ARTHUR – The United Church of Canada is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, and the Advertiser will be featuring local United churches/congregations throughout the year.
Prior to the Arthur United Church building, there was a congregation.
In 1850, Arthur’s first school house was built, and presbyterians, methodists and English all used it for their services.
Four years later and Arthur would be served by a missionary from Mount Forest.
Rev. A.D. Miller arrived as Arthur’s first resident minister in 1867.
In 1892, the methodist congregation purchased the property on the corner of Tucker and Smith Street, which is now Highway 6, where the church stands today. At the time of the purchase, the land was being used as an apple orchard.
In 1899, the final payment was made with some records showing the total cost to build being $10,000 plus no mortgage was ever held on the building.
The Arthur Methodist Church became apart of the United Church of Canada in 1925.
The original building built in 1892 still remains and is maintained by church members with regular upgrades and structural repairs.
“When this building was erected it was the hub of the community, and most activities evolved around the church,” officials stated.
“Today, much has changed and we struggle to keep the doors open.
“Our faith is strong as it was in 1892, we just have less people to share it with.”
The church supports the community in many ways including youth groups, food bank support, mental health services and more.
The church’s mission is to have “open hearts, open minds, open doors.”
Services are Sunday mornings at 10:30am with summer services outdoors when possible.
