ibid.)
.
A growing congregation necessitated improvement and additions to
the church over the years. The Sunday School was built in 1901, and
was enlarged in 1927 with the addition of a second storey. Fire
destroyed the church on February 11, 1964, except for an addition
which had been built in 1953. Sod was turned on September 5, 1965
marking the beginning of construction of a new church; the
cornerstone was laid on April 3, 1966 and the new building was
officially opened and dedicated on September 18, 1966. The
congregation had met in Eastwood Collegiate in the interval.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1851- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1851- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1851- Location of records: at church
For marriage dates 1858-1861, 1865, 1867, see Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869. The Civil Registers for Waterloo County
1855-1861 contain some Births 1861, Marriages 1855 and Deaths 1855,
1860, on National Archives microfilm C-15758, available on
interlibrary loan or at the Kitchener Public Library. These latter
records may include references to congregations in the Townships of
Waterloo, Wilmot and Woolwich.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 90 Benton St., Kitchener, ON N2G 3H4;
745-3792.]
References: Baptist Church; Clubine 1976; Stroh, WHS 1978(66):114;
R. Taylor 1986; Uttley 1937:93-97; WHS 1931(19):275; WHS
1964(52):82-83; WHS 1965(53):18.
Church History: Benton Street Baptist Church:
125 Years, 1851-1976, 1976.
Kitchener
Baptist
Highland Baptist Church
Begun: 1895 (See also Glen Acres Baptist Church, Waterloo)
A congregation, which was eventually to become two congregations,
was organized on November 10, 1895 by a group of English-speaking
Baptists, some from the German Baptist Church on Benton Street.
There were 25 charter members. The new congregation met in the YMCA
for two years until a Sunday School building, to be used for church
services as well, was erected on King Street West, on the southeast
corner of King and Water Streets. Rev. P.A. McEwan was the first
regular pastor. Building of a church, to be named King Street
Baptist Church, began in 1906 and was completed in 1907.
In 1958 part of the congregation built a new church on Highland
Road; the other part held services in a school until 1959 when
their own church, Glen Acres Baptist Church, opened in Waterloo.
The King Street Church was sold and then demolished, to be replaced
by a Bank of Commerce building.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1895- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1895- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1895- Location of records: at church
Membership lists for 1895-1899 are at the Canadian Baptist
Archives, and can be seen with written permission from the
church.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 135 Highland Rd. W., Kitchener, ON N2M 3B9;
745-9461.]
References: Benton Street Baptist Church 1976; R. Taylor 1986;
Uttley 1937:299-300.
Kitchener
Evangelical Association
Zion United Church
Begun: 1839
A Sunday School was established in Berlin in 1837, meeting in Jacob
Hailer's carpenter shop which was located at the southeast corner
of what is now King and Scott Streets. A mission was begun by Rev.
Christian Holl shortly after his arrival in Berlin on May 9, 1839,
and a class (or congregation) was organized several months later on
August 29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert of the Evangelical
Association during a camp meeting held at David Erb's farm near
Lexington. John Hoffman was the Berlin class leader; his brother,
Jacob, was class leader for the Waterloo-Lexington congregation.
The Berlin congregation met in the old Town Hall until their first
church was built in 1841 on Queen Street South across from Church
Street on land purchased as of August 24, 1841 from Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Schneider. The church was dedicated on September 25th of
that year, with Rev. Christian Hummel of Buffalo, New York,
officiating. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was pastor from 1840-1842. In
1842 the Waterloo Mission became a Circuit of the East Pennsylvania
Conference. Two years later it was part of the New York
Conference.
The second church building was built of brick on the same site in
1866, and dedicated in 1867; Rev. C.A. Spies was pastor at the
time. The old frame church was sold and moved to Elgin Street where
it was used as a dwelling. In the same year Berlin became a
station.
The present church building was built in 1893 on Weber Street;
dedication services were held on June 15, 16 and 17, 1894. This
building was heavily damaged by fires in 1942 and 1965 but was
renovated and restored each time.
The union of the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in
Christ Church on November 16, 1946 created the Evangelical United
Brethren Church. The name of the church was to change again, to
Zion United Church when the Evangelical United Brethren Church
joined the United Church of Canada on January 1, 1968.
Of interest: some maps of early Berlin show this church as a German
Methodist church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1858- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: at church
Marriage records for 1860, 1862-1865, and 1868 can be found in
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869, available at the
Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 32 Weber St. W., Kitchener, ON N2H 3Z2;
745-4026.]
References: Getz 1964:5-10,39; Moyer 1979:81 (picture); Stroh, WHS
1978(66):113; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley 1937:49-56.
Church Histories: 1) Hirschman, C.A. The First
One Hundred Years: A historical sketch prepared for the
centennial celebration of Zion Evangelical Church, Kitchener,
Ontario. Waterloo: Chronicle Press, 1939. 2) Zion United Church
1839-1989, Kitchener, Ontario. Published for the 150th
Anniversary, Oct. 15, 1989.
Kitchener
Lutheran
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: c.1875 Closed: c.1895
First mention of St. John's Lutheran Church was made in the
Kirchenblatt in 1875. It was the third Lutheran church
established in Berlin and the congregation "worshipped in the
former Swedenborgian Church on the west corner of Church and Benton
Streets" (Weicker 1976:20). The church had been sold by the
Swedenborgians in 1870 when they moved to their new church on the
northeast corner of King and Water Streets. (Hopkins' 1879 map of
the town of Berlin shows a Lutheran Church located on the southwest
corner of Church and Benton Streets.) It was reported in the 1875
Minutes of the Canada Synod that St. John's was served bi-weekly in
a parish with St. James in New Dundee, the Lutheran Church in
Strasburg and St. Matthew's in Plattsville. St. James Lutheran
Church in Mannheim was added to this Parish as of the 1877
Minutes.
St. John's was formed by members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church who
wished to belong to the Canada Synod. St. Peter's was considered to
be an independent at the time. The last mention of the church was
in the Kirchenblatt in 1895. Ryan Taylor (1986:71) reports
that the congregation seems to have flourished in 1877.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: R. Taylor 1986; Weicker 1976:20-21; Weicker 1985;
Weicker 1990:12.
Kitchener
Lutheran
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1835
A congregation was formed in 1834 by the missionary Rev. Friedrich
Wilhelm Bindemann. The first church, known as the German Protestant
Evangelical Church, was built on the south side of Church and Queen
Streets in 1848 with Rev. Bindemann as the first pastor. The name
of the church was changed on Easter Monday, 1869 to St. Paul's
Evangelical Lutheran Church at Berlin, Ontario. Two years
previously St. Paul's had called Rev. Adam Ernst who succeeded Rev.
H.W.H. Wichmann. Pastor Ernst's conditions to the congregation when
accepting its call were that 1) the congregation join the Missouri
Synod and 2) the church's name be changed. In the fall of 1871 the
congregation made the decision to affiliate with the Eastern
District, Missouri Synod. Pastor Ernst was followed by Rev. Peter
Andres, from 1881-1894.
A decision was made to build a new church and the last service in
the old church was held on March 10, 1889. The next day the tearing
down of the old building began. Work then began on lowering the
hill on which the church had stood, before construction could begin
on the new building. The cornerstone for the new church was laid on
June 2, 1889 and the service of dedication was held on December 8,
1889. Of interest is the fact that the benches from the old church
were retained for use in the new one.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1835- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1835- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1835- Location of records: at church
Births, Marriages, Deaths and Confirmations for 1835-1864 are at
the Kitchener Public Library; indexed. See Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869 for marriage information 1858-1862, 1864.
Taylor (1986:70) reports that "exact birth places in Germany [are]
often given."
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 137 Queen St. S., Kitchener, ON N2H 1W2;
745-4891.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:115-116; Eylands 1945:64-67; Malinsky
1954:63-64; Moyer 1979:21; Stroh, WHS 1931(19):275; R. Taylor 1986;
Threinen 1989:14; Uttley 1937:42-49; Weicker 1976:20; Weicker
1985.
Church Histories: 1) 100th Anniversary: St.
Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitchener, 1835-1935.
Kitchener, ON: Merchants' Printing Co., 1935. 2) Fiftieth
Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Kitchener, Ontario, 1889-1939. December 10,
1939.
Kitchener
Lutheran
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1862
A Sunday School, made up of members of St. Paul's who were unhappy
with the pastor, Rev. F.W. Bindemann, was organized on November 2,
1862 by the Rev. C.F.A. Kaessmann of the Canada Synod. The formal
organization of the congregation was on January 1, 1863, and on
January 19, 1863 a decision was made to build a church. One quarter
of an acre of land was purchased from Augusta Krug (for $178.50).
The cornerstone was laid by the pastor, Rev. Kaessmann, on April
26, 1863, and on July 19th of the same year the new church was
dedicated. Rev. J. Fishbein, president of the Canada Synod,
presided at the dedication service.
Plans were made in 1877 to build a newer church. The last service
was held on March 11, 1877 in the old church and demolition of the
building began the next day. The newer and larger building on the
same site was dedicated on October 6, 1878. The first English
service was held on May 10, 1884. A decision was made on May 12,
1912 to conduct English language services on Sunday evenings, and
in the next year an English Sunday School was begun.
Construction of another new church building began in 1965 - once
again on the same site. Phase I saw construction of a new sanctuary
beside the old church. The last service was held in the old church
on September 4, 1966 and the first one in the new sanctuary a week
later, on September 11, 1966. Phase II of the project began the
next day with the demolition of the old church. Dedication Sunday
for the new church complex was on October 20, 1968.
St. Peter's is reported to have been an independent congregation
until joining the Canada Synod in 1914. Early pastors who followed
Rev. Kaessmann were Revs. Herman Sagehorn (1870-1877), G. Manz
(1877-1881), Thomas Snyder (1881) and R. von Pirch (1882-1905). Of
interest: St. Matthew's Lutheran Church was formed from St. Peter's
Church on February 23, 1904.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1861- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1861- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1861- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriage
information, 1862, 1866-1868.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 49 Queen St. N., Kitchener, ON N2H 2G9;
745-4705.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:75-77; Eylands 1945:108-113; Koegler,
WHS 1950(38):41-44; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley 1937:163-168; Weicker
1976:20-21; Weicker 1985.
Church Histories: 1) Opperman, Henry W. 100
Years of Service: St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1863,
1963. Waterloo: Waterloo Printing, 1963. 2) Heeding the
Call. St. Peter's Lutheran Church 1863-1988, 1988.
Kitchener
Mennonite
Bethany Missionary Church
Begun: 1877
A congregation of Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites was organized
at a meeting on May 15, 1874 by a group of church members who had
been excommunicated from their former church. A conference at
Bloomingdale on March 23, 1875 resulted in the union of Reforming
(or Reformed) Mennonites and New Mennonites into a new group known
as United Mennonites. In 1883, the congregation became a Mennonite
Brethren in Christ Church and was to remain as such for the next
sixty-four years. In November 1947 the General Conference held in
Potsdam, Ohio approved a change of name to United Missionary
Church. During meetings held from March 12 to 16, 1969 the former
United Missionary Church and the former Missionary Church
Association joined together to form The Missionary Church.
Early meetings of what would become known as Bethany Mennonite
Church were held in homes until the summer of 1877 when a church
was built on the present site on Lancaster Street East, at the
future corner of that street and Chapel Street. The church was the
twelfth one to be built in Berlin. Completion and dedication of the
new church was in late December, 1877. Services were held in German
in the beginning with English-language services being introduced in
the 1880s. In 1900 a decision was made to have German-language
services every other Sunday morning. A vestibule, new platform, and
altar rail were added to the 1877 building in 1900, but it wasn't
many years later that the need for a new and larger church became
pressing. The old church was torn down in 1908 to make way for
construction of a new one on the same site. Dedication Sunday was
September 20, 1908. Of interest is the fact that a large tent,
pitched at the back of the church property, was used for church
services in the interim. The new church was known as the Berlin
Congregation of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ. About this same
time occasional references were made to the name of Bethany. A
violent storm and high winds on the evening of November 29, 1919
caused the front part of the church roof to be lifted off. Major
renovations to finish the basement and add a new heating system
were made to the church in 1940, and in 1964 an Educational Wing
was added.
The first pastor was Moses Weber. He was followed by Peter Geiger,
John McNally and John Steckley. Pastor C.F. Krauth was minister in
1908 when the new red brick church was built. He was followed by
Cyrus N. Good, Silas Cressman and Ephraim Sievenpiper.
Of interest: annual Camp Meetings were held by the congregation in
Samuel Schneider's woods through the years 1887-1910.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 160 Lancaster St. E., Kitchener, ON N2H 1N2;
745-0151]
References: Berlin 1912:216; Epp 1982:270; Good 1988:86; Uttley
1937:28,198-201.
Church History: Shantz, Ward M. "Call to
Remembrance the Former Days." A History of Bethany Missionary
Church 1877-1977. Kitchener, ON: Mustard Seed Print Shop,
1977.
Kitchener
Mennonite
First Mennonite Church
Begun: 1807
The first church built in Waterloo County was erected in Berlin in
1813, and was known as Benjamin Eby's Meeting House.
Benjamin Eby had come to Canada in 1807 and in 1809 was ordained
preacher. Three years later, in 1812, he was ordained bishop. His
"parish included sections of Waterloo, Wilmot and Woolwich" (Uttley
1937:27). In 1818 a frame addition, which was to be used as a
winter school, was built on to the church. The log meeting house
was replaced in 1834 by a larger frame church, and the old building
was taken to Breslau to become the first meeting house in that
community. (The Breslau church was known as Cressman Meeting House,
a name which was changed in 1968 to Breslau Mennonite Church.) A
Sunday School was opened in the church in 1841.
Benjamin Eby died in 1853. He was followed by Abraham C. Weber who
served the congregation until his death in 1874. In that same year,
a division in the church brought about the departure of a group who
organized a congregation of Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites, to
become United Mennonites in 1875 and then Mennonite Brethren in
Christ in 1883. Their church is the present-day Bethany Missionary
Church on Lancaster Street East. Christian Eby was the next
minister of the Berlin Mennonite Church, until 1879. The church was
known over the years as Benjamin Eby's Church, Christian Eby's
Church (from 1854-1904), and the Berlin Church (from 1904 until
1917.) The name of the church became First Mennonite Church in
1917.
A new brick church was built in 1902. A Bible Study School was
begun in 1907, and in 1928 a separate brick Bible Study School
building was erected. Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church was formed
by some members in 1924 as a result of a division in the
church.
Of interest: when the new church was built in 1902, the 1834 frame
church was bought by D.B. Betzner who moved it to Cedar Street
where it became a woodenware business and then a furniture factory.
It was destroyed by fire in 1937.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 800 King St. E., Kitchener, ON N2G 2M6;
744-6574]
References: Bauman, WHS 1963(51):19-26; Burkholder 1935:73-77; Epp
1974:125; Epp 1982:270; Good 1988:86; Uttley 1937:21,24-29.
Church Histories: 1) Cressman, J. Boyd. "History
of the First Mennonite Church of Kitchener, Ontario." In The
Mennonite Quarterly Review, Volume XIII, Number 3, July 1939.
2) Alder, Elizabeth. The First Mennonite Church of
Kitchener. Wilfrid Laurier University, ARCH 290 term paper,
April 1985. 3) Good, E. Reginald. Frontier Community to Urban
Congregation: First Mennonite Church, Kitchener 1813-1988.
Kitchener, ON: First Mennonite Church, 1988.
Kitchener
Wesleyan Methodist
Trinity United Church
Begun: 1841
This congregation, on the Wesleyan Methodist Dumfries Circuit, was
organized in 1819 by the Rev. George Ferguson. The first church
building was erected in 1841 on the south corner of Benton and
Church Streets and dedicated on October 23, 1841. (The building was
later, c.1875, sold to the United Brethren in Christ.) In 1854
Berlin severed its connection with the Dumfries Circuit and became
a separate Circuit; Waterloo Methodists attended the Berlin church
at that time. The first parsonage was purchased in 1873, and it is
of interest that a resolution passed at the 1874 Annual Meeting of
the Wesleyan Methodist Church approved the sale of "Cornell's
Church on the Preston Road" to apply the "proceeds towards
liquidating the debt on the parsonage in Berlin."
In 1875 the congregation purchased the Waterloo Township Hall
(erected c.1849) at 40 Queen St. North, west side, between Duke and
Weber Streets. Part of this building was removed in the Fall of
1878 and was reconstructed to include a full-sized basement, a new
roof, and a choir alcove. The church was reopened and rededicated
on July 20, 1879. Further improvements in 1889-1891 included the
construction of a new wing. Early ministers of the Berlin Methodist
Church were Revs. Christopher Cookman (1875), John Scott (1876) and
Richard Williams (1877-). It was only in 1892 that the church
became known as Trinity Methodist Church.
The church was sold in 1904 to St. Matthew's Lutheran congregation.
The Methodist congregation met for a short time in the Opera House
on Queen Street South and then in the Salvation Army Barracks until
a new church was completed. Land on Frederick Street was purchased
from Sheriff Moses Springer for $3,100 and the cornerstone for the
new church was laid on August 14, 1905. The church was completed in
1906; dedication services were held on June 10, 1906.
The old church was home to the St. Matthew's congregation until
their new church was built on Benton Street. It was then sold on
January 10, 1914 to the First English Lutheran Church congregation
who worshipped there until 1938 when they in turn moved to their
new church at the corner of King and Green Streets. The former
Methodist Church building was then used by the Red Cross until
demolished in 1958.
With the formation on June 10, 1925 of the United Church of Canada
from a Union of the Methodist, Congregational and some Presbyterian
churches, this Methodist church became known as Trinity United
Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1902- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1902- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1902- Location of records: at church
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library. See
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for information on
Marriages 1858, 1860-1862, 1864-1868. Some Births for 1860 are in
the Civil Registers for Waterloo County 1855-1861, on National
Archives microfilm C-15758, available at the Kitchener Public
Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 74 Frederick St., Kitchener, ON N2H 2L7;
742-3578.]
References: Dunham 1941:49; Methodist Church; Stroh, WHS
1978(66):104-105; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley 1937:56-60; WHS 1970:85;
Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Church History: 1841-1991: 150th Anniversary,
Trinity United Church, Kitchener, Ontario, 1991.
Kitchener
Presbyterian
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1854
Presbyterian meetings were held in private homes beginning in 1854.
A petition to form a congregation was granted soon after by
Hamilton Presbytery with the result that St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, with 20 charter members, was organized on January 23, 1855.
The first service was conducted in a schoolhouse on Frederick
Street across from the Market Square by Rev. W. Pirie of the Doon
Presbyterian Church. At that time the congregation was united with
Winterbourne, an arrangement which ended in 1857.
The congregation decided in 1856 to build a church. The first
church building was erected accordingly in 1857 at the corner of
Queen and Weber Streets while Rev. A. Constable Geikie was minister
(1857-1859). Rev. Geikie had been ordained on July 16, 1856 by the
Presbytery of Toronto, and was inducted as minister to St. Andrew's
on March 5, 1857. Rev. Geikie was followed by Revs. John McMechan
(December 15, 1859-May 8, 1866), Thomas Cummings (1866-1867) and
Albert J. Traver (1867-1870).
A separate Sunday School building was erected on Weber Street in
1874 and in 1890 an addition was constructed to connect the Sunday
School to the church. The old church was removed in 1906 and the
cornerstone for the present church, which was to be built on the
same site, was laid October 10, 1906. Formal opening of the new
church was held on September 8, 1907. Rev. W.A. Bradley (1899-1912)
was minister at the time.
When the United Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925 from
the union of Methodist, Congregational and some Presbyterian
congregations, a number of St. Andrew's Church members left to join
the United Church, most of them going to Trinity United. One of
these was the church's minister, Rev. G.B. McLennan, who became
assistant minister at Trinity.
The year 1939 saw the installation of new lights and carpets; the
redecorated church was rededicated on September 10, 1939 at the
beginning of the Second World War. The congregation celebrated its
100th Anniversary in the Fall of 1954, the same year in which Iona
Hall was dedicated - on Friday, April 2nd. An addition to the
church which consisted of a new chapel and additional space for the
Sunday School was dedicated on September 15, 1969. Services to
celetrate the 125th anniversary of the church were held in
1979.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1857- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1857- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1857- Location of records: at church
At the Archives of Ontario: Baptisms 1857-1902, Marriages
1857-1899, no burial records. At the Presbyterian Church Archives:
Baptisms 1857-1902, Marriages 1857-1899. The church records
1857-1899, including Baptisms and Marriages, are on The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints microfilm number 0204143. See
also Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for information
on Marriages 1858, 1862, 1864-1865, 1869.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 54 Queen St. N., Kitchener, ON N2H 2H2;
578-4430.]
References: Canada Presbyterian Church; Carmichael, WHS
1945(33):23-29; Presbyterian Church; Schmalz; Stroh, WHS
1930(18):203; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley 1937:117-120.
Church History: St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, Kitchener, Ontario, 1979-1980, 1979. [Includes a short
history of the church by John L. Rennie.]
Kitchener
Roman Catholic
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1854
Early Catholic settlers in Berlin travelled to St. Agatha for
worship services. Father John Wiriath recorded only six Catholic
families in Berlin as of 1837. Father Wiriath was followed by
Fathers Peter Schneider and Simon Sanderl who served Berlin from
their base at St. Agatha. The next missionaries in the area were
the Jesuits, Fathers Lucas Caveng and Bernard Fritsch, who served
from 1847. More Catholics settled in Berlin and when it was chosen
as the county seat in 1852, with the expected arrival of additional
settlers, plans were made to construct a church.
A site at Weber and Young Streets was purchased from Mr. David
Weber, and the cornerstone for the church was laid in 1854. This
brick church was completed and dedicated in 1856, but was used only
on an average of perhaps once a month as the congregation had to
share the time of the priests from St. Agatha. While Rev. George
Laufhuber was priest from 1857-1859 a Separate School was
organized. The congregation was primarily German at this time.
Father Laufhuber was followed by Fathers P. Edward Glowacki (or
Glowalski) and Francis Breitkopf, and then by Rev. Dr. Louis
Funcken (1866-1890). Regular services began in 1866. Additions were
made to this church with a new Sanctuary in 1871, and a larger
Sacristy in 1881. A new school was built in 1874, and a new convent
in 1885.
Land for the present church, adjacent to the old one, was purchased
in 1899, sod was turned on Sunday, May 27, 1900 and the cornerstone
of the new church building was laid on September 30, 1900.
Dedication services were held in the new church on December 13,
1903. The full name of the church is Our Lady of the Seven
Sorrows.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1857- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1857- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1857- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriage
information 1859, 1867.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 56 Duke St. W., Kitchener, ON N2H 3W7;
576-3860.]
References: Spetz 1916:93-120; Stroh, WHS 1931(19):276; R. Taylor
1986; Uttley 1937:107-117; WHS 1957(45):37.
Kitchener
Salvation Army
Kitchener Citadel Corps
Begun: 1886
As early as 1884 members of the Guelph Corps began meetings in the
Berlin Town Hall and later in the Market Place. Unfortunately these
meetings were not always well received. Because of difficulties in
establishing a rapport with the citizens of Berlin it was not until
September 1886 that the Kitchener Corps actually had its beginning,
under the leadership of Lieutenant Emma Hatcher. The Dumfries
Reformer of September 17, 1886 reported to its readers that
the Guelph Army "attacked the sinners of Berlin on Sunday last."
This was the beginning of the efforts of the Salvation Army to
establish a mission in Berlin. Meetings were held in a tailor shop
on King Street East and in an old button factory on Wilmot Street
until the first church building was built on Foundry Street (now
Ontario Street South) in 1888. Establishing the mission in Berlin
was not easy, so much so that the Army withdrew from Berlin during
the years 1904-1907.
The Salvation Army returned to Berlin as of March 16, 1907 with
Captain Maud Lugger as leader. Work resumed and the Corps grew in
number. New barracks were built in 1927 on Gaukel Street; the
building was sold in 1966 to the Public Utilities Commission. The
present Citadel at 130 Duke Street East was built and opened in
1967. A Fellowship Hall was opened in 1978.
Of interest: There was a German Corps in Kitchener through the
years 1927 to 1933. Also of interest: a corps was established in
Waterloo as of June 25, 1931, but it was closed in 1935.
Records:
Salvation Army records at the Army's Heritage Centre (Archives and
Museum) on Bayview Avenue in Toronto are available to researchers
subject to certain conditions. Contact the Archives at (416)
481-4441 for further information.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 130 Duke St. E., Kitchener, ON N2H 1A7;
745-3351.]
Church History: The Salvation Army Kitchener
Citadel. 100th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet, 1986.
Kitchener
Swedenborgian
Carmel Church of the New Jerusalem
Begun: 1891
There was a split in the Kitchener Swedenborgian congregation on
September 18, 1891. One group, known as the Convention Church,
continued to worship in the stone Swedenborgian Church, located at
the corner of King and Water Streets, with Rev. F.W. Tuerk as
pastor. The other group met in private homes until their new frame
church, known as the Carmel Church Society, was erected in 1892 at
820 King Street West. A house at the corner of Shanley and Andrew
Streets in Berlin was used as a school until school rooms were
ready in the building at 820 King West. Rev. Frederick E. Waelchli
was the first Pastor.
The congregation called itself The Academy of the New Church in
Berlin, Canada, until 1897 when its name was changed to The Carmel
Church of the New Jerusalem. The church was seriously damaged by
fire on October 19, 1929 but it was possible to effect repairs as
well as some remodelling at the same time.
A new church was built, and dedicated on November 25, 1962 at
Caryndale near Strasburg; a church-operated elementary school is
part of the church complex. The last service in the old church on
King Street was held on November 11, 1962. The building was sold
and razed in 1963; a Medical Arts Building is located on the
property now. Carmel Church is a society of the New Church, and is
now referred to as The Carmel Church of the General Church of the
New Jerusalem. The headquarters of the church's parent body is in
Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania. The church's schools located there
include a College, Theological School, High School and Elementary
Schools.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1891- Location of records: at church*
Marriage dates: 1892- Location of records: at church*
Burial dates: 1891- Location of records: at church*
*Photocopies of the following records are at the Kitchener Public
Library: Marriage register 1910-1950; and egister of Baptisms
1891-1988, Confirmations 1902-1987, Betrothals 1893-1987, Marriages
1892-1949, Burials 1891-1987, Membership Roll 1901-1982 and Minutes
of Society meetings 1900-1910.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 40 Chapel Hill Dr, Kitchener, ON N2G 3W5;
748-5802.]
References: Doon and Blair W.I.; Dunham 1941:49; Kraehling, WHS
1963(51):42-43; Roberts, WHS 1961(49):64; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley
1937:60-66.
Kitchener
Swedenborgian
Church of the Good Shepherd
Begun: 1833
The congregation began meeting in various locations as early as
1833, with Christian Enslin as leader. A small frame church was
built on Frederick Street in 1842, and was called The Free Church;
the congregations of four denominations held services in it. The
seating space in the Free Church became insufficient for the
growing Swedenborgian congregation with the result that land on the
northwest corner of Church and Benton Streets was purchased in 1847
from Joseph E. Schneider. A frame church with a seating capacity of
150 was built in the same year; the church was called the New
Church (Uttley 1937:64). Several decades later a larger church was
again needed. Land was purchased on the northeast corner of King
and Water Streets where a new stone church was built and completed
in 1870. The old church was sold to the congregation of St. John's
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Serious differences resulted in a formal split in the Berlin
Swedenborgian congregation on September 18, 1891. One group, the
predecessor of this congregation, whose pastor was Rev. F.W. Tuerk
(June 1857-July 3, 1901), continued to worship in the stone church.
The other group, eventually to be known as the Carmel Church of the
New Jerusalem, built their church in 1892 at 820 King Street West;
their pastor was Rev. F.E. Waelchli. In 1935 the congregation
purchased land on the corner of Queen Street North and Margaret
Avenue as the site for a new church. The Church of the Good
Shepherd is a Convention Church of the New Jerusalem.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1843-1900 Location of records: Kitchener Public
Library
Marriage dates: 1843-1900 Location of records: Kitchener Public
Library
Burial dates: 1843-1900 Location of records: Kitchener Public
Library
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for information on
marriages 1858-1862, 1864, 1866-1868.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 116 Queen St. N., Kitchener, ON N2H 2H7
743-3845.]
References: Johnson, WHS 1943(31):39-43; Moyer 1979:21-22; Stroh,
WHS 1978(66): 87,112-113; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley 1937:60-66.
Church History: Schnarr, Philip B. A Church
Divided: The Story of the Split in the Berlin Society of the New
Jerusalem, 1891, 1978. Senior paper for HIST 425 (University
of Waterloo), March 17, 1978.
Kitchener
United Brethren in Christ
Stanley Park United Brethren in Christ
Church
Begun: 1855
A United Brethren in Christ missionary, Rev. Israel Sloan, is
reported to have organized a class in Berlin in 1855. The Berlin
congregation later, c.1875, bought a small frame church at the
corner of Benton and Church Streets which had been built in 1841 by
the Wesleyan Methodists for their own use.
There was a split in the United Brethren in Christ Church in 1889
which resulted in two groups each calling themselves the United
Brethren in Christ. One group joined the Congregationals in 1906.
The other group remained United Brethren in Christ until November
16, 1946 when most congregations of the United Brethren in Christ
organization joined with the Evangelical Church to form the
Evangelical United Brethren Church, later to join with the United
Church on January 1, 1968. The Stanley Park congregation is one of
three United Brethren in Christ Churches in Waterloo County today.
The others are New Dundee and Roseville. The headquarters of the
church is in Huntington, Indiana.
After the split in 1889 land on Church Street was donated to the
congregation by one of their number, Moses Eschleman. The
congregation held services in a frame house on the property until
1893 when a large brick church was built at 35 Alma Street. The
church was named Alma Street Church of the United Brethren in
Christ (Uttley 1937:140). (Alma Street is now Charles Street.) A
sod turning ceremony was held on March 15, 1970 for a new church on
Dreger Avenue in Kitchener. The first service in the new church was
held on August 9, 1970; dedication services were conducted on
November 29, 1970 by Bishop Clyde Meadows from the Church
headquarters in Huntington, Indiana. Rev. Keith Nicholson was
pastor when the new Stanley Park United Brethren in Christ Church
was built in 1970. The Alma Street church was sold in 1970 and is
now the International Gospel Centre.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1897- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1897- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1897- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriage
records, 1867-1868.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 9 Dreger Ave, Kitchener, ON N2A 2A4
893-8186.]
References: Fetters 1984; Getz 1964:5; R. Taylor 1986; United
Brethren in Christ Church; Uttley 1937:139-144.
Kossuth
Christian Church
Kossuth Christian Church
Begun: 1857 Closed:
The first schism in the American Methodist Episcopal Church
occurred in 1792 when James O'Kelly (or O'Kelley) along with "a
number of other preachers and several thousand members withdrew
from the Methodist Church over the question of the appointing power
of the bishop... (Encyclopedia Britannica)." The dissident group
"took the name of Republican Methodists. Most of them eventually
merged with the followers of Barton W. Stone to form the Christian
Church (later united with the Congregationalists [in the United
States]) (Ibid.)."
William Henry who was pastor to the congregation of the Kossuth
Christian Church, may have been of the same family as Elder Thomas
Henry, who was an early minister of the Christian Church in Oshawa.
Thomas Henry and other members of his family had been brought into
the Christian Church in 1825 by Elder Joseph Blackmar, a missionary
from the United States. The father of Thomas Henry, John Henry,
settled in Oshawa c.1816. Papers of the Canadian Christian Church,
which are in private hands, indicate that William Henry may also
have been a son of John Henry.
A Christian Church is reported to have been founded in Waterloo
Township on July 1, 1853. The location of the church is shown on
Tremaine's 1861 map of Waterloo Township, on the north side of
Waterloo Regional Road 30 (Kossuth Road) at the far eastern edge of
Waterloo Township. This would have been in the northwest corner of
property belonging to Rev. (Elder) William Henry, which was lot 91
of the German Company Tract; William Henry is recorded as owner of
that land for the first time in 1855. Rev. Henry moved from Kossuth
c.1861 to near Harriston where he founded Jerusalem Christian
Church. William Henry died in 1880 and is buried at
Harriston.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1860 Location of records: Waterloo County
Marriages
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
There is one marriage which was recorded in Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869 for the year 1860. The microfilm reads:
"Return of Marriages Solemnized by William Henry a minister of the
Christian Church for the year ending the 31st day of December A.D.
1860."
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church was located at the eastern end of
present-day Waterloo Regional Road 30 (Kossuth Road) near the
Wellington County boundary, on the north side of the road.]
References: Mitton 1986; R. Taylor 1986.
Maple Grove
Wesleyan Methodist
Zion United Church
Begun: 1843
Wesleyan Methodist services began in 1843, with meetings held in
Mr. Butler's barn and in a log schoolhouse located on the southwest
corner of the intersection just south of the present-day church.
