A Brief History of Wesley United Church, St. Hubert, P.Q.
September 1918 to May 1967 – Canada's Centennial Year
Contributed by Tom Wiley
Wesley United Church, St. Hubert, made its beginning in N.D.G. The building had originally been loaned by the Finance & Extension Board to the congregation of Wesley Methodist Church in N.D.G. This portable wooden building was used in N.D.G. until March 1918.
The building was delivered to East Greenfield on Thursday, November 20, 1918. It was ready for worship on Sunday, November 23, 1918, and was known as the church that “went up in a night”. A lean-to was added the following year to provide accommodation for a kitchen, a Primary department and a Pastor’s Vestry.
After investigation it has been established that through the efforts of a family who had been living in East Greenfield since 1914, namely Mr. and Mrs. Forshaw, and a few other residents, a piece of land was acquired in 1914 from Mr. John F. Campbell, the Real Estate Agent. Negotiations were carried out to have the building transported to East Greenfield from N.D.G. The actual “transfer of property” took place in September 1918.
On November 20, 1918, the portable Church was placed on a railway flat car and transported to East Greenfield Station on the Grand Trunk Railway line now known as C.N.R. From the railway station the building was transported up the field on a farmer’s hay cart pulled by two horses. This must have been quite a task for, in those days, there was no road; only a farmer’s path.
The few families who were living in East Greenfield were overjoyed with getting a little Church. They worked very hard to re-assemble the building. After the Church had been made ready for worship there was still much to be done. Chairs were picked up from homes and returned after Service; there was no stove, organ or piano. Winter was setting in and heating had to take priority. After a little while the congregation of the few acquired an organ and a good size Quebec heater. These were used in the Church for many years to come.
There is no history of a Minister or Lay Minister until 1920. Each in turn dedicated men of the congregation conducted the Service each Sunday afternoon. I would like to mention a few of these men: Mr. J. Briggs, Mr. Forshaw and Mr. Washer. Prior to having a Church the people worshipped in various homes. After the Church was established more people were coming to live in East Greenfield and a few more made the path a little wider until we had a dirt road. Because the Church was named Wesley Methodist Church, people started calling ht road, Wesley. To-day we refer to this road as Wesley Boulevard.
Some time during 1920, through communication with Greenfield Park Methodist Church, Rev. D. Lalonde, a French speaking Methodist Minister, was the first ordained Minister in our new Church. The Church was then called East Greenfield Methodist Church. A Sunday School was formed and classes were held one hour prior to Church Service every Sunday afternoon.
A sturdy pulpit was donated by Mr. James Keelty a cabinet-maker by trade and a devoted member of the Church for many years. The same pulpit is used in the Church to-day. Chairs were donated. The congregation was very happy to see what had been accomplished. After having been able to get the guidance of a Minister, Rev. D. Lalonde, three male members were designated to look after the work and worship for the Church.
A group of ladies, all mothers of young children, began to meet every Wednesday afternoon. From 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. We called ourselves the “Ladies’ Aid”. One of the ladies would become “buyer” and and she would shop at the wholesale warehouse in Montreal. Anything the other ladies required by the way of material for sewing and wool for knitting (there was plenty needed with little children), the buyer would get and we would pay a little extra. This is the way we started to get a fund together. There was not enough people in the community to have a ‘sale of work’ or Bazaar. During the next three years we went along slowly but always progressing a little. Because there were no roads and no electricity it was very hard going.
At times we were fortunate to get the services of other Ministers through the kindness of Greenfield Park Methodist Church. Winter and Spring weather conditions were especially bad: Very often the Minister could not get to us and we could not make our way to the little Church. At such times we would once more conduct Service in the nearest home until we could once more walk to the Church.
In 1925, after the union of different denominations into the United Church of Canada, our Church went United. The name was changed from East Greenfield Methodist Church to East Greenfield United Church. Our first United Church Minister was Rev. Dr. Locke. Dr. Locke had three charges on the South Shore: Greenfield Park United Church, St. Lambert Annex (“New Croydon United Church”), and East Greenfield United Church.
Our congregation was really happy for now we had a Minister who, weather permitting, was going to come every week. It must be remembered that at this time there were no automobiles and our Minister had to walk from the station to the Church in some very grim weather. The writer recalls one Sunday when it was so cold in the Church that the men folk brought the pulpit down and placed it beside the stove and one of the ladies hung her fur cape across the bottom of the window to break the draught from the Minister.
