United Church, Change Islands

Contact: Services monthly in winter, bi-weekly in summer. Contact Sidney LeDrew (621-4421) for information Address: North Island Seal Harbour Road Change Islands, NL CANADA A0G 1R0

United Church

he United Church began on Change Islands as a Methodist Church. The records show that in 1841 the minister left Trinity and arrived in Change Islands to preach in a house used for religious services by some Methodist fishermen from Cupids. In 1847 a Chapel was opened on Change Islands by the Methodists people and in 1896 the foundation was laid and the building was completed a year later. The first service held in the new church was on October 18, 1897.

The first minister stationed on Change Islands was a Reverend Patterson who came in the year 1900. The parsonage was started in 1904 and completed in 1906, 2 years later, this building is now owned by Mr. Arch Moore.

Some of the important events in the history of the United Church in Change Islands is presented below:

• 1847 ~ Methodist Chapel opened.
• 1861 ~ The Methodist people of Change Islands had their first church erected.
• 1896 ~ The present church was erected. The old church was taken down and worship was conducted in the South side schoolroom until the new church was ready for worship. Rev. W.M Harris (1895 - 1897) was the Minister. The delicate patterns inside the church were hand carved by Joey John Taylor, which was done with a pocket knife.
• 1897 ~ The church was officially opened on October 18th, by Rev. Albert Holems. The money for the bell was given by Solomon Roberts, who was one of the first lay readers in the church.
• 1904 ~ The building of the parsonage was started and completed in 1906.
• 1925 ~ The United Church of Canada came into being on June 10, when three churches; Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian became one. This year we celebrate the 75th Anniversary.
• 1962 ~ The Ladies Aid and the Women's Missionary Society combined to form the United Church Womem (UCW).
• 1996 ~ The congregation celebrated the 100th anniversary of the church.

Interior view showing the front of the church

Interior view showing the back of the church

The pulpit