The schoolhouse was destroyed by fire and in 1851 land for a church
was donated by John Hilborn; the frame church was later bricked
with white "Breslau Brick." The first minister was Rev. J.
Willoughby. In 1954 work began on a foundation just a few feet
north of the church to which the building was then moved. The white
brick had been stripped off and sold prior to the move and was
replaced by new red brick. Rededication services were held on June
26, 1955.
The congregation was on the Dumfries Circuit of the Wesleyan
Methodist Church and the Rev. George Ferguson, who organized the
Circuit, recorded the early meetings of the Zion congregation in
his Journal. The Church was later on the Galt, Berlin, Preston and
Hespeler Circuits. Nahrgang (c.1976) reports that during the years
1857 to 1874 Zion was served by the Revs. Hamilton Biggar, C.W.
Gilbert, Ozias Barber, Francis Berry, George Kennedy, Alexander
Sutherland, and Luther Rice.
In his autobiography, Rev. Dr. Charles Freshman, the German
Wesleyan Methodist missionary who served the Preston area from
c.1860-1869, stated that he found a few English Methodist families
in the district "who used to attend Zion Chapel, about three miles
distant, on the Berlin Circuit, as they had no English preaching
nearer" (Freshman 1868:211). Since joining the United Church of
Canada on June 10, 1925, Zion has been served in charges with
Bloomingdale, Freeport and, at the present time (1992), with St.
Andrew's United Church in Cambridge (Preston).
Of interest: the dates on the cornerstone of the church are 1851
and 1954.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Location of early records is unknown, but it is believed that they
have been lost. Session books at the church date from c.1900.
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: R.R. 31, Cambridge, ON N3H 4R6 - on Speedsville
Road, 2 1/2 concessions north of Preston, on the west side of the
road.]
References: Freshman 1868:211; Hunsperger, WHS 1951(39):44;
Nahrgang c.1976; WHS 1955(43):44.
Maryhill
Roman Catholic
St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1834
When Father John Louis Wiriath, a missionary from St. Agatha,
preached in New Germany (Maryhill) from 1834-1837, services were
held in a log schoolhouse which was located across the road from
the present church. A log church was then built which served the
congregation until 1848. Father Wiriath was followed by Father
Peter Schneider and Father Simon Sanderl, but they, too, had their
base in St. Agatha. In 1847 two Jesuits, Fathers Lucas Caveng and
Bernard Fritsch opened a Mission in New Germany. St. Boniface
became a Parish in 1847. A stone church was built later in that
year and was dedicated on the first Sunday in Advent in 1848 by
Father John Holzer. However, it was not until June, 1860 that the
congregation received its first resident pastor in the person of
Father P. Edward Glowacki (or Glowalski).
Father Clement Niemann was pastor when construction of the present
stone church began, built on the site of the old stone church. The
cornerstone was put in place on October 7, 1877 and the church was
officially opened on November 10, 1878.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1834- Location of records:*
Marriage dates: 1836- Location of records:*
Burial dates: 1837- Location of records:*
*For information from the records, contact The Historical Society
of St. Boniface and Maryhill Community, Box 123, Maryhill, ON N0B
2B0; 648-2069. A fee will be charged.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Maryhill, north end, on east side of the
road. Maryhill, ON N0B 2B0]
References: Spetz 1916:14-19,53,57-68; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Zinger, Joseph A., ed. St.
Boniface, 1877-1977, Maryhill, Ontario. Maryhill, ON: St.
Boniface Roman Catholic Church, 1977.
Preston
Anglican
St. John's Anglican Church
Begun: c.1890
The first church services were held by Rev. Michael Boomer as a
mission of Trinity Anglican Church, Galt. These early services were
held in various locations: in homes, in the Royal Templars' Hall in
the Erb Block, in the Lyceum Hall, and in the frame Lutheran church
on King Street. A Sunday School which met in the CNR station house
on Guelph Street was begun in 1880 by Mr. Robert Jell.
Rev. Canon Ridley of Trinity in Galt organized a congregation in
1888. A church building was constructed in 1889 at the corner of
Queen (now Queenston Road) and Argyle Streets and was dedicated in
1890 by Bishop Baldwin of the Diocese of Huron. The first baptism
is reported to have taken place on May 17, 1890. Hespeler was
attached to Preston until January 1, 1890 when the former became a
separate parish.
An extension to the church, which included the first Parish Hall,
was built in 1908; a new Parish Hall was constructed in 1925; and
in 1927 the church was declared free of debt and was consecrated by
Archbishop Williams. The church was once more enlarged, and
rededicated, in 1953.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1912- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1912- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1912- Location of records: at church
The Parish Registers for 1891-1913 are at the Diocese of Huron
Archives.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 567 Queenston Rd, Cambridge, ON N3H 3J9 -
located in the Preston section of Cambridge; 653-3323.]
References: Hespeler 1901:5; Preston W.I.; R. Taylor 1986.
Preston
Baptist
Baptist Church
Begun: c.1855 Closed: c.1861
The Canadian Baptist Register for 1857, which contains the
Annual Report for 1856, lists a Preston congregation of 47 members
with the Revs. George Patten and James Sim as pastors. The next
three Annual Reports, for 1857, 1858, 1859 - with 57, 45, and 50
members respectively - list Rev. James Sim as pastor. The 1861
Canadian Baptist Register, which contains the
1860 Annual Report, does not have a listing for Preston, nor do
subsequent reports.
Rev. James Sim was ordained a Baptist minister at Waterloo
[Township] on October 5, 1841, and is reported to have been pastor
to the Blair and Preston congregations from 1845-1860, travelling
from his home in Hawkesville every other weekend to conduct
services in Blair and area. He eventually left the Baptist Church
for the Christadelphian, as did many of his followers in Blair and
Preston. Rev. Sim was known as Elder Sim, and the Blair Baptist
Church referred to in the County of Waterloo Gazetteer for
1864 as the "Bible Believers", was also known as "Mr. Sim's
Church."
Pollock's 1859 Map of the Village of Preston shows a church
building located on the northwest corner of Dover and King Streets,
facing onto King St.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1859-61* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
There are no records for this church at the Canadian Baptist
Archives. *For possible marriage records, see Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869.
References: Baptist Church; Canada Baptist 1841:138; Doon
& Blair W.I.; McDonald, WHS 1985(73):94; Preston W.I.; R.
Taylor 1986.
Preston
Baptist
King Street Baptist Church
Begun: 1895
A Baptist congregation was organized in Preston on May 7, 1895; a
Sunday School was begun two years later, in 1897. Early church
services were held in Ziemann Hall for Baptists from Preston and
the surrounding area. Ministered to by pastors from the Hespeler
Baptist Church, the congregation remained in this location for one
and a half years until Knox Presbyterian Church offered use of
their church building. Regular Sunday afternoon services then
began. Rev. William Peer from Hespeler was the first pastor and he
was followed by Rev. A.R. McDonald (1896-1901), also from Hespeler.
Services were discontinued in October 1900 for a brief time until
April 21, 1901 when Rev. Judson J. Whyte arrived in Hespeler, to
serve as pastor to both that community and to Preston. Student
ministers also conducted services until one of their number, C.R.
Jones, arrived on May 15, 1904. He was ordained pastor to the
congregation on November 1, 1904.
Land was purchased in 1905 at the corner of King and Dover Streets
for a church which was built in 1906. A parsonage was bought in
1912 and in 1920 the church was renovated. Further improvements
were made: in 1934 a basement was excavated to provide space for
the Sunday School, and in 1949 the interior of the church was
renovated. In 1958-1959 an addition was built for an auditorium,
classrooms, kitchen, and parlour. The cornerstone laying for the
addition was on December 15, 1958; dedication of the new complex
was on June 1, 1959. The name of the church was changed in 1966
from Preston Baptist Church to the present name of King Street
Baptist Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Marriage dates: 1905- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
At the Canadian Baptist Archives: Church membership roll 1895-1927;
church Minute Books 1895-1915. These documents can be seen with a
letter of permission from the church. *Please refer to the
Introduction for an explanation regarding Baptist Church
records.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 361 King St. E., Cambridge, ON N3H 3M7 - located
in the Preston section of Cambridge; 653-5131].
References: Buehler 1964:5,9; McDonald, WHS 1985(73):94; Preston
W.I.; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Diamond Jubilee 1895-1955
Baptist Church, Preston, Ontario, 1955.
Preston
Lutheran
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1834
The congregation was organized on December 1, 1834 by the Rev. F.W.
Bindemann (1834-1838). Worship services were held in homes and
barns until the Lutheran Rudel brothers erected a stone building
for this purpose at the corner of what is now Queenston Road and
Montrose Street. The premises were also made available to other
congregations when they were first established in Preston. Land for
a Lutheran church was purchased in 1837 and a frame church was
built in 1839 on King Street on the site of the present St.
Peter's. This fifty foot by forty foot church with its sixty foot
tower was Preston's first church, called Christ Church, and was
free for the use of all denominations. The building was used until
replaced by the present-day stone church. The cornerstone for the
new church was laid on August 21, 1887. The old frame church had
been relocated before then to a lot on the corner of Queen and
Church Streets where the congregation worshipped until the new
stone church was ready for consecration in 1889. Weekly evening
services in the English language began at that time.
A new parsonage was built in 1913 on land behind the church, and
renovations and improvements have been made to the interior of the
church over the years. A new Christian Education wing was built in
1957 (cornerstone: January 27, 1957) and dedicated in 1958. Pastors
who followed F.W. Bindemann were Revs. J. Huettner (1838-1849) who
was the first regular pastor, F. Hildebrandt (1849-1850), Jacob
Hoelsche (1850-1854), and Rev. Immanuel Wurster who served the
congregation from 1854-1881. Rev. Wurster also ministered to St.
James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hespeler.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1834- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1834- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1834- Location of records: at church
At the National Archives of Canada: Parish registers for 1834-1955
(National Archives of Canada reference: N.A.C. MG9(07-48)); - also
available on interlibrary loan, or at the Kitchener Public Library
(reel numbers M3241 and M3242). Some Births 1853-1855, 1860,
Marriages 1855, and Deaths 1860 may be in the Civil Registers of
Waterloo County, National Archives of Canada microfilm C-15758,
available on interlibrary loan or at the Kitchener Public Library.
These dates may include references as well to North Dumfries,
Wilmot and Woolwich Townships. The Lutheran Church Archives at
Wilfrid Laurier University has Marriage records 1856-1951, and the
Kirchenbuch (Church Book) 1843-1942. See Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869 for Marriages, 1858-1859, 1861-1869.
Marriages 1839-1847 have been indexed by Norma Huber, Ryan Taylor
and Linda Brown-Kubisch, 1991 and are available at the Kitchener
Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 810 King St. E., Cambridge, ON N3H 3P2 - located
in the Preston section of Cambridge; 653-4721.]
References: Cowan, WHS 1960(48):21; Cronmiller 1961:116; Eylands
1945:70-71; Huber et al. 1991; Hulet, WHS 1968(56):52; Preston
W.I.; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Centennial Booklet, St.
Peter's Lutheran Church, Preston, 1834-1934, 1934.
Preston
Mennonite
Preston (Bechtel or Hagey) Mennonite Church
Begun: 1824
The second meeting house in Waterloo County was built, probably in
1814, by John Erb, a wealthy miller of Preston. This brick meeting
house served as a community church and was located "near Jacob
Hagey's", which was on the road running from the top of the Kress
Hill west and "adjoining the Kitchener Highway" (Witmer 1967:26).
Another meeting house, known as the Union Meeting House, was built
in the area around 1824. A meeting was held in the Union church on
November 20, 1824 to commence recording the accounts of the
congregation in Hagey's Deacon Book. The deed of land for the Union
Meeting House and burial ground, which was for one acre of part Lot
22, Beasley's Broken Front, was transacted in 1835.
Hagey Meeting House was buiilt of red brick in 1842 on part Lot 23,
just north of Preston on the west side of the Breslau Road, and
slightly north of the Union Meeting House site. The deed, dated
February 2, 1842, recorded the purchase of the land from John
Hilborn and stressed that the property was to be for "the purpose
of public worship by the Mennonist Society" (Witmer 1967:28).
Joseph Bechtel was the first minister in the area, from 1804-1837;
he was followed by David Sherk (1838-1843). Next came Joseph Hagey
(1844-1877), who was ordained bishop in 1851, and then Jacob B.
Gingrich from 1878 to 1901. Services were held every four weeks
until 1890 when bi-weekly services were begun. A Sunday School was
established in 1842 with the congregation of Wanner Meeting House
near Hespeler, but it was discontinued because of a difference of
opinion regarding the need for Sunday Schools. On April 26, 1891 a
Sunday School was organized at Hagey's, with deacon Abraham
Oberholtzer as superintendent. Five years later, on June 10, 1896,
a Sunday School was organized at the Wanner church.
Major changes were made to the church building in 1927-1928 when
the basement was excavated, new windows were installed and the roof
was raised two feet. Fire on January 15, 1950 caused extensive
damage to the interior and furnishings of the church. The building
was completely renovated and also enlarged at the same time;
dedication was on July 2, 1950. Another fire, on Feburary 19, 1953,
completely destroyed the church. A congregational decision was made
to build a new church, on Concession Road in Preston, and the
cornerstone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, October 12, 1953.
Official dedication services in the new Preston Mennonite Church
were held on May 16, 1954. The building was enlarged in the summer
of 1989.
Records:
Some Births and Deaths for 1860, from the records of Joseph Hagey,
may be found in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County, on
National Archives of Canada Microfilm C-15758. This microfilm is
available on interlibrary loan, or at the Kitchener Public Library.
It is believed that Baptisms conducted by Bishop Hagey from
1865-1866 are in Abraham W. Martin's Bishop Book of aptisms. These
records have been transcribed by Isaac R. Horst, and are in his
book, Baptism Records 1842-1980, published in 1980 and
available at the Kitchener Public Library. For other information
regarding early records, please contact the Archivist at Conrad
Grebel College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Hagey Mennonite Church was located just north of
Preston, adjacent to Hagey Cemetery. Preston Mennonite Church is at
791 Concession Rd., Preston, ON N3H 4L1; 653-5171]
References: Bechtel 1987:26, 45; Bergey, WHS 1970(58):33-34;
Burkholder 1935:80-84; Epp 1974:125; Groh, WHS 1964(52):33; Snyder,
WHS (1963(51):27.
Church History: Witmer, Leslie D. Pioneers of
Christendom in Waterloo County 1800-1967. History of Hagey-Preston
Mennonite Church, 1967.
Preston
Wesleyan Methodist and Methodist New Connexion
St. Paul's United Church
Begun: 1862
The earliest Methodist services were said to have begun in 1861
when the Rev. E.W. Frazee arrived in Preston. He organized a
congregation which met at first in the upper room of a woolen mill
on Eagle Street and then in the frame Lutheran church on King
Street; members of the New Connexion Methodists began to meet in
the Town Hall at about the same time. Rev. Charles Freshman, the
German Wesleyan Methodist missionary, began preaching to English-
and German-speaking congregations on May 3, 1862. In his
autobiography Rev. Dr. Freshman is quoted: "I preached at St.
George in the morning, Paris in the afternoon and at Preston in the
evening. Our other regular appointments were Strasburg, Roseville,
Conestoga [sic], New Dundee, Doon and occasionally in Princeton"
(Freshman 1868:214).
A stone church was built at the corner of Duke and Argyle Streets
in 1864 on property which had been donated by Jacob Hespeler; the
church was opened on September 25, 1864. Dedicatory services were
held in English by Mr. Rice and Mr. Carrol and in German by Rev.
Freshman. Four acres of land between King and Queen (now Queenston
Road) Streets were purchased from Jacob Hespeler on July 15, 1868
by the trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist and New Connexion
churches. A newer, larger church was built on this property and
completed on October 18, 1868. Although union of the Wesleyan
Methodist Church in Canada and the Methodist New Connexion Church
did not occur until 1874 it is quite possible that the two
congregations in Preston had already formed their own union with
the building of the church in 1868. For some years it was a
community church where other denominations also worshipped.
In 1871 the church was enlarged; the tower and spire were added at
the same time. A Sunday School was built in 1875-1879 during the
ministry of Rev. James McAllister. In 1877 the congregation was
given permission to sell the old New Connexion Church and to apply
the proceeds towards improvements on the new church. The Circuit
was divided in 1883 when Preston, Zion and Doon were separated from
Hespeler. In 1887 Preston was by itself, but at the Annual
Conference in 1897 of the Methodist Church, Guelph Conference, Galt
District, Preston was divided into a circuit consisting of Preston
and Doon. The church became self-supporting at that time. Preston
later was with Hespeler until 1909 when each became an independent
charge. The congregation of Preston Methodist Church became Preston
United Church in 1925 and later, in 1933, St. Paul's United Church.
The cornerstone for a new Sunday School was laid in 1921; the
addition was completed in 1922. Further additions were constructed
in 1955 and 1967.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1909-1952 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1897-1978 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: 1908-1965 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library. Published
by Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society:
Baptisms 1907-1915; Marriages 1897-1912, 1923-1927; and Burials
1908-1929 (Madill 1986b, 1987a,1987b).
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 450 King St. E., Cambridge, ON N3H 3M9 - located
in the Preston section of Cambridge; 653-6601]
References: Freshman 1868; Methodist Church; Methodist New
Connexion Church; Preston W.I.; Semple 1985; R. Taylor 1986;
Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Church History: Hipel, Mrs. Arthur. History of
St. Paul's United Church 1868-1968. Preston: Preston Printers,
1968.
Preston
Presbyterian
Knox Preston Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1891
Rev. Charles Freshman, who served as a German Wesleyan Methodist
missionary in Preston and area c.1860-1869, stated in his
autobiography that the Presbyterian Church engaged a "young Swiss
preacher and sent him out to evangelize the Germans in Waterloo
County" (Freshman 1868:284). Dr. Freshman reported that the young
Presbyterian preacher preached in the "Lutheran Church in that
place [Preston] ... but he failed to establish a cause"
(Ibid:285).
According to the Minutes of the Second General Assembly (1876) of
the Presbyterian Church in Canada, a German Mission was established
in Preston on August 10, 1875 and an English one was begun on March
14, 1876. Rev. George Haigh was inducted as Minister to the
combined congregations of Preston, Doon and Hespeler on April 24,
1876. Formal organization of this English-speaking congregation was
on August 29, 1876. Services at the German Mission were "suspended"
in January, 1878, "for want of encouragement", according to the
Minutes of the Fourth General Assembly in 1878.
Commencing in 1880, services were held by Rev. Haigh in a stone
building at the corner of Duke and Argyle Streets in Preston.
However, on March 20, 1883 Preston was separated from Doon and
Hespeler which remained under the ministry of Rev. Haigh. Preston
reverted to a Mission Station at that time, only to be "dissolved"
on September 16, 1884, according to the Minutes of the Eleventh
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in
1885.
The congregation was reorganized in 1891 by Dr. James A.R. Dickson
of Central Presbyterian Church, Galt; the first church service was
held on April 5, 1891 by Mr. P.W. Anderson in the Royal Templars'
Hall in the Schultz Block. The Town Hall was then used for a short
time; the first Kirk Session was elected there on March 12, 1893.
The Lyceum Hall on King Street was purchased in 1893, renovated,
and dedicated on July 16, 1893. Preston and Doon were placed on a
two-point charge in 1893; the first minister was Rev. Herbert
Francis Thomas (1893-1898) who was ordained and inducted into Knox
Presbyterian on August 21, 1893. The church was rebuilt in 1938 and
was in use until 1965 when the new church was completed; the King
Street property was then sold.
The cornerstone for a new church on Argyle Street North, between
King and Duke Streets, was laid on October 18, 1964. Dedication
services for the new building held on March 27, 1965 included
locking the door of the old church. In 1973 the name of the church
was changed to Knox Preston Presbyterian Church when Preston joined
with Galt and Hespeler to form the city of Cambridge. Dates on
church: 1893, 1965.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1892-* Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1892-* Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1892-* Location of records: at church
*At the Archives of Ontario: Baptisms 1856-1907; Marriages
1858-1875, 1896-1900. At the Presbyterian Church Archives: Baptisms
1888-1899, Marriages 1896-1899. Baptisms 1897-1907 and Marriages
1858-1900 are on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
microfilm 0204132.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 132 Argyle St. N., Cambridge, ON N3H 1P6 -
located in the Preston section of Cambridge; 653-6691.]
References: Barrie 1982:13; Freshman 1868; Knox Preston
Presbyterian 1991:7; Preston W.I.; Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor
1986.
Church History: Knox Preston Presbyterian
Church: The First One Hundred Years, 1891-1991, 1991.
Preston
Roman Catholic
St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1847
The first Catholic missionaries in the area were Father James W.
Campion, Father Cassidy and Father John Cullen - beginning c.1828.
They were followed by the St. Agatha missionaries, Fathers John
Louis Wiriath (1834-1837) and Peter Schneider (1838-1844), but it
was Father Simon Sanderl (1844-1848), also from St. Agatha, who
organized the construction of a church. The deed for the land,
located on the northwest corner of Duke and Guelph (now Dolph)
Streets and purchased from the Erb brothers (for five shillings),
was dated March 9, 1846, but it is thought that building actually
began in 1844. The new church was reported to be "perhaps the only
substantial Catholic church west of Toronto" (Spetz
1916:139).
Services were held more or less monthly for many years as priests
were in short supply and had to be shared by other congregations.
Regular monthly services began in February 1882 with the arrival of
Father William Kloepfer of Berlin who looked after Preston as well.
Then, beginning in 1889 Preston and Hespeler became missions of
Galt. Finally, on March 25, 1905, Preston received its own resident
pastor, Rev. Jonas Lenhard. By now it had become apparent that a
new and larger church was definitely needed but it was not until
January 1907, when Father William Gehl was pastor, that land
further along Duke Street was purchased. The cornerstone for the
present church was laid September 4, 1911, and the basement of the
building was ready for use the following year. The basement
continued in use for services until the church was completely
finished in 1922. The old church had been torn down in the summer
of 1915. Fire on December 26, 1971 caused considerable damage, but
the church was not damaged structurally. Repairs were made and the
church was rededicated on June 25, 1972.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1847- Location of records: at church*
Marriage dates: 1847- Location of records: at church*
Burial dates: 1847- Location of records: at church*
Some Births 1860 for the Preston Roman Catholic Mission are in the
Civil Registers of Waterloo County, National Archives of Canada
microfilm C-15758, available on interlibrary loan or at the
Kitchener Public Library. Baptisms and marriages for the Niagara
District 1830-1832 (Norfolk 1992a) and 1827 baptisms, marriages,
and burials at Dundas, and Guelph 1827-1830 (Norfolk 1992b) have
been transcribed and are available at the Kitchener Public Library.
*There is no access to the records located at the church.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 745 Duke St., Cambridge, ON N3H 3T7 - located in
the Preston section of Cambridge; 653-6123. No requests for
information, please.]
References: Preston W.I.; Quantrell 1989b; Spetz 1916:97,137-147;
R. Taylor 1986.
Shantz Station
Lutheran
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1860
As the congregation was not organized until 1860, Lutherans from
the area worshipped at the Lutheran Church in Preston from c.1855.
Rev. Immanuel Wurster of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Preston,
conducted the first service in Shantz Station on February 5, 1860
in a school about one mile west of the community. Formal
organization of the congregation was on March 25, 1860 by Rev.
Wurster. A church was built two years later in 1862 on a half acre
of land (German Company Tract, part lot 85) donated by John Galt of
the Canada Company. There were 58 charter members listed as of
1862. Of interest is the fact that the church once had a steeple.
It was demolished in an electrical storm in 1904 and was rebuilt
only to be destroyed again in 1930 by lightning. It was not rebuilt
after that.
In 1885 the congregation split from the Canada Synod and joined the
Missouri Synod, only to return to the Canada Synod in the spring of
1891. From 1912-1934 Trinity was served by pastors and students
from Waterloo College. Rev. Otto Lincke of the College was pastor
from 1912-1919, students preached from 1919-1922, and Rev.
Professor Henry L. Henkel also from Waterloo College was pastor
from 1922-1934. The congregation was joined in a parish with St.
Paul's Lutheran Church in Guelph from 1937-1981, and has been on
its own since that association ended in 1981.
Pastors who followed Rev. Wurster (1860-1869) were Revs. C.F.A.
Kaessmann (February 1869 to October 1869), Hermann Sagehorn
(1869-1872), Immanuel Wurster, for the second time (1872-1885), and
Peter Andres (1885-1890).
Records:
Baptism dates: 1860-1925 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University*
Marriage dates: 1867-1925 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University*
Burial dates: 1863-1925 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University*
The first Baptism was on March 25, 1860, the first marriage was
November 1, 1867, and the first burial was on September 16, 1863.
Confirmation records date back to September 13, 1863. Please note
that the cemetery transcription for the church (Weicker and Kramp
1982) contains additional information from the church records.
*These records are available on microfilm at the Lutheran Church
Archives, Wilfrid Laurier University.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church is located at Shantz Station, east of
Breslau, one concession south of Hwy 7, on the south side of the
road; the road parallels the railroad for a short distance. R.R. 2,
Breslau, ON N0B 1M0]
Reference: Cronmiller 1961:199; Eylands 1945:90.
Church History: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Church. 125th Anniversary of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Shantz Station 1860-1985, 1985.
Strasburg
Evangelical Association
Strasburg Evangelical Church
Begun: c.1884 Closed: c.1914
From 1910-1914 the congregation formed a joint parish with the
Evangelical Church in Bridgeport. The church records have not been
found, although the United Church Archives has the annual meeting
minutes for 1884-1910.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: Bridgeport W.I.; R. Taylor 1986.
Strasburg
Lutheran
German Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1844 Closed: 1893
A congregation, to be known as the German Evangelical Lutheran
Congregation in Strasburg, was formed in 1844 by Rev. Wendlin
Schuler. The first church (of logs) was built in 1847 or 1848 just
south of the Bleams Road intersection. A cemetery adjacent to the
church was first used in 1850.
The congregation was formally organized by Rev. Immanuel Wurster in
April, 1857. It was part of a Parish with St. James in Mannheim,
St. James in New Dundee, St. Matthew's in Plattsville and St.
John's in Berlin, as each was established; the congregation later,
on April 1, 1893 became affiliated with only St. James, Mannheim.
The old church building was dismantled and removed in 1905.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1844-1893 See W-W Branch OGS publication*
Marriage dates: unknown unknown
Burial dates: 1844-1893 See W-W Branch OGS publication*
*Please see Branch Notes, Vol. III, No. 7, November, 1975,
Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, for
detailed information. Confirmations for 1855-1875 and a
Communicants' list are also included in this publication.
References: Cronmiller 1961:143; St. James, Hespeler 1960; R.
Taylor 1986; Weicker 1975; Weicker 1976:20-21; Weicker 1985;
Weicker, 1990:12.
Strasburg
Mennonite
Pioneer Park (Weber/Strasburg) Christian Fellowship
Mennonite Church
Begun: 1842
Early services were held in the homes of the first settlers,
perhaps as early as 1833. Services often were held at the home of
David Weber who lived across from where the church would be
located. David Sherk was ordained deacon to serve the group in
1837, and in the next year, 1838, he was ordained minister. He was
followed in 1840 by John Steckle (Stoeckle).
In 1842, David Weber donated one acre of land for a meeting house
and burial ground. The deed was dated March 23, 1854, although the
meeting house had been built in 1843. A new yellow brick church was
built in 1894 on the same site. Noah Stauffer, who had been
ordained in 1876 to assist John Steckle, was minister at the time.
A Sunday School was organized in the 1890s; Sunday School records
date from 1898. In 1899 the first Bible Conference to be held in an
Ontario Mennonite church was held in the Weber church.
In 1971-1972 the church was enlarged and completely renovated.
During that time - from October 17, 1971 to January 23, 1972 - the
congregation met in the Herbert Feick home on Doon Village Road. On
September 24, 1872 the congregation celebrated the 130th
Anniversary of the building of the first meeting house. The name of
the church was changed to Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship
Mennonite Church in 1972.
In 1951 the congregation had purchased from Clifford Snider an
additional acre of land located behind the church. In 1976, for the
sum of $1, the congregation acquired a sixty-five foot strip of
land along the south edge of the church property from Major
Holdings & Development Co. A new church was built within
several feet of the old yellow brick one which was removed; the
date on the cornerstone is 1980. The 150th Anniversary of the
construction of the first meeting house is to be celebrated in
1993.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 68 Biehn Drive, Kitchener, ON N2G 3W5;
748-5241
References: Burkholder 1935:99-101; Burkholder, WHS 1955(43):7; Epp
1974:125; Epp 1982:270.
Church History: Snider, Esther. To the Glory
of God. 135th Anniversary 1842-1977 Pioneer Park Christian
Fellowship Mennonite Church. Kitchener, ON: Pioneer Park
Christian Fellowship Mennonite Church, 1977.
Strasburg
Wesleyan Methodist
Strasburg German Wesleyan Methodist Church
Begun: c.1860 Closed: c.1880
The Strasburg German Wesleyan Methodist Church existed c.1860-1869
when Rev. Dr. Charles Freshman was in charge of the Preston
Mission. A church was built during his time. In 1880, at the Annual
Meeting of the London Methodist Conference, permission was granted
to sell the Strasburg Methodist Church located "near Doon", and to
send the proceeds to the Missionary Society.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: Freshman 1868:214; Methodist Church.
Waterloo
Anglican
Church of the Holy Saviour
Begun: 1895
Anglican services were conducted twice a month in Waterloo by Rev.
E.W. Murray from St. John's Anglican Church, Berlin, as early as
1876. These services were held in St. John's Lutheran Church on
King Street North in Waterloo; a Sunday School was begun about the
same time. A decision was made at a meeting of Waterloo Anglicans
on January 17, 1895 to begin regular Sunday services, and the first
of these services was conducted on January 27th by Rev. Frederick
J. Steen of Berlin. The present church, known then as St. Saviour,
was built in the Fall of 1897 and was officially opened on January
10, 1898 by Bishop Baldwin of the Diocese of Huron. At that time
the church was still a mission of St. John's in Berlin. This
arrangement continued until the arrival of the congregation's first
resident rector, Rev. R.A. Armstrong, in June 1901.
A rectory was purchased in 1910 at the corner of Allen and Mary
Streets, and in 1912-1913 the Parish Hall was built through the
generosity of Joseph E. Seagram. On October 26, 1919 the church,
with the present name of Church of the Holy Saviour, was
consecrated by Bishop David Williams. The chancel was rebuilt and
new pews were installed in 1926-1928. The richly decorated interior
of the church, in carved oak, was executed in stages in the years
1926-1928 and 1935-1937, memorial gifts of the Seagram family and
others. Of particular interest are the "Last Supper" above the
altar, the chancel and narthex screens, the pulpit and lecturn, all
worked by craftsmen of the Globe Furniture Company of Waterloo. The
years 1935-1937 also saw the erection of the tower. An addition to
the Parish Hall was built in 1954.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1893-1965* Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1898-1973* Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1897-1973* Location of records: at church
*The Parish record books at the church contain: Baptisms, December
1893-November 1917, May 1918-December 1929, February 1930-May 1965,
May 1965-November 1965; Confirmations, April 1896-February 1929,
February 1930-October 1964, 1965-1973; Marriages, November
1898-September 1929, January 1930-June 1965, June 1965-September
1973; and Burials, March 1897-January 1930, January 1930-May 1965,
June 1965-December 1973 - plus the current book. As the Church of
the Holy Saviour began as a mission of St. John the Evangelist,
Berlin (Kitchener) in 1876, records for the early years would be
included with those of the latter church.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 33 Allen St. E., Waterloo, ON N2J 1J1;
743-8772]
References: R. Taylor 1986; Wells, WHS 1928(16):38.
Church History: Cornell, Paul. Church of the
Holy Saviour. Seventy-fifth Anniversary. Waterloo, November
17, 1974.
Waterloo
Baptist
Glen Acres Baptist Church
Begun: 1895 (See Highland Baptist Church, Kitchener)
A congregation, which was eventually to become two congregations,
was organized on November 10, 1895 by a group of English-speaking
Baptists, some from the German Baptist Church on Benton Street.
There were 25 charter members. The new congregation met in the YMCA
for two years until a Sunday School building, to be used for church
services as well, was erected on King Street West, on the southeast
corner of King and Water Streets. Rev. P.A. McEwan was the first
regular pastor. Building of a church, to be named King Street
Baptist Church, began in 1906 and was completed in 1907.
In 1958 part of the congregation built a new church on Highland
Road; the other part held services in a school until 1959 when
their own church, Glen Acres Baptist Church, opened in Waterloo.
The King Street Church was sold and then demolished, to be replaced
by a Bank of Commerce building.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1959- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1959- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1959- Location of records: at church
Membership lists 1895-1899 are at the Canadian Baptist Archives and
can be seen with written permission from the church.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 223 Hartwood Ave., Waterloo, ON N2J 1B2;
745-3031.]
