History

Site Title

The history of Essex United Church has its roots in the story of early Methodism in Canada
Essex Centre came into being with the coming of the Canada Southern Railway in 1872
The congregation was founded in 1874 as part of the Canada Methodist Church
In 1876 the congregation (of seven families) built a building on Gordon Avenue- the site of where the Post Office stands today
This church was called Grace Methodist Church
On the morning of August 10, 1907, there was a terrific explosion in Essex the result of which left much the town in ruins including the Grace Methodist Church. The congregation met the next day and began to lay plans for a new church.
In October 1907, the site of the former Naylor Grist mill and first electric light plant was purchased for the new building

The corner stones were laid in a two and a half hour ceremony on Victoria Day, May 25, 1908.
The first service was held in the present church building on February 28, 1909
In 1925, the Methodist Church and Presbyterian Churches in Canada joined together
Grace Methodist Church was renamed Essex United Church at that time
In 1926, the building was renovateeed to inclue a new pipe organ (costing $7,200--todays value approx over $500,000!)
The organ is 27 stops over 3 manuals (approx 1800 pipes)
Also in 1926, the window on the front of the building was moved out and the balcony was placed between the two outside tower walls. Hence, the windows on the inside of the towers.
In 1958, the building wasexpanded with a new hall, classrooms, vestry, boardroom, and parlour.
In January 1976, a fire destroyed the nursery area of the building and caused extensive smoke and water damage throughout the whole building.

Interesting Facts

The cost of the building was $22,000
The area at the back of the church was for many years the Ladies Parlor- which was closed in by glass doors which could opended to hold over flow crowds at service
Originally the sanctuary was lit with 76 bulbs which were around the four arches (these were replaced with current lighting in 1951)
The bell tower is 59 feet high and contains the bell from the Caanda Methodist Church
The stained glass windows are:
North-The Good Shepherd
South-The Knocking at the Door
Front- The Agony in the Garden (currently out for restoration)