ROCKWOOD – 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.
The early history of the Rockwood United Church building is mixed with the early settling of this district from 1792.
Settlers were arriving from Scotland and Ireland. “Saddle Bag” preachers rode or walked into the area and many were of Methodist background.
From 1830 to 1834 at least four branches of the Scotch Presbyterian church were established.
Quakers also moved in.
The first church on Harris Street was a Methodist Episcopal church, 1863.
It was held in the fourth house from the current parking lot, (Temperance Hall), for five years. Rent was $22 per year.
By 1856, Rockwood Presbyterian church began as a mission under the Wesleyan Church, part of the circuit from Guelph.
It met in the house west of the current building which was also the first post-office as well.
It was soon overcrowded. Time for a new building. There were twelve Sunday school teachers.
The circuit included Rockwood, Eden Mills, Everton and Dolmage (McNabb Farm), Arkel. There were services morning and evening, and sometimes three services.
In 1861, church was held in #4 Schoolhouse, Harris Street. The congregation grew and it was time for a new building.
The building fund had $544 in 1867, and the 100 square foot lot was purchased from Mrs. Collom for $100.
The complete building cost $950.
Rockwood United Church
It was a one-roomed building with four Gothic windows on each side, one at the front. The interior walls were wallpapered. It was heated by a wood stove. Two long stove pipes supported by wires and long hooks ran the length of the building. A wood-box was near the door.
On the back wall was a painted motto, “Enter into his courts with praise.”
Red matting was laid on the floor. A library was in a cupboard west of the pulpit. The pews were on either side.
In 1880, the church held its first annual meeting with 120 members. Volunteers provided wood for the stove and oil for the lamps to help with the debt load.
With foreign mission funds coming in 1885, the church bought a new organ and purchased property for a horse shed which is now the Day Hall site.
Depression years
From 1929 to 1936, some additions to the church include:
– small kitchen;
– vestry;
– choir loft;
– Sunday school;
– hanging globes; and
– a wooden sliding wall.
Although church givings decreased from 1937 to 1947, changes were still made including:
– reshingled roof;
– electricity rewired;
– sanctuary redecorated;
– insulation installed;
– parts of horse shed sold;
– new Hammond organ purchased; and
– new insurance policy.
Before Hurricane Hazel hit in 1954, the Rockwood church removed the sheds, added an addition to the Sunday school, purchased 18 blocks, and hosted film nights.
Fast forward to 1995 and the church would receive the two stained-glass windows on either side of the door, donated by the United Church Women and a Sunday school.
Other memorial windows in the sanctuary were donated by families.
In the same year, a fence was added to the sides of the building so buggies could unload safely.
The church’s wood stove was replaced by a new coal/wood furnace into the newly dug basement off of the narthex.