References: Benton Street Baptist Church 1976; R. Taylor 1986;
Uttley 1937:299-300.
Waterloo
Evangelical Association
Emmanuel United Church
Begun: 1839
The first Evangelical missionaries arrived in the Waterloo area in
1837. The first Waterloo class (congregation) was formed on August
29, 1839 by Bishop John Seybert during a camp meeting at David
Erb's farm near Lexington. Jacob Hoffman was the Waterloo-Lexington
class leader; his brother, John, was class leader in Berlin. A
brick building which was erected by Samuel Burkholder in 1849 on
Church Street, near King, was offered to the congregation for their
use as a church, rent free, provided that they agreed to finish and
furnish the building. Dedication of the new church was in 1851. The
house, known as Burkholder House, is still standing, but Church
Street in Waterloo is now known as Central Street.
In the early 1890s Waterloo was in the North District of the Canada
Conference of the Evangelical Association, and was ministered to
jointly with Bridgeport. Pastors in those years were Revs. C.R.
Knechtel (1890-1891), F. Meyer (1892), D. Kreh (1893), and W.J.
Yaeger (1894).
A new church, which was built in 1871 at the corner of Cedar and
Water Streets (now Bridgeport Road and Dorset Street), was replaced
in 1905 by the present structure. Dedication was in May, 1906.
Emmanuel Hall was built in 1938. Changes made in 1963 included an
addition, a new front entrance and renovation of the former
Christian Education area.
On November 16, 1946 the Evangelical Church joined with
congregations of the United Brethren in Christ Church to form the
Evangelical United Brethren Church. When the Evangelical United
Brethren Church joined the United Church of Canada as of January 1,
1968, Emmanuel became a United Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1840-1867 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1864-1901 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: 1777[sic]-1864 Location of records: United Church
Archives
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for Marriage
records, 1858, 1866.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 22 Bridgeport Rd. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y3;
886-1471.]
References: Getz 1964:5-10,41; Lamb, WHS 1979(67):60; R. Taylor
1986; Wagner, WHS 1939(27):76; Wells, WHS 1928(16):37-38.
Church History: Emmanuel and Calvary United
Churches. An Historical Overview, 1987.
Waterloo
Lutheran
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1837
The congregation was founded in 1837 by Rev. F.W. Bindemann, pastor
of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Kitchener; early services were held
in homes or other suitable meeting places. Property for the first
church building was purchased from Jacob C. Snider for 5 shillings
(approximately $1.25). The cornerstone was laid in the spring of
1838 and dedication services in the new church at 72 King Street
North in Waterloo were held in the fall of the same year. Rev.
Bindemann was pastor. He was replaced in 1841 by Rev. Jacob
Huettner of Preston who then ministered to both congregations. When
the church's first membership list was compiled on October 24,
1841, the congregation numbered sixteen persons.
The frame church was destroyed by fire and replaced by a new,
larger one in 1883. This, too, was destroyed by fire - on October
31, 1959. The congregation then built a new stone church at a new
location on Willow Street, with dedication taking place on October
14, 1962.
Early pastors except for Rev. Bindemann (1837-1841), who was asked
to resign in 1841, were Revs. J. Huettner (1841-1849), F.A. Peifer,
Immanuel Wurster (1851-1855), and Jacob Hoelsche who began his
ministry in 1855. Rev. Wurster ministered to St. Peter's Lutheran
Church in Preston jointly with St. John's for one year until
assuming charge of only Preston in 1855.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1835-1981 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University
Marriage dates: 1835-1981 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University
Burial dates: 1841-1981 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University
Records in the Lutheran Church Archives at Wilfrid Laurier can be
seen with written permission from the church. See Waterloo
County Marriages 1858-1869 for information on marriages
1858-1861, 1862-1866. Taylor (1986:77) reports that "exact birth
places in Germany [are] often stated."
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 22 Willow St., Waterloo, ON N2J 1V5;
886-1880.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:117-118; Eylands 1945:71-76; Moyer
1979:21; R. Taylor 1986; Weicker 1985; Wells, WHS
1928(16):36-37.
Church History: 100th Anniversary of St.
John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waterloo, 1837-1937,
1937.
Waterloo
Mennonite
Erb Street (David Eby) Mennonite Church
Begun: 1837
Early services which began around 1837 were held in private homes.
Land at the corner of Erb Street and Hallman Road, where the
present-day cemetery is located, was donated by David Eby Sr. on
July 14, 1851; a red brick church known as David Eby's Church was
built in the same year. The first minister in the new church was
Jacob M. Oberholtzer who served from 1852 to 1874. He was followed
by Elias Schneider (1874-1889), Jonas Snider (1892-1900), Newton
Weber (1921-1923), and Noah Hunsberger (1923-1929).
Due to a difference of opinion in the David Eby congregation,
Sunday School classes were held at first in a private home, that of
Levi Groff, beginning in 1887. The dissension which resulted
culminated in a division in the church in 1889; the minister, Elias
Schneider, and the deacon, Menno S. Shantz, left the church and
joined with the Old Order Mennonites of Woolwich Township. The
following year, 1890, saw the commencement of "Edification
Meetings", which were held in the homes of members of the David Eby
congregation. These meetings later became the Young People's Bible
Meetings.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, it was recognized that
the church building was either in need of repair or in need of
complete replacement. Consideration was given to building a new
church on the same site or on a site on King Street North. A
decision was made to accept from Samuel S. Snider the donation of a
parcel of land which was also on Erb Street, but nearer town.
Excavation of the foundation for the new church began in the Spring
of 1902. A dedication service was held on August 17, 1902. A
parsonage was built in 1929 on land donated by Herbert Snider, the
son of Samuel Snider. The church building was renovated and
enlarged in 1949-1950; a dedication service was held on April 9,
1950. Further renovations were made in 1974.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 131 Erb St. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 1T7;
886-3570]
References: Burkholder 1935:95-97; Epp 1974:125; Epp 1982:274;
Wells, WHS (1928(16):36; WHS 1984(72):163.
Church History: Hunsberger, Albert, and Greta
Hunsberger. A Brief History of the David Eby Church and Erb
Street Mennonite at Waterloo, Ontario from 1851-1976,
1976.
Waterloo
Mennonite
Martin Meeting House
Begun: 1830
According to Isaac Horst, "Martins meeting house was the first of
the Old Order places of worship to be built. A meeting house is
reported to have been built in 1830; burial was begun in the
adjoining cemetery in 1831. Martins was aptly named. The first
three bishops of the area were Martins, all descended from the
pioneer, Peter Martin. The land on which the house stands was
formerly owned by Martins (1979:376)." Peter Martin, Jr. purchased
220 acres of land from his brother, Henry Martin, on May 8, 1824.
Apparently he set aside four acres for a meeting house and burying
ground at that time. The first burial is reported to have been that
of Peter Martin, Sr., who died March 2, 1831. The meeting house was
enlarged in 1900.
John Weber was the first minister, followed by Abraham W. Martin,
Samuel Weber, Paul Martin, Tobias Martin and Urias Martin. At one
time surrounded by countryside, the meeting house and cemetery are
now completely encircled by the commercial development brought
about by the rapid expansion northward of the city of
Waterloo.
Records:
Information regarding Baptisms 1868-1902, from Abraham W. Martin's
Bishop Book, has been transcribed by Isaac R. Horst and published
in his book, Baptism Records 1842-1980. The book is
available at the Kitchener Public Library. For information
regarding the availability of any other early records, please
contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University of
Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: on King St. N., Waterloo; beyond Conestogo Mall,
on the right hand side of the road heading north toward St.
Jacobs]
References: Bauman, WHS 1963(51):22; Burkholder 1935:201; Epp
1974:269; Epp 1982:274; Horst 1979:376-378.
Waterloo
Wesleyan Methodist
St. James Methodist Church
Begun: c.1879 Closed: 1925
At the 44th Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in
Canada in June 1867, Waterloo was described as a German Mission in
the Hamilton District with Rev. J. Schescher as its pastor. By 1870
mention of the Waterloo German Mission was missing from the
Conference Minutes.
The first regular Methodist services in Waterloo were held on
Sunday afternoons in the Town Hall until the former United Brethren
in Christ Church on King Street South was purchased in the Fall of
1879 for $675; $575 was paid in cash and the balance of $100 was to
be paid in two years time, with interest. This frame church was
used until 1890. Purchase of a parsonage had been approved the
previous year, on May 21, at the Annual Meeting of the Guelph
Conference, Galt District of the Methodist Church. The
congregation, with a membership of 56, was still considered a
Mission at that time. Early ministers were William Savage (1883),
A.A. Bowers (1884), Richard W. Williams (1887-1894), and John Scott
(1895).
At the Annual Meeting of the Galt District, Guelph Conference of
the Methodist Church, on May 20, 1890, the congregation was given
permission to sell their old church and apply the proceeds to build
a new church. The cornerstone laying for this church, at the corner
of King and William Streets, was on Monday, May 26, 1890. (The
church's report to the 1891 Annual Meeting of the Methodist Church
was that "a new brick church has been built for about $8,000.") The
congregation joined with the majority of the members of St. Paul's
Presbyterian Church in 1925 to form First United Church, Waterloo;
the vote was 106-99 in favour of union. The joint congregation,
with the name of First United Church, worshipped in the former St.
James Methodist church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1883- Location of records: First United Church
Marriage dates: 1883- Location of records: First United
Church
Burial dates: 1883- Location of records: First United Church
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Wesleyan Methodist Church; Methodist Church; R. Taylor
1986; United Brethren in Christ Church; WHS 1966(53):40; Wells, WHS
1928(16):37.
Waterloo
Presbyterian
Knox Waterloo Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1925 (refer to St. Paul's Presbyterian)
The congregation was originally part of St. Paul's Presbyterian
Church, Waterloo which was organized in 1888. When the United
Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925 from the Methodist,
Congregational, and many Presbyterian churches, the congregation of
St. Paul's, by a slim majority of 106-99, voted to join the United
Church. Those in favour of union joined with the congregation of
St. James Methodist Church and the joint congregation became known
as First United Church. Those who wished to remain Presbyterian
reorganized.
A petition to Presbytery as of July 8, 1925 requested permission to
form a congregation; permission was subsequently granted. On August
23, 1925 the congregation chose a group of Elders and Managers.
Membership was 129. A search now began for a church site. Before
this decision was made, however, the congregation had offered to
purchase the former St. Paul's church building for $5,000, an offer
which was refused. The old church was subsequently sold to a
Russian Mennonite congregation. The church site selected for the
new Knox Presbyterian Church was on Erb Street West and consisted
of two parcels of land, the deeds to which were dated April 18,
1927.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid on Saturday afternoon,
June 4, 1927 by the Lieut. Governor of Ontario, the Hon. W.D. Ross.
Services were held in the Town Hall and then in Letter's Hall until
Sunday, September 11th, 1927 when the congregation met for the
first time in their new church - in the basement. For the first
time the church was referred to as Knox Presbyterian Church.
Dedication services were held the following Sunday, September 18,
1927. Rev. Dr. A.S. Grant of Toronto preached at the morning
service, Rev. Dr. A.J. McGillivray in the afternoon, and Knox's own
minister, Rev. W.G. Richardson, in the evening.
Plans were made in 1957 to enlarge the church and the sod turning
ceremony for what was to become the new sanctuary built adjacent to
the existing church was held on November 17, 1957. Dedication
services to celebrate the completion of the new sanctuary and the
remodelling of the church were held on May 25, 26 and 28, 1958. In
the fall of 1969 when Erb Street West was widened it was necessary
to make changes to the church entrance.
Ministers from 1927-1962 were Revs. W.G. Richardson (1927-1930),
James Fleming (1930-1938), D.M. Kerr (1938-1942), J.V. Mills
(1942-1947), and J.G. Murdoch (1948-1962).
Records:
Baptism dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Some records as early as 1882 are reported to be at First United
Church in Waterloo. Other records for St. Paul's, which are at the
Presbyterian Church Archives, include Baptisms 1888-1899 and
Marriages 1896-1899, as well as Communion rolls, 1888-1899. All of
the records mentioned above, including the communion rolls, are at
the Archives of Ontario as well.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 1T1;
886-4150.]
References: Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor 1986; Wells, WHS
1928(16):38.
Church Histories: 1) Hemphill, John O. and A.
David White. The Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, Ontario.
1888-1974. St. Paul's-Knox, 1974. 2) Cochrane, Charles C., ed.
St. Paul's 1888-1988 Knox. One Hundred Years of Life and
Witness in the Community, 1988.
Waterloo
Presbyterian
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1887 Closed: 1925 (refer to Knox Presbyterian)
Early Presbyterian services, which began in 1864, were held in the
United Brethren in Christ Church on King Street South in Waterloo.
A group of Waterloo residents attending St. Andrew's in Kitchener
requested permission from Presbytery in 1887 to form their own
church. Permission was granted and a congregation was formed on
January 31, 1888. A site on George Street on which to build the new
church was chosen on February 23, 1888; the cost of the property
was $600. The cornerstone was laid on June 11, 1888 and dedication
services were held in the new church on November 29th of the same
year. Rev. Dr. William Gregg of Knox College preached at the
morning service when the first church service was held on Sunday,
December 2, 1888. However, it was not until the next year when Rev.
A.E. Mitchell arrived as minister that St. Paul's was considered a
new congregation separate from St. Andrew's. Rev. Mitchell, who had
been licensed on May 21, 1889, was ordained minister on July 3,
1889. He left Waterloo in 1892 and was followed by Revs. Samuel
Carruthers (1892-1893) and John McNair (1893-1900).
When the United Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925 of a
union of Methodist, Congregational and some Presbyterian
congregations, the majority of the St. Paul's congregation (106-99)
voted for union with the United Church. That majority joined with
the St. James Methodist congregation to form First United Church.
Those members not wishing to become part of the United Church of
Canada met in the Town Hall and then in Letter's Hall until their
own church, Knox Presbyterian, was built on Erb Street West in
1927. After Union the Russian Mennonite congregation, whose members
had arrived in Waterloo in 1924 from the Ukraine, arranged to buy
the former St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. In 1992 it was the place
of worship of the Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1888-1899 Location of records: Presbyterian Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1896-1899 Location of records: Presbyterian Church
Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Minutes of Kirk Sessions, 1881-1921, are at the United Church
Archives, and the Communion rolls 1888-1899 are at the Presbyterian
Church Archives. All records mentioned above, including the
Communion Rolls, are at the Archives of Ontario as well. Records
before 1887 may be included with those of St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, Kitchener, and those after 1899 may be at First United
Church, Waterloo. See Waterloo-Wellington Branch Notes
(V.5, No. 1) for Marriages 1908-1928 and Burials 1907-1918.
Baptisms 1888-1905, Marriages 1896-1899, and the Communion Roll
1888-1901 are on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
microfilm 0204158.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 15 George St., Waterloo, ON]
References: Presbyterian Church; Rennie 1979; R. Taylor 1986;
Wells, WHS 1928(16):38.
Church History: Hemphill, John A. and A. David
White. The Presbyterian Church, Waterloo, Ontario. 1888-1974.
St. Paul's-Knox, 1974.
Waterloo
Roman Catholic
St. Louis Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1890
Roman Catholics in Waterloo were few at first and had to travel to
St. Agatha for services, although it is possible that early
missionaries may have held services in private homes in the area
from time to time. In 1889 a first step was taken towards
establishing a Catholic congregation in Waterloo when a Catholic
Mutual Benefit Association was organized. The CMBA building was on
King Street South in about the same location as Beaupre's Stamp
store in recent years. In 1889 Father Theobald Spetz set about
organizing a formal congregation in Waterloo with the result that a
site was soon purchased on Allen Street East and a church was built
in 1890. Dedication services were held on January 6, 1891.
Renovations to the church building were made in 1900 and electric
lights were installed in 1901. Additional renovations were required
after a lightning strike on the steeple in the summer of 1909. The
church was enlarged in 1915. Other improvements over the years have
included an addition which was built in 1923 around the old school,
and the new Parish Hall which was built in 1954.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1891- Location of records: at church*
Marriage dates: 1891- Location of records: at church*
Burial dates: 1891- Location of records: at church*
*The church would prefer inquiries by mail only.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 53 Allen St. E., Waterloo, ON N2J 1J3;
743-4101.]
References: Spetz 1916:175-184; R. Taylor 1986; Wells, WHS
1928(16):38.
Church History: The Spirit Lives 1890-1990: A
History of St. Louis Parish, Waterloo. Waterloo: Dwyer
Printing, 1990.
Waterloo
United
First United Church
Begun: 1925
When the United Church of Canada was formed from a Union of
Methodist, Congregational and some Presbyterian congregations on
June 10, 1925, St. James Methodist and a majority (the vote for
union was close: 106-99) of the members of St. Paul's Presbyterian
Church joined together to form First United Church. The combined
congregations worshipped in the former St. James Methodist Church
at the corner of King and William Streets. Recognizing the need for
additional space a Sunday School addition was built in 1930. The
congregation continued to grow and almost tripled in size from
1940-1954.
At a meeting on October 19, 1952 the congregation approved plans
for a financial campaign to raise funds for church expansion. On
April 18, 1954 the cornerstone was laid for the new Hilliard Hall
named for the Hilliard family, which was to provide an auditorium,
meeting rooms, offices, a Church Parlour and kitchen facilities.
The sanctuary was also to be enlarged by the addition of two
galleries in the north and south transepts of the church.
Dedication services for the new addition and renovated sanctuary
were held on December 12, 1954.
In 1964 the church bought two adjacent properties and in 1965 the
old sanctuary was demolished to make way for a new one. Dedication
services for the new building were held on April 24, 1966. During
the 100th Anniversary celebrations in 1983 (marking one hundred
years from the formation of St. James Methodist Church) the chapel
was named St. James Chapel and the church parlour was named St.
Paul's Parlour.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo-Wellington Branch Notes (V.5, No. 1) for
Marriages 1908-1928 and Burials, 1907-1918, 1928-1934.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 16 William St. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 1J3;
745-8487.]
References: R. Taylor 1986; WHS 1965(53):50.
Church History: 71st Anniversary Services,
First United Church, Waterloo. Dedication of Hilliard Hall
and the Enlarged and Renovated Sanctuary, December 12,
1954.
Waterloo
United Brethren in Christ
United Brethren in Christ Church
Begun: 1864 Closed: c.1879
A congregation was formed in Waterloo before 1864 as part of the
United Brethren in Christ Waterloo Circuit. A decline in the size
of this congregation resulted in a motion passed at the June 14,
1879 Quarterly Conference of the Waterloo Circuit to sell the
Waterloo church which was located on King Street South. Proceeds
from the sale were to be spent on the Berlin Church. The Waterloo
church was subsequently sold to the Wesleyan Methodists (St. James
Methodist Church) for $675, as reported to the Conference on
December 6, 1879.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1862* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Marriage records for 1862 are found in Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869.
References: R. Taylor 1986; United Brethren in Christ Church;
Wells, WHS 1926(16):38.
WELLESLEY TOWNSHIP
Bamberg
Lutheran
St. John's Wellesley Township Evangelical Lutheran
Church
Begun: 1852
A log church, located on Hesson Strasse or Hessian Road south-west
of St. Clements and north of Bamberg (9 miles southeast of
Linwood), was built in 1850 and dedicated in 1852 - one of a joint
charge with St. Peter's, Heidelberg and First St. Paul's of
Wellesley Village. Rev. F.A. Peifer (1852-1856), who organized the
congregation in 1852, was the first pastor. He was followed by
Revs. F.V. Wunderlich, F. Hildebrandt, Jacob Werth and Daniel
Stahlschmidt (1860-1872). Destroyed by fire in early 1870, the
church was replaced immediately with a new stone building across
the road (on the south side) which was completed and dedicated in
June, 1872. The church was associated with Heidelberg from 1860
until 1907 when it was joined with the Linwood Parish. In August
1991 the church appeared to be in good condition, with the grounds
well kept. Four services are held each year. The marker above the
front door reads: Deutsche Ev. Luth. Kirche 1872.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1852-1909 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: 1853-1909 Location of records: Wilfrid Laurier
University*
*Records, which include Confirmations 1852-1898 and Communicants
1860-1909, are in the Eastern Canada Synod Lutheran Church Archives
at Wilfrid Laurier University. Some church records are also at St.
Peter's Lutheran Church in Linwood.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church is located southwest of St. Clements,
one concession south of Regional Road 15 and one and a third
concessions west.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:161; Dick & Longo 1984:26-27;
Eylands 1945:81; Maple Leaf 1983:84; R. Taylor 1986; WHS
1972(60):77.
Crosshill
Anglican
St. Mary's Anglican Church
Begun: 1858 Closed: 1909
A stone church was built in 1861. According to J. Dick and M. Longo
in their 1984 (rev. 1989) publication, Heritage Driving Tour of
Wellesley Township, "St. Mary's had a tall stone tower which
dominated the landscape, and which was inset with a beautiful,
large rosetta window. The church was dismantled in the 1940's" (pg.
13).
The congregation was affiliated with Grace Anglican Church in
Millbank. The size of the St. Mary's congregation slowly declined
to about five or six families, with the result that the
congregation was disbanded in 1909. The church was taken down in
1942.
Of interest: Rushes Cemetery, located south of Crosshill on
Regional Road 5, served as the cemetery for St. Mary's Anglican
Church and Boyd Presbyterian Church as well as for Rush's Wesleyan
Methodist Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1858-1925* Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Marriage dates: 1874-1925* Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Burial dates: 1868-1926* Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Confirmations for 1873-1926; families from 1870 are at the Diocese
of Huron Archives (Huron College, London, ON N6G 1H3). *Records
extend beyond the date of 1909 when the church was said to have
been disbanded. This is explained by the fact that entries from
Grace Church, Millbank are included with those of Crosshill.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church was located on the "Gore lot" at the
junction of Regional Road 5 and Township Road 15, at the south end
of the village, across the road from the present Crosshill
Mennonite Church (formerly Boyd Presbyterian).]
References: Dick & Longo 1984:10,12-13; Linwood W.I.; Maple
Leaf 1983:91; R. Taylor 1986.
Crosshill
Wesleyan Methodist
Rush's Wesleyan Methodist Church
Begun: c.1851 Closed: 1889
The church was located south of Crosshill on present-day Regional
Road 5, on land donated in 1851 by the Elisha Rush family. The
number of members served by ministers of this Wesleyan Methodist
Circuit, which was based at Crosshill, was estimated at 280 in
1867. The Circuit at this time was in the Guelph District, London
Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and may have included
Wellesley Village. Rev. Thomas Feather was minister from 1869-1870;
he was followed by Revs. James Woodsworth (1871-1872) and Joseph
Deacon, and the same James Woodsworth in 1873. Union in 1874 of the
Wesleyans and the New Connexion Methodists resulted in the
Methodist Church in Canada. Joseph Deacon was minister in 1874 and
Robert J. Husband served from 1875-1877; Crosshill was then in the
Wellington District, London Conference.
The last meeting of the congregation was held on June 30, 1889. The
property was used later solely for a cemetery (known as Rush's, or
Rushes, Cemetery), which was also the cemetery for St. Mary's
Anglican and Boyd Presbyterian churches in Crosshill. Reference was
made at the 1892 Annual Meeting of the Galt District, Guelph
Conference of the Methodist Church to Cross-Hill [sic] being part
of the Wellesley Mission which also included the churches at
Linwood, Hawkesville and Bethlehem [sic]. The 1895 Annual Meeting
was informed that the Crosshill building and land had been sold
(for $166.77) in November, 1894 because the church "property [was]
no longer required by this [Wellesley] Mission" and had been
"unoccupied for some time." The proceeds from the sale were to be
spent on the Linwood church debt ($30), and on repairs to the
Linwood Church ($20), the parsonage ($30), and the Hawkesville
Church ($40) - the balance to go to the Church Fund of the Hamilton
Conference.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: South of Crosshill on Regional Road 5,
reportedly on the same site as the cemetery which is located on the
east side of the road.]
References: Dick & Longo 1984:10,12; Lamb, WHS 1982(70):116;
Linwood W.I.; Maple Leaf 1983:91; Methodist Church; Wesleyan
Methodist Church.
Crosshill
Presbyterian
Boyd United Church
Begun: 1859 Closed: 1947
The Crosshill Presbyterian congregation was organized by the Rev.
James Boyd on October 26, 1859, the same day he was inducted as its
minister. James Boyd was born in Pollockshaws near Glasgow,
Scotland on December 13, 1814, and had emigrated to Canada in 1845.
Rev. Boyd also ministered to Zion Presbyterian Church which was
located on the 3rd concession in the westerly portion of Wellesley
Township.
Church services at Crosshill were held in the Township Hall until
1888 when work began on a church. Unfortunately, Rev. Boyd died
June 10, 1888; the new church building which was nearing completion
at the time was named Boyd Presbyterian Church in his memory.
Dedication services were held on October 7, 1888 by Rev. Dr. James
A.R. Dickson of Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, and on the next
day, October 8, 1888, a meeting was held in Knox Church, Millbank
to consider a union of the two congregations under one pastor. This
was agreed to and the Rev. William M. McKibbon of Millbank became
minister of Crosshill as well as of Millbank. The arrangement with
Knox Church, Millbank was to continue until 1928. Rev. McKibbon
resigned in 1897 because of poor health and was succeeded by Rev.
William Haig who ministered to the two congregations until July
1911. Rev. Walter Moffat was inducted to the joint charge on Dec.
19, 1911. A fire on March 21, 1913 destroyed the manse at Millbank;
the contents, including some church records, were lost.
According to the Session Minutes Book, a congregational vote
regarding the proposed union with the Congregational and Methodist
churches to form the United Church of Canada was held in late 1915;
22 voted for union; 12 against. No vote was recorded in 1925
regarding union and the congregation therefore automatically went
into that union with the result that Boyd Presbyterian became Boyd
United Church on June 10, 1925. In 1928 the congregation was
separated from Millbank (Stratford Presbytery) and became part of a
four-point charge in the Guelph Presbytery with Linwood,
Hawkesville and Wellesley.
The congregation disbanded in June, 1947, and at a meeting on
October 8, 1947 the "Trustees of Boyd Church of Crosshill" approved
the sale of the church building to the Wellesley Township Council
for $2200. The proceeds from the sale were spent as follows: Rush's
Cemetery, $1000; Hawkesville Cemetery, Linwood United Cemetery,
Millbank Cemetery and Wellesley Church, $50 each; Victoria College,
$500; and Crosshill Women's Missionary Society, $500. Maple View
Mennonite Church, which was the parent church of the present
Crosshill Mennonite Church congregation, later bought the church.
The former Boyd United Church building became Crosshill Mennonite
Church. In 1967, an addition with a new main entrance was built to
the back of the church, and the former entrance at the front of the
church was bricked over. The datestone "Presbyterian Church 1888"
was retained.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
*Many of the early records of Boyd Church were lost when the
Millbank Manse was destroyed by fire in 1913. Some original records
are in private hands. Photocopies of the following are at the
Kitchener Public Library: a) the Session Minutes Book 1913-1944; b)
the Communion Roll and Register 1888-c.1937; c) five Birth/Baptism
records 1935-1946 in the Communion Roll Book (for Shantz, Bigam and
Birmingham); d) the Congregational Minutes Book 1912-1947; and e)
the Sabbath School Secretary's Record 1897-1900, 1904, 1906.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Crosshill, on the west side of Regional Road
5.]
References: Boyd c.1934; Dick & Longo 1984:12; Linwood W.I.;
Maple Leaf 1983:92-93.
Hawkesville
Primitive Methodist
Hawkesville Methodist Church
Begun: c.1850 Closed: 1922
When the First Canadian Primitive Methodist Conference was held in
Brampton from April 27-May 1, 1854, the Peel and Wellesley Mission
was ministered to by Revs. Isaac Ryder, T. Fox and John Towler
(Hopper 1904:158). Other early ministers were William Bee
(1855-1856), C. Gilmore (1857-1858), and W. Lomas (1858-1859) -
each working with John Towler who was associated with Peel and
Wellesley, and then Hawkesville, from 1854-1876.
The Peel and Wellesley Mission became a Circuit in 1863, but in
1865 that Circuit was divided as the result of a resolution passed
at the 12th Annual Conference of the Church. It was resolved "that
Peel and Wellesley be divided, and that the furniture of the said
station shall be the property of the Peel Circuit, Hawksville [sic]
becoming a Mission." From that time Peel and Hawkesville remained
separate missions within the Guelph District.
In 1884 the Methodist Church of Canada was formed from a union of
all Methodist churches. It is interesting to note that the Minutes
of the First Session of the Guelph Annual Conference of the
Methodist Church in June 1884 make reference to the "late Primitive
Methodist Church" in Peel and Hawkesville. Hawkesville later (1886)
was a separate Mission in the Galt District, Guelph Conference of
the Methodist Church until 1890 when it was amalgamated with
Linwood into the Wellesley Mission. The 1897 Annual Meeting of the
Galt District placed Linwood, Hawkesville and Bethlehem [sic] into
a newly created Linwood Mission.
A brick church was built in 1864. The church closed in 1922 and the
building was dismantled; some of the congregation then joined St.
Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1861-1862;1864-1868* Location of records:
unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The records are reported to have been lost in a fire at the
Hawkesville store. *See Waterloo County Marriages
1858-1869 for marriage information 1861-1862 and
1864-1868.
References: Dunham 1941; Hopper 1904; Maple Leaf 1983:96; Methodist
Church; Ogram, WHS 1986(74):117,120; Primitive Methodist Church; R.
Taylor 1986.
Hawkesville
Presbyterian
St. Andrew's United Church
Begun: 1865 Closed: 1946
The church was organized in 1865 as a separate congregation
connected in a two-point charge with Chalmers Presbyterian Church,
Winterbourne; the first minister to serve the two congregations was
Rev. Edward Graham who had been ordained on September 28, 1864. A
light-coloured brick church was constructed in 1868 on the west
side of Church Street. In 1871 the church was joined to Gale
Presbyterian, Elmira in a two-point charge, then to Winterbourne,
and back to Elmira on March 28, 1876. The Minister of Gale and
Hawkesville, Rev. Andrew Dryburgh, died on March 6, 1878. In
October of that year Hawkesville reverted to a Mission Station and
Gale was left on its own for a time.
Alexander Russell was ordained on June 2, 1880 and on the same day
assumed responsibility for the Hawkesville Mission. In 1881
Hawkesville was referred to as a congregation, and on February 13,
1885 it was united with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church of Linwood
as a joint congregation ministered to by the Rev. Russell. However,
Rev. Russell was called to a charge in Chatham Presbytery on August
10, 1886 and the vacant joint charge of Hawkesville and Linwood
reverted to Mission status as of September 21, 1886.
There was a fire in 1888, but the church was repaired and
renovated. In 1925 the congregation joined the United Church of
Canada. St. Andrew's Church closed in 1946 and the building was
sold in 1949 to a Mennonite congregation for $100, on condition
that the building would be used as a church. The Hawkesville
Mennonite Church was dedicated on January 1, 1950.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Hawkesville, on Church Street, west
side.]
References: Dick & Longo 1984:20; Riedstra 1979; Hamilton, Rev.
A.M., WHS 1919(7):80; Maple Leaf 1983:96; Ogram, WHS
1986(74):120-121; Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor 1986.
Hawkesville
United Brethren in Christ
Hawkesville United Brethren in Christ Church
Begun: 1864 Closed: c.1906
In 1862 Rev. S.L. Downey, a United Brethren in Christ missionary,
was asked to conduct a series of revival services in Hawkesville.
The services were held in the Temperance Hall. Two years later, in
1864, a church was built on the north side of the main street of
Hawkesville, and was opened and dedicated by Bishop Edwards of the
United Brethren in Christ Church on January 1, 1865. From 1864
until the church was closed c.1906 Hawkesville shared a pastor with
West Montrose and Bloomingdale. Early ministers were Revs. A.B.
Sherk, D.B. Sherk and J.B. Bowman.
At the Quarterly Conference of the United Brethren in Christ on
December 29, 1883 a committee was appointed to discuss "the sale of
the Hawksville [sic] Church." The situation of the church may not
have been helped by the split in the United Brethren in Christ
Church in 1889. In 1898 the Hawkesville church was rented to the
Evangelical Association "for their use every fourth week."
Finally, the Hawkesville Trustees were given permission at the
Quarterly Conference on November 25, 1905 to sell the church
property. Hawkesville, as a congregation, was last mentioned in the
Conference Minutes of October 1905.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1874-1893 Location: United Church Archives
Marriage dates: 1874-1893,1898-1931 Location: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: 1874-1893 Location: United Church Archives
Marriage records from the Waterloo Circuit, United Brethren in
Christ, January 11, 1898-September 12, 1906, have been transcribed
(Madill 1986a) and are available at the Kitchener Public Library.
The original records, which are contained in the Waterloo Circuit
Marriage Register 1898-1931, are at the United Church Archives.
There are references to Hawkesville in the Circuit Register of the
Waterloo Circuit, United Brethren in Christ for 1874-1893, also at
the United Church Archives.
