Merlin Church, Kent County, Ontario, Canada

Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Fletcher Church (Presbyterian / United)
Merlin-Fletcher Pastoral Charge

Merlin Church
Methodist / United
Aberdeen Street, Merlin, Raleigh Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada

Minister: The Rev. Henry Marissen, B.A., M.Div. — 519-689-7285 or E-mail to 'The Manse'
Clerk of Session:
Chair of Officials:
Organists: Ruth Haddock & Tena Mifflin

Recent Activities & Concerns

[This section pending web page development.]

Historical Background of the Merlin ChurchThe History of the Present Merlin United Church The history of the present United Church in Merlin dates back to January 11, 1898. It was on that day that it was decided to build the Merlin Methodist Church. Mr. Edward Randall, a local preacher, made an offer that could not be refused. He would give a donation of $200 if a church costing not less than $4000 were to be built. Almost immediately several people got involved with a canvass for further donations. Within two weeks $3225 had been collected. A building committee was formed, and tenders were accepted for the building of the new church. After some deliberation, and with the influence of the Ladies Aid, a tender of $4500 was accepted. J. Mckerrall of Chatham became the architect and contractor. Where to build the church was the next concern. The problem was solved by a Mr. G.C. Marshall who offered the deed from the old mill site in return for filling up the old mill pond. This offer was accepted, and work began on the new building. On July 1, 1898, three corner stones were laid, and the building was in progress. The original contract did not include pews, and once again the influence of Ladies Aid became a deciding factor. Rather than straight plank pews, curved finished pews were installed at a cost of $200, making the total cost of the new building $4880. This included an acetylene plant for lighting. On November 21, 1898 the dedication of the church took place, with Rev. A.E. Baker of Park St. Methodist Church, Chatham, officiating. There was an service, as well as the morning service. The dedication services were followed by a great celebration the following evening with Dr. Samson of Windsor occupying the chair. On June 10, 1925 members of the Congregational, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches came together to form the United Church of Canada. It was at this time that Fletcher United Church was placed with Merlin United Church, along with Wesley United Church in Port Crewe, to form a three point Pastoral Charge. Port Crew is no longer part of the present Pastoral Charge. Some early pre-Union ministers: Rev. A.E.M. Thomson (1903-06); Rev. W.H. Taylor, (1908-09); Rev. A.H.. Brown (1909-1912); Rev. W.R. Vance (1912-16); Rev. Albert Walden (1916-19); Rev. S. Murray (1919-26). From the History of Merlin United church as compiled by Thelma Hawkes and Doris Paterson. Ministers of Merlin Church (Methodist) 1870 - 1871 Rev. Hubbel 1871 - 1872 Rev. David Hunt 1872 - 1873 Rev. Egerton Scratch 1873 - 1874 Rev. Albert Dickey 1874 - 1875 Rev. Michael Griffin 1875 - 1876 Rev. Thomas Collins 1876 - 1878 Rev. G. H. Fulcher 1878 - 1880 Rev. T. McCutcheon 1903 - 1906 Rev. A.E.M. Thomson 1908 - 1909 Rev. W.H. Taylor 1909 - 1912 Rev. A.H. Brown 1912 - 1916 Rev. W.R. Vance 1916 - 1919 Rev. Albert Walden 1919 - 1926 Rev. S. Murray Ministers of Merlin Church (United) 1925 - 1927 Rev. Sidney Davison 1927 - 1931 Rev. Joseph Jones 1931 - 1935 Rev. George C. Mitchell 1935 - 1941 Rev. Harry B. Parnaby 1941 - 1949 Rev. Arthur E. Doan 1949 - 1951 Rev. W. Gray Rivers 1951 - 1958 Rev. A. S. Trueblood 1958 - 1959 Rev. E. A. Poulter, supply 1959 - 1963 Rev. L. H. Turner 1963 - 1967 Rev. Colin B. Grassie 1967 - 1968 Rev. O. R. Flindall, supply 1968 - 1972 Rev. W. E. Aldworth 1972 - 1979 Rev. H. E. J. Moorhouse 1979 - 1983 Rev. Bruce Guy 1983 - 1988 Rev. Harley Moore 1988 - 1990 Rev. Vernon Bell 1990 - 1996 Rev. Lloyd Coates 1996 - .... Rev. Henry Marissen "E.&O.E." E-mail to 'The Manse' This page first placed on the Web 10 February 1997. Visitor # since 31 May 1997 Here ends the message of this web page. Below this point are maintenance and counter messages only. The messages are those of the provider, not ours.