77 William Street - Parr Division
The Wesley United Church is a beautiful example of the Gothic style. Its plain gabled volume with simple lines, the massing of the steeple, the arch of the doors and windows, and the wood clapboard cladding are all excellent features that well represent the Gothic style.
The Wesley United Church is also recognized for its association with Methodist history in St. Andrews. St. Andrews was one of the first places in the province to receive Methodist preaching. As early as 1785, Reverend Duncan McColl worked in this area of the province. Rev. McColl did preach in St. Andrews, likely in one of the homes of his followers. Rev. McColl was the founder of Methodism in St. Andrews. He passed away in 1830 in St. Stephen, for which a church is named after him.
In 1830, a new Methodist circuit including St. Andrews, Bocabec, Digdeguash, and St. Patrick was established due to a rise of followers in the area. The first Resident Pastor, Reverend Henry Daniels, was appointed to St. Andrews, and work was quickly begun to build a place of worship. In 1831, land was purchased from John Mowat, and a first small (36ft by 42ft) chapel with classical lines was finished in 1832.
It soon became apparent that a proper Church was needed in order to handle the growth in Methodist followers. On March 21st, 1846 the Church had purchased property and a rectory from Samuel H. Whitlock that would serve as the location of the present Church. In the spring of 1864, construction on the present Church began, and it was dedicated on May 26th, 1867. One interesting feature of the building was the semi-circular pews, which was decidedly a great improvement over the old ‘box’ pews. The original chapel was later sold, moved to another lot, and used as a classroom for many years afterwards.
In 1876, the Methodist Church became a one point charge, and in 1888 a 800 pound bell was finally purchased and installed in the tower. The congregation throughout this time was not too strong, but life continued much as it had before. In 1925, the Methodist Church of St. Andrews became the Wesley United Church of the United Church of Canada.
In 1950, renovations were undertaken that affected the front of the church. Later in the 1950s, the growth of population in town, and subsequently of the congregation, brought up the need to build a new church building, particularly for Sunday School. After a bequest of some $2,000 was received, the Church decided to use the funds to construct a new Church Hall. Plans submitted by architect M. J. Barrett of St. John were used, and the construction was undertaken by Mr. Delbert Rigby. The addition was completed and dedicated in a service on December 30th, 1956. During this service, several noticeable donations were received, including twenty chairs from Lady Dunn (in memory of Sir James Dunn) and a pulpit by the Gibson family in memory of Flight Lieutenant Joseph Vernon Gibson who was lost during the War. In 1967, the Church celebrated its Centennial, and is still used by the congregation today.
The character-defining elements include:
Architectural Style: Gothic
Source: St. Andrews Civic Trust, John Leroux "St. Andrews Architecture 1604-1966"; Ronald Rees "Historic St. Andrews"
The Wesley United Church is also recognized for its association with Methodist history in St. Andrews. St. Andrews was one of the first places in the province to receive Methodist preaching. As early as 1785, Reverend Duncan McColl worked in this area of the province. Rev. McColl did preach in St. Andrews, likely in one of the homes of his followers. Rev. McColl was the founder of Methodism in St. Andrews. He passed away in 1830 in St. Stephen, for which a church is named after him.
In 1830, a new Methodist circuit including St. Andrews, Bocabec, Digdeguash, and St. Patrick was established due to a rise of followers in the area. The first Resident Pastor, Reverend Henry Daniels, was appointed to St. Andrews, and work was quickly begun to build a place of worship. In 1831, land was purchased from John Mowat, and a first small (36ft by 42ft) chapel with classical lines was finished in 1832.
It soon became apparent that a proper Church was needed in order to handle the growth in Methodist followers. On March 21st, 1846 the Church had purchased property and a rectory from Samuel H. Whitlock that would serve as the location of the present Church. In the spring of 1864, construction on the present Church began, and it was dedicated on May 26th, 1867. One interesting feature of the building was the semi-circular pews, which was decidedly a great improvement over the old ‘box’ pews. The original chapel was later sold, moved to another lot, and used as a classroom for many years afterwards.
In 1876, the Methodist Church became a one point charge, and in 1888 a 800 pound bell was finally purchased and installed in the tower. The congregation throughout this time was not too strong, but life continued much as it had before. In 1925, the Methodist Church of St. Andrews became the Wesley United Church of the United Church of Canada.
In 1950, renovations were undertaken that affected the front of the church. Later in the 1950s, the growth of population in town, and subsequently of the congregation, brought up the need to build a new church building, particularly for Sunday School. After a bequest of some $2,000 was received, the Church decided to use the funds to construct a new Church Hall. Plans submitted by architect M. J. Barrett of St. John were used, and the construction was undertaken by Mr. Delbert Rigby. The addition was completed and dedicated in a service on December 30th, 1956. During this service, several noticeable donations were received, including twenty chairs from Lady Dunn (in memory of Sir James Dunn) and a pulpit by the Gibson family in memory of Flight Lieutenant Joseph Vernon Gibson who was lost during the War. In 1967, the Church celebrated its Centennial, and is still used by the congregation today.
The character-defining elements include:
- temple massing with front central tower
- Gothic arch windows and doors
- buttresses
- circular windows in tower
- eave returns
- entablatures with returns
- wood clapboard cladding
Architectural Style: Gothic
Source: St. Andrews Civic Trust, John Leroux "St. Andrews Architecture 1604-1966"; Ronald Rees "Historic St. Andrews"