References: Bloomingdale W.I.; Maple Leaf 1983:96; Ogram, WHS
1986(74):120; R. Taylor 1986; United Brethren in Christ
Church.
Heidelberg
Evangelical Association
Evangelical Church
Begun: c.1843 Closed:
Evangelical Association missionaries arrived in Waterloo County in
1837, and in August 1839 a Camp Meeting organized by the missionary
Christian Holl was held at David Erb's farm near Lexington.
Congregations in Berlin and in Waterloo were formally organized
during that meeting on August 29th by Bishop John Seybert. Mention
is made in Bishop Seybert's journal of a mission existing at
Heidelberg by 1843.
The first church was built on the first side road north of
Heidelberg, one half mile west, north side, across the road from
the church's cemetery which is still in use. The cemetery, called
the Hillside Cemetery, has also been used as a Mennonite cemetery.
The present empty church was completed in 1873; dedication services
were held on Sunday, January 26, 1873. In 1892 the Mission at
Heidelberg was in the North District of the Canada Conference of
the Evangelical Association and included Linwood; missionaries at
that time were pastors H. Dierlamm and D. Dippel. Membership for
the North District in the next year, 1893, was given as 352.
The church is located in the village of Heidelberg, on the north
side of the road heading west, just before the crossroads; the date
marker above the front door reads: Kirche Der Evangelischen
Gemeinschaft 1872 (Church of the Evangelical Association
1872).
On November 16, 1946 the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren
in Christ Church united to form the Evangelical United Brethren
Church. Closing date of the Heidelberg church was probably after
that date, and before 1964. In 1964 an Evangelical United Brethren
book, A Century in Canada 1864-1964 was
published; there is no reference in the book to the Heidelberg
church. A newspaper article in The Hamilton Spectator on
March 7, 1964 referred to the church as a Mennonite Church. In July
1992 the church, which had been used in recent years by the
Pentecostals and the Agape Fellowship Church, was empty and was
once again "for rent."
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown* Location of records: unknown
*The Civil Registers for Waterloo County 1855-1861 have records for
some Births and Deaths for 1860, on National Archives microfilm
C-17578, available at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Heidelberg on Regional Road 15, north side of
the road before the crossroads.]
References: Devitt, WHS 1947(35):44; Dick & Longo 1984:22;
Murdoch 1964; Wagner 1873.
Heidelberg
Lutheran
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1845
The church is said to have been in existence by 1845 when early
services were conducted by Rev. F.W. Bindemann. A log church,
located approximately a mile outside Heidelberg, was built in 1851.
Other early pastors are said to have been Revs. F.V. Wunderlich, C.
Lorenz and Jacob Werth. However it was not until 1860 that the
first full-time pastor arrived, in the person of Rev. Daniel
Stahlschmidt (1860-1873).
Construction of the present church was begun in 1867, although the
date marker above the front door reads 1869 (Ev. Luth. St. Petrus
Kirche 1869). The roof and steeple were replaced after a lightning
strike in 1876. The church building was renovated c.1900 and a
basement was added. A new parsonage was built in 1908.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Erbsville, founded in 1852, was a
branch of Heidelberg. The two congregations remain a joint
parish.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for Marriages
1860-1868.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Contact Heidelberg-Erbsville Lutheran Church
Parish, Heidelberg, ON N0B 1Y0; 699-4171]. The church is located in
Heidelberg on Regional Road 15, north side, before the
crossroads.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:120; Devitt, WHS 1947(35):44; Dick
& Longo 1948:22; Eylands 1945:77; Maple Leaf 1983:51, 86; R.
Taylor 1986; WHS 1970(58):53.
Linwood
Lutheran
St. John's Lutheran Church
Begun: 1871 Closed c.1955
The congregation of this Missouri Synod Church in Linwood was
organized in 1871 by Pastor F. Dubpernell of First St. Paul's
Lutheran Church in Wellesley. Services were held in a school until
a stone church was built in 1872-1873 several miles west of
Linwood; the cornerstone for the new church was laid the second
Sunday after Trinity in 1873. Church dedication was by Pastor
Dubpernell on the 23rd Sunday after Trinity in 1873. He was
succeeded in the same year by Pastor W. Brandt of Floradale.
In 1905 the congregation moved in to Linwood to a church which they
had bought and renovated. According to Longo (1984:17) the church
purchased by the congregation was the former Evangelical
Association Church in Linwood which had been built in the
1880s.
A Parish formed of Linwood, Floradale and Salem was ministered to
in the early years by Pastor Adam Ernst. St. John's was later part
of the Wellesley-Poole Parish, and then of Kitchener and Tavistock.
The congregation was small and its size gradually decreased, partly
because of the presence of a Canada Synod Church (St. Peter's) in
Linwood.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: Cronmiller 1961:165; Longo 1984:17; Malinsky
1954:69.
Linwood
Lutheran
St. Peter's Lutheran Church
Begun: 1873
The present congregation dates back to 1873 and was made up of
members who had split earlier from the Missouri Synod congregation
in Linwood, St. John's Lutheran Church. The new congregation held
services in an old block church several miles from Linwood until a
church was built in 1885, and consecrated in the fall of that year
by the pastor, Rev. H. Petschke (1884-1887). Rev. A.R. Schultz of
St. James, Elmira administered to St. Peter's from 1889-1899; Rev.
H. Rembe was pastor from 1901-1904.
The present-day red brick building was built in 1904 on John Street
North while Rev. Rembe was pastor; dedication services were held on
October 18, 1905. At about the same time the Linwood congregation
voted to join the Canada Synod and called their own pastor, Rev.
Paul Kleine. The congregation became self-supporting in 1909. The
church currently is in a parish with St. John's, near
Bamberg.
Records:
Baptism Dates: 1871- Location of records: at church
Marriage Dates: 1871- Location of records: at church
Burial Dates: 1871- Location of records: at church
Early church records are reported to be in High German.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Linwood, on John Street North, at Adelaide.
N0B 2A0.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:165; Dick & Longo 1984:16,18;
Eylands 1945:137; Malinsky 1954:69; Maple Leaf 1983:88.
Linwood
Primitive Methodist
Linwood Methodist Church
Begun: c.1854 Closed: c.1920
It is said that this congregation was on Hall's Circuit originally
and may have been known as Rev. Hall's Church. Rev. Isaac Ryder of
the Peel and Wellesley Mission, who was the missionary at the time
of the First Annual Conference of the Primitive Methodist Connexion
in 1854, was the first pastor. The Peel and Wellesley Mission was
divided in 1865 and the Wellesley Mission became known as the
Hawkesville Mission. In 1866 Hawkesville was supplied by Rev.
William Reid and two superannuated pastors, Revs. John Towler and
Isaac Ryder. Rev. Ryder, who made his home in Linwood, died in
1875.
The last recorded membership of the congregation as Primitive
Methodist was in 1882; in 1884 the Primitive Methodists joined with
the other Methodist groups to form one organization, the Methodist
Church of Canada. Linwood was moved from the Listowel District to
the Galt District of the Guelph Conference in 1886; the membership
of the congregation at the time was 96. Linwood was considered a
separate mission in the Galt District until 1890 when it was
amalgamated with Hawkesville into the Wellesley Mission. The 1898
Annual Meeting recorded the creation of the Linwood Mission which
was to include Linwood, Hawkesville and Bethlehem.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
*The church records are reported to have been lost in a fire at the
Hawkesville store. However, there are some records for the Linwood
Methodist Church at the United Church Archives: Baptisms 1918,
Marriages 1917, and Burials 1916-1917. See also Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869 for marriages, 1868.
References: Maple Leaf 1983:91; Methodist Church; Primitive
Methodist Church; R. Taylor 1986.
Linwood
Wesleyan Methodist
Methodist Church
Begun: c.1862 Closed: c.1884
The church, of logs, was built east of the village. In 1884 the
church building was said to have been sold to the Presbyterians at
which time it is possible that the congregation joined with that of
the former Primitive Methodist Church in Linwood.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Maple Leaf 1983:88.
Linwood
Presbyterian
St. Andrew's United Church
Begun: 1885 Closed: c.1985
The congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Linwood, was
formally organized on February 13, 1885 and was united with St.
Andrew's, Hawkesville under the care of the latter's minister, Rev.
Alexander Russell. Rev. Russell was called to a charge in Chatham
Presbytery on August 10, 1886 and on September 21, 1886 the vacant
charge of Linwood and Hawkesville reverted to Mission status for a
short time. The first entry in the Linwood Session Records Book
1886-1958 records a meeting of the Guelph Presbytery held at Knox
Church at Guelph on November 16, 1886. Rev. James A.R. Dickson of
Central Presbyterian Church, Galt was the moderator of the meeting
wherein he reported that he had ordained elders-elect at Linwood
"last Lord's Day." The Linwood Presbyterian Church's Communion Roll
was begun on January 8, 1887.
The status of the church was that of "vacant charge", as reported
at the 1889 Annual Meeting of the Presbyterian Church. The
Sixteenth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in
1890 received a report that "St. Andrew's Church, Hawkesville, and
Linwood, had a minister placed over them on the 31st of July,
1889." The minister was Rev. William C. Armstrong (1889-1891). He
was followed by Henry Knox (1894-1897) and Simon Cunningham
(1897-1904).
The first church, of logs, had been built east of the village in
1862 for the Wesleyan Methodists. The Deed for the land, on which
the present red brick church on Albert St. was built and dedicated
in 1908, was dated March 1902. The notation on the inner cover of
the Session Records Book reads: "Linwood Presbyterian Church and
Sheds. North part of Lot No. 7 Northeast part of Lot No. 8 in
Scott's Survey of the Village of Linwood. Being a part of Lot. No.
9, Concession 10 Western Section of the Township of Wellesley,
County of Waterloo."
St. Andrew's chose to join the United Church of Canada when the
Methodist, Congregational and some of the Presbyterian churches
came together on June 10, 1925 to form the United Church of Canada.
No longer a United Church, in July, 1991 the building was shared by
two congregations - the Pentecostal Church of God, and the Church
of God in Christ Mennonite.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1887-1963 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
At the United Church Archives: Communion Roll, January 8,
1887-March 26, 1958 (some deaths noted); Births, September 6,
1877-February 3, 1963; Baptisms, June 12, 1887-October 20, 1963;
and the Session Records Book, November 16, 1886-January 5, 1958.
Also at the United Church Archives is the Membership Roll for the
Millbank Pastoral Charge which includes membership lists for
Linwood 1947-1962.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Linwood, on the west side of Albert
Street.]
References: Dick & Longo 1984:17; Maple Leaf 1983:88;
Presbyterian Church.
Linwood
Roman Catholic
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1922
Until 1907, Linwood Catholics attended church at St. Clement's as
well as at St. Joseph's, Macton. In 1907 one acre of land was
donated by John Friedmann for a combined church and school. A new,
separate, church was built in 1922 at which time the congregation
ceased to be a mission of Macton. The date on the cornerstone of
the present church building is 1922. The basement of the church was
built, roofed over, and used as a church for several years before
the building was finally completed.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1922- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1922- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1922- Location of records: at church
Some early records may be with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church
in Macton.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Linwood. Linwood, ON N0B 2A0.]
References: Maple Leaf 1983:83; Spetz 1916:172-174; R. Taylor
1986.
St. Clements
Roman Catholic
St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church
Begun: c.1840
The first Roman Catholic missionary in the area was Rev. John Louis
Wiriath who established a mission at St. Agatha c.1834; however, he
made very few visits to the area of St. Clements. Father Peter
Schneider was the next missionary, also from St. Agatha, from
1838-1844.
A first log church was built in 1840, and was located not far from
the present red brick church. Father Simon Sanderl (1844-1847) gave
the church the name of St. Alphonsus which was the name of his own
Order, but in 1852 Bishop Michael Power of Toronto directed that
the church be called St. Clement's. At the same time, St. Clement's
became a parish and received its first resident pastor, Rev.
Columban Messner - on November 1, 1852. From 1847-1852 the
congregation had been ministered to by the Jesuits, Fathers Lucas
Caveng and Bernard Fritsch from St. Agatha, as was New Germany and
other missions.
The present church building was completed in 1858; at that time it
served St. Clements, Elmira, Macton and Hesson.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1844- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1845- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1847- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriages,
1858-1861, 1863, 1866-1868 [St. Clements N0B 2M0.]
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In St. Clements, west of the main intersection,
on Regional Road 15 to Crosshill - north side of the road. St.
Clements, ON N0B 2M0]
References: Maple Leaf 1983:79-81; Oudejans, WHS 1984(72):74-76;
Spetz 1916:74-89; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: White, Patty, and Janet Lienhardt.
125 Years. St. Clement's Church, St. Clement's, Ontario,
1858-1983, 1983.
Wellesley
Anglican
Wellesley Anglican Church
Begun: Closed:
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1859-1860* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriages
1859-1860.
References: R. Taylor 1986.
Wellesley
Lutheran
First St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Begun: 1852
Pastor F.W. Bindemann of Berlin conducted services in the area as
early as 1848, but formal organization of the congregation was in
1852 by Pastor Franz Adam Peifer of Waterloo. Pastor Peifer
ministered to a joint congregation of St. Paul's, Wellesley and
Zion, Phillipsburg until 1854.
The cornerstone for the first church building, on land donated by
Christopher Doering, was put in place on July 20, 1854; the
building was completed later in the same year, during the ministry
of Pastor Christian Herman Thomsen who dedicated the church in
1856. This church was destroyed by fire on August 21, 1876, but a
new brick one (the present one) was built in the same year; the
cornerstone was laid on September 10, 1876, and the church was
dedicated on November 17, 1876. (The date stone above the front
door reads Ev Luth St. Paulus/Kirche 1876.)
Rev. Johann Adam Ernst was pastor in 1864 when the congregation
separated from Phillipsburg and joined the Missouri Synod. The year
1867 found the next pastor, Rev. Henry Koch, looking after four
congregations - St. Paul's, Wellesley; St. John's, Poole; Emmanuel,
Petersburg; and, later, the Lutherans in Linwood. In 1879 Emmanuel
joined St. Paul's in Berlin, to return to St. Paul's, Wellesley in
1896. Emmanuel became a single congregation in the late
1970s.
Renovations were made to the church in 1896 and 1926; in the latter
year a chancel and basement were added. The church steeple was
replaced in 1936 by a shorter structure, and another new steeple,
surmounted by a seven foot stainless steel cross, was built in
1978. In 1992 a large new addition was constructed; a major change
was the relocation of the main entrance of the church to the new
wing.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1888- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1888- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1888- Location of records: at church
The early records were lost in the fire in 1876. See Waterloo
County Marriages 1858-1869, for Marriages 1858-1859,
1865-1869. Some Birth records 1836-1855, 1858, 1860 and some Deaths
1855, 1860 are in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County, National
Archives microfilm C-15758, available at the Kitchener Public
Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Box 129, 103 William St., Wellesley, ON N0B 2T0
- on William Street at the south end of the village, on the west
side of the road; 656-2635.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:164; Maple Leaf 1983:87; R. Taylor
1986; Wellesley W.I.; WHS 1967(55):45,52.
Church History: 100th Anniversary Souvenir of
First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Wellesley, Ontario, June 29,
1952.
Wellesley
Lutheran
St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1876
This congregation, originally named Second St. Paul's Lutheran, was
formally organized on July 28, 1876 by its first pastor, the Rev.
J.N. Münzinger. Land for a church and a cemetery was purchased from
John Zoeger in 1876. Dedication of the church, which was built in
1876-1877, was in the Fall of 1877. The first pastor in the new
church was the Rev. John Strempfer who also ministered to North
Easthope and Gadshill. The parsonage for the Parish was in North
Easthope. The next pastor was Rev. John Hoffman. A seventy-six foot
tower and a Sunday School addition were built in 1888.
The present-day brick church was built in 1927, and a parsonage was
purchased in 1936. The name of the church was changed in 1957 from
Second St. Paul's Lutheran to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1876- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1876- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1876- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Box 40, 104 Queen St., Wellesley, ON N0B 2T0;
656-2412.]
References: Eylands 1945:133; Maple Leaf 1983:88; Schwermann
1971:3; R. Taylor 1986; Wellesley W.I.
Wellesley
Wesleyan Methodist
Union United Church
Begun: c.1865 Closed: 1965
The Wesleyan Methodist Wellesley Circuit may have had its base in
Crosshill at the church referred to as Rush's Methodist Church.
Services are reported to have begun in the Crosshill area
c.1851.
The Wesleyan Methodist congregation in Wellesley Village began
c.1865 as a Sunday School, later sharing an inter-denominational
church known as Union Church which had been built in 1858 by the
Swedenborgians at the corner of William and Doering Streets. A
Wellesley Mission was created in 1890 by the Annual Meeting of the
Galt District, Guelph Conference of the Methodist Church from an
amalgamation of the Hawkesville and Linwood Missions. Presbyterian
services were also held in the church.
In 1925, the already "united" Methodist and Presbyterian
congregations joined the United Church. The church closed some
forty years later, in 1965 - the final service was held in July of
that year. In 1992 the church was occupied by the Wellesley
Missionary Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-1874 are in
an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library. See
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for information on
Marriages for 1858-1859. The Millbank United Church Membership Roll
1938-1962, which includes members from Union United Church,
Wellesley from 1948-1962, is at the United Church Archives.
References: Dewar, WHS 1967(55):52; Maple Leaf 1983:97; Methodist
Church 1887-1899; R. Taylor 1986; WHS 1965(53):23.
Wellesley
Swedenborgian
Swedenborgian Church
Begun: 1858 Closed: c.1901
Land in the Village of Wellesley was donated to the Swedenborgians
by the Doering family, and a white frame church was built at the
corner of William and Doering Streets in 1858. Land for a cemetery,
alongside that of the Lutherans, was also donated by the Doerings.
(This cemetery later became part of the Lutheran one.) Rev. G.
Reiche from New Hamburg was the minister who served the
congregation until the arrival in 1860 of Rev. F.W. Tuerk of
Berlin. Rev. Tuerk began his ministry in the area (in Mitchell in
1853) as a Lutheran missionary. Because he "embraced the doctrines
of Emmanuel Swedenborg" he was "deposed from the ministry of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church" in 1857 (Cronmiller 1961:141). Rev.
Tuerk, who was pastor of the Berlin New Convention Church of the
New Jerusalem (now the Church of the Good Shepherd) from June 1857,
conducted monthly services in Wellesley until his death on July 3,
1901.
The congregation dispersed in the early part of this century after
the death of Rev. Tuerk. The church building was sold and became
known as Union Church, which was shared by the Methodists and
Presbyterians. It became a United Church in 1925. It was later
rented and sold in 1965 to the Zion Mennonite congregation. Later,
the building became the Pentecostal Church of Wellesley Village. In
1992 it was the Wellesley Missionary Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
*As Rev. F.W. Tuerk was based at the Berlin Swedenborgian Church,
it is possible that some Wellesley records are with those for that
church. Records from 1843-1900, for the Church of the Good
Shepherd, are at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Cronmiller 1961:141; Maple Leaf 1983:96; R. Taylor
1986; Uttley 1937; WHS 1967(55):45,52; Wellesley W.I.
Wellesley Township
Baptist
Wellesley Baptist Church
Begun: c.1850 Closed: 1875
A Free Will Baptist Church which was organized c.1850 was built on
the 3rd line in Wellesley Township. In July 1862 the church was
organized as a Regular Baptist Church. Some early baptisms were
performed before this time by Rev. R. McClelland, the missionary
from Stratford. In June 1863, the Wellesley Baptist Church became
part of the Grand River North Baptist Association, with Rev.
McClelland as pastor to both Stratford and Wellesley. The
congregation continued the association with Stratford for a time
but the connection ceased and Wellesley, Millbank and Poole were
served by a missionary, Rev. D. Mulhern. Rev. Mulhern's report for
1864 in the 1865 Canadian Baptist Register was that he
intended "to preach twice on every alternate Sunday in Wellesley
Chapel." Not much later, services were discontinued at
Millbank.
Rev. Charles Northrup was an impressive pastor who began his
service in 1867 and the year 1871 seems to have been the high point
in the church's history when the membership was 58. However, the
membership declined and the church decided to close in 1875. Local
Baptists were able to attend church in Poole in Perth County after
this date. Of interest is the fact that the Wellesley Mission was
still listed in the Baptist Year Book for Ontario and Quebec,
1876-1877, with a membership of 46, albeit with no pastor. There
appears to have been no mention of the Wellesley congregation in
later reports.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: * Location of records: Waterloo County
Marriages
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Marriage records for the years 1860, 1862, 1865, 1867 are in
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869.
References: Baptist Church; McDonald, WHS 1985(73):91-95; R. Taylor
1986.
Wellesley Township
Mennonite
Cedar Grove Amish Mennonite Church (Wellesley Amish
Mennonite Congregation)
Begun: 1911
Services of the Wellesley Amish Mennonite congregation are reported
to have begun in 1859 when bi-weekly services were held in homes.
The first bishop was John Jantzi. A small frame building, which was
used primarily as a funeral shelter, may have been erected as early
as 1867 on the site of the present cemetery on the 3rd Line. The
north halves of lots 11 and 12 were purchased by Leonhard Streicher
from Samuel and Margaret McKee in 1869. The next year, on July 11,
1870, Streicher deeded a half acre of property to the Amish
Mennonite congregation on which a cemetery and "funeral chapel"
were to be located. The chapel was built during the years
1871-1872. Worship services continued to be held in homes, although
services at times may have been held in the funeral chapel.
When a larger church building was erected in 1886, some members of
the congregation began to hold regular services in it, while other
members continued to meet in homes. Members of the latter group, of
Old Order Amish, are members today of either the North or South
Church District of the Amish Church. The members continue to meet
in homes; there are no meeting houses. Those members who met in the
church building were led by the bishop Jacob Wagler, Joseph L.
Lichti and Christian B. Zehr.
A division occurred later in the group which had continued to meet
in the 1886 meeting house. In 1911 or 1912 Jacob F. Lichti (bishop)
and John Gascho (deacon) and a number of other families left to
form another church. It became known as the Lichti Church, but is
now known as the Cedar Grove Amish Mennonite Church. Christian B.
Zehr was ordained bishop in the Wellesley congregation after the
Lichti group left. Wellesley was sometimes referred to as the Zehr
congregation, but it is now known as the Maple View Mennonite
Church.
A new meeting house was built by the Lichti congregation about 1912
approximately a half mile to the east of the former meeting house.
This frame meeting house is now known as the Cedar Grove Amish
Mennonite Church. The congregation was not affiliated with any
other group; there was no Sunday School. A new church was built in
1963. This congregation now has fraternal relations with the Beachy
Amish of the United States.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: north of Wellesley, near the corner of Regional
Rd. 5 and Wellesley Township Rd. 3W]
References: Burkholder 1935:230-233; Epp 1974:277; Maple Leaf
1983:94-95; Roth 1993.
Church History: Schultz, Beatrice, Brenda Lichti
Knechtel, and Fran Lebold, et al. Maple View Mennonite Church
1859-1984, 1984.
Wellesley Township
Mennonite
Kingwood Reformed Mennonite Congregation
Begun: 1850 Closed: 1969
The date of organization of this Reformed Mennonite congregation in
Wellesley Township is given as 1850. According to Stewart et al.
(1983:93-94), "The first church was an Amish Mennonite church, a
quarter of a mile west of Kingwood. About 1864, the church was
moved across the fence to the west half of the adjoining lot, by
the Reformed Mennonites. Services were conducted, every third
Sunday, by the ministers John Honderick [sic] and Joseph Wilhelm."
John Honderich was ordained minister in 1865; Joseph Wilhelm was
ordained minister in 1879. The next minister was Fred Weicker who
was ordained deacon in 1901 and minister in 1905. Of interest:
Rudolph Roth, who left the Wilmot Amish Mennonite congregation in
1850, served as bishop after he joined the Reformed
Mennonites.
"A new larger church was built on the same site, in 1900. The
building was eventually sold and moved off the property in 1969,
though the cemetery is still there" (Ibid.). The cemetery is still
in use. Remaining members of Kingwood and of Hostetler's Reformed
Mennonite congregations joined with the North Easthope Reformed
Mennonite congregation as each one disbanded.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
References: Epp 1974:136,277; Epp 1982:274; Fretz 1989:91; Maple
Leaf 1983:93-94.
Wellesley Township
Mennonite
Maple View Mennonite Church (Wellesley Amish Mennonite
Congregation)
Begun: 1859
Services of the Wellesley Amish Mennonite congregation are reported
to have begun in 1859 when bi-weekly services were held in homes.
The first bishop was John Jantzi. A small frame building, which was
used primarily as a funeral shelter, may have been erected as early
as 1867 on the site of the present cemetery on the 3rd Line. The
north halves of lots 11 and 12 were purchased by Leonhard Streicher
from Samuel and Margaret McKee in 1869. The next year, on July 11,
1870, Streicher deeded a half acre of property to the Amish
Mennonite congregation on which a cemetery and "funeral chapel"
were to be located. The chapel was built during the years
1871-1872. Worship services continued to be held in homes, although
services at times may have been held in the funeral chapel.
When a larger church building was erected in 1886, some members of
the congregation began to hold regular services in it, while other
members continued to meet in homes. Members of the latter group, of
Old Order Amish, are members today of either the North or South
Church District of the Amish Church. The members continue to meet
in homes; there are no meeting houses. Those members who met in the
church building were led by the bishop Jacob Wagler, Joseph L.
Lichti and Christian B. Zehr.
A division occurred later in the group which had continued to meet
in the 1886 meeting house. In 1911 or 1912 Jacob F. Lichti (bishop)
and John Gascho (deacon) and a number of other families left to
form another church. It became known as the Lichti Church, but is
now known as the Cedar Grove Amish Mennonite Church. Christian B.
Zehr was ordained bishop in the Wellesley congregation after the
Lichti group left. Wellesley was sometimes referred to as the Zehr
congregation, but it is now known as the Maple View Mennonite
Church.
A Sunday School was begun in 1912. A new frame church was built in
1928, and it was also at this time that it was named Maple View
Mennonite Church. In 1933 Sunday School began to be held every
Sunday before preaching services. The church building was enlarged
in 1976; at the same time the sanctuary was renoved and the
exterior of the building was covered with white siding. Additional
land for the cemetery was purchased on January 11, 1984.
Of interest: Crosshill Mennonite Church, located in Crosshill in
the former Presbyterian (later United) Church is a daughter church
of Maple View. The Crosshill church building was purchased from
Wellesley Township Council in 1949. Services were conducted by the
Maple View ministers until 1967 when Stevanus Gerber, ordained in
1966, was stationed here. Sunday services were held jointly by
Maple View and Crosshill until 1981.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: north of Wellesley on Regional Rd. 5, then west
on Township Rd. 3W]
References: Burkholder 1935:230-233; Epp 1974:277; Epp 1982:274;
Maple Leaf 1983:94-95; Roth 1993.
Church History: Schultz, Beatrice, Brenda Lichti
Knechtel, and Fran Lebold, et al. Maple View Mennonite Church
1859-1984, 1984.
Wellesley Township
Mennonite
Old Order Amish Mennonite Congregation
Begun: 1859
Services of the Wellesley Amish Mennonite congregation are reported
to have begun in 1859 when bi-weekly services were held in homes.
The first Bishop was John Jantzi.
A small frame building, which was used primarily as a funeral
shelter, may have been erected as early as 1867 on the site of the
present cemetery on the 3rd Line. The north halves of lots 11 and
12 were purchased by Leonhard Streicher from Samuel and Margaret
McKee in 1869. The next year, on July 11, 1870, Streicher deeded a
half acre of property to the Amish Mennonite congregation on which
a cemetery and "funeral chapel" were to be located. The chapel was
built during the years 1871-1872. Worship services continued to be
held in homes, although services at times may have been held in the
funeral chapel.
When a larger church building was erected in 1886, some members of
the congregation began to hold regular services in it, while other
members continued to meet in homes. The latter group, which became
known as Old Order Amish, are generally members of either the North
or South Church District. Those members who live north of the
Millbank/Crosshill road are in the North Church District, and those
who live south of that road are in the South Church District. The
members continue to meet in homes; there are no meeting
houses.
After the 1886 division, the Old Order Amish group had as its
minister the deacon, Joseph G. Jantzi. Joseph Jantzi's brother,
Peter Jantzi, was ordained minister in 1891. Peter Jantzi became
bishop in 1902.
An Old Order Amish Cemetery, used by members living in Waterloo
Region, is located on Lot 3, Concession VI, West Section, Wellesley
Township, between Crosshill and Millbank, on the south side of the
road.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
References: Burkholder 1935:233-234; Wall, Madill et al. 1992; Roth
1993.
Wellesley Township
Primitive Methodist
Primitive Methodist Church
Begun: c.1850 Closed:
When the First Canadian Primitive Methodist Conference was held at
Brampton from April 27-May 1, 1854 the Peel and Wellesley Mission
was ministered to by Revs. Isaac Ryder, T. Fox and John Towler, the
last-mentioned missionary described as "superannuated" (Hopper
1904:158). The Conference was informed that the "old Peel and
Wellesley Mission is worthy of particular mention, especially the
Bethel appointment in Pilkington, now a part of the Alma Circuit"
(Ibid:209), which would lead one to believe that the mission
existed prior to 1854. Other early ministers were William Bee
(1855-1856), C. Gilmore (1857-1858) and W. Lomas (1858-1859), each
working with John Towler (1854-1876).
In 1863 Peel and Wellesley Mission became a Circuit and in 1865
that Circuit was divided as the result of the adoption of a
resolution at the 12th Annual Conference of the Church in 1865. It
was resolved "that Peel and Wellesley be divided, and that the
furniture of said station shall be the property of the Peel
Circuit; Hawkesville becoming a Mission." One would assume from
this that earlier references to Wellesley were in fact references
to Hawkesville. Future meetings referred to Peel and Hawkesville as
separate entities.
The Methodist Church of Canada was formed in 1884 from the union of
all Methodist groups in Canada including the Primitive Methodist
Church. According to the Minutes of the First Annual Meeting of the
Galt District, Guelph Conference of the Methodist Church, the
Linwood church had a membership of 129 and Hawkesville had 71. In
1890 the two congregations were amalgamated into one mission called
the Wellesley Mission. In 1898 the name was changed to Linwood
Mission.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1845-1858* Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1858-1860* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: 1858* Location of records: unknown
The United Church Archives has the Peel Circuit Primitive Methodist
Minutes of the Official Board for 1862-1911. *See Waterloo
County Marriages 1858-1869 for information on Marriages
1858-1860. *Some Births 1845-1858 and Deaths 1858 are in the Civil
Registers for Waterloo County, National Archives microfilm C-15758,
available on interlibrary loan or at the Kitchener Public
Library.
References: Hopper 1904; Methodist Church; Primitive Methodist
Church; R. Taylor 1986.
Wellesley Township
Presbyterian
Zion Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1859 Closed: after 1928
This congregation, in the southwestern section of the Township on
the 3rd line, was organized in 1859 by Rev. James Boyd who
ministered to it in a joint charge with the Presbyterian Church in
Crosshill. The first church was a log house, followed by a stone
church which was built in 1868 on the same site. Rev. Boyd died on
June 10, 1888, and at a meeting on October 8th, 1888, Crosshill was
placed with Knox Presbyterian Church, Millbank, and Zion was placed
with Burns Presbyterian Church, Milverton. According to the Session
Minutes Book for Milverton and Zion, the decision to be joined with
Milverton was given formal approval at a meeting of Stratford
Presbytery held at Atwood on November 13, 1888. It was also agreed
that "the salary promised by Wellesley shall date from first
November 1888." On December 6, 1888 the session of Zion
Presbyterian Church, Wellesley Township met in the church "and was
constituted." The last meeting held at Zion, as recorded in this
particular Session Minutes Book was on October 30, 1908.
Zion Presbyterian church split over union in 1925; some members
remained Presbyterian, others joined Union United Church in
Wellesley. Zion Presbyterian Church later closed and was removed.
Of interest: Zion cemetery was begun in 1847.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The Session Minutes Book, June 1856-February 1916, for Burns
Presbyterian Church, Milverton and Zion Presbyterian Church,
Wellesley Township is at the United Church Archives. References to
Zion are from November 13, 1888 to October 30, 1908. The book
includes names of new members as well as several notations of
deaths of members.
References: Boyd c.1934; Maple Leaf 1983:93.
Wallenstein
Evangelical Association
Wallenstein Evangelical Church
Begun: c.1842 Closed c.1910
This German Evangelical congregation was one of the earliest in the
area. Although the log church was located in Wellington County, it
is included in this book due to its proximity to Wellesley Township
in Waterloo County - just on the north side of Highway 86 which is
the county line.
