Melville United Church
Melville is a congregation of The United Church of Canada, which it describes as open and welcoming as Jesus was, regardless of age, race, class, gender, orientation, identity or ability. Its mission is to live as a loving, inclusive faith community that actively welcomes and responds to needs within and beyond the church, and it is working toward recognition as an Affirming Ministry.
Melville Church was formed on 13 October 1845, when the Disruption in the Scottish Presbyterian church reached Fergus: Rev. George Smellie, all but one of the elders and most of the congregation of St. Andrew’s left to form a Free Church congregation, named for the reformer Andrew Melville. Their first church, “Old Melville”, opened on 4 March 1847 on Union Street West near the present tennis courts and served for more than fifty years. Dr. Smellie remained minister until 1888.
The present church at the corner of Tower and St. Andrew Streets, built of Credit Valley stone, has a cornerstone dated 1899 and opened on 13 May 1900; its sanctuary holds the largest stained-glass collection in Centre Wellington. In 1925 the congregation merged with Wesley Methodist Church (formed 1852) as part of the union that created The United Church of Canada, and an education wing, Melville Hall, with its Wesley Chapel, opened in 1931. Doors Open Ontario credits the Sunday School Hall’s design to the Beatty Brothers, the town’s prominent manufacturers.
Melville describes itself as a multi-age community of faith. Alongside Sunday worship it runs faith-formation programs for children, tweens, teens and adults, a community garden, pastoral care and outreach, and it is pursuing Affirming Ministry status. The congregation has said its greatest struggle is maintaining its large heritage building, and it has explored repurposing under-used space in the education wing. Worship is in English.
What to expect
Worship blends traditional and contemporary prayers, presentations and music, following the Common Lectionary and social-justice themes, with hymns and songs accompanied by piano or pipe organ and a choir that sings through the year. Attendees receive a printed outline and information is projected; dress is 'come as you are', seating is unreserved and no contribution is expected. Kids' Church for ages four and up begins in the sanctuary before moving to its own activities, a nursery is available for younger children, and fellowship usually follows the service.
About this listing
This entry has not been verified with the congregation yet. Sources: melvilleunited.com, united-church.ca, doorsopenontario.on.ca, wellingtonadvertiser.com, centrewellington.ca. Something wrong? Suggest an edit.