History

Midhurst United Church

Midhurst is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishnaabeg people and we acknowledge their stewardship of this land throughout the ages.

Exterior of small red brick church
Original Midhurst United Church

In the early 1820’s Oliver’s Mills (later renamed Midhurst, after a small town in England) was settled by English, Scottish and Irish emigrants.  They brought with them their many trades (farming, blacksmithing, carpentry, masonry etc.) and their Christian faith.  During the early years the people of faith were invited to hold services in the homes of the members of the community.

In 1854 a hall was built on the east side of the site of the old St. Paul’s Anglican Church property on Doran Road.  The settlers held church services here until the building of the first St. Paul’s Anglican Church in 1881.  Union services between Anglicans and Presbyterians were conducted until 1883 when the new church was consecrated.  At that time, the Presbyterians returned to the town hall to hold services until January 12, 1885 when a congregational meeting was held and a decision was made to try to build a church.  A collection that night raised $79.00 from 10 families and their 22 members.  It took 2 years of planning and gathering up the necessary materials.  The only materials purchased were cement and nails.  Mr. William Finlay gave a corner of his farm land for the Church site.

Under Construction -a building addition to a small red brick church
Construction of the new Sanctuary

The Presbyterian Church of Midhurst, a lovely frame building, later bricked, was dedicated on August 1887 by Rev. D.D. McLeod of Barrie.

In 1903 a manse was purchased from Alex Finlay.  The Presbyterian ministers (who served Midhurst as well as Minesing and Edenvale at the time) lived in Midhurst until 1918.  In 1918 the Midhurst manse was rented and later sold in 1927.

On June 10, 1925 the Methodists, Congregationalists and Presbyterians were united to form the United Church of Canada, thus our name changed to Midhurst United Church (MUC).

In our 106th year, On November 7, 1994 Midhurst United Church members worshipped in our brand-new sanctuary. 

Today we continue to enjoy worship services and maintain strong fellowship  connections through social gatherings, fund raisers and community outreach. We welcome and serve local and neighbouring, past and present, old and new family names of Midhurst. Some members of our current congregation are descendants of the early pioneers of Midhurst.

References:

Coutts, Helen. History of Midhurst United Church – a play performed March 6, 1987. unpublished manuscript, 1987
Midhurst Historical Society. Pioneer History of Midhurst 2nd edition. Midhurst Historical Society, 1975.

Ministers of Midhurst United Church

1882 – 1886 Rev. J. Geddes

1886 – 1887 Rev. J. Gilmore

1887 – 1888 Rev. T. McGee

1888 – 1892 Rev. H. Knox

1892 – 1894 Rev. W. R. McIntosh

1894 – 1895 Rev. H. Tinkham

1895 – 1898 Rev. W. W. Wallace

1898 – 1902 Rev. T. Paton

1902 – 1907 Rev. M. Robertson

1907 – 1908 Rev. J. McLean

1908 – 1915 Rev. A. Shepherd

1915 – 1918 Rev. L. H. Thom

1918 – 1922 Rev. J. A. Leece

1922 – 1925 Rev. S. J. T. Fortner

1925 – 1927 Rev. M. O. Price

1927 – 1930 Rev. A. M. Pope

1930 – 1933 Rev. G. G. Stotesbury

1933 – 1938 Rev. G. A. Cruse

1938 – 1941 Rev. F. W. Madden

1941 – 1951 Rev. W. R. Clements

1951 – 1957 Rev. J. S. Veals

1957 – 1959 Rev. J. L. Vinet

1959 – 1961 Rev. J. Robinson

1961 – 1962 Rev. J. Barnard

1962 – 1966 J. F. Bunner (student)

1964 – 1966 J. Cullen (student)

1966 – 1969 Rev. G. C. Weir

1969 – 1971 Rev. J. Firman

1972 – 1975 Rev. C Brittain

1975 – 1981 Rev. H. Kemp

1977 – 1980 Rita Chamberlain

(Diaconal minister)

1980 – 1981 Rev. R. Johnson-Kemp

1982 – 1987 Rev. D. Bish

1986 – 1987 Susan Butler-Jones

(Diaconal minister)

1988 – 1992 Rev. Michael Hermann

1992 – 1994 Rev. John Lawson (interim)

1994 – 2005 Rev. Peter Kingsbury

2005 – 2008 Rev. C. Heather Graham

2008 – 2010 Rev. Arch McCurdy

2010 – 2016 Rev. Audrey Brown

2016 – 2020 Rev. David Howes

2021 – Rev. Judith Visser