The church closed c.1910 and its members moved to nearby
Evangelical churches in Floradale and Elmira. A Methodist mission
(of Linwood, Hawkesville and Milverton) held services in the church
for a time, followed by a Mennonite congregation. Deterioration of
the wooden building resulted in its removal in 1971 or 1972. About
ten stones from the cemetery located behind the church were
eventually gathered together and placed in a cairn. It is possible
another ten stones were lost or too badly broken to have been used.
The stones are in English which indicates that the cemetery was
probably used by the community at large.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Reference: R. Taylor 1985.
WILMOT TOWNSHIP
Baden
Lutheran
St. James Lutheran Church
Begun: 1858
The first Lutheran services in Baden were conducted by Rev.
Christian Herman Thomsen of Phillipsburg in 1856, but it was not
until 1858 that the formal organization of the congregation took
place. A frame church was built during the ministry of Rev.
Thomsen's successor, Rev. J.F.C. Ehinger, who served the
congregation from 1859-1864. The church property was purchased from
Jacob Beck in March, 1862 for fifty dollars. Rev. Ehinger was
followed by Rev. G. Schmidt (1864-1868) and Rev. Christian
Frederick Spring (1868-1888) who were from New Hamburg.
The congregation became independent in 1888. German-language
services were discontinued c.1914. St. James was joined in a parish
with Zion Evangelical Lutheran in Phillipsburg and Zion Evangelical
Lutheran, St. Agatha in 1930. This association continued until May
30, 1992 when the three congregations agreed to separate and become
independent of each other.
The frame church remains today. Changes have included the addition
of a basement and narthex in 1953.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1858- Location of records: *
Marriage dates: 1858- Location of records: *
Burial dates: 1858- Location of records: *
*For information from the church records contact the church at 60
Mill Street, Baden, ON N0B 1G0. Some Births 1836-1855, 1858, 1860
and Deaths 1858, 1860 for Baden are in the Civil Registers for
Waterloo County 1855-1861. These are at the National Archives and
are available on microfilm C-15758, a copy of which is at the
Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 60 Mill St., Baden, ON N0B 1G0]
References: Cronmiller 1961:119,121,143; Eylands 1945:88; R. Taylor
1986; Wilmot 1967:28.
Baden
Mennonite
Shantz Mennonite Church
Begun: 1840
This church, located north of Baden, and about 8 miles west of
Waterloo, was known as the "Upper Street Church." George R.
Schmitt, was the first minister when services were begun in 1840.
He was ordained on April 12, 1840. John C. Shantz was the first
deacon. A schoolhouse was built first on land which was part of
George Schmidt's farm. Church services possibly were held there as
well until a first stone meeting house was built c.1860 on Lot 12
Erb Road South, land which was donated by David Y. Shantz and his
wife Barbara. The land transaction was dated April 13, 1853.
The church building was remodelled in 1900. It was replaced in 1929
by a red brick building, complete with basement. A Sunday School
wing was added in 1959.
The first minister, George R. Schmitt was followed by Tobias Bowman
and Orphen H. Wismer.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: approximately 2 miles north of Baden - R.R. 2,
Baden, ON N0B 1G0; 634-8712]
References: Bergey, WHS 1959(47):13; Burkholder 1935:87-89; Epp
1974:125; Epp 1982:269; Wilmot 1976:104.
Baden
Mennonite
Steinmann Mennonite Church (Wilmot Amish Mennonite
Congregation)
Begun: 1824
In 1824 bishop John Stoltzfus of Lancaster, Pennsylvania ordained
the ministers, Joseph Goldschmidt and John Brenneman, and the
deacon, Jacob Kropf, who were to serve this Amish Mennonite
congregation. It is reported that there were about thirty families
in the central part of Wilmot Township by the year 1830. "By
approximately 1837 the northwestern corner of Wilmot, called the
Amish Settlement, was settled by a number of families who came from
New York State" (Kennel 1984:5).
Peter Nafziger, an ordained bishop who arrived from Bavaria in
1826, served the congregation until 1831 when he moved to Ohio. He
was succeeded as bishop by John Oesch who later moved to Hay
Township; he in turn was succeeded by Peter Litwiller who was
ordained bishop in 1850. About this time a few members withdrew
from the congregation and joined the Reformed Mennonite Church.
Members who left included Rudolph Roth, a bishop, and Jacob
Gardner, a deacon.
Worship services were held in homes in the winter and in barns
during the summer. As the Wilmot Amish Mennonite congregation grew
in size, houses in particular could no longer accommodate so many
people. The congregation proceeded to build a frame meeting house
in 1884 on land which had been purchased from Daniel Steinmann (Lot
18, Snider Road North). The next year, 1885, the congregation built
another meeting house west of St. Agatha on the Upper (Erb) Street.
This church was built on part of Nicholas Lichti's farm. John
Gascho was bishop at the time; he had been ordained bishop in
1872.
Services were held alternately in the two churches until 1939 when
services began to be held in each church every Sunday. In 1957 each
congregation received its own minister: Elmer Schwartzentruber for
Steinmann, and Peter Nafziger for St. Agatha. A decision was made
at Steinmann's annual meeting in 1946 to built a new church. The
old church and sheds were removed so that construction could begin
on the same site. From this time until 1948 when the new church was
completed, the congregation met in the New Hamburg Library Hall.
The new church of the Steinmann Amish Mennonite congregation was
dedicated on May 16, 1948. An educational wing was built in 1976.
An elevator was installed in 1983.
In 1964 the church conference name was changed to the Western
Ontario Mennonite Conference. At that time the two Wilmot Amish
Mennonite congregations became known as Steinmann Mennonite Church
and St. Agatha Mennonite Church.
Records:
Some Births and Deaths 1860 and Marriages 1855, from the records of
bishop Peter Litwiller, may be found in the Civil Registers for
Waterloo County, on National Archives of Canada Microfilm C-15758.
This microfilm is avilable on interlibrary loan, or at the
Kitchener Public Library. For information regarding the
availability of any other early records, please contact the
Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University of Waterloo,
Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church is located about 1½ west of Baden, on
old Highway 7; R.R. 2, Baden, ON N0B 1G0; 634-8311]
References: Burkholder 1935:221-226; Epp 1982:269; Gingerich, WHS
1975(63):45; Wilmot 1967:103.
Church History: Kennel, Lillian. History of
the Wilmot Amish Mennonite Congregation 1824-1984. Steinman and St.
Agatha Mennonite Churches.
Baden
Presbyterian
Livingston Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1890
Presbyterian services were first conducted in the area, in New
Dundee, by missionaries from the Paris Presbytery, but it was not
until 1890 or 1891 that regular services began in Baden. The yellow
brick church was built in 1894 by James R. Livingston, the "Flax
and Oil King of Canada", who was also the owner of the large
mansion called Castle Kilbride situated on the north edge of
Baden.
On April 26, 1897 the congregation was granted a request to be
moved from the Paris Presbytery to the Guelph Presbytery. The
Guelph Presbytery report to the Annual Meeting of the Presbyterian
Church in Canada in 1899 described Baden as having "a very neat
church which has been built altogether free of debt." In 1934-1935
the building was enlarged and in 1945, after 50 years under the
guidance of St. Andrew's, Kitchener and two years with Knox,
Waterloo, a separate congregation was formally organized.
There is a date of 1875 on a sign at the front of the church; the
dates of 1890 and 1934 are on the building itself.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: at church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Beck St, Baden, ON N0B 1G0; 634-8628.]
References: Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:28.
Church History: Kuhn, Grace M. A History of
Livingston Presbyterian Church, Baden, Ontario, Canada,
1990.
Berlet's Corners
Lutheran
Lutheran Church
Begun: c.1840 Closed:
Located at Berlet's Corners, the Church was situated on the
southeast corner of Lot 13, Concession 3, Block B of Wilmot
Township. The Lutheran Mission at Berlet's Corners was founded by
Pastor F.W. Bindemann of Berlin. An old cemetery is nearby.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Early records have not been found. It is possible that some early
records might be with St. John's, Waterloo, and/or St. Paul's,
Kitchener.
References: R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:36.
Haysville
Anglican
Christ Anglican Church
Begun: c.1842 Closed: 1942
Services were held as early as 1842 by Rev. Hickey, at first in a
hotel barn and later in a log schoolhouse which was used until
1864. Land for a church and rectory was purchased in 1864 and a
frame church was built which was used until 1886. In that year the
Mount Carmel church building was purchased from the Primitive
Methodists, and a chancel and vestry were added. The Anglican
congregation held their first service in this church on November
23, 1890.
A memorial service and rededication of the church was held on June
15, 1952, although regular services had ended in 1942. In 1991 the
building appeared to have been converted into a house.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1853-1916 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Marriage dates: 1853-1916 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Burial dates: 1853-1916 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
The records are included with St. George's, New Hamburg at the
Diocese of Huron Archives.
References: Cassel, WHS 1962(50):71,73-74; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:117-118.
Church History: Jaegers, Mary. A History of
Anglican Worship in Wilmot Township, 1838-1988, 1988.
Haysville
Primitive Methodist
Mount Carmel Methodist Church
Begun: c.1880 Closed: c.1886
According to Isaac Bean (WHS 1983(71):90) when reminiscing in 1929
about the early years in Haysville, this church closed after the
"Methodist Union of half a century ago" and "its members went to
New Hamburg, Plattsville and Bethel." (He probably is referring to
the Methodist union of 1884.) A church was built c.1880, used for a
short time, then taken down and moved to Haysville where it was
rebuilt and used by the Methodists. In 1886, it was sold to the
Anglicans (Christ Church) who added a chancel and vestry.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: I. Bean, WHS 1983(71):90; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:118.
Mannheim
Lutheran
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1846
The original church, of logs, was built in 1848 when the Rev. F.A.
Peifer was the pastor. Pastors who served St. James after the
departure of Rev. Peifer were in quick succession, Revs. C.F. Diehl
(1853-1855), F.T. Feysel, I. Wurster, G.A. Reiche, L.H. Gerndt
(1859-1862) and Schmidt. The present brick church was built in
1873; the datestone on the church reads 1873/St. James
Evangelical/Lutheran Kirche. The congregation was served in a
Parish with St. James in New Dundee, St. Matthew's in Plattsville,
St. John's in Berlin, and the German Evangelical Lutheran
congregation of Strasburg, although not all became part of the
Parish at the same time. An early pastor was the Rev. C.F.A.
Kaessmann. On April 1, 1893, St. James affiliated with the
Strasburg German Evangelical Lutheran congregation.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1845-1961 Location of records: at church*
Marriage dates: 1845-1961 Location of records: at church*
Burial dates: 1845-1961 Location of records: at church*
*Records are also on microfilm in the Lutheran Church Archives at
Wilfrid Laurier University. See Waterloo County Marriages
1858-1869 for Marriages 1859-1861. Some Births 1858, 1860 and
Deaths 1860 may be in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County,
National Archives of Canada microfilm C-15758, available on
interlibrary loan or at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church is located east of Mannheim, a short
distance south from the junction of Trussler Road and Regional Road
4. New Dundee, ON N0B 2E0; 579-4952.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:119-120; Eylands 1945:78; R. Taylor
1986; Weicker 1976:20-21; Weicker 1990:12; Wilmot 1967:39.
Mannheim
United Brethren in Christ
United Brethren in Christ Church
Begun: 1879 Closed: 1950
A church was built in 1879 and was eventually disposed of, at which
time the congregation used the Evangelical Church in Mannheim. This
latter building was converted into a residence when the church
closed in 1950.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The records are believed to have been lost.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: In Mannheim, on Regional Road 4, just past the
main intersection on the right hand side of the road.]
References: Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:39.
Mannheim
Mennonite
Mannheim (Latschar) Mennonite Church
Begun: 1832
The congregation was organized in 1832, and in 1836 Jacob Hallman
became the first minister. Built on land purchased from Isaac
Latschar, the church was known as Latschar Mennonite Church. The
first log meeting house, which was built in 1839 at a cost of five
pounds (about $4), was replaced by a new stone church in 1853. A
Sunday School which had been begun in a nearby school building was
moved to the church in 1874. Sunday School services were held every
Sunday, whereas church services were held only every other Sunday.
A new brick church was built in 1908, and enlarged in 1923 by
additions to both the front and the rear of the building. The name
of the church was changed from Latschar to Mannheim Mennonite
Church on April 12, 1969.
In October of 1980 the church building was moved uphill and was
joined to the school which had been purchased by the congregation
in 1968. The last service before the church was prepared for the
seventy-five foot move uphill to its new foundation was on October
19, 1980. The completed church complex which includes a fourteen
foot connecting passageway from the church to the former school was
dedicated on June 28, 1981.
Jacob C. Hallman, the first minister, served the congregation from
1836-1859. He was followed by Moses S. Bowman (1859-1889) and Moses
C. Bowman (1889-1907). Moses S. Bowman was the first Superintendent
when the Sunday School was begun in 1874. All services were
conducted in the German language until 1907 when English services
were begun. Of interest: services were held every four weeks from
the beginning until 1904 when services commenced to be held every
three weeks. Bi-weekly services were begun in 1908, and from 1926
services have been held every Sunday.
Records:
Some Birth and Death Records for 1860, from the records of Moses S.
Bowman, may be in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County. This
information can be found on National Archives of Canada Microfilm
C-15758 which is available on interlibrary loan or at the Kitchener
Public Library. The Bishop Book of Manasseh Hallman 1875-1891,
which may contain information pertinent to members of this
congregation, is at the Mennonite Archives of Ontario. For
information from this book, please contact the Archivist at Conrad
Grebel College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: west of Mannheim, on Regional Road 4 - R.R. 2,
Petersburg, ON N0B 2H0; 634-5551]
References: Epp 1974:125; Epp 1982:271; New Dundee W.I.; WHS
1918:27-28; Wilmot 1967:39.
Church History: Burkhardt, Ferne. Full
Circles: Mannheim Mennonite Church, 1836-1986. Petersburg, ON:
Mannheim Mennonite Church, 1986.
New Dundee
Baptist
New Dundee Baptist Church
Begun: 1852
The church, founded by Rev. Henry Schneider from Berlin, was a
mission of the Shingletown, or Wilmot, German Baptist Church which
was built near Wilmot Centre in 1852; the congregation was formally
organized on January 1, 1853. A frame church was built by Andrew
Poth in 1862 at Queen and South Streets, but facing South Street.
This building was shared at first with a New Mennonite group (now
Bethel Missionary Church); the Baptists bought the Mennonites'
share in 1870. The church was remodelled extensively and brick
veneered in 1934. A new basement was built at the time and the
church was raised and turned on the new foundation to face Queen
Street. An addition was built in 1960.
The Baptist Year Book for 1884 makes reference to the Baptist
churches at New Hamburg and New Dundee. The German pastors in these
churches were supported by the Church missionary in providing
services for each on alternate Sunday evenings. The missionary in
1885, T.L. Hyde, reported "some progress has been made" but that
"[New] Hamburg has withdrawn the English service." The two
communities were referred to as the Wilmot German Baptist Mission
in 1887 at which time there was a combined membership of 114. Rev.
Edward Gruetzner from New Dundee was pastor; the church clerk was
J. Becker of New Hamburg.
The first ordained minister, Rev. Henry Schneider (1853-1862),
served four churches - Berlin, New Dundee, North Woolwich and
Shingletown, as did his successor Rev. Gruetzner. Pastors were
shared later (c.1880) with Phillipsburg and Wilmot (called New
Hamburg after 1893) until 1911 when New Dundee became independent.
In 1911 New Dundee also became the first of the Canadian German
Baptist churches in Waterloo County to hold services in the English
language.
On Sunday October 18, 1992 the congregation celebrated the 140th
Anniversary of the founding of the church in 1852. The dates on the
church are 1862-1934.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1918- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1913- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1918- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 99 Queen St., New Dundee, ON N0B 2E0;
696-3413.]
References: Baptist Church; Mannen 1989:262-263; New Dundee W.I.;
New Hamburg Baptist Church 1928; Poth, WHS 1962(50):87; R. Taylor
1986; Wilmot 1967:53-54.
Church History: Poth, Ruby Bechtel (compiler).
History of the New Dundee Baptist Church,
1983.
New Dundee
Lutheran
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1859
The congregation was organized by Rev. Ludwig H. Gerndt of New
Hamburg on July 4, 1859. Rev. Gerndt (1859-1862) was followed by
Revs. G. Schmidt (1862-1863) and J.L. Rau (1863-1865). Rev. Rau,
became the first resident pastor in 1863 and was followed by Rev.
Christian F. Spring who also served the churches at New Hamburg and
Baden from 1867-1888. A church was built during the ministry of
Rev. Rau at which time the congregation was served in a Parish with
Strasburg, Mannheim, Plattsville, and Berlin. The first church
building was dedicated on October 18, 1863, and was dismantled some
90 years later on July 9, 1953 after the congregation had moved
into a new church building located on the same site (cornerstone
laid Nov. 9, 1952; church dedicated July 12, 1953).
New Dundee has been served in various parishes over the years. In
1872 the congregation was in a parish with Princeton, Plattsville
and Strasburg - all four churches served from New Dundee. In 1888
the Parish consisted of New Dundee, Mannheim, Plattsville and
Strasburg. Beginning in 1904 the church was joined to Baden.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1860- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriages
1867. Some Births 1858, 1860 and Deaths 1860 may be in the Civil
Registers for Waterloo County, National Archives of Canada
microfilm C-15758, available on interlibrary loan or at the
Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 121 Queen St., New Dundee, ON N0B 2E0;
696-3012.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:119,144; Eylands 1945:88-89; R. Taylor
1986; Weicker 1976:20-21; Weicker 1990:12; WHS 1962(50):87; Wilmot
1967:53.
New Dundee
Mennonite
Bethel Missionary Church (Bethel
Congregation)
Begun: 1855
New Mennonite services began in the New Dundee area in 1855. Samuel
Schlicter, who had left the (Old) Mennonite church in the same
year, was preacher. In 1875 the Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonites
and New Mennonites joined together to become the United Mennonites.
Meetings of the New Dundee Mennonites were held at first in the
Union House near Roseville, at Mannheim, and in the Baptist Church
in New Dundee. A congregation was organized in 1877 and in 1878 a
church was built on an acre of land purchased from Wendal Hallman,
located one mile north of New Dundee and one mile west on the
southeast corner of the crossroad. The congregation was on the
Bright Mission.
In 1879 the congregation's name was changed to Evangelical United
Mennonite. In 1882 the circuit was known as Bethel Circuit and
included Bethel, Bright, Mannheim, and Roseville. The Circuit was
based at Bethel. In 1883 the church was Mennonite Brethren in
Christ. By the late 1880s the congregation was holding services in
New Dundee, in a schoolhouse located next to the Lutheran Church.
The schoolhouse was sold in 1904 when the former Evangelical
Church, at the corner of Front and South Streets, was purchased.
This building is reported to have been dismantled in 1921. A new
red brick church was built on Bridge Street in that year, beside
the parsonage which had been bought in 1878. Cost of the new church
building was $13,000.
The name of the church was changed to Bethel United Missionary
Church in 1947. A church in Plattsville was established by the
congregation in 1956. In 1967 land for the present church was
donated by Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Bingeman. On June 23, 1968 the
cornerstone was laid for a new church. This church was completed on
January 26, 1969; dedication services were held on April 13, 1969.
In the same year the congregation joined with the Missionary Church
Association in the United States. The church is now known as Bethel
Missionary Church.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 93 Bridge St., New Dundee, ON NOB 2E0;
696-2284]
References: Epp 1982:271; New Dundee W.I.; Storms 1958:33; Wilmot
1967:54.
New Dundee
United Brethren in Christ
United Brethren in Christ Church
Begun: 1869
A congregation which included members from Roseville, Mannheim and
the surrounding area first worshipped c.1860 in the Union House
west of Roseville; Rev. Henry Krupp was the first pastor. A church
was built in New Dundee in 1869, with Bishop Glossbrenner of
Baltimore, Maryland conducting the opening services in the fall of
that year. An English-speaking Sunday School was formed in 1871.
Renovations were made in 1931 and an addition was built in
1958-1959; dedication services were held on May 31, 1959.
A split in the United Brethren in Christ Church in 1889 resulted in
two groups each calling themselves the United Brethren in Christ.
One group later joined with the Congregational Church in 1906 and
then with the United Church in 1925. The other group remained
United Brethren in Christ until November 16, 1946 when most
congregations of the United Brethren in Christ organization joined
with the Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren
Church which later joined with the United Church on January 1,
1968. The New Dundee congregation is one of three United Brethren
in Christ Churches in Waterloo County today. The others are Stanley
Park in Kitchener, and Roseville. The headquarters of the church is
in Huntington, Indiana.
The dates on the church are 1869 and 1958.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1850- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1899- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1916- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 28 Main St., New Dundee, ON N0B 2E0;
696-2622.]
References: Getz 1964:5; New Dundee W.I.; R. Taylor 1986; WHS
1962(50):94.
New Hamburg
Anglican
St. George's Anglican Church
Begun: 1846
Anglican services were held in homes and barns in the New Hamburg
area as early as 1846, although not on a regular basis. A Parish
was organized in 1852 and regular services were begun in an old
schoolhouse on Jacob Street with Rev. Peter Van Linge as pastor.
The congregation then accepted the offer of the Lutherans to
worship in their church, which was used until c.1856 when a shoe
store on Boulee Street was purchased and remodelled. This building
was in use until 1882 when it was sold.
The congregation then rented, and later bought, the Presbyterian
Church on Huron Street. Property was purchased on Byron St. in 1887
and on May 3, 1888 the cornerstone for the present church was laid.
The first service was held on September 16, 1888. Construction
began in 1957 on the Parish Hall which was dedicated on April 15,
1958. Of the three early Anglican churches in Wilmot Township, only
St. George's remains in regular use. St. James ended regular
services in 1931, and Christ Church, Haysville with which St. James
then joined, closed in 1942.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1853-1973 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Marriage dates: 1853-1973 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Burial dates: 1853-1973 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Records for 1853-1916 are at the Diocese of Huron Archives. The
Parish Register for 1917-1973, also at the Archives, includes St.
James, Wilmot and Christ Church, Haysville.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 11 Byron St., New Hamburg, ON N0B 2G0;
662-3450.]
References: Cassel, WHS 1962(50):73-74; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:70.
Church History: Jaegers, Mary. A History of
Anglican Worship in Wilmot Township, 1838-1988, 1988.
New Hamburg
Baptist
New Hamburg Baptist Church
Begun: 1852 Closed: 1980
Church services began in 1852 when a meeting house was built on
Bleams Road just east of Wilmot Centre and near Shingletown. Formal
organization of the congregation was on January 1, 1853 by Henry
Schneider of the German Baptist Church (later Benton Street Baptist
Church) in Berlin. The congregation moved to New Hamburg in 1882,
to a small brick chapel said to have been built in 1880.
The Baptist Year Book for 1884 makes reference to the Baptist
churches at New Hamburg and New Dundee. The German pastors in these
churches were supported by the Church missionary in providing
services for each congregation on alternate Sunday evenings. The
missionary in 1885, T.L. Hyde, reported "some progress has been
made" but that "[New] Hamburg has withdrawn the English service."
The two communities were referred to as the Wilmot German Baptist
Mission in 1887 at which time there was a combined membership of
114. Rev. Edward Gruetzner from New Dundee was pastor; the church
clerk was J. Becker of New Hamburg.
The name of the church was changed from Wilmot Baptist Church to
New Hamburg Baptist Church on January 16, 1893. A yellow brick
church was built on Jacob Street in 1909 on the same site as the
old church. The cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1909, and a
dedication service was held on October 24, 1909. In 1916 New
Hamburg joined the Ontario-Quebec Convention of Baptist Churches;
in the same year evening serices were held in the English language.
A shed was built in 1917 and a parsonage was purchased in
1922.
Services ceased in 1980 and the building was subsequently, in 1982,
purchased for use by the New Hamburg Christian Centre.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1898-1970 Location of records: Canadian Baptist
Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown:
The following records are at the Canadian Baptist Archives at
McMaster University in Hamilton and may be viewed with the
Librarian's permission: Marriages 1898-1970; Membership Roll
1914-1976; Minutes 1853-1909 (in German); Minutes 1909-1981 (in
English); and the Record Book 1896. Some marriages for 1868 may be
in Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 177 Jacob St., New Hamburg, ON.]
References: Baptist Church; Mannen 1989:262-263; New Dundee W.I.;
Poth 1983; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:70.
Church History: New Hamburg Baptist
Church. Anniversary Greetings 1853-1928, 1928.
New Hamburg
Evangelical Association
Zion United Church
Begun: 1839
The history of this German-speaking Evangelical congregation dates
back to the Camp Meeting held in August 1839 at David Erb's farm
near Lexington. The New Hamburg congregation is reported to have
been organized by Christian Holl in the same year. Rev. Holl was
followed by Joseph Harlacher in 1840.
The first church, of brick, was built in 1843 and was located on
the same site as the present church. This new and larger building,
also of brick, was built in 1870 and enlarged and renovated in
1919. The tower and steeple were added then. Fire on February 5,
1948 caused extensive damage but it was possible to repair the
building. Some renovations were carried out at the same time.
Evening services in the English language were begun some time after
the beginning of the century; by 1923 all services were in that
language. When the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren in
Christ churches united on November 16, 1946, Zion became Zion
Evangelical United Brethren Church. Another union in 1968, this
time with the United Church of Canada, changed the name of the
church again - to Zion United Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1880- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1880- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1880- Location of records: at church
The early records are reported to have been lost in a fire. See
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriages 1858,
1861-1863, 1865-1866, 1868.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 215 Peel St., New Hamburg, ON N0B 2G0;
662-1182.]
References: Getz 1964:42; Mannen 1989:263; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:69.
New Hamburg
Lutheran
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1834
Trinity was another of the early Lutheran congregations of Waterloo
County organized c.1834 by the Rev. F.W. Bindemann in response to
the arrival of new settlers in the area. About the year 1845 the
need for a place of worship became evident and the first church
(white frame) was eventually built in 1851 at the corner of Wilmot
and Church Streets, facing Wilmot Street, under the leadership of
Pastor Wendlin Schuler (1841-1852). The church building was
dedicated by Rev. Charles F. Diehl on December 4, 1853. Rev. Diehl
resigned in 1854 and was followed by Frederick T. Feysel, Gustav A.
Reiche and Ludwig H. Gerndt (1858-1859).
The congregation began to thrive with the arrival of Pastor
Christian Frederick Spring on February 18, 1867. He was to minister
to the congregation for the next 21 years. Land adjacent to the
church property was purchased for future expansion and over the
years improvements were made to the building. A parsonage was built
in 1888.
The church was replaced in 1910 by the present church. When a
decision was made to build the new church, there was disagreement
as to the location. The result was the construction of two new
churches - Trinity, on the site of the old church, and St. Peter's
Lutheran at the corner of Huron and Union Streets. The date on
Trinity Lutheran Church is July 24, 1910, the date of the
cornerstone laying. Dedication services were held on March 26,
1911. An addition to the church was built in 1957. The old church
had been sold at auction on April 15, 1911 and removed to another
site to be converted into a home.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1852- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1852- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1852- Location of records: at church
See Waterloo County Marriages: 1858; 1861-1863; 1867-1869. Some
Births 1858, 1860 and Deaths 1860 are in the Civil Registers for
Waterloo County, National Archives of Canada microfilm C-15758,
available on interlibrary loan or at the Kitchener Public
Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 23 Church St., New Hamburg, ON N0B 2G0;
662-1810.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:118-119; Eylands 1945:82; Hamilton, WHS
1935(23):231; Mannen 1989:259-261; Ritz, WHS 1981(69):76-77; R.
Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:68-69.
Church History: A History, 1834-1984, of
Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg, Ontario. New Hamburg:
Ritz Printing, 1984.
New Hamburg
Methodist
Methodist Church
Begun: c.1871 Closed: 1923
A brick church was built in 1871 which was to be the home of the
New Hamburg Methodist congregation until 1923. In 1877 the
congregation was transferred from the Guelph District to the
Stratford District of the London Conference; there were 40 members
at the time and the minister was Rev. Richard Pinch. The
congregation was without a pastor in 1880 and its membership was
included with that of Plattsville whose pastor was Rev. F.H.
Sanderson. In 1886 the New Hamburg Methodist Church was moved back
to the Guelph District and in 1890, when New Hamburg was granted a
request to be self-sustaining, it was in the Galt District of the
Guelph Conference of the Methodist Church. Bethel Methodist Church
in southwest Wilmot Township was added to New Hamburg at that
time.
The congregation was disbanded in 1923 due to a steady decline in
its size; formal closing of the church was later in the same year.
The building was donated to the village in June 1924 for one dollar
providing that it be used for school or municipal purposes. The old
church was renovated and used as a school from September 1924 until
1950 when it was used as the New Hamburg Town Hall. The building
was demolished in 1968 when the new Town Hall and Fire Station were
built on the same site.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: Mannen 1989:259; Methodist Church; WHS
1968(50):79.
New Hamburg
Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church (English)
Begun: c.1867 Closed: c.1882
The church was listed for the first time in the 1868 Annual Roll of
the Synod of the Canada Presbyterian Church, in the Paris
Presbytery. A brick church is reported to have been built in the
summer of 1867 on Huron Street, and the building is also reported
to have been shared with the German speaking Presbyterian
congregation from January 1, 1869 until July 1877 when the German
mission was suspended. Despite the official suspension of the
mission, German-language services were continued on an alternate
basis with the English ones. Unfortunately ensuing disagreements
divided the combined groups with the result that by 1882 the
Presbyterian Church was no longer in use as such and was being used
by the Anglicans. The congregation of St. George's Anglican Church
purchased the former Presbyterian church building and remained
there until completion of their new church on Byron Street in the
Fall of 1888. The building was sold in 1888 and eventually was
demolished in 1937.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1868* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for information on
marriages in 1868.
References: Canada Presbyterian Church; Mannen 1989:261-262;
Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor 1986.
New Hamburg
Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church (German)
Begun: 1867 Closed: 1883
There was a Presbyterian German Mission in New Hamburg as well as
the Presbyterian English Mission recorded above. The congregation
was in the Presbytery of Guelph. Henry Leutzinger, who had been
ordained minister in January 27, 1867, was the German missionary in
the area. He was responsible for German Presbyterian congregations
in Berlin and Waterloo as well.
The New Hamburg German Presbyterian congregation was suspended in
July 1877 for what was referred to as want of encouragement, but
German-language services continued in the English Presbyterian
church for a number of years. Pastors during the years 1875-1881
were Revs. A. Schroeder and Carl Becker.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1875-1881 Location of records: *
Marriage dates: 1875-1881 Location of records: *
Burial dates: 1875-1881 Location of records: *
*See Branch Notes (published by the Waterloo-Wellington
Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society) Vol. XVI, No. 2, pgs. 23-24
for a transcription of the existing Baptism, Marriage and Burial
records for this congregation. A transcription of the church
register (translated) with lists of members, baptisms, marriages
and deaths 1875-1881 is available at the Kitchener Public Library
(Kauk 1987).
References: Canada Presbyterian Church; Kauk 1987; Mannen
1989:261-262; Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor 1986.
New Hamburg
Roman Catholic
Holy Family Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1858
Early Catholic settlers attended church in South Easthope, Perth
County, and in St. Agatha. A schoolhouse in New Hamburg which was
purchased on August 11, 1858, was moved to a lot on the east side
of Wilmot Street. The land was donated by a non-Catholic. The
building was renovated, and dedicated on November 21, 1858 by
Father Eugene Funcken from St. Agatha. It soon became apparent that
the church was too small for the growing congregation but it was
not until the Spring of 1882 that excavation was begun on the
foundation for a new building on the west side of town. Once again,
a church was built on donated land - the land this time given to
the church by Joseph Hartmann, Sr. Although the new white brick
church building was completed on July 27, 1883 with the cross in
place on the spire, it was not until May 11, 1884 that it was
blessed and dedicated. An addition was built in 1967-1968. The date
on the church is 1883.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1863- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1866- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1866- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 329 Huron St., New Hamburg, ON N0B 2G0;
662-1744. Mail inquiries only.]
References: Spetz 1916:190-192; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:69-70.
Church History: Brenner, Nancy. 1983 Holy
Family Church, New Hamburg 1883-1983. The Roman Catholic
Church in New Hamburg and District. New Hamburg: Holy Family
Church, 1983.
New Prussia
Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
Begun: c.1840 Closed: c.1860
At one time this church was considered to be the largest mission of
St. Agatha. As such it was served, perhaps as early as 1837, by the
priests from St. Agatha: Fathers Peter Schneider (1837-1844), Simon
Sanderl (1844-1846), and the Jesuits, Fathers Lucas Caveng and
Bernard Fritsch, from 1847-1856. A building was constructed early
in the ministry of the Jesuits which served as a school and a
church. Because of the onset of what was called Saugeen "fever" in
the late 1850s, many settlers moved north to new and more plentiful
land in the Saugeen area, and the size of the congregation declined
to such an extent that services finally ceased.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: Resurrection
College*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: Resurrection
College*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: Resurrection
College*
*Early Records may be with those of St. Agatha at Resurrection
College. Contact Father Finn, Resurrection College, Waterloo, ON
N2L 3G3.
