Elgin County
Places of Worship
Records Inventory
Southwold Township
Elgin County Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society
Published 2006
Churches in Southwold Township:
Fingal Anglican
First Southwold Baptist
Second Southwold Baptist
Iona Station Baptist
Fingal Baptist
Shedden Baptist
Grace Church, Shedden
Talbotville Baptist
Shedden Congregational
Frome Episcopal
Frome Congregational (United)
Fingal Methodist
Middlemarch Bible Christian
Middlemarch United Church
Fingal United Church
Frome Methodist
Shedden United (Bethany)
Lawrence Station United Church
Talbotville Bible Christian
Talbotville United Church
Lake Road Methodist
Southwold Station United Church
White’s (Mellor) Methodist
Muskoka Methodist
Free Methodist
Watson’s Corners Methodist
Iona United Church (Christian Fellowship)
McBride’s Presbyterian/United/Christian Fellowship
Knox Presbyterian, Fingal
St. Columbus Presbyterian, Fingal
Payne’s Mills Presbyterian
St. Paul’s Roman Catholic, Fingal
St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic, Port Stanley
St. John’s Presbyterian, Port Stanley
***
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Anglican
Name of Church: Fingal Anglican Church
Location: Lot 19, North Talbot Road [property possibly at 8100 Union Road]
Date of Formation: February 18, 1843
Date of Closing: January 28, 1872
Affiliations: St. Peter’s Church, Tyrconnell; Christ Church, Port Stanley (1861-68)
Records: see St. Peter’s Church in Dunwich volume
see Christ Church Port Stanley in Yarmouth volume
History: In the early days, Fingal was a rapidly growing village and was considered a good location to establish an Anglican church. On February 18, 1843 six acres of land, composed of a part of Lot 19 north on the Talbot Road in the village of Fingal was deeded by Col. Mahlon Burwell to the Bishop of Toronto. Of this six acres, one acre and a half was to be the site of a church and burial ground; three acres and a half was to be the site of a rectory with Glebe adjoining for the use of the Rector. The remaining one acre was to be an endowment exclusively for the benefit of the Bishop of the Diocese. A frame church was erected in 1844 and was used for worship services until St. Stephen’s church, located four miles west of Fingal, was opened in 1872. Services were conducted briefly by the rector of St. Peter’s church in Tyrconnell, but from 1861 to 1868 the Fingal church was served by Rev. James Mockridge of Christ Church, Port Stanley. Names of men actively identified with the work and worship of Fingal church during Rev. Mockridge’s incumbency were Eliphilet W. Gustin, John Partridge, John Thorn, Thomas Lawrence, John Orchard, Edward Potts, Edward Burwell, Hannibal Burwell and Edward McKay. For a time after Rev. A. E. Miller became incumbent of St. Peter’s church, services were conducted by him in the Fingal church, but with the opening of St. Stephen’s church for worship on Jan 28, 1872, services in Fingal church were discontinued. The Fingal church was rented for a short time to Charles Edmonds. Later, on Sept. 30, 1876, the whole church property was deeded to Mr. Edmonds by the Diocese of Huron, for a purchase price of $450.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Baptist
Name of Church: First Southwold Regular Baptist Church
Location: Lot 2, southeast corner, North Side North Branch Talbot Road
Moved in 1903 to village of Iona Station, 10096 Iona Road
Date of Formation: 1821
Date of Closing: 1903 (united with Southwold Second Baptist Church to form Iona Station Baptist Church)
Affiliations:
Second Southwold Baptist (1850-1903)
Dutton Baptist Church (1913-1924)
Sparta Baptist & First Yarmouth (Plains) (1958-1963)
Dutton Baptist (1963-present)
Records: The Canadian Baptist Archives list the following records in their holdings:
Minute Book (1820-1889)
The minute book is also found on LDS microfilm no. 0804328 (item3)
History: A deed dated August 29, 1844 exists for 3/4 acre in the southeast corner of lot 2, North west side North Branch Talbot Road, from Daniel McIntyre to the Trustees of the Regular Baptist Church – William Decow, James Phillpot & John Clark.
The church was officially organized on June 30, 1821 and was the parent of many churches including that of South Yarmouth, Caradoc, Chatham as well as the St. Thomas church. First meetings were held in homes and school houses, under the guidance of Elder Jesse Crandall. As the community grew, an old barn on lot 2 of Back Street was used for worship. In 1836, the first meeting house was built on the southeast corner of the same lot, not far from the cemetery. By 1863, the congregation decided to locate nearer to the village of Iona, and a new church was built on a lot purchased from John Decow. The opening service was held on Dec. 4, 1864. Meanwhile, during the 1850’s, a few of the members decided to form a second congregation north of Back Street on the Southwold-Dunwich townline. The site for their first meeting house was somewhere north of where Iona Station is today.
By 1900, the previously thriving village of Iona had given way to her new neighbour to the north, Iona Station. This was due to the railroads intersecting the town-line at that point in the 1870’s. As a result, in 1903, the First and Second Southwold congregations decided to unite, and a lot was purchased in Iona Station from John & Margaret Black of Los Angeles, California. The Iona building was then moved two miles north to Iona Station to its present site, and the congregation became known as Iona Station Baptist Church. The first worship service in the relocated church was held in February 1903. A basement was put under the church and the building was bricked.
Further history: “First Southwold Regular Baptist Church 1821-1902; Iona Station Baptist Church 1903-1965 – 145 Years of Service”, by Mr. J. M. Russell, 1965 (Elgin OGS has a copy)
Ministers:
Elder Jesse Crandall, 1821-1823
Elder Reuben Crandall, 1923-1825
Elder Charles Stewart, 1825
Elder Wm. McDermond, 1826-1830’s
Elder Jesse Crandall, 1836-1842
Dennis Burnett, 1842
William Gowan, 1842
Elder T. Mills, 1844-1846
Elder Wm. Wilkinson, 1846
Elder T. Mills, 1847
(no records 1848-1858)
Elder Duncan, 1857-1858
Elder A. Smith, 1858-1859
Elder T. Mills, 1859-1860
Bro. John Butler, 1860
Elder Thomas, 1862
Rev. Joseph Painter, 1863-1865
Rev. Robert Dunlop, 1866-1867
Peter Mulcahy, 1868
Rev. J. W. Clark, 1869-1870
Pastor W. P. Hazelton, 1872-1873
Pastor Cunningham, 1874
Rev. L. Randall, 1875-1878
D. Rees, 1878-1879
Elder H. Richmond, 1880
Rev. J. Gilmore, 1881-1882
(no records 1883-1885)
Elder Tinkham, 1885-1886
W. Mann, 1887-1888
(no records 1888-1891)
Pocock, 1891
Rev. E. S. Wilson, 1892-1894
Jas. Pollock, 1895-1896
Rev. J. B. Huff, 1897-1899
Rev. C. C. Anderson, 1900-1903
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Baptist
Name of Church: Second Southwold Baptist Church
Location: Lot C, Concession A, Dunwich (Dunwich-Southwold Townline)
Date of Formation: 1850
Date of Closing: 1903 (united with First Southwold Baptist Church to form Iona Station Baptist church)
Affiliations: First Southwold Baptist Church (1850-1903)
Records: The Canadian Baptist Archives lists the following records in their holdings:
Minute Book (1893-1901)
History: First and Second Southwold Regular Baptist churches amalgamated to become the Iona Station Bapist church in 1903.
Further history will be found in the listing for First Southwold Baptist church and Iona Station Baptist church.
The Second Southwold Baