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© Copyright 2008 by Memorial United Church, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland
Designed by RWR Webex, Grand Falls-Windsor
Memorial United is a congregation of the United Church of Canada which is the largest Protestant denomination in Canada, ministering to close to three million people in over 3500 congregations across the country. It is a rich history closely entwined with the development of Canada itself.
Memorial United is named in honour of the 15 fallen soldiers who served in World War I from our congregation at the time. See the links to the right for a read on each of these soldiers.
Thank you to Howard Barnes for his research and compilation of these invaluable documents and for writing the introduction.
2006 Our Centennial
Memorial United Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006 as a congregation in Grand Falls-Windsor. A special Centennial Committee was formed for that occasion. Click here to read about that special year for Memorial United.
The first structure was completed in 1911 with a seating capacity for 300. It was situated on High Street and Gilbert Street near where the former Blackmore Printing Company was later constructed.
Construction of the second building began in 1922 and was completed and opened on November 11, 1924. Some years later some modifications were made as can be seen by comparing the colour photo with the similar edifice black-and-white photo. (see below) With structural problems over 60 years later, it was decided at a congregational meeting held February 9, 1988, to take steps to replace the structure, and the building was closed April 11, 1988.
Our present church complex was officially opened November 11, 1990. The main sanctuary has a seating capacity of approximately 700 people including the balcony area on each side and at one end. This modern facility is wheelchair accessible and has a Christian Education Centre attached which provides space for youth activities and Sunday School and meeting rooms. It is adjoined by modern kitchen facilities. A Vestry and choir room are located at the rear while the minister's office, church office and nursery are along the front.
Rev. W.T.D. Dunn, D.D., 1914-20
Rev. Sidney J. Bennett, 1920-26
Rev. Wilbert B. Bugden, B.A., 1926-33
Rev. Sydney John Hillier, 1933-48
Rev. William Bartlett Perry, B.A., D.D., 1948-1950
Rev. Robert Bertram Green, M.A., B.D., 1950-1955
Rev. Alan James Barrett, B.A., B.D., C.D., 1955-1966
Rev. David N.L. Winsor, Not., M.Div., 1966-71
Rev. Wallace J. Baker, B.A., M.Div., D.D., 1971-1973
Rev. R.D. Tucker, B.A., M.Div., 1973-1979
Rev. H.F. Elliott, B.A., M.Div., 1979-1985
Rev. Lawrence C. Watkins, 1985-1992
Rev. John Van Gullick,
Rev. Leander Mills, C.D., B.A.(Ed)., M.Div., 1994-97
Rev. Ian March-MacCuish, Jan. 1998-June 1998
Rev. Bill Ford, June 1998-2003
Rev. Royden Reynolds, Sept. 2003-June 2004
Rev. Howard Crooks, B.A., M.Div., July, 2004-
Click here to see photos of past ministers at Memorial United.
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"A Century of Faith and Service"
As a centennial project, a booklet covering some of the highlights of the last 100 years at Memorial United was compiled and "launched" at the centennial banquet held at the Royal Canadian Legion Nov. 9 around the church's anniversary date, Nov. 11. The book was a labour of love on the part of many participants of the congregation, both in their literary contributions, and in manual labour of photocopying, binding and distributing. The book contains lots of pictures, depicting both the past and present, advertisements from local businesses who gladly contributed to the anniversary project, and information on the various items placed in the church (for example: the 13 stained glass windows) as a memorial to deceased loved ones. One interesting section of the book contains an extensive history of the 15 fallen soldiers, in whose memory our church was named. This section was researched and compiled by Howard Barnes with no small effort on his part.
This book is spiral bound and makes for an attractive gift for only $5.00. It is available at the church office Tuesday to Friday mornings, 8:30-12:00 o'clock.
The congregation acquired is first "real" pipe organ in 1930. The purchase price was $1500.00, and was installed for $1760.00 by Mr. Walter Vey, which included freight. It had been built by the Conacher firm in England in 1896 for Gower Street United Church in St. John's. The Conacher case is probably the oldest and finest piece of craftsmanship in our area. The wood work in the towers is all beautifully hand-carved. The decision of the church officials to retain it was a wise one, for in so doing, not only were dollars saved but, more importantly, a fine piece of history in a public place has been preserved. (The exterior casing of the Conacher organ is apparent in the background of the two choir photos).
By 1953 the Conacher had outlived its usefulness after being in service for 56 years. A Casavant organ from the firm of that name in Quebec was purchased at a cost of $14,200 (the replacement value of this organ today is in excess of $300,000). It was installed and dedicated on November 11, 1953, as a memorial to those of our congregation who had paid the supreme sacrifice in World War II. The Casavant organ was moved to its present location for the dedication of the new church on November 11, 1990 by Mr. Lester Goulding, assisted by Ray Rendell and Ralph Sweetapple. It is interesting to note the front exterior of the Conacher was moved and used as well. While the beautiful pipes are not functional, they do bring a sense of history with them, and have spared the church the need of an erecting an alternative exterior.
There are 22 Casavant organs in Newfoundland, the earliest (Opus 931) having been purchased by Holy Trinity Anglican Church, in Grand Falls-Windsor. Our organ is Opus 2182. It is a two-manual organ with pedals, making it a three-division organ. There are 994 pipes distributed as follows -- The Great Division, 401 pipes; the Swell Division, 537 pipes; the Pedal Division, 56 pipes.
>>For a complete read on the history of the national church and its formation, click here.
>>For a history of Methodism in Newfoundland and Labrador, Click here.
>>For our 100th Anniversary, Click here.
Company Sgt. Mjr. Robert Branfitt Porter
Lance Cpl. Oswald Raymond Goodyear
Around Memorial United
A Casavant organ provides music for services. Click here for its history. Click here for pictures (in background of choirs)
There are 13 stained glass windows in the sanctuary donated in memory of deceased loved ones. Click here
Also throughout the church there are various plaques and memorabilia that have been placed there in remembrance of past members. Click here
A complete list of burial sites at Memorial United Church Cemetery
Our History
Mrs. Hazel Giles was church organist for 50 years, retired from that position in 1976. A seat bearing her name was placed in the Music Hall of Memorial University as a tribute to her years of service at Memorial United.
LINKS
For most of the links on this page you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Use the link below to obtain this program, free of charge
Construction on Memorial United’s “new” church began in 1922, and was officially completed and opened Nov. 11, 1924 (note the entrance on right side)..