References: Spetz 1916:21,44; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:72.
Petersburg
Lutheran
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Begun: 1844
The first church was built in 1844 on the future cemetery site when
Rev. F.A. Peifer was the pastor. A new frame church was built at
another site in 1851 during the pastorate of Rev. Immanuel Wurster
(1851-1853) of the Canada Synod, and consecrated on January 18,
1852. The congregation at that time was called "Emmanuel's
Congregation." Pastors who immediately followed Rev. Wurster were
Revs. Charles Friedrich Diehl (1853-1855), Frederick T. Feysel
(1855) and W.B. Ralby (1858).
Another new church, built in 1876, was struck by lightning in 1915
and completely destroyed. The present church was begun in 1915, on
property belonging to August Knipfel, which was exchanged by him
for title to the former church site. The church was completed in
1916; an addition was built in 1962. The cornerstone reads: "Ev.
Luth. Emmanuels Gemeinder 1915".
Pastor Henry Koch of First St. Paul's, the Missouri Synod church in
Wellesley, accepted a call to Emmanuel in 1867 - to serve the
Petersburg congregation along with Wellesley and St. John's, Poole.
Pastor Koch was followed by Revs. Adam Ernst (1869), F. Dubpernell
(1870-1876), and J. Kirmis (1876-1895). Emmanuel remained with
Wellesley and Poole until the late 1970s when it became an
independent congregation with the Rev. Allan Scharlach as
pastor.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1875-1961 Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1875-1961 Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1875-1961 Location of records: at church
At the Archives of Ontario: Registers 1875-1961 (film numbers 1937
& 1938); also available at the Kitchener Public Library;
compilation of an index is in progress. See also Waterloo
County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriages 1859, 1862, 1864. The
church records are reported to have been started when Rev. Wurster
was pastor (1851-1853). He was also pastor of St. John's Lutheran
Church in Waterloo from 1851-1855.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The Church is located in Petersburg, on Regional
Road 6 from Kitchener, north side, before the main intersection.
Petersburg, ON N0B 2H0.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:118-119,137; First St. Paul's 1952:3;
Morden, WHS 1968(56):15; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:76.
Church History: 100th Anniversary of Emmanuel
Congregation and the 35th Anniversary of the Present Church.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Petersburg, Ontario, October 21,
1951.
Phillipsburg
Baptist
Phillipsburg Baptist Church
Begun: c.1880 Closed: c.1935
Located north of Phillipsburg on the west side of the road, on lot
19 of Canada Company Block B, Concesssion I, this German Baptist
church was a small log building which was covered later with white
tongue and groove siding; the siding was removed at a later date
when the building became privately owned. A small cemetery is
adjacent to the church.
The congregation was organized c.1880 and was a branch church of
New Hamburg. The cemetery transcription, recorded by the
Waterloo-Wellington Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society,
indicates the years 1880-1920 as being those with the largest
number of burials, which probably means that the greatest activity
of the congregation was during that time frame. However, the size
of the congregation gradually declined and the church was closed,
to be used by a Pentecostal congregation until the 1940s. The
condition of the building deteriorated somewhat during the tenure
of subsequent owners until 1984 when it was again purchased and
converted into a private dwelling.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
*Records for the Phillipsburg Baptist Church may be included with
those of New Hamburg. The Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster
University in Hamilton has the following records for New Hamburg:
Minutes 1853-1909 (in German); Minutes 1909-1981 (in English);
Marriages 1898-1970; Record Book 1896; and the Membership Roll
1914-1976. Please contact the Librarian at the Archives regarding
permission to view these documents.
References: R. Taylor 1988; Wilmot 1967:79.
Phillipsburg
Lutheran
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1843
The first pastor was the Rev. Franz Adam Peifer who was called by
the congregation on October 29, 1843; he served Phillipsburg and
Mannheim until 1848. Rev. August Popplow (1849-1854) was the next
pastor and during his ministry a frame church was built in 1849 on
the south side of Erb Street. Consecration of the new church was on
January 1, 1850. The congregation was joined in a Parish with First
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Wellesley from 1852-1854. Pastors who
succeeded Rev. Peifer (1843-1848) were Revs. August Popplow
(1849-1854), Christian Herman Thomsen (1854-1859), J.F.C. Ehinger
(1859-1864), G. Schmidt (1864-1868), J.N. Münzinger (1869-1877), J.
Déguisne (1877-1884) and H. Petschke (1884-1887).
Zion was joined in a parish with St. James Evangelical Lutheran in
Baden and Zion Evangelical Lutheran, St. Agatha in 1930. This
association continued until May 30, 1992 when the three
congregations agreed to separate and become independent of each
other.
The present brick building was erected in 1929. (The date on the
Church is 1929.)
Records:
Baptism dates: 1843- Location of records: see below*
Marriage dates: 1843- Location of records: see below*
Burial dates: 1844- Location of records: see below*
*Contact the church secretary, R.R. 2 Baden, ON NOB 1G0 for
information from the church records. The Lutheran Church Archives
at Wilfrid Laurier University has the church records from
1843-1963. See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for
marriage information 1858, 1860-1864, 1866, 1868, 1869. Some Births
1836-1855, 1858, 1860 and Deaths 1858, 1860 which include
Phillipsburg are in the Civil Registers for Waterloo County
1855-1861, and are available on National Archives microfilm
C-15758, available at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: West of Phillipsburg, on the south side of
Regional Road 9 (Erb Street West).]
References: Cronmiller 1961:120-121; Eylands 1945:76-77; First St.
Paul's 1952:3; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:77-78.
Pinehill
Wesleyan Methodist
Pinehill Wesleyan Methodist Church
Begun: 1842 Closed: c.1900
Land (part Lot 14, Wilmot Township) was purchased in 1842 for a
cemetery and chapel. However, services were discontinued c.1900 due
to the decline in the size of the congregation.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The church is reported to have been on the Bright Circuit but there
are no records for the Bright Circuit at the United Church
Archives.
References: R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:87.
Rosebank
Brethren in Christ
Rosebank Brethren in Christ
Begun: 1833
Not to be mistaken for the United Brethren in Christ, the Brethren
in Christ Church was founded in northwest Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania near the Susquehanna River c.1778-1880. The church
members were known as River Brethren in the United States, and as
Tunkers in Canada. The name of the church in the United States
became the Brethren in Christ in 1862. In Canada the name Brethren
in Christ was adopted on October 13, 1933 at a meeting of the Joint
Council.
Members are reported to have moved to Canada in 1788 and to
Waterloo County soon after the beginning of the 19th Century.
Samuel Betzner, one of the first settlers in Waterloo Township,
belonged to the River Brethren. Formal organization of a Tunker
congregation in the Waterloo area was in 1833 by Bishop George
Shupe. The Waterloo Tunkers continued to meet in houses and barns,
and although consideration was given in the 1870s to erecting a
place of worship, it was not until 1901-1902 that the Rosebank
Brethren in Christ Church was built. Elder Frederick Elliott and
Bishop Benjamin Shupe officiated at the dedication of the new brick
church in 1902. The first minister was Aaron Hunsberger. A Sunday
School was built in 1913, remodelling of the church was undertaken
in 1962, and an addition was constructed in 1985.
The cemetery across the road from the church dates back to c.1830.
Dates on the church are 1902, 1962, 1985.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: at church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Rosebank Brethren in Christ Church, R.R. 2,
Petersburg, ON N0B 2H0; 696-3009. The church is located two
concessions south of Mannheim, on Regional Road 2 (the Huron Road),
north side of the road.]
References: New Dundee W.I.; Sider 1988:3,13-14,47-48,52; Wilmot
1967:94.
St. Agatha
Lutheran
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1834
Pastor F.W. Bindemann was the itinerant pastor for this
congregation in the beginning. He conducted the first service on
December 1, 1834 in a log schoolhouse which was located on the
future church site. The congregation, to which he ministered until
1840, was organized by him as the First Christian Evangelical
Protestant United Congregation in Wilmot on the Upper Street (Erb
Road). Rev. Bindemann was followed in 1840 by Rev. Metzger.
A small stone church was built in 1863 and probably was dedicated
sometime between April 30 and May 7, 1863. Rev. F.W. Helfer became
pastor on November 1, 1864. Rev. J.N. Münzinger was pastor from
1868-1877 and it was during this time that the congregation joined
with Phillipsburg to form one parish. Zion was joined in a parish
with Phillipsburg and St. James Evangelical Lutheran, Baden in
1930. This association continued until May 30, 1992 when the three
congregations agreed to separate and become independent of each
other.
Services to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the organization of
the church were held on Sunday, August 12, 1934. Rev. J.L.
Kirchhofer, who was the resident pastor to Zion Lutheran Church at
Phillipsburg at the time, was pastor as well to the St. Agatha Zion
congregation and to St. James Lutheran Church in Baden.
Improvements have been made to the original stone church over the
years; a new narthex was added in 1954. Dedication services were on
November 28, 1954.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1834- Location of records: see below*
Marriage dates: 1834- Location of records: see below*
Burials dates: 1834- Location of records: see below*
*Contact the Church at R.R. 1, St. Agatha, ON N0B 2L0, for
information from the church records.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: St. Agatha, ON N0B 2L0. The church is on
Regional Road 9 (Erb Street), south side, before St. Agatha.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:122; Dick & Longo 1984:27; R.
Taylor 1986; Weicker 1985; Wilmot 1967:99.
Church History: 1834-1984: Zion Evangelical
Lutheran Church, St. Agatha, Ontario, 1984.
St. Agatha
Mennonite
St. Agatha Mennonite Church (Wilmot Amish Mennonite
Congregation)
Begun: 1824
In 1824 bishop John Stoltzfus of Lancaster, Pennsylvania ordained
the ministers, Joseph Goldschmidt and John Brenneman, and the
deacon, Jacob Kropf, who were to serve this Amish Mennonite
congregation. It is reported that there were about thirty families
in the central part of Wilmot Township by the year 1830. "By
approximately 1837 the northwestern corner of Wilmot, called the
Amish Settlement, was settled by a number of families who came from
New York State" (Kennel 1984:5).
Peter Nafziger, an ordained bishop who arrived from Bavaria in
1826, served the congregation until 1831 when he moved to Ohio. He
was succeeded as bishop by John Oesch who later moved to Hay
Township; he in turn was succeeded by Peter Litwiller who was
ordained bishop in 1850. About this time a few members withdrew
from the congregation and joined the Reformed Mennonite Church.
Members who left included Rudolph Roth, a bishop, and Jacob
Gardner, a deacon.
Worship services were held in homes in the winter and in barns
during the summer. As the Wilmot Amish Mennonite congregation grew
in size, houses in particular could no longer accommodate so many
people. The congregation proceeded to build a frame meeting house
in 1884 on land which had been purchased from Daniel Steinmann.
This became Steinmann Amish Mennonite Church. The next year, 1885,
the St. Agatha meeting house was built west of the village on the
Upper (Erb) Street on part of Nicholas Lichti's farm. This church
was variously referred to as the St. Agatha, or the Upper Street,
or Lichti's Church - to become known eventually as St. Agatha Amish
Mennonite Church. John Gascho was bishop at the time; he had been
ordained bishop in 1872. Improvements were made to the church over
the years. Siding was installed on the exterior in 1938 and about
ten years later the interior was re-arranged. A basement was
constructed in 1953. At the same time the building was turned to
face another direction and the front vestibule was added.
Services were held alternately in the two churches until 1939 when
services began to be held in each church every Sunday. In 1957 each
congregation received its own minister: Peter Nafziger for St.
Agatha, and Elmer Schwartzentruber for Steinmann. In 1964 the
church conference name was changed to the Western Ontario Mennonite
Conference. At that time the two Wilmot Amish Mennonite
congregations became known as St. Agatha Mennonite Church and
Steinmann Mennonite Church..
Records:
Some Births and Deaths 1860 and Marriages 1855, from the records of
Peter Litwiller, may be found in the Civil Registers for Waterloo
County, on National Archives of Canada Microfilm C-15758. This
microfilm is avilable on interlibrary loan, or at the Kitchener
Public Library. For information regarding the availability of any
other early records, please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel
College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: R.R. 2, St Agatha, ON NOB 2L0; 634-8212]
References: Burkholder 1935:221-226; Epp 1974:277; Epp 1982:269;
WHS 1975(63):12; Wilmot 1967:96.
Church History: Kennel, Lillian. History of
the Wilmot Amish Mennonite Congregation 1824-1984. Steinman and St.
Agatha Mennonite Churches.
St. Agatha
Roman Catholic
St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1834
St. Agatha was the first Roman Catholic Mission established in
Waterloo County and as other Roman Catholic missions in the County
grew from it, St. Agatha therefore might be referred to as the
Mother Church.
The first priest at St. Agatha was Father John Louis Wiriath who
arrived in the area in 1833 or 1834. Father Wiriath was followed by
Fathers Peter Schneider (1837-1844), Simon Sanderl (1844-1846) and
two Jesuit priests, Fathers Lucas Caveng and Bernard Fritsch, who
served from 1847-1856. Although these missionaries were based in
St. Agatha, they served many missions in the surrounding area - New
Germany (Maryhill), St. Clements, New Prussia - and preached as
well in Berlin and Preston.
A schoolhouse in St. Agatha was used for church services and school
purposes in the early years. A frame church was built in 1840, but
it was destroyed in a matter of months during a storm on November
30, 1840. Another frame church was erected immediately, and was
soon (in 1849) enlarged by one-third to accommodate the rapidly
expanding congregation. This building was in use until replaced by
the white brick Gothic church of today, which was built in 1899.
The cemetery chapel, the Shrine of The Sorrowful Mother, was
constructed in 1857 during the time of Father Eugene Funcken and is
located in the cemetery situated diagonally across the main
intersection from the Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: *1886- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: *1886- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: *1886- Location of records: at church
*Records from 1834-1885 are at Resurrection College in Waterloo.
Contact Father Finn, Resurrection College, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G3.
See also Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriage
records for 1859, 1862-1863, 1866-1867
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: in the village of St. Agatha, on the Erb Road,
west from Waterloo; St. Agatha, ON N0B 2L0; 747-1212.]
References: Spetz 1916:14-19,26,36; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:97.
Shingletown
Baptist
Wilmot German Baptist Church
Begun: 1852 Closed: 1882
In 1852 the Wilmot Baptist Church was built on Bleams Road just
east of Wilmot Centre and near Shingletown (Schindelstettel). A
congregation was organized on January 1, 1853 and was first
ministered to by Rev. Henry Schneider who was pastor of the German
Baptist Church in Berlin (later called Benton Street Baptist
Church) and of the North Woolwich Church. German Baptist churches
in New Dundee and Phillipsburg which grew out of this church were
also ministered to by Pastor Schneider until 1862. He was followed
by Rev. Edward Gruetzner. The congregation was moved to New Hamburg
in 1882 into a new brick chapel which had been built in 1880; the
name was changed to New Hamburg Baptist Church on January 16, 1893.
(Of interest: the name of the town was changed to Victoriaburg in
honour of Queen Victoria.)
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Some records for Shingletown may be included with those for the New
Dundee Baptist and New Hamburg Baptist churches . The Canadian
Baptist Archives at McMaster University in Hamilton has the
following records for New Hamburg: Minutes 1853-1909 (in German);
Minutes 1909-1981 (in English); Marriages 1898-1970; record book
1896; and the Membership Roll 1914-1976. Please contact the
Librarian at the Archives regarding permission to view these
documents.
References: Baptist Church; Clubine 1976; New Dundee W.I.; R.
Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:101.
Wilmot Centre
Evangelical Association
Evangelical United Brethren Church
Begun: 1850
Services were held in homes from 1838 until the first church was
built in 1850. The church was once known as Hamacher's Meeting
House. An addition was built in 1955 and the building was
remodelled in 1957. Wilmot Centre was part of a two-point charge
with Grace Church in Roseville until 1968. When the Evangelical
United Brethren joined with the United Church on January 1, 1968,
Wilmot Centre decided to remain on its own; Roseville became a
United Church. The Wilmot Centre church is now the Wilmot Centre
Missionary Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1865-1958 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Marriage dates: 1865-1936 Location of records: United Church
Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The congregation in the beginning was included with Plattsville on
the Blenheim Circuit of the Evangelical Association. Wilmot Centre
records are included with those of Roseville in the records at the
United Church Archives. Also at the Archives is the Circuit
Register for 1881-1914 and the church record book with the
Minister's comments from 1839-1957.
References: R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:107.
Wilmot Centre
Mennonite
Wilmot (Geiger) Mennonite Church
Begun: 1838
The church is located on Lot 17, Bleams Road South, Wilmot
Township, approximately one mile west of Wilmot Centre and two
miles east of New Hamburg. Ulrich Geiger, who was ordained minister
in 1838, served the Mennonites in the area for about ten years.
Burkholder states that "Abraham Honsberger is said to have been the
first minister in the Geiger church" (1935:79).
The first meeting house was built in 1844, although actual purchase
of the land from David Geiger was not completed until 1846. A new
and larger frame church was erected in 1876. Extensive remodelling
was carried out in 1913.
The church was known as Geiger Mennonite Church until 1977.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: on Bleams Rd., south side, just west of Wilmot
Centre, and about 2½ miles east of New Hamburg - 634-8511 ]
References: Burkholder 1935:79-80; Epp 1974:125; Wilmot
1967:106.
Wilmot Township
Anglican
St. James Anglican Church
Begun: 1842
Anglican services were held c.1838 in barns and homes by Rev.
Betteridge from Woodstock in this, the earliest settled area of
Wilmot Township. Rev. Hickey began conducting more regular services
in 1842.
The church was built in 1854, just two miles west of Haysville on
the Huron Road, on three acres of land donated by the Canada
Company. A chancel and porch were added in 1880 and a tower in
1896. Regular services were discontinued in 1931 but the church
continues to be used for weddings and burials, and two formal
services - spring and fall - are held every year. The church was
rededicated in 1952 and in June 1985 a Board of Management was
elected to oversee a continuation of care for St. James.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1853-1916 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Marriage dates: 1853-1916 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Burial dates: 1853-1916 Location of records: Diocese of Huron
Archives
Later records may be with St. George's, New Hamburg. Some records
from 1878-1938 at the Diocese of Huron may include references to
St. James. Marriages for 1861, 1865-1869 are in Waterloo County
Marriages 1858-1869. Some Births 1842-1855, 1860; Marriages
1854-1855; and Deaths 1854-1855, 1860 are in the Civil Registers
for Waterloo County, National Archives microfilm C-15758, available
at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church is located on Regional Road 2 (the
Huron Road), two concessions west of Haysville, south side of the
road.]
References: Bergey, WHS 1983(71):16; Cassel, WHS 1962(50):71-73;
Smith, WHS 1946(34):29; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot 1967:116-117.
Church History: Jaegers, Mary. A History of
Anglican Worship in Wilmot Township, 1838-1988. Diocese of
Huron, Anglican Church of Canada, 1988.
Wilmot Township
Mennonite
Nith Valley (Biehn) Mennonite Church
Begun: 1865
Services began in 1865 and were held in Green's School until
Biehn's Meeting House was built in 1870 on a half-acre of land on
the northwest corner of Lot 24, Concession 3, Canada Company Block
A, Wilmot Township. The title to the land, which was donated by
John Bean, was dated November 25, 1870. Menno Cressman was ordained
as the first minister to the congregation in 1870, and served as
minister until 1903. He was followed by Osiah Cressman (1903-1916),
Curtis Cressman (1916-1960) and Irvin Cressman.
A Sunday School which was begun in 1871 is reported to have been
"probably the first Sunday School in a Mennonite Church in Wilmot"
(Koch, WHS 1964:61). The Sunday School was held only part of the
year until 1907 when classes began to be held all year.
The frame church was rebuilt in 1904; a basement was added and the
church building was turned on the new foundation to face another
direction. A half-acre of land, for a cemetery, was purchased from
Isaac Biehn in 1908. On June 9, 1963 a ground-breaking service was
held to mark commencement of the construction of a new church. Land
for this new place of worship was donated by Zenas Cressman. The
last service was held in the old church on December 15, 1963; the
new church building was dedicated on January 12, 1964. Bishop J.B.
Martin of Waterloo was speaker at the dedication services.
Special services to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the
construction of the first meeting house were held on November 15,
1970; the guest speaker was Bishop Roy S. Koch of West Liberty,
Ohio. An addition to the church was built in 1986.
Records:
The Mennonite Archives of Ontario at Conrad Grebel College has the
Church Records 1908-1943 and the Sunday School Records 1898-1942.
For information regarding the availability of other early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: three miles south of New Hamburg, at the corner
of Waterloo Regional Rd. 3 and Wilmot Township Rd. 8 - R.R. 1 New
Hamburg, ON N0B 2G0; 662-3520]
References: Bergey, WHS 1983(71)23; Burkholder 1935:62-64; Koch,
WHS 1964(52):61-62; Wilmot 1967:119.
Wilmot Township
Mennonite
Blenheim Mennonite Church
Begun: 1839
Although the first settlement in the area is recorded as being
around 1829, it was not until 1839 that Mennonites began holding
services in a schoolhouse located in the southwest corner of Wilmot
Township (Lot 9, 4th Concession, Block A). The first minister was
Jacob Hallman. Some years later, in 1850, a frame meeting house was
built on the site of the present Blenheim Mennonite Church in
Oxford County; actual purchase of the land from Peter Erb was not
until 1853. According to L.J. Burkholder in his book, A Brief
History of the Mennonites of Ontario (1935:64-66):
This congregation was organized during the year 1839. The services
were first held in a schoolhouse standing on the S.W. corner of Lot
9 in the fourth concession of Block A (where Morgan Hallman's apple
orchard now stands), in the township of Wilmot, until the year
1850, in which year a frame Meeting House was built, on the site
now occupied by the church in Blenheim Township, Oxford County,
just across the county line between Waterloo and Oxford.
The church was remodelled and enlarged in 1859, and in 1887 it "was
moved fifteen feet to the east and [was] veneered with brick"
(Burkholder 1935:64). A Sunday School had been organized in 1885.
The church building was dismantled on April 23 and 24, 1901, and
the foundation for a new church was laid on April 27, 1901. The new
church building was dedicated on October 6, 1901. Members of the
congregation of Hallman's Meeting House, near Roseville, may have
joined with the Blenheim group after their church closed in
1886.
Jacob Hallman, the first minister, died in 1878. He was followed by
Joseph Naghrgang, from his ordination in 1878 until his death in
1903.
Of interest: tombstones in the burial ground date back to
1839.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: On the Waterloo-Oxford County line, west of New
Dundee, on the south side of the road.]
References: Bergey, WHS 1962(50):65; Burkholder 1935:64-66; Epp
1974:125; Epp 1982:271; New Dundee W.I.; A. Taylor 1970:282.
Wilmot Township
Mennonite
Hostetler's Reformed Mennonite Church
Begun: 1844 Closed:
Services were begun by this Reformed Mennonite congregation in
1844. A schoolhouse and cemetery were located on land sold by
Joseph Jacobs "to the Wellington District Council in 1847 (Roth
1992)." The land was part Lot 20, Snider's Road North. The first
meeting house was located on an additional parcel of land sold in
1860 to the congregation, also by Joseph Jacobs.
According to Roth, "Both the school and the church were later
removed to the south side of the road on to Hostetler's property,
and have become known as Hostetler's (Ibid.)." Tremaine's 1861 map
of Wilmot Township shows the property, Lot 21, Snider's Road South,
as belonging to Moses Hostatler. "The church has been removed, but
the cemetery is still used by the Reformed Mennonites and their
families (Ibid.)." According to the publication More than a
Century in Wilmot Township:
The Reformed Mennonite congregation in Wilmot had its beginning
around 1850, with its original membership drawn largely from Amish
and Mennonite congregations in the area. The church building, known
as "Hostetler's", is [ in 1967] located north of Highway 7b and 8b,
between Baden and New Hamburg.
(New Hamburg-Wilmot Township Centennial Committee, 1967:103.)
Christian Zimmerman, who was ordained minister in 1845, was the
first minister to serve the congregation. The next ministers to
serve the Wilmot Reformed Mennonites were John Honderich, ordained
in 1865; Joseph Wilhelm, ordained in 1879; and Fred Weicker,
elected deacon in 1901 and ordained minister in 1905. Of interest:
Rudolph Roth, who left the Wilmot Amish Mennonite congregation
1850, served as bishop after he joined the Reformed
Mennonites.
Robert Beehler, ordained minister in 1962 and bishop in 1972, may
have been one of the last ministers to the congregation. Remaining
members of Hostetler's and of Kingwood Reformed Mennonite
congregations joined with the North Easthope Reformed Mennonite
congregation as each one disbanded.
Hostetler's school was closed in 1965.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
References: Epp 1974:136; Epp 1982:269; Fretz 1989:91; Roth 1992;
WHS 1965(53):43; Wilmot 1967:103.
Wilmot Township
Primitive Methodist
Bethel United Church
Begun: 1861 Closed: 1971
The church is still located on the northwest corner of Lot 30,
Concession 3, Southwest Wilmot Township, about four miles from New
Hamburg. Organized in 1861 as a Primitive Methodist Mission, the
congregation would have been a mission of the Blenheim station of
the Hamilton District in the beginning. In 1864 Blenheim and Galt
(which in the previous year had been in the Guelph District) were
joined in the Hamilton District. Galt ceased to exist as a station
in 1865 but Blenheim remained as such until c.1883 when Plattsville
replaced Blenheim as a station in the Hamilton District. Early
pastors were John Lacey (1864), William Codville (1865), Thomas
Dudley (1866-1867) and Stephen W. Keetch (1868-1869).
In 1884 all Methodist churches joined together to form the
Methodist Church of Canada, and in 1886 the Bethel congregation was
placed on the Bright Circuit of the Niagara Conference. In the
spring of 1890 the Annual Meeting of the Galt District, Guelph
Conference of the Methodist Church considered a motion to have the
boundaries of the Guelph and Niagara Conferences changed and that,
accordingly, Bethel Church be added to the New Hamburg mission of
the Galt District, as Bethel was "only 4 miles from New Hamburg."
Before this Bethel had been on a circuit with Washington and
Chesterfield. An addition to the church was built in 1953. The
Congregation observed the church's 100th Anniversary in June, 1961,
and its 110th on June 6, 1971. However services were discontinued
at the end of that month, and the building was then sold to a
Mennonite congregation, to become Grace Mennonite Church.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Baptisms 1857-1878 and Marriages 1858-1879 for the Guelph-Galt
Primitive Methodist Mission are at the United Church Archives and
could possibly contain references to members of the Bethel
congregation. R. Taylor reports that there are "no Bright records
at" the United Church Archives (1986:80).
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: One concession south of Haysville, and two
concessions west from there, on the south side of the road, near
the Waterloo/Oxford County line.]
References: A. Bean, WHS 1983(71):95-96; E. Bean, WHS
1983(71):97-98; I. Bean, WHS 1983(71):90-95; Hopper 1904; Methodist
Church; Primitive Methodist Church; R. Taylor 1986; Wilmot
1967:118.
WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP
Conestogo
Evangelical Association
Evangelical Church
Begun: Closed:
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates:* unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*See Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriage
dates 1864-1866.
References: R. Taylor 1986.
Conestogo
Lutheran
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
Begun: 1850
A congregation was organized c.1850 by Rev. F.W. Bindemann, and
services were held in a schoolhouse until the first church, which
was to be used for 39 years, was erected in 1853. Rev. Jacob Werth
of St. Jacobs was the first pastor. He was followed by Rev. T.
Huschman (1853) of Waterloo; Rev. Werth returned to Conestogo from
1857-1860. Rev. Daniel Stahlschmidt (1860-1871) from Heidelberg
came next, followed by Rev. Salinger (1871-1875) from Elmira, and
Rev. Schneider of Waterloo from 1876-1881. The congregation joined
the Canada Synod in the 1860s. In 1866 the congregation adopted a
new constitution in which the name designated for the church was
St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church Congregation.
Plans were begun in 1889 to build a new and larger church.
Accordingly, in 1892, the old church was replaced with a new one
which was built on the same site. The cornerstone was laid in early
summer and dedication services were held on November 6, 1892. The
pastor at the time was Rev. Goos. The interior of the church was
enlarged in the years 1922-1925 to provide a chancel and sacristy;
the interior of the church was also redecorated and new pews were
installed. The church celebrated its 90th Anniversary on August 30,
1942, and its Centennial in 1953.
Conestogo was joined in a parish with St. James Lutheran Church,
St. Jacobs, in 1905, an association which is still in effect.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1896- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1896- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1896- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 12 Queen St. W., Conestogo, ON N0B 1N0;
664-2760.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:120; Devitt, WHS 1947(35):44; Eylands
1945:83-84; Stroh, WHS 1953(41):41-46; R. Taylor 1986; Winterbourne
W.I.
Church Histories: 1) Wittig, S.J. 90th
Anniversary of St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church,
Conestogo, Ontario, 1852-1942, 1942. 2) Edwards, Henry E. and
Elin S. Edwards. A New Building for St. Matthew's Evangelical
Lutheran Church in 1892. St. Jacobs: St. Jacobs Printery,
1992.
Conestogo
Wesleyan Methodist
Conestogo United Church
Begun: 1864
Originally a mission operating from Berlin, possibly as early as
1840, the church congregation was organized in 1864. It is reported
that the first services were held at Captain Thomas Smith's home.
In 1864 the Conestogo congregation purchased a frame building from
Isaac Gole (for $200, and reportedly paid by the missionary, Jacob
Freshman) and services began under the guidance of the missionaries
from the German Wesleyan Methodist Mission in Preston. In a letter
published in the Christian Guardian of November 26, 1867,
Rev. Charles Freshman, who was stationed in Preston at the time,
wrote that the new Conestoga [sic] Church was to be dedicated by
him on December 21, 1867. The congregation was part of this Mission
until 1877 when it was joined to Elmira in a Parish.
A new building was erected in 1878 (for $1,200), and opened on
October 27, 1878; the dedication service was conducted by Rev. E.B.
Ryckman of Guelph. The church is reported to have been built with
assistance from the Presbyterians in the area. The first Methodist
minister in the new church was Rev. John W. Cooley who also
ministered to Wesley Methodist Church in Elmira.
Although the official date of the formation of the United Church of
Canada was in 1925, it was not until 1927 that this particular
Methodist congregation joined the Union. In 1948 Conestogo was on
the Elmira Circuit which was a three-point charge made up of
Elmira, Conestogo, and West Montrose. Improvements made to the
church from 1952-1957 included a useable basement, an oil furnace
and new stained glass windows.
Conestogo became a two-point charge with St. Jacobs in June 1970.
In 1992 it is believed that Conestogo is an independent charge
although only with a half-time appointment.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1874- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1874- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1874- Location of records: at church
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-1875 are in
an indexed card file at the Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Conestogo, ON N0B 1N0; on the main Conestogo
Road, Regional Road 17, east side of the village.]
References: Davis 1948:14-15; Devitt, WHS 1947(35):44; Freshman
1868:283; Miller, WHS 1981(69):146-150; R. Taylor 1986;
Winterbourne W.I.; Woolwich 1988:1.
Elmira
Evangelical Association
Zion United Church
Begun: 1854 (See Trinity United Church, Elmira)
The church was on the Conestogo Circuit of the Evangelical
Association and was served in a four-point charge with St. Jacobs,
North Woolwich and Floradale. St. Jacobs, and then Elmira, were the
home bases for the circuit. The Elmira congregation is reported to
have been formally organized c.1867. In the early 1890s the
circuit, which was in the North District of the Evangelical
Assocation, was based at St. Jacobs and included Elmira and North
Woolwich. Rev. D. Dippel was pastor from 1890-1893. He was followed
in 1894 by pastor H.A. Thomas, at which time the membership on the
circuit numbered 200.
The first church was built in 1870. Many years later, in 1951, the
same building was extensively remodelled. Not many years after, in
1963, the building was considered no longer adequate; a new church
was begun in that year and completed in 1964. The new church was
dedicated on June 28, 1964.
The Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren in Christ
Church on November 16, 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren
Church. That Church then joined the United Church on January 1,
1968 and Zion Evangelical United Brethren became Zion United
Church. On June 30, 1969 the North Woolwich Evangelical United
Brethren Church closed and the membership was transferred to Zion.
Then, in February, 1971, Wesley United Church, Elmira amalgamated
with Zion; on July 1, 1971 the name of the church was changed to
Trinity United Church, as agreed to by both congregations. The
first service of the joint congregation was on September 12,
1971.