One had to have very strong faith to overcome the hardships of the weather during the early years of our Church.We had our first Sunday School Picnic in the summer of 1925. We went to Chambly Fort. We went on two farm hay carts along the Cote Noir Road and what a wonderful time we had! Cote Noir Road had a thin layer of black top most of the way. In September we all settled down again looking forward to opening our Church and Sunday School for another season.
In 1925 we had all the necessary vessels for our Holy Communion. We were proud indeed of this accomplishment. Some of these vessels are still in use today.
We had our first Church Christmas tree in 1925. Previously Mr. John F. Campbell used to have a Community Christmas Tree and gifts in the railway station building for all the children of East Greenfield. 1925 was a very wonderful year. We got the first electric light in our Church and in our homes. The Sunday School Picnic and Christmas Tree became an annual affair.
From 1930 to 1938 we had quite a number of Ministers and Student Ministers.During the 30’s many of our Church members, now unemployed, found it necessary to leave East Greenfield and this was a financial setback for our Church. The writer’s family was in this category.
After investigation it was noted that in 1940 the Title of Deeds for the Church land was acquired and given to Rev. Downing in the presence of Nathaniel Baxter (Trustee) and Mr. Duprais (notary) of Longueuil. During this period, it appears that East Greenfield had become separated from Greenfield Park. I do not know the reason.
After the Second World War many new families came to live in East Greenfield. Church attendance increased. The Sunday School had increased attendance. Unfortunately, we did not have a regular Minister. Periodically, a Minister would come to administer Holy Communion.Our Church Services were also conducted by Laymen Ministers and Student Ministers. These conditions existed from 1943 until November 8th, 1952.
Then a very dedicated man came and set the wheels of our Church in motion. He really picked up our morale. I am referring to MR. GEORGE BUSH. Through his guidance and love of God and his Church, the congregation became alive. Through the years that followed many necessary repairs and renovations were made to the Church. Our Sunday School grew much larger and we found it necessary to expand. A Congregational meeting was called to discuss what should be done.
It was decided to start a Building Fund. Several beautiful concerts were given by the Sunday School children and teachers. The United Church Women worked very hard. They held teas, dinners, bazaars and other forms of social recreation. The attendance at Sunday worship was very inspiring.
Early in 1959 after much discussion with the Church Board, Stewards and congregation, it was decided to arrange for a building – a Sunday School Hall. On June 8th, 1959, a contract was awarded to Millichamp Brothers of Croydon for a building fronting on Quevillon Street, East Greenfield. (Quevillon Street was formerly Gordon Avenue). The building was to be erected on land acquired in 1952.On October 4, 1959, our new and beautiful Sunday School Hall was dedicated in a service officiated by Rev. Frank Gilmore of Westminster United Church (Montreal), assisted by Mr. George Bush. A bus load of the congregation from Westminster United Church came out and helped us to worship and sing praises to God. Our first hymn was “NOW THANK WE ALLL OUR GOD, WITH HEART AND SOUL AND VOICES”. A very inspiring Service.
There were still numerous tasks, such as putting down tiles, to be done. But we were very fortunate to have dedicated man and women under the guidance of Mr. George Bush, men of the Official Board, also the United Church Women and Rev. Frank Gilmore, who worked tirelessly and put in many “work hours” and “know how” to bring the Church and Sunday School Hall to a proud and wonderful accomplishment.
Effective September, 1964, Communion Services were held under the guidance of Rev. David S. Fearon.
In 1966 East Greenfield United Church became Wesley United Church.Wesley United Church, Wesley Blvd., St. Hubert, P.Q. – the successor of Wesley Methodist Church, Notre dame de Grace, has contributed much to the community of East Greenfield.
To-day in the surrounding areas are to be found Members who have united with other Congregations.
1) The above details were recorded, at the request of Mr. George Bush, to the best of her knowledge, by Sarah-Ann Milligan (Mrs.) (D.O.B. 1894)
2) Recorded in 1967. Original copy in archives, Longueuil.3) Typed copy made June 19, 1978, from copy held by Anne (Milligan) Forster, at the request of Elders, Calvin United Church, St. Hubert, P.Q.