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Central United Church |
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Central United Church was formerly known as the Scrope Street Methodist Church. It was located at Owen Sound. It was built in 18__, and opened on _________. Its street address was _____, 3rd Avenue East, circa ___. The telephone number c. 1937 was "1013-W", and after the dial system came along, the number was 376-2280. Its exterior was shown on some picture postcards in the early 20th-century. Its position will also be shown in the old fire insurance maps of Owen Sound. The brick church was later demolished and a retirement home called "Central Place" was erected there. It was known as "First Methodist Church" as well in its early history. A stone church was built in 1851 (the Deed was 1847?) It was built on a swampy, quicksandy sort of terrain, which caused problems for the structure eventually. In the early days, people attending the church sometimes had to resort to wearing tall boots or using a canoe to attend services there. On February 26, 1875, the Methodist church structure suffered damage from a heavy snowfall. Plans were made to replace the church after that. (Croft, Melba, FOURTH ENTRANCE TO HURONIA, p.136). In 1877, the main sanctuary was constructed. The yellow brick was obtained from _______. The architect was ___________. It opened for services on ________, 187_. Melba Croft notes in FOURTH ENTRANCE TO HURONIA that the BME church in Owen Sound (black citizens) were holding a "Milk Maids' Convention" performance to raise money. Many of the B.M.E. concerts (British Methodist Episcopal) were held at the Scrope Street Methodist Church, as their own hall was not large enough. Melba mentioned: "Negro soloists and choirs were always popular with their songs of early spirituals resounding through local churches and halls." She mentioned this in her 1890 section about Owen Sound's history. Melba Croft also mentions on p. 233 that Rev. Joseph Holmes had ministered at the Scrope St. Methodist Church since 1888. He was succeeded by Rev. ________, in 1__. The Meir family moved to the United States in 1892, and would later return to town. In 1892, Mr. Meir (George?) presented a set of "Love Feast" china to the Scrope Street Methodist Church (which later became Central United Church). He had obtained the china while he was travelling in England. (Croft, Melba, FOURTH ENTRANCE TO HURONIA). There was a teamster who hauled some whiskey from Meaford to Owen Sound for the Paterson Hotel. He stopped for a break inside, and unfortunately his horses decided to go home without him, but they turned too fast and spilled a quantity of bottles onto the lawn of the Scrope Street Church. (FOURTH ENTRANCE TO HURONIA) Rev. G. R. Turk of First Methodist Church conducted the funeral services for Mrs. Thomas Boardman in 1904. Mrs. Boardman died at Markdale, age 65. She had lived at Owen Sound and for 20 years had attended First Methodist Church. After her husband died, about 15 years previous to her passing, she had moved to Markdale. Rev. J. B. Clarkson, a former Pastor at First Methodist Church, died in Montreal in April, 1904. His obituary mentions his various postings. The Wilkinson family of Owen Sound were members of the Scrope Street Church. R. B. Wilkinson's family moved away c. 1912. His brother, Fred C. Wilkinson, a long-time shoe store owner/merchant in Owen Sound, served as the Church Secretary for a long time. Their father, Brigham Wilkinson, had been very involved in the Methodist "Wilkinson Class" in Derby Township in the 19th-century. A Second World War naval veteran, Elmer Stephen Brown, married Phyllis Neath at Central United Church. There is a binder of wedding announcements (Izetta Frazer collection) that could be browsed to see other weddings. |