Of interest: Zion, as with other Evangelical Association churches,
was often referred to as German Methodist.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1874-1931* Location of records: Trinity United
Church
Marriage dates: 1879-1912* Location of records: Trinity United
Church
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Because the Elmira Circuit of the Evangelical Association was
based in Elmira, the record books for Elmira held at Trinity United
Church contain information for St. Jacobs, Floradale and North
Woolwich as well. Membership lists for the Circuit for the years
1876-1903-1916-1932 are also at Trinity. Records for Elmira alone
are the membership lists 1877-1881, 1907, 1927, 1932, Marriages
1896-1971, Sunday School statistics 1935-1964 and church minutes
1935-1955. The following records have been translated and
transcribed by Sam Weicker and are available in the Grace Schmidt
Local History Room at the Kitchener Public Library: Baptisms
1874-1931, and Marriages 1879-1912. Some records are said to be at
the United Church Archives, but are not listed in the
catalogue.
References: Devitt, WHS 1947(35):46; Evangelical Association; Getz
1964:41; Klinck, WHS 1927(15):294; R. Taylor 1986; Winterbourne
W.I.; Woolwich W.I.
Church History: Moyer, Kenneth A. The Sixth
Anniversary Book of Trinity United Church, Elmira, Ontario
1971-1977, 1977.
Elmira
Lutheran
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1850
An Evangelical Lutheran congregation, known at first as the North
Woolwich Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, was organized in 1850.
Land was purchased in Elmira and a small log building, completed
December 25, 1857, became the first church. The first sermon had
been preached on Easter Sunday, 1852 by the Rev. Jacob Werth
(1852-1859). He was followed by Revs H.W.H. Wichmann (1859-1860),
C.F.A. Kaessmann (1861-1867) and J.L. Rau (1868-1870). Plans were
made soon after the arrival of Rev. Rau on April 16, 1868 for a new
and larger church. Construction of the new white brick church was
begun in the Spring of 1869. The cornerstone was laid on July 1st
and the church was completed and dedicated on December 19, 1869. A
parsonage was purchased in 1879. Property was purchased for a
cemetery on the Guelph Road in 1884; additional land was acquired
in 1910.
The congregation became self-supporting with its own full-time
pastor in 1905. Rev. A.R. Schultz, who began his ministry to St.
James on January 9, 1879, was pastor at that time and was to
continue to serve the congregation until his death in November
1911. Two years after the arrival of Rev. J. Strempfer on March 17,
1912, discussions began regarding a newer and larger church. The
final service was held in the old church on April 26, 1914 and the
next day its removal began. The cornerstone for the new church was
laid on July 12, 1914, services began in the basement on November
29th, and on May 9, 1915 the present church was dedicated. English
services were held as early as 1917 but it was not until January,
1935 that they were preached on a regular basis - every other
Sunday. In 1939 German language services were discontinued.
Continued growth of the congregation and lack of sufficient space
resulted in a large addition in 1962-1963 of the Christian
Education wing and Parish Hall. Dedication of the new complex was
in June 1963. (The datestone on the church reads: "St. Jacobus Ev.
Luth. Kirche 1914".)
Records:
Baptism dates: 1868- Location of records: at church*
Marriage dates: 1868- Location of records: at church*
Burial dates: 1868- Location of records: at church*
*The Lutheran Church Archives at Wilfrid Laurier University has the
church records 1853-1964 on microfilm. Some records may be with St.
Paul's Lutheran Church, Elmira. There are also marriage entries for
St. Paul's in Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1869, which
might pertain to early members of St. James.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 60 Arthur St. S., Elmira, ON N3B 2M9, 669-5591.
Mail inquiries only.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:122-123; Devitt, WHS 1947(35):45;
Eylands 1945:78-80; Kalbfleisch, WHS 1950(38):40; Klinck, WHS
1927(15):293; R. Taylor 1986; Woolwich W.I.
Church History: St. James Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Elmira, Ontario. 125th Anniversary 1850-1975,
1975.
Elmira
Lutheran
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1861
St. Paul's branched off from St. James, Elmira in 1861 when part of
its congregation stated preference for, and acceptance of,
conditions suggested by H.W.H. Wichmann of the Missouri Synod
regarding a new constitution; Rev. Wichmann was pastor of St. James
for eight months, and subsequently of St. Paul's after the split in
the congregation. Rev. Wichmann, who also served Floradale, was
followed by Pastor John Adam Ernst (1863-1881). Rev. Ernst, who was
installed on August 2, 1863, was pastor as well for Floradale,
Salem, Linwood, Berlin, Petersburg, Wellesley, Poole and Wallace
from his base at Elmira. Floradale and Elmira were separated in
1873; Rev. Ernst looked after Elmira and C.T.W. Brandt accepted a
call to Floradale. St. Paul's, Elmira had become a Missouri Synod
church on January 23, 1870.
The first services during the pastorate of Rev. Wichmann were held
in a school building, but a brick church was built, and dedicated
on November 16, 1862. A decision was made by the congregation on
January 2, 1889 to build a new, larger church. The cornerstone of
the present church was laid in June of the same year. The new
building was dedicated on the first Sunday after Trinity in 1889.
The old church was not torn down until the new one was
completed.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1869- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1869- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1869- Location of records: at church
Records include Flora (known as Floradale beginning in 1876). Many
entries can be found in Waterloo County Marriages
1858-1869, some of which may be for St. James Lutheran Church,
Elmira.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Mill St., Elmira, ON N3B 2Z5 ;669-2593.]
References: Cronmiller 1961:252-253; Devitt, WHS 1947(35):45;
Klinck, WHS 1927(15):293; Malinsky 1954:62-63; R. Taylor 1986;
Threinen 1989:10; Uttley, WHS 1933(21):26.
Church History: Serve the Lord with Gladness.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. 1860-1985, 1985.
Elmira
Mennonite
Elmira Mennonite Church
Begun: 1854
The congregation of the present-day Elmira Mennonite Church had its
beginnings in Floradale. The church historian, Ken Bechtel, gives
details of the division in 1889 when most of the North Woolwich Old
Order Mennonites left the Ontario Conference to follow the Woolwich
Bishop, Abraham Martin. Mr. Bechtel explains that the "local
meeting houses went with Martin's group and for a time the ten
Floradale-area conference-affiliated families worshipped in homes,
above a blacksmith shop and in an Evangelical Church facility
before building their own structure on Samuel Weber's farm in 1896"
(Bechtel 1984:11).
On April 21, 1919 land was purchased in Elmira by some of the
members of the Floradale Mennonite Church as a future site for a
church which would be closer to those who lived near or in Elmira.
At a meeting on January 10, 1924 the Floradale congregation
considered either remodelling the church at Floradale or proceeding
with the construction of a new church in Elmira. Approval was given
for the latter option. It was decided also that the minister,
Oliver D. Snider who had been ordained in the Floradale church in
1909, would preach on alternate Sundays to the two congregations.
Abraham Gingrich, of Floradale, provided bishop oversight for the
new congregation until 1936 when Rev. Snider became bishop as well
as minister. There were 58 charter members as of August 31,
1924.
Work on the new Elmira church proceeded speedily. The new church
building was completed and ready to host the Eighth Annual Ontario
Mennonite Sunday School Conference on August 31 and September 1, of
1924. A small disaster occurred in September 1941 when a sudden and
violet windstorm tore off the roof of the church. An educational
wing was completed in November 1955 and dedicated on December 4,
1955. A new addition was dedicated on October 10, 1976. Sixtieth
Anniversary services were held on Sunday, September 9, 1984.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Church St. W., Elmira, ON N3B 2Z4;
669-5123]
References: Burkholder 1935:73; Epp 1974:269; Epp 1982:270; Horst
1979:378; WHS 1927(15):292-294; WHS 1947(35):40,43,45-46.
Church History: Bechtel, Ken. Three Score
Years. Elmira Mennonite Church 1924-1984. Elmira, ON: Bauman
Printing, Inc., 1984.
Elmira
Mennonite
West Woolwich Meeting House
Begun: 1853
Although the West Woolwich appointment appeared first in the
Calendar of Appointments in 1853, it was not until 1854 that a
frame meeting house was built just west of Elmira. Two acres of
land for the meeting house and a burial ground were purchased from
Christian J. Schneider and his wife Magdalena on June 27, 1854.
Additions to the meeting house were built in 1880 and 1908, both
for the purpose of increasing the length of the building.
Additional land was purchased in 1908 and in 1919. The meeting
house was rebuilt in 1979.
Ministers to the congregation have been Peter Martin, David B.
Martin, Amos Gingrich, and Jesse Bauman.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Church Street West, Elmira, ON]
References: Burkholder 1935:204-205; Horst 1979:378.
Elmira
Wesleyan Methodist
Wesley United Church
Begun: 1836 See Trinity United Church, Elmira
In 1836 Samuel Fear, a native of Somersetshire, England and a
probationer of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, began holding church
services in Elmira. Formal organization of a congregation was in
1848. Early services were held in a small log schoolhouse on Church
Street. At this time Elmira was on the Guelph Circuit of the
Wesleyan Methodist Church; later, in 1851, the congregation was
placed on the Elora Circuit. Property was purchased on Church
Street in 1855 from Jonas Winger and a small red brick church was
built. Services were held in this building for eighteen years,
during which time it was known as the Church Street Methodist
Church. In 1873, when a new church building was erected on Arthur
Street North, the name was changed to Wesley Methodist Church.
Dedication of the new church was on January 1, 1874. The Elmira
Circuit had been formed several years before this, in 1871.
Conestogo and Winterbourne, as of 1877, were on the same
circuit.
In 1903, more space was needed; the sanctuary was remodelled and a
vestibule was added. On June 10, 1925 the Methodist and
Congregational churches and some of the Presbyterian churches
united to form the United Church of Canada. Wesley Methodist Church
became Wesley United Church in 1927. In the same year, West
Montrose was added to the Elmira Circuit. Considerable damage was
caused by a fire in 1934, but the congregation of Gale Presbyterian
Church generously provided space in their church for the Wesley
congregation until the damage was repaired and the church
redecorated.
Property was purchased in 1957 at the corner of Arthur and First
Streets on the south side of town for the location of a new church.
The sod was turned on June 28, 1959 and the church was dedicated on
May 15, 1960.
Wesley was placed on a two-point charge with West Montrose for a
short time beginning in June 1970. In February, 1971, the Wesley
congregation agreed to amalgamate with Zion United Church (formerly
Zion Evangelical United Brethren), Elmira, and the joint
congregation was named Trinity United Church as of July 1, 1971.
The last meeting of the Wesley United Church session was on June
19, 1971.
The church building of 1873 was sold in 1960 and demolished in
1975. Its site is now occupied by Freiburger's Food Market. The
1960 red brick church was sold to the Elmira Missionary Church
after the 1971 union with Zion.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1906-1971 Location of records: Trinity United
Church
Marriage dates: 1896-1971 Location of records: Trinity United
Church
Burial dates: 1907-1971 Location of records: Trinity United
Church
The church history states that the early records were missing as of
the date of its publication (1948). Some records are said to be at
the United Church Archives, but are not listed in the catalogue.
Wesleyan Methodist Baptisms for Waterloo County c.1830-c.1874 are
in an indexed card file in the Kitchener Public Library. The
Session Minutes 1947-1971, and Membership lists 1906-1941 are also
at Trinity United Church.
References: Getz 1964:41; Klinck, WHS 1927(15):293; Moyer, K.A.
1977:1-2; R. Taylor 1986; Uttley, WHS 1933(21):25; Winterbourne
W.I.
Church History: Davis, Mrs. E.C., and Mrs. Edgar
Rahn, eds. Milestones. Historical Narrative of Wesley United
Church, 1848-1948, 1948.
Elmira
Presbyterian
Gale Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1864
Presbyterians in Elmira became associated with Chalmers Free
(Presbyterian) Church in Winterbourne sometime after the split in
the Presbyterian Church in 1844. This association, with services
provided for both Elmira and Hawkesville from Winterbourne,
continued until 1864 when the Rev. Edward Graham was called, and
the Elmira Presbyterian Church was formed to minister to the
growing number of Presbyterians in Elmira. A white brick church was
erected in 1868 named in honour of Alexander Gale, a Professor at
Knox College and Moderator of the Free (Presbyterian) Church from
1853 until his death on April 6, 1854. The church was opened and
dedicated on October 18, 1868.
With the departure of Rev. Graham in 1869, the church became
variously a two-point charge with Hawkesville and a mission
station. The resulting instability did little to provide direction
for either congregation until finally Elmira and Hawkesville were
united as one charge on September 12, 1876. Unfortunately, Rev.
Andrew Dryburgh, the minister who was serving them so well, died on
March 6, 1878. In October of that year Hawkesville reverted to a
mission station and Gale was left on its own for a time. Infrequent
services were held until July 21, 1885 when the congregation was
reestablished and came under the guidance of Rev. Alexander M.
Hamilton of Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Winterbourne.
The congregation grew and gained strength. Alterations to the
church were made in 1906 when a tower and Sunday School annex were
added. In 1913 it became a separate congregation for awhile. Ten
years later, on October 14, 1923, it was reunited - for the next 45
years - with Winterbourne. Separated from Winterbourne on May 14,
1968, Gale was assisted by Presbytery until 1976 when the
congregation became self-supporting.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1877-1916 Location of records: United & Presby.
Church Archives
Burial dates: 1890-1938 Location of records: United & Presby.
Church Archives
Marriage records for 1877-1916 are at the Presbyterian Church
Archives as are Burials for 1890-1938. At the United Church
Archives: Marriages, 1898-1909; Burials 1896-1917, from the papers
of Rev. Alexander M. Hamilton. Session Reports 1896-1916 from the
papers of the Rev. Hamilton are also there. Also at the United
Church Archives: Marriages 1909-1916.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 2 Cross St., Elmira, ON N3B 2S4; 669-2852]
References: Devitt, WHS 1947(35):45; Klinck, WHS 1927(15):294;
Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor 1986.
Church History: Riedstra, Lutzen. 111 Years -
Gale Presbyterian Church, Elmira 1868-1979. Elmira,
1979.
Elmira
Roman Catholic
St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church
Begun: 1851
Prior to 1848, as a mission of New Germany (Maryhill), this area of
Woolwich was served by missionaries from New Germany who celebrated
Mass in homes in the area once or twice a year. Construction was
begun on a small frame church in 1848 on an acre of land north of
Elmira. (This land which was purchased from Joseph Ruth, is now St.
Teresa's Cemetery.) However, it was not until 1851 in the time of
Father John Holzer of New Germany that the church was finished; it
was dedicated on the second Sunday after Easter in that year.
During the 1860s and 1870s the church was attached to St.
Clements.
Land in town was purchased on June 14, 1888 from John Ratz for a
new brick church which was built and completed in 1889 during the
ministry of Rev. Stephen Foerster of New Germany. The first frame
church was dismantled in 1905. A new church was built in 1991-1992
on Flamingo Drive just south of the school; the old yellow brick
church was listed for sale in March 1992.
Monthly services were conducted from 1889-1915 by Rev. Foerster,
and by priests from St. Jerome's in Kitchener from 1915-1922. A
Mission of Macton then from 1922-1924, the congregation finally
received its first resident priest, in the person of Father J.J.
Arnold, on July 24, 1924.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1858- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1858- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1861- Location of records: at church
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 19 Flamingo Dr., Elmira, ON N3B 1V3; 669-3387.
Inquiries by mail only.]
References: Klinck, WHS 1927(15):294; Spetz 1916:197-200; R. Taylor
1986; Uttley, WHS 1933(21):26.
Church History: Stortz, Carol, ed. St. Teresa
of Avila Parish: The First 100 Years in Elmira, 1889-1989. St.
Jacobs: St. Jacobs Printery, 1990.
Elmira
United
Trinity United Church
Begun: 1971
Trinity United Church became the name of the former Zion United
Church on July 1, 1971 as a result of the decision in favour of
amalgamation agreed upon by Zion and the congregation of Wesley
United Church earlier in that year. The first service of the new
Trinity congregation was held on September 12, 1971. North Woolwich
Evangelical United Brethren had closed on June 30, 1969, and its
membership had been transferred to Zion at that time.
A new Zion United Church was built in 1963-1964 to replace the
first one which had been built in 1870. Dedication services were
held in the new church on June 28, 1964.
Conestogo, West Montrose and Wesley United were a three-point
charge until 1968 when the Floradale Evangelical United Brethren
church closed and Conestogo was placed in a two-point charge with
St. Jacobs, which had been previously with Floradale. In 1992 the
Trinity congregation continues in a two-point charge with West
Montrose United Church. Some records of all of these churches are
said to be at the United Church Archives, but are not listed in the
catalogue.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1966-1991* Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1971-1992 Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1971-1992 Location of records: at church
*Baptisms are included with Wesley United Church in Wesley's
1966-1991 book of baptisms.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 21 Arthur St. N., Elmira, ON N3B 2Z5;
669-5560.]
References: R. Taylor 1986; Wesley 1948; Woolwich W.I.
Church History: Moyer, Kenneth A. The Sixth
Anniversary Book of Trinity United Church, Elmira, Ontario,
1971-1977, 1977.
Floradale
Evangelical Association
Floradale Evangelical United Brethren Church
Begun: c.1857 Closed: 1968
Meetings of an Evangelical Association congregation are reported to
have begun as early as 1857 in the area. These meetings took place
in a log schoolhouse north of Floradale where a Sunday School,
organized by Jesse Snyder Sr., was also held. The schoolhouse was
used until 1890 when worship services were held in rooms in the
upstairs of Charles Bergman's blacksmith shop. Records are said to
have begun in that year. A brick church was built in 1895 on a
quarter acre of land purchased from Elizabeth Quickfall for $125.
The pastor at the time of the dedication of the new church was Rev.
George Finkbeiner of the Elmira Evangelical Association Circuit, to
which Floradale belonged. The Circuit was composed of Elmira,
Floradale and North Woolwich.
Golden Anniversary services were held in 1945; the church was also
remodelled in that year, as well as again in 1955. When the
Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren in Christ Church
on November 16, 1946, the church became Floradale Evangelical
United Brethren Church. In 1955 Floradale moved from the Elmira
Circuit to the St. Jacobs Parish and also celebrated its 60th
Anniversary. Again, on January 1, 1968, there was to be another
change brought about by union of the Evangelical United Brethren
Church with the United Church of Canada. In May of that year the
congregation voted to disband, a decision brought about in part
because of dwindling numbers. A final service was held on June 30,
1968; the service of official closing was on September 22, 1968.
Those members who wished transferred to Calvary United Church in
St. Jacobs. The church building was sold, and was turned into a
private residence.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1874-1931* Location of records: Trinity United
Church, Elmira
Marriage dates: 1879-1912* Location of records: Trinity United
Church, Elmira
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Because Floradale was for many years on the Elmira Circuit of the
Evangelical Association, its records are included with those of
Elmira, North Woolwich and St. Jacobs in the records books. Also at
Trinity United Church in Elmira are the membership lists
1876-1903-1916-1932. There are several more detailed membership
lists for Floradale alone: 1907, 1910, and 1927. The marriage and
birth records have been translated and transcribed by Sam Weicker
and are available at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Getz 1964:43; Woolwich W.I.
Floradale
Lutheran
Trinity Lutheran Church
Begun: 1860
This congregation, known at first as the West Woolwich Lutheran
Church, may have been organized prior to 1852. A page, dated
December 31, 1852 and signed by Carl Theodore Laurenson, Lutheran
pastor, contains the name of the congregation and a list of 14
Baptisms. Services were irregular in the years 1852-1859 when the
congregation was served from Berlin and Waterloo; no records exist
for Floradale by itself in that period. Pastor H.W.H. Wichmann, who
later in 1861 organized St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Elmira, was
installed by Pastor Roeder on April 29, 1860. Pastor Wichmann
served both Floradale and Elmira for a short time until he became
ill and died. Pastor John Adam Ernst then served both congregations
from 1861-73. A log church is reported to have been built in 1862.
Salem and Linwood were added to the parish during his time. Elmira
was separated from Floradale in 1873 and C.T.W. Brandt became
pastor to Floradale. When the new church was built in 1880,
Floradale once more was served from Elmira along with Salem and
Linwood until 1896 when Salem's congregation was disbanded.
The present church was built in 1880 when the Rev. J.C. Borth was
pastor. Dedication services were held on November 7, 1880.
Floradale was served with Linwood from Elmira from 1896-1913. Rev.
Frank Malinsky ministered to Elmira and Floradale from 1929-1963
and then to Floradale alone from 1963 to 1972. The exterior of the
church building was covered with new "red brick stucco" in 1963;
new windows were installed at that time.
The datestone on the church reads: "Ev. Luth Dreieinicketts Kirche
A.D. 1880". A sign at the front of the church reads: "Trinity
Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, organized in 1855".
Records:
Baptism dates: 1869- Location of records: St. Paul's, Elmira
Marriage dates: 1869- Location of records: St. Paul's, Elmira
Burial dates: 1869- Location of records: St. Paul's, Elmira
Early records at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Elmira, include
Floradale.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Floradale, ON N0B 1V0; The church is on a
concession road just west of the village.]
References: Devitt, WHS 1947(35):44; Malinsky 1954:61-62; R. Taylor
1986; Threinen 1989:10; Uttley, WHS 1933(21):19; Woolwich
W.I.
Floradale
Mennonite
Floradale Mennonite Church
Begun: 1857
Reference is made in the 1857 Mennonite Church Calendar of
Appointments to services being held every eight weeks at Deacon
William Hembling's home which was located approximately one mile
north of Floradale. Abraham W. Dettwiler was the first minister. He
was followed on December 1, 1867 by Joseph Gingrich.
The congregation purchased the Evangelical Church in 1867, a
purchase which was registered on October 16, 1868. The price for
the church and property was three hundred dollars. Services were
held in this building until 1872 when one and a half acres of land
for a meeting house and burial ground were purchased from Daniel B.
Bowman and his wife. The meeting house was moved about a quarter of
a mile north to this property.
William Hembling left the congregation c.1872 to become a follower
of Solomon Eby, one of the founders on September 18, 1874 of the
Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonite Church. Wm. Hamling, Deacon, was
a member of the Conference held at Snyder Meeting House at
Bloomingdale on March 23, 1875 when the Reforming (or Reformed)
Mennonites joined with the New Mennonites to form the United
Mennonite Church. After William Hembling's departure from
Floradale, the meeting house was renamed the North Woolwich Meeting
House.
As a result of the division in the Woolwich Mennonite community in
1889 ten Mennonite Conference families banded together to become
charter members of what would be the Floradale Mennonite Church.
The group met in homes from 1889-1891, in the upstairs of a
blacksmith shop from 1891-1894, and in the Evangelical Church, from
1894-1896. Land for a church, at the north edge of the village on
the west side of the road, was donated by Samuel M. Weber in 1896.
Menno E. Cressman preached the dedication sermon in the new white
brick church in October, 1896. Abraham Gingrich became minister and
Silas Bauman became deacon in November 1896. A Sunday School was
organized in the same year.
Land was purchased in Elmira on April 21, 1919 for members of the
Floradale church who lived either in Elmira or near there. The
church was built and completed in late summer 1924. There were 58
charter members.
The Floradale congregation decided in 1935 to build a new church
closer to the village. The old church was dismantled in the spring
of 1936, and work began on a new red brick church, complete with
basement, on land east of the village which had been purchased from
Jesse B. Snyder. Half of the cost of the land was donated by Mr.
Snyder. Land on the east side of the church was purchased for a
burial ground in 1947, and in 1970 land next to the church was
acquired for additional parking space. A large addition was built
on to the back of the church in 1958 and in 1986 another new
addition was attached to the east side of the front of the church.
Services of dedication for the latter addition, which also
celebrated the 50th anniversary of building of the church in 1936,
were held September 19 to 21, 1986. Of interest: the white brick
removed from the 1896 church was used as the inner layer of brick
when the 1936 red brick church was built, thus creating a
double-brick structure from old and new materials.
Records:
At the Mennonite Archives of Ontario: Church Records 1897-1932 and
Members' List 1897-1940. For information regarding the availability
of other early records, please contact the Archivist at Conrad
Grebel College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: - east end of the Village on Woolwich Township
Rd. 2 - Floradale, ON N0B 1V0; 669-2861]
References: Burkholder 1935:77-79; Epp 1974:270; Epp 1982:270;
Horst 1979:379; Storms 1958:48,62 (picture following pg. 62); WHS
1947(35):44.
Church History: Martin, Delton. History of the
Floradale Mennonite Church 1857-1971, 1971.
Floradale
Mennonite
North Woolwich (Hembling) Meeting House
Begun: 1857
Reference is made in the 1857 Mennonite Church Calendar of
Appointments to services being held every eight weeks at Deacon
William Hembling's home which was located approximately one mile
north of Floradale. Abraham W. Dettwiler was the first minister. He
was followed on December 1, 1867 by Joseph Gingrich.
The congregation purchased the Evangelical Church in 1867, a
purchase which was registered on October 16, 1868. The price for
the church and property was three hundred dollars. Services were
held in this building until 1872 when one and a half acres of land
for a meeting house and burial ground were purchased from Daniel B.
Bowman and his wife. The meeting house, which was located near the
old schoolhouse, was moved about a quarter of a mile north to this
property.
William Hembling left the congregation c.1872 to become a follower
of Solomon Eby, one of the founders on September 18, 1874 of the
Reforming (or Reformed) Mennonite Church. Wm. Hamling, Deacon, was
a member of the Conference held at Snyder Meeting House at
Bloomingdale on March 23, 1875 when the Reforming (or Reformed)
Mennonites joined with the New Mennonites to form the United
Mennonite Church. After William Hembling's departure from
Floradale, the meeting house was renamed the North Woolwich Meeting
House.
As a result of the division in the Woolwich Mennonite Community in
1889, ten families who remained with the Mennonite Conference left
to form what would become Floradale Mennonite Church. The majority
of the congregation, known as Old Order Mennonite, continued to
worship in the meeting house.
Additional land adjacent to the church property was purchased from
Daniel B. Bowman by the Old Order Mennonite congregation on May 18,
1900. The old meeting house was dismantled and a new white brick
building was erected in the same year. Additional land was
purchased and a fourteen foot addition to the church was
constructed in 1928. The present meeting house was built on the
west side of the church in the 1970s, after which the 1900
structure was removed.
Of interest: the first meeting house was located east of the
present cemetery near the creek; the 1900 white brick church was
built on the west side of the cemetery.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: - approximately one mile north of Floradale on
Woolwich Township Rd. 19]
References: Burkholder 1935:205-207; Storms 1958:48,62 (picture
following pg. 62).
North Woolwich
Evangelical Association
North Woolwich Evangelical United Brethren
Church
Begun: 1854 Closed: 1969
When Brother Harlacher began preaching in North Woolwich c.1837, a
missionary named Strickler is reported to have been already there.
There was a congregation c.1850 but it was not until 1854 that a
Sunday School was organized under the leadership of Jacob Wagner.
Property was purchased on March 10, 1854 for an "Evangelical
Association Meeting House and Burial Ground" (Woolwich Ever
Faithful Women's Institute). The property was four miles north of
Elmira, on Regional Road 21, Lot 124, German Company Tract. At that
time North Woolwich was on a three-point charge with Floradale and
Elmira. The present brick church was built in 1868 to replace the
first log building. The congregation celebrated the 100th
Anniversary of the Sunday School in 1954 and the 100th Anniversary
of the church building in 1968.
When the Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren in
Christ Church on November 16, 1946, the church became North
Woolwich Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Evangelical United
Brethren Church joined the United Church on January 1, 1968. The
author does not know whether or not the North Woolwich church
became a United Church at that time. However, on June 30, 1969 the
church closed and the membership was transferred to Zion United
Church in Elmira. The church building and its contents were sold to
the congregation of Calvary Conservative Mennonite Church. Two
years later, in 1971, Zion joined with Wesley United of Elmira to
form Trinity United Church, Elmira.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1874-1931* Location of records: Trinity United
Church, Elmira
Marriage dates: 1879-1912* Location of records: Trinity United
Church, Elmira
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Because North Woolwich was on the Elmira Circuit of the
Evangelical Association along with Elmira, Floradale and St.
Jacobs, the congregation's records are included with those of the
other congregations in the Birth and Marriage record books held at
Trinity United Church in Elmira. These records have been translated
and transcribed by Sam Weicker and are available at the Kitchener
Public Library. North Woolwich membership lists for 1877-1881,
1907, 1927 are also at Trinity Church. Some records are said to be
at the United Church Archives, but are not listed in the
catalogue.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: The church is located north of Elmira on
Regional Road 21, on the west side of the road. Contact Trinity
United Church, 21 Arthur St. N., Box 25, Elmira N3B 2Z5 for
information from the records.]
References: Getz 1964:42; R. Taylor 1986; Woolwich W.I.
North Woolwich
German Baptist
North Woolwich German Baptist Church
Begun: c.1852 Closed: c.1890
There was a church, parsonage and burial ground in a small
community called Sandhills, or Sandyhills, on part of Lot 62 of the
German Company Tract in North Woolwich Township, three and half
miles north of Elmira. The congregation was organized in 1852 by
Pastor Henry Schneider who also organized the Wilmot congregation.
Pastor Schneider was the first pastor of the German Baptist Church
in Berlin which was later known as Benton Street Baptist
Church.
Pastor Schneider was missionary to the North Woolwich congregation
until 1862; he was followed by Revs. Ed. Austermuehl (1862-1866),
Henry Kose (1866-1868) who was ordained August 14, 1866, and J.C.
Poehlman (1870-1875). There was no pastor in 1869. In the 1868
Annual Report of the Baptist Church Rev. Henry Kose of Woolwich
referred to "meetings here and in Elmira." The next year, 1869,
Rev. Kose reported that he had preached at three stations during
the year - Woolwich, Elmira and Winfield. In 1870 Rev. Poehlman
reported that "during the last six months, interest in Woolwich is
feeble, and there does not seem to be an immediate prospect of
enlargement." Membership had risen slowly, to about forty, by that
time.
There is reference to the Woolwich German Baptist mission in the
Baptist Year Book for 1883. There were fifty-two members listed at
that time, but no pastor's name was given. The clerk was Valentine
Schaefer from Pentland. However, membership grew slowly, as
reported in the 1887 Year Book (1886 Annual Report). There were
sixty-one members by then and the pastor was Peter Rech (1884-86)
of Elmira. Valentine Schaefer was still listed as clerk. Robert
Shacke was pastor in 1887 and William Schaff in 1888. There was no
report from North Woolwich in 1889.
The church was later demolished and some of the brick was reported
to have been used for an addition to the Evangelical Association
church in Elmira.
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Sandhills (Sandyhills) Baptist Cemetery has been recorded by the
Waterloo-Wellington Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. A
copy of the transcription is available at the Kitchener Public
Library.
References: Baptist Church; Clubine c.1976; Woolwich Ever Faithful
Women's Institute.
St. Jacobs
Evangelical Association
Calvary United Church
Begun: 1848
A first church, of logs, was built in 1850 on land donated by
Anthony Reitzel; the deed to the land is dated 1848. The church
building was located in the southeast corner of the present
cemetery. Philip Winkler, who travelled as far away as Ayton to
conduct services, was the first preacher. A new white brick church
was built in 1864 on the present site to replace the first log
structure which had become too small. The new church was in use
until 1914 when it was torn down to be replaced by the present red
brick one. Dedication services for the new church were held from
February 26 to March 1, 1915, with Bishop W. Horn of Cleveland,
Ohio, president of the Canada Conference, officiating. Renovations
and additions have been made since then to produce the distinctive
structure of today.
St. Jacobs was on the Elmira Circuit of the Evangelical Association
which included Elmira (the home base of the Circuit), Flora (later
Floradale) and North Woolwich. In the early 1890s St. Jacobs was in
the North District of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical
Association, and included Elmira and Woolwich. H. Dierlamm and
Philip Winkler were pastors in 1890. Rev. A.Y. Haist was pastor in
1893-1894 also with Philip Winkler.
On November 16, 1946 the Evangelical Church united with the United
Brethren in Christ Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren
Church. When the Evangelical United Brethren joined the United
Church on January 1, 1968, the church became a United Church and
was joined with Floradale for a short time. Calvary was placed on a
two-point charge with Conestogo United Church in June 1970.
As of this writing, Calvary is a separate, self-supporting
congregation.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1874-1931 Location of records: Trinity United,
Elmira*
Marriage dates: 1879-1912 Location of records: Trinity United,
Elmira*
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*As St. Jacobs for many of the early years was on the Elmira
Circuit of the Evangelical Association, the congregation's records
are included with those of Elmira, Floradale and North Woolwich.
The Circuit records books are at Trinity United Church in Elmira
and include Births 1874-1931 and Marriages 1879-1912. These records
have been translated and transcribed by Sam Weicker and are
available in the Grace Schmidt Room of the Kitchener Public
Library. Trinity also has membership lists 1876-1903-1916-1932, as
well as specific St. Jacobs lists 1877-1881, 1886. See Waterloo
County Marriages 1858-1869 for marriage information for 1866,
1869.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: King St., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0;
664-2311.]
References: Evangelical Assocation; Getz 1964:40; Martin, V.E.
1979:47; St. Jacobs W.I.; R. Taylor 1986; WHS 1973(61):23;
Winterbourne W.I.
Church History: Souvenir Program of the
Dedicatory Services of the New Evangelical Church, St. Jacobs,
Ontario, February 26-March 1, 1915.
St. Jacobs
Lutheran
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church
Begun: 1864
The congregation was organized in 1864, and met in the schoolhouse,
which is located behind the present church. The cornerstone for a
new church was laid on May 21, 1866 and the brick church which was
built adjoining the school, was dedicated on August 22, 1866. Land
was purchased for a cemetery in 1868. Rev. Daniel Stahlschmidt was
the first pastor. The congregation had become part of the Elmira
Parish as of December 1865 and this association remained until 1905
when the congregation was joined with Conestogo. Rev. A.R. Schultz
of St. James, Elmira had been pastor to the St. Jacobs congregation
from 1879 until this time. A parish hall was built in 1905 and in
1918 the church was enlarged - a tower and main entrance were
built.
Land was purchased in 1956 on the north side of the church and on
August 13, 1961 the ground breaking service for a new church was
held. Construction began immediately and the final service was held
in the old church on November 18, 1961. Dedication services for the
new church were held on May 27, 1962. The congregation celebrated
the church's 125th Anniversary on September 8, 1991.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1866- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1866- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1866-* Location of records: at church
*A list of Deaths from September 14, 1868 to April 6, 1991,
according to the church records, is included in a pamphlet
published for the Church's Memorial Service on July 7, 1991. A copy
of the pamphlet is in the Grace Schmidt Local History Room of the
Kitchener Public Library.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: King St, St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0;
664-2511.]
References: Bowman, WHS 1945(33):19; Cronmiller 1961:165; Devitt,
WHS 1947(35):44; Eylands 1945:119-121; St. Jacobs W.I.; R. Taylor
1986; WHS 1966(54):35.
Church History: Centennial of St. James
Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Jacobs, Ontario 1866-1966,
1966.
St. Jacobs
Presbyterian
St. Jacobs Presbyterian Church
Begun: c.1877 Closed: c.1938
Records;
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1877-1909;1916-1938 Location of records:
Presbyterian Church Archives
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
References: R. Taylor 1986.
St. Jacobs
Mennonite
Conestogo (or Conestoga) Meeting House
Begun: 1844
This meeting house was located approximately two miles northwest of
St. Jacob's. A parcel of approximately one and five-sixteenths
acres of land was purchased from John E. Brubacher on October 29,
1844 on the east side of the Conestogo River, where the present
cemetery is located. The log schoolhouse built on the site may have
been used for some church services until 1851 or 1852 (1848,
according to Epp 1974:269) when a frame church, known as the
Conestogo Meeting House, was erected. The log schoolhouse was
destroyed by fire in the same year.
A division occurred in 1889 which resulted in two groups: the Old
Order Mennonites and what was known as the Conference Group. The
Old Order Mennonite group continued to use the meeting house until
1892 when they surrendered the building to the Conference group,
some thirty to forty members who had been meeting in homes. The
former group built a new meeting house in 1892 (1894, according to
Burkholder 1935:204) one-half mile south of the older building. The
Conference group continued to meet in the old meeting house until
1915 when a move was made to St. Jacob's where a new red brick
church was built.
Ludwig Koch was the first preacher, followed by Daniel M. Brubacher
and Ezra L. Martin.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: West of St. Jacobs, south of Three Bridges, on
Woolwich Rd. 21.]
References: Burkholder 1935:90,203-204,207; Epp 1974:125,269; Epp
1982:272; Horst 1979:378; WHS 1947(35):44-45.
Church History: Feick, Magdalena, comp. I will
Build my Church. Conestogo/St. Jacobs Mennonite Church
1844-1986. St. Jacobs, ON, 1986.
St. Jacob's
Mennonite
St. Jacob's Mennonite Church
Begun: 1844
The congregation had its beginnings as members of the Conestogo
Meeting House which was located approximately two miles northwest
of St. Jacob's. A parcel of approximately one and five-sixteenths
acres of land was purchased from John E. Brubacher on October 29,
1844 on the east side of the Conestogo River, where the present
cemetery is located. The log schoolhouse built on the site may have
been used for some church services until 1851 or 1852 (1848,
according to Epp 1974:269) when a frame church, known as the
Conestogo Meeting House, was erected. The log schoolhouse was
destroyed by fire in the same year.
A division occurred in 1889 which resulted in two groups: the Old
Order Mennonites and what was known as the Conference Group. The
Old Order Mennonite group continued to use the meeting house until
1892 when they surrendered the building to the Conference group,
some thirty to forty members who had been meeting in homes. The
former group built a new meeting house in 1892 (1894, according to
Burkholder 1935:204) one-half mile south of the older building. The
Conference group continued to meet in the old meeting house until
1915 when a move was made to St. Jacobs to a new church.
Enoch Bauman was ordained deacon in 1893, and minister in 1894.
Henry Musser was ordained deacon in 1894. The new red brick church
at the corner of King and High Streets in St. Jacobs was built on
land donated by Samuel Good to the congregation in exchange for $1.
The church, which was dedicated on November 14, 1915, had a full
basement and lobbies front and back. Additions to the church were
built in 1936, 1949, 1976 and 1990.
On September 4, 1938 the congregations voted in favour of services
every Sunday morning. Prior to this time church services had been
held on alternate Sundays although the Sunday School met every
Sunday morning.
Records:
For information regarding the availability of any early records,
please contact the Archivist at Conrad Grebel College, University
of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G6.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: 109 King St., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0;
664-2268]
References: Burkholder 1935:90,203-204; Epp 1974:125,269; Epp
1982:272; WHS 1947(35):44-45.
Church History: Feick, Magdalena, comp. I will
Build my Church. Conestogo/St. Jacobs Mennonite Church
1844-1986. St. Jacobs, ON, 1986.
West Montrose
United Brethren in Christ
West Montrose United Church
Begun: c.1861
At first, in 1860, members of the United Brethren in Christ from
the West Montrose area worshipped in the Ebenezer Chapel which was
located on the Winterbourne Road at the Crowsfoot - the junction of
the Winterbourne and Town Line Roads with the Conestogo Road. At
that time West Montrose was part of the Zorra Mission. Local
services started soon and were held in Jacob Brenner's blacksmith
shop in Winterbourne until the completion of the first church
building, known as the Montrose Chapel, in West Montrose in the
autumn of 1862. Rev. S.L. Downey, a United Brethren in Christ
missionary from the United States, was the first pastor. West
Montrose was on a three-point charge with Bloomingdale and
Hawkesville from 1864, when the Hawkesville church was built, until
c.1906 when Hawkesville closed. The three congregations were
variously on the Woolwich, Berlin and Waterloo Circuits over the
years. The name changed as churches were added and removed, but
basically it was the same circuit.
A deep division in the United Brethren in Christ brought about a
split in the Church in 1889. The two groups which resulted from
this split each referred to themselves as the United Brethren in
Christ. Some churches remain United Brethren in Christ today. The
others, including West Montrose, were of the group which joined
with the Congregational Church in 1906.
Permission was given to the West Montrose congregation at the
Quarterly Conference of the United Brethren in Christ on March 14,
1903 to proceed with plans for a new church building. The
present-day yellow brick church was built just south of the first
one in 1907. (The date marker above the front door reads
Congregational Church 1907.) The congregation is reported to have
voted unanimously in favor of Union with the United Church of
Canada in 1925; West Montrose was added to the Elmira Circuit
c.1927. In 1948 the Elmira Circuit consisted of Elmira, Conestogo
and West Montrose. As of June 1970, West Montrose was with Wesley
United Church, Elmira in a two-point charge. In February 1971,
Wesley amalgamated with Zion United Church of Elmira; the name of
the joint congregation became Trinity United Church on July 1,
1971. West Montrose continued on in a joint charge with
Trinity.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Marriage dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Burial dates: 1925- Location of records: at church
Records up to 1925 are said to be at the United Church Archives but
are not in their catalogue. Some marriages 1898-1931 are in the
United Brethren, Congregational and Methodist [United Church]
Marriages (Madill 1986a) - January 11, 1898-September 12, 1906;
March 10, 1909-December 10, 1924; and February 18, 1926-December
14, 1931. There are also references to West Montrose in the
Waterloo Circuit Register of the United Brethren in Christ for the
years 1874-1907. The Waterloo Circuit Marriage Register of the
United Brethren in Christ for 1898-1913 may also contain references
to West Montrose. These Registers are at the United Church
Archives.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: West Montrose, ON N0B 2V0]
References: Bowman, WHS 1947(35):18-20; Davis 1948:15; Magnus 1991;
R. Taylor 1986; United Brethren in Christ Church; Winterbourne
W.I.
Winterbourne
Wesleyan Methodist
Methodist Church
Begun: c.1833 Closed: 1915
The congregation was at first on the Berlin Circuit (established in
1819), which separated from the Dumfries Circuit in 1854. Rev.
Matthew Holtby was the first minister; the first church, of logs,
was built in 1845 and replaced in 1856 by a new stone church. The
congregation was later part of the Elmira Circuit, along with
Conestogo, until 1915 when it was closed because of a decline in
the size of the congregation. Members then worshipped in either
Conestogo or West Montrose.
The Methodist cemetery is located in Winterbourne, on the south
side of Peel Street. A plaque erected by the Winterbourne Women's
Institute in September 1972 states: "The Methodist Church made of
field stone, formerly on the adjoining lot, was built in
approximately 1856, closed in 1915 and taken down in 1927."
Records:
Baptism dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
The records have not been found. However, Wesleyan Methodist
Baptisms for Waterloo County 1858-1869 are in an indexed card file
at the Kitchener Public Library.
References: Davis 1948:14; Devitt, WHS 1947(35):45; Dunham 1941; R.
Taylor 1986.
Winterbourne
Free Presbyterian
Chalmers Presbyterian Church
Begun: 1844
The congregation's history is mingled with that of St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church in Winterbourne. Early services, begun c.1837,
were for all Presbyterians. However, there was a split in the
Presbyterian Church in 1844 which resulted in congregations
belonging to the Presbyterian Church of Canada in Connection with
the Church of Scotland and others belonging to the Free
(Presbyterian) Church of Canada. The local congregation also split
with the result that a new congregation of Free Church members was
formed, to be called eventually Chalmers Presbyterian Church. These
members were barred immediately from use of their former place of
worship.
The Free Church congregation therefore held services in the stone
schoolhouse; as of 1847 a regular summer supply of student
preachers was sent to the area by Knox College. In 1848 the
congregation built their own frame church which was located behind
the present Chalmers church. The first entry in Chalmers Session
Book was dated December 31, 1857. Rev. George Cuthbertson had been
ordained and inducted into Chalmers on October 7, 1857 and was to
remain until March 5, 1862. He was followed by Revs. W.S. Ball
(1863-1864), Edward Graham (1864-1869), and Hugh Thompson. In 1861
the United Presbyterian Church and the Free Presbyterian Church
joined to form the Canada Presbyterian Church. On January 23, 1865
the church was referred to as Chalmers Presbyterian Church,
Winterbourne, for the first time. The present church building was
erected in 1870.
The Union of all Presbyterian churches in Canada occurred in 1875.
On May 1, 1876 St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church joined with
Chalmers. The Rev. Alexander M. Hamilton began a ministry to the
combined congregations on May 22, 1877, a ministry which was to
last for 40 years. The 100th Anniversary of the church building was
celebrated on November 22, 1970.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1856-1899 Location of records: see below*
Marriage dates: 1858,1896-1939 Location of records: see
below*
Burial dates: 1896-1917 Location of records: see below*
*Locations of early church records:
1. In 1992, church records were with D. Pirie, 13 Herbert St.,
Elmira N3B 2C1.
2. Records located at the United Church Archives: 1) Baptisms
1856-1899, Marriages 1858, Session Minutes 1857-1899 (also on
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints microfilm 0204159); and
2) Session records 1897-1916, Marriages 1898-1909, and Burials
1896-1917 - from the personal papers of Rev. Alexander M.
Hamilton.
3. At the Presbyterian Church Archives - Marriages from
1896-1939.
4. At the Kitchener Public Library: Waterloo County Marriages
1858-1869, for marriage records from 1858-1862, 1866-1868 -
indexed.
5. Transcribed and indexed by Frances Hoffman, 1987, published by
the Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society:
Births, October 3, 1838-September 13, 1880 (includes Births
1838-1855 and Marriages 1858-c.1868 for St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church, Winterbourne); Baptisms 1846-December 1, 1885; and
Marriages March 18, 1858-July 5, 1877. Copies at the Kitchener
Public Library and the Elmira Public Library.
6. Records at the Wellington County Archives include photocopies of
Baptisms 1857-1869, 1871-1901 and Marriages 1858-1972.
[ADDRESS/LOCATION: Winterbourne, ON]
References: Presbyterian Church; R. Taylor 1986; WHS 1919(7):75-81;
Winterbourne W.I.
Church History: Refer to the church history for
Gale Presbyterian, Church, Elmira.
Winterbourne
Presbyterian
St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Begun: c.1837 Closed: 1876
Known as the Woolwich Church, this congregation of the Presbyterian
Church of Canada in Connection with the Church of Scotland was
formed c.1837. Meeting in a frame church erected in 1838, St.
Andrew's was also known as the "Auld Kirk" until it joined with
Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Winterbourne, on May 1, 1876.
The first pastor was Rev. Alexander Ross who ministered to St.
Andrew's from c.1841 until 1846 when he was called to a
congregation in Gwillimbury. The year 1844 marked a split in St.
Andrew's congregation when some members left to form what was
eventually known as Chalmers Free Church. Rev. John M. Smith and
Rev. Hamilton Gibson of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Galt
are reported to have travelled to Woolwich to conduct monthly
services at St. Andrew's until the arrival of Rev. James Thom on
October 17, 1854; the first communion was on February 11, 1855.
Rev. Thom ministered to the congregation until his death on
November 28, 1868. Rev. George A. Yeomans was ordained and inducted
into St. Andrew's on September 22, 1869 where he was to remain
until 1876.
In the Statistical Report (1866) of the Presbyterian Church of
Canada in Connection with the Church of Scotland, the Woolwich
Church was described as having a frame church, built in 1838,
capacity of 200, and a stone manse.
"This is a small charge in the Township [Woolwich] of the same
name, about 12 miles from Guelph. Though nominally embracing 40
families, only 20 of these are Presbyterian. A number of others,
chiefly Episcopalian, attend regularly and contribute to the
support of ordinances. There are two well-conducted Sabbath
Schools, one, meeting in the church[;] the other at a distance of
two miles, is superintended by Mr. Chambers, with marked efficiency
and success. The Rev. Alex. Ross, formerly of Aldborough, was first
settled as minister of this charge in 1823 [sic]. In 1846, he
removed to Gwillimbury, and died at Bradford, in 1857. With the
exception of occasional services from Mr. Smith, of Galt, the
charge remained vacant until the induction of its present worthy
minister, the Rev. James Thom, formerly of Three Rivers, in 1854.
There is a small stone manse and 3 1/2 acres of valuable
land."
Discussion regarding union with Chalmers Presbyterian Church began
on December 14, 1873. Union was agreed upon by Chalmers only if
Rev. Yeomans of St. Andrew's would resign. His resignation was
tendered, and on March 26, 1876 the last Minutes of St. Andrew's
were recorded. Two days later, on March 28, 1876, Rev. Yeomans
accepted a call to Dunnville. The date of union of the two
congregations was May 1, 1876. A decision was made on March 11,
1878 to sell the church building. It was purchased by John
Wilkinson who dismantled it and used the materials to build a straw
shed on his farm.
Records:
Baptism dates: 1838-1855* Location of records: unknown
Marriage dates: 1858-c.1868* Location of records: unknown
Burial dates: unknown Location of records: unknown
*Births 1838-1855 and Marriages 1858-c.1868 are included in the
registers from Chalmers which have been transcribed by Hoffman,
1987; available at the Elmira Public Library and the Kitchener
Public Library.
References: Martin, WHS 1982(70):130; Presbyterian Church; WHS
1919(7):75-81; Winterbourne W.I.
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New Hamburg-Wilmot Township Centennial Committee. More than a Century in Wilmot Township, 1967. (KPL)
Norfolk County Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society. Baptisms and Marriages by Rev. John Cullen in the Mission of Niagara District 1830-1832. Simcoe, ON: Norfolk County Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1992a. (KPL)
________. 1827 Baptisms, Marriages, Burials at Dundas and Guelph 1827-1830, by Rev. James W. Campion. Simcoe, ON: Norfolk County Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1992b. (KPL)
Opperman, Henry W. 100 Years of Service: St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Ontario 1863-1963. Waterloo, ON: Waterloo Printing, 1963. (KPL)
Panabaker, Arnold T. One Hundred Years of the United Church, Hespeler, 1837-1937, 1937. (KPL)
Panabaker, Cornelius A. The United Church of Canada in Hespeler, Ontario 1837-1957, 1956. Unpublished manuscript. (KPL)
Perrin, George. Roseville School Centennial 1867-1967: History of Roseville Village and Its School, SS H 22, 1967. (KPL)
Poth, Ruby Bechtel, comp. History of the New Dundee Baptist Church, c.1983. (KPL)
Presbyterian Church in Canada. General Assembly Acts and Proceedings. (CIHM)
Presbyterian Church of Canada in Association with the Church of Scotland. Historical and Statistical Reports. (CIHM)
Preston Baptist Church. Diamond Jubilee 1895-1955. Baptist Church, Preston, Ontario, 1955. (CA)
Preston Women's Institute. Tweedsmuir History, c.1978. (KPL, on microfilm)
Primitive Methodist Church. Annual Conference Minutes. (CIHM)
Quantrell, James. "Early Catholics in Cambridge area served by Niagara missionaries." In The Cambridge Reporter, January 19, 1989, 1989a. (CA)
________. "Jesuits played key role in establishing Preston church." In The Cambridge Reporter, January 20, 1989, 1989b. (CA)
Rennie, John L. "St. Andrew's United Church History." In St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church 1979-1980 Kitchener, Ontario, 1979. (KPL)
Reimer, Margaret Loewen. One Quilt, Many Pieces. Waterloo, ON: Mennonite Publishing Service, 3rd ed., 1990. (2nd ed., KPL; 3rd ed., Private Collection)
Riedstra, Lutzen. 111 Years - Gale Presbyterian Church, Elmira, 1868-1979. Elmira, Ontario, 1979. (EPL, KPL)
Roedding, Wilfrid W. Local History of Emmanuel United Brethren Church, Bridgeport Congregation. Emmanuel United Church as of January 1, 1968, November 1, 1967 (with an Appendix to October 1969.) (UW)
Roseville United Brethren in Christ. Centennial Anniversary Service, United Brethren in Christ Church, Roseville, Ontario 1881-1981, September 12 and 13, 1981. (KPL)
Roseville Women's Institute. Tweedsmuir History. (KPL, on microfilm)
Roth, Lorraine. "Introduction." In Maple View Mennonite Cemetery. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1986. (KPL)
________. "Introduction." In New Hamburg Reformed Mennonite Cemetery. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1992a. (KPL)
________. "Introduction." In Wellesley and Wilmot Amish Mennonite Cemeteries. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1992b. (KPL)
________. "The Amish Division in Ontario." In Ontario Mennonite History, March 1993. (CGR, KPL)
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Hespeler. Diamond Jubilee 1855-1915, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Hespeler, Ontario, Canada, 1915. (CA)
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Kitchener. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1979-1980, 1979. (KPL)
St. Jacobs Evangelical Church. Souvenir Program of the Dedicatory Services of the New Evangelical Church, St. Jacob's Ontario. February 26-March 1, 1915, 1915. (KPL)
St. Jacobs Friendly Women's Institute 1982 Tweedsmuir History, 1982. (Mrs. Oscar B. Martin, Historian.) (KPL, on microfilm)
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmira, Ontario. St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmira, Ontario. 125th Anniversary, 1850-1975, 1975. (KPL)
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hespeler, Ontario. St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hespeler, Ontario: The One Hundredth Anniversary 1860-1960, 1960. (CA)
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hespeler, Ontario. The Birth of a Church: St. James Lutheran Church, Hespeler, Ontario, November 12, 1967. (CA)
St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church Centennial Book Committee. Centennial of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Jacob's, Ontario, 1966. (EPL)
St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Kitchener, Ontario. The Church of St. John the Evangelist, Kitchener. 125th Anniversary. Kitchener, Ontario: St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 1980. (KPL)
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Ontario. 100th Anniversary of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waterloo, 1837-1937, 1937. (KPL)
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Ontario. In Commemoration of the Dedication and 125th Anniversary of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Ontario, 1837-1962, 1962. (KPL)
St. Louis' Centennial Historical Committee. The Spirit Lives 1890-1990: A History of St. Louis Parish, Waterloo, Ontario. Waterloo, ON: Dwyer Printing, 1990. (KPL)
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, Ontario. 1861 Centennial 1961. A Brief History of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bridgeport, June 1961. (KPL)
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmira, Ontario. Serve the Lord with Gladness. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church [Elmira] 1860-1985, 1985. (EPL, KPL)
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Ontario. 1835-1935: 100th Anniversary. St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Ontario. Kitchener, ON: Merchants' Printing, c.1935. (KPL)
________. Fiftieth Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitchener, 1889-1939, 1939. (KPL)
________. 1835-1960: 125th Anniversary of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Ontario, 1960. (KPL)
St. Peter's Lutheran Church History Committee. Heeding the Call: St. Peter's Lutheran Church 1863-1988. Kitchener, ON: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 1988. (KPL)
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Preston, Ontario. Centennial Booklet: St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Preston, Ontario 1834-1934, 1934. (KPL)
Salvation Army, Kitchener, Ontario. The Salvation Army Kitchener Citadel 100th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet, 1986. (KPL)
Sanders, Constance, ed. The Story of the Congregation of Knox's Presbyterian Church of Galt 1844-1969: Compiled for the centennial of the laying of the corner stone, June 18, 1969. (CA, KPL)
Sauder, Dorothy. Trail's End. The Oxbow, 1972. (CGR, KPL)
Schmalz, W.H.E. Schmalz Papers, Waterloo Historical Society Manuscript Collection, Grace Schmidt Room, Kitchener Public Library. (KPL, W.H.E. Schmalz Collection)
Schnarr, Philip B. A Church Divided: The Story of the Split in the Berlin Society of the New Jerusalem, 1891. Senior paper for HIST 425 (Department of History, University of Waterloo), March 17, 1978. (KPL)
Schultz, Beatrice, Brenda Lichti Knechtel, and Fran Lebold. Maple View Mennonite Church, 1859-1984. Wellesley, ON: Maple View Mennonite Church, 1984. (KPL)
Schwermann, Albert H. The Beginnings of the Lutheran Church - Canada, Covering the Years 1941-1964. Edmonton, Alberta, 1971. (UW)
Semple, Dr. Neil. Genealogical Resources at the United Church Archives. Kingston, ON: Kingston Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1985. (KPL)
Shantz, Norman. "The Detweiler Mennonite Congregation near Roseville, Ontario 1830-1966." In Mennogespräch, September 1984, Vol. 2, No. 2, pgs. 18-19. (KPL)
Shantz, Ward M. "Call to Remembrance the Former Days." A History of Bethany Missionary Church 1877-1977. Kitchener, ON: Mustard Seed Print Shop, 1977. (KPL)
Snider, Esther. To the Glory of God. 135th Anniversary 1842-1977 Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship Mennonite Church. Kitchener, ON: Pioneer Park Christian Fellowship Mennonite Church, 1977. (CGR)
Sider, E. Morris. The Brethren in Christ in Canada. Two Hundred Years of Tradition and Change. Hamilton, ON: The Canadian Conference, Brethren in Christ Church, 1988. (KPL)
Smith, Neil G., Allan L. Farris, and H. Keith Markell. A Short History of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Toronto, ON: Presbyterian Publications, 1965. (UW)
South Water Street Baptist Church, Galt Ontario. Brief church histories, c.1930 and 1934. (CBA)
Spetz, Theobald, C.R. Diamond Jubilee History of the Diocese of Hamilton, with a Complete History of the County of Waterloo 1856-1916. Book I. Toronto, ON: The Catholic Register and Extension, 1916. (KPL)
Stewart, Barbara J., Phyllis Leleu Kitchen, and Debbie Dietrich, eds. The Maple Leaf Journal: A Settlement History of Wellesley Township. Published by the Corporation of the Township of Wellesley, 1983. (KPL)
Storms, Everek Richard. History of the United Missionary Church. Elkhart, IN: Bethel Publishing Co., 1958. (CGR)
Stortz, Carol, ed. St. Teresa of Avila Parish: The First 100 Years in Elmira, 1889-1989. St. Jacob's, ON: St. Jacob's Printery, 1990. (EPL, KPL)
Struthers, Rae W. "Local Barber Started Baptists." In Galt Evening Reporter, 1971. (CA)
Swedenborgian Church of the Good Shepherd, Kitchener, Ontario. The Church of the Good Shepherd, Kitchener, Ontario, 1978. [hand-written pages] (KPL)
Swedenborgian Church, Kitchener, Ontario. The History of the New Church in Canada: The Swedenborgians 1830-c.1960, c.1960. (KPL)
Taylor, Andrew W. Banners Unfurled: The History of First United Church, Galt, Canada - 1824-1949. Galt, ON: Galt Printers, 1949. (CA, KPL)
________. Our Todays and Yesterdays. North Dumfries and Ayr Centennial Committee, 1970. (CA, KPL)
Taylor, Ryan. "Introduction." In Wallenstein Log Church Cemetery. Kitchener, Ontario: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1985. (KPL)
________. Family Research in Waterloo and Wellington Counties. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1986. (KPL)
________. "Introduction." In Cemetery of the Abandoned Baptist Mission, Phillipsburg, Ontario. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1988. (KPL)
Taylor, Ryan, and Linda Brown-Kubisch. Church Register of H.W. Peterson, 1833-35. Kitchener, Ontario, 1991. (KPL)
Thomas, A.B. Trinity Church, Galt, Ontario, Centenary Souvenir 1844-1944. Galt, ON: C.E. Knowles Printing, c.1944. (CA, KPL)
Threinen, Norman J. Like a Mustard Seed: A Centennial History of the Ontario District of the Lutheran Church - Canada [Missouri] Synod. Canada: Valcraft Printing, 1989. (UW)
Tiessen, Paul, ed. Berlin Canada 1912. A Self-Portrait of Kitchener, Ontario Before World War One. St. Jacobs, ON: Sand Hill Books, 1979. Includes a reprint of the original. (KPL)
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shantz Station, Ontario. 125th Anniversary of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shantz Station, 1860-1985, 1985 (KPL)
Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg, Ontario. A History 1834-1984 of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hamburg, Ontario. New Hamburg, ON: Ritz Printing, 1984. (KPL)
Trinity United Church, Kitchener, Ontario. 1841-1991. 150th Anniversary of Trinity United Church, Kitchener, Ontario, 1991. (KPL)
Turnbull, Mrs. Bertram. S.S. No. 17, North Dumfries Township. History of the School and Village, Branchton, Ontario, n.d. (KPL, in WHS Collection)
United Brethren in Christ Church. Minutes of the Woolwich, Waterloo, and Berlin Circuits, 1816-1919. (KPL, in WHS manuscript collection)
________. Annual Report of the United Brethren in Christ, Waterloo Circuit, Ontario. For the year ending September 10, 1902. (KPL, in WHS manuscript collection)
Uttley, W.V. A History of Kitchener, Ontario. Waterloo, Ontario: The Chronicle Press, 1937. (KPL)
Vaudry, Richard W. The Free Church in Victorian Canada 1844-1861. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1989. (UW)
Wagner, Louis H. Diary, 1873. Wagner/Hailer Papers. Special Collections, Doris Lewis Rare Book Room, Dana Porter Library, University of Waterloo. (UW)
Walkington, Douglas. The Congregational Churches of Canada: A Statistical and Historical Summary, 1979. (UCA)
Wall, Donna, Dona Madill et al. Wellesley and Wilmot Amish Mennonite Cemeteries. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1992. (KPL)
Waterloo County Marriages 1858-1969. (KPL)
Waterloo Historical Society. Annual Volumes. (CA, KPL)
Waterloo Trust and Savings Company. A Guide to Waterloo County, 1967. (KPL)
Weber, Eldon. Waterloo County Deaths 1870-72. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1983. (KPL)
________. Waterloo County Births 1872-73. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1984. (KPL)
Weicker, Sam. "Strasburg German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Church Records." In Branch Notes, Vol. III, No. 7 (November 1975). Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1975. (KPL)
________. "Lutherans in Waterloo and Wellington Counties." In Branch Notes, Vol. IV, No. 2, March and April 1976, pgs 20-21. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1976. (KPL)
________. Lutheranism in Kitchener and Waterloo, 1985. (KPL)
________. "Cemetery Restoration: Strassburg Lutheran Church." In Branch Notes, Vol. XVIII, No. 1, January 1990, pg. 12. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1990. (KPL)
________. 1992 Evangelical Association, Elmira Circuit, Births 1874-1931 and Marriages 1879-1912. Translated and transcribed. Kitchener, Ontario, 1992. (KPL)
Weicker, Sam, comp., and Edward Kramp. Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Shantz Station, Waterloo Township. Kitchener, ON: Waterloo-Wellington Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society, 1982. (KPL)
Wellesley Women's Institute. Tweedsmuir History. (KPL, on microfilm)
Wenger, J.C. How Mennonites Came to Be. Elkhart, IN: Mennonite Board of Missions, 1977. (KPL)
Wesley United Church, Galt, Ontario. One Hundred Years of Christian Witness 1854-1954. Wesley United Church, Galt, Ontario. A Brief History, 1954. (CA, KPL)
Wesleyan Methodist Church. Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. Ontario Baptismal Registers 1853-1907. University of Western Ontario Regional Collection. (KPL, UCA)
Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada. Annual Conference Minutes. (CIHM)
White, Patty, and Janet Lienhardt. 125 Years: St. Clement's Church, St. Clements, Ontario, 1858-1983, 1983 (KPL)
Winterbourne Women's Institute. Tweedsmuir History, 1982. (KPL, on microfilm)
Wilmot Township. See New Hamburg-Wilmot Centennial Committee.
Witmer, Leslie D. Pioneers of Christendom in Waterloo County 1800-1967. History of Hagey-Preston Mennonite Church, 1967. (CGR, KPL)
Wittig, S.J. 90th Anniversary Booklet: St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Conestogo, Ontario, 1852-1942, 1942. (KPL)
Woolwich Ever Faithful Women's Institute. Tweedsmuir History, 1982. (KPL)
Woolwich Historical Foundation. The Heritage of Conestogo. Elmira, Ontario. Supplement to the Elmira Signet, May 31, 1988. (KPL)
Young, James. Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries. Toronto, ON: Hunter, Rose and Company, 1880. (CA, KPL)
Zinger, Joseph A., ed. St. Boniface, 1877-1977, Maryhill, Ontario. Maryhill, ON: St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, 1977. (KPL)
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. 1834-1984: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Agatha, Ontario, 1984. (KPL)
Zion United Church. Zion United Church 1839-1989, Kitchener, Ontario. Published for the 150th Anniversary, October 15, 1989. (KPL)
Guide to Location of Sources
CA: Cambridge Archives. 46 Dickson Street,
Cambridge, ON N1R 1T7; (519) 740-4610.
CBA: Canadian Baptist Archives. McMaster Divinity
College, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1; (416) 525-9140.
CIHM: Canadian Institute for Historical
Microreproductions. University of Waterloo Dana Porter Library,
Micro Room, ground floor; index is in the Reference Section. 200
University Ave. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1; (519) 885-1211.
CPL: Cambridge Public Library. 20 Grand Avenue
North, Cambridge, ON N1S 2K6; (519) 621-0460.
CGR Conrad Grebel College Library. Waterloo, ON
N2L 3G6; 885-0220, Ext. 239.
EPL: Elmira Public Library. 65 Arthur Street
South, Elmira, ON N3B 2M6;(519) 669-5477.
KPL: Kitchener Public Library, Grace Schmidt Local
History Room. 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON N2H 2H1; (519)
743-0271.
NHPL: New Hamburg Public Library. 145 Huron
Street, New Hamburg, ON N0B 2G0; (519) 662-1112.
PCA: Presbyterian Church Archives. Knox College,
59 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2E6; (416) 595-1277.
UCA: United Church Archives. Victoria College, 75
Queen's Park Crescent East, Toronto, ON M5S 1K7; (416)
585-4563.
WPL: Waterloo Public Library. 35 Albert Street,
Waterloo, ON; (519) 886-1310.
UW: University of Waterloo, Special Collections,
Dana Porter Library. 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L
3G1; 885-1211, Ext. 2619.
WHS: Waterloo Historical Society. The Society's
Collection is at the Kitchener Public Library. Contact the Grace
Schmidt Local History Room, 743-0271.
WLU: Wilfrid Laurier University Library. 75
University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C3; (519) 884-1970, Ext.
2222.
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