KINGS UNITED
Pastoral Charge
HISTORY
HISTORY OF DUNDAS UNITED CHURCH
The first church was built in 1845 at Albion Cross by a group of pioneers with Presbyterian backgrounds that had immigrated from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. They had difficulty finding a minister and relied on supply ministers. On May 25, 1859, Dundas became a separate charge of the Presbyterian Church. The first minister to be inducted into the Dundas Charge was Rev. Allan MacLean in 1862. Over the years a larger church was needed. The construction of the present structure in Dundas began with lumber, money and much of the labour contributed voluntarily. The new church was dedicated in 1870. At first, there were no pews, but planks and benches served the purpose. It was several years later when the interior was completed. In 1882 Dundas and Cardigan were united to form one charge of the Presbyterian Church. In 1888 Dundas again became a separate charge. A manse was built close to the church and was first occupied in 1893. In 1898 the Annandale Presbyterian Church united with Dundas to form the Dundas-Annandale Charge. In 1925 the United Church of Canada was formed. The Bridgetown Methodist Church, formed in 1854, joined the Dundas Presbyterian Church in creating the Dundas United Church. A new manse was built in 1962 to replace the manse built in 1893. Dundas, Annandale and St David's United Church in Georgetown amalgamated in 1965 to form Central Kings Pastoral Charge. In 1974 Sunday School rooms were added and the pulpit and choir loft were given their present day appearance. In 1980 the church was raised to provide room for the construction of a basement. This provided space for a kitchen, washrooms, and a church hall. A piece was added to the West end to provide room for an entry and stairway. In August 1984 a lightning storm struck the steeple. The steeple was repaired and lightning rods were installed. Dundas celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1995 and got a new look with the installation of vinyl siding. In 2005 Dundas and Annandale United joined St James United (Souris) and Bay Fortune United to form Kings United Pastoral Charge. The congregation now lives and worships as one congregation, alternating services and activities between two remaining buildings-Dundas United and Bay Fortune United.
References:
A History of Dundas United Church by R.S. MacKay
The Next Twenty-Five Years by Mrs. Marion MacLeod
HISTORY OF ANNANDALE UNITED CHURCH
Grand River (Annandale) started out as part of the St Peter's pastoral charge but in 1872 a new pastoral charge was formed consisting of Grand River, Bay Fortune and Souris. A church building was used by both the Presbyterians and Baptists across the road from the former Annandale United Church. The Baptists moved and the building was moved as well. The Annandale Presbyterian church was constructed in 1880 and was opened for service in January 1881 with the official opening in February 1881. Rev. John Cameron was the first minister. In 1897 Annandale was joined with Dundas to make a separate charge. In 1925 Annandale Presbyterian became Annandale United when the United Church of Canada was formed. Dundas and Annandale joined St David's United, Georgetown in 1965 to form Central Kings United Pastoral Charge. In 2005 Annandale and Dundas joined Souris and Bay Fortune to become Kings United Pastoral Charge. In 2010 Kings United decided to worship out of two church buildings. Annandale United Church was decommissioned and sold. In May, 2012 it was moved about 1 Km down the road in Annandale and used as a private cottage.
References:
Writings from Melvina Blackett
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HISTORY OF BAY FORTUNE AND SOURIS CONGREGATIONS
The first protestant families to the Bay Fortune area came in the late 1700's and early 1800's. The first year of recorded services of public worship and the first Presbyterian minister inducted was in 1806. The exact date of the first church building to be erected is unknown but it was between 1811-1815. It was built on the same site as the present Bay Fortune United Church. Around 1834 a second Fortune church was built to replace the first. 1853 marks the first record of a congregation existing in Souris apart from the Bay Fortune congregation. The year 1858 saw the beginnings of Methodism in the area with an appointed minister. In 1862 there was no church building in Souris and Methodist services were conducted either in Knight's school room or William McGowan's carpenter shop. The Presbyterian's used Knight's school room as well. A church was built in Souris West where the Union Protestant Cemetery is today. It was decided that the church building would be a union church for the use of all protestants . Presbyterians and Methodists were the major partners although Anglicans, Baptists and Quakers lent a hand. In the 1870's the Methodist's felt the Union church was situated too far from where the majority of people lived and the Methodists were playing too small a role in the Union Church. In June 1873 they laid the cornerstone of the Wesleyan Church at Souris East. In 1875 the Souris Presbyterians completed repairs to the Souris West Union Church . The Fortune Presbyterian's decided to tear down the old church and build a new one. It was opened on November 28, 1875 and completed and officially dedicated on December 2,1877. It still serves as Bay Fortune United Church. In 1876 the Souris Presbyterian's decided it was time to move to a new building. In July the foundation stone for a new Presbyterian church was laid in Souris. A violent windstorm early in 1879 blew down the partially completed new church. The decision was made to change the site of the church to a less exposed place. The church was completed and opened on December 20, 1879. In 1889 a bell was placed in it's tower. In 1908 the church was given St James as the official name. On November 20, 1909 a fire damaged the Methodist Church in Souris. For the winter months they worshipped in the Baptist church that was vacant. On July 31, 1910 their church sanctuary was officially reopened. St James Church was remodelled and repaired in 1925. The gallery was removed and an addition was put on the front of the church to make a choir area behind the pulpit. In 1925 the Methodist, Congregationalist and Presbyterian Churches in Canada united to form the United Church of Canada. In Souris the congregation decided to use the Presbyterian Church as their new sanctuary and the Methodist Church as their church hall. In Bay Fortune there was only one church therefore they just had to change the name to Bay Fortune United Church. In 1973 renovations took place at St James including an addition of a full basement. The following year the church hall was sold. A basement was added to Bay Fortune United in 1984 giving it washrooms and a kitchen. In January 2005 Souris Bay Fortune Pastoral Charge amalgamated with Dundas and Annandale United to form Kings United Pastoral Charge. In 2010 it was decided to sell two of the four church buildings, Annandale United and St James United Churches. The congregation now lives and worships as one congregation, alternating services and activities between two remaining buildings-Dundas United and Bay Fortune United.
References :
Spencer, Jack. Our Corner of the Vineyard, A history of the Bay Fortune and Souris congregations of the United Church of Canada. 1806-1978.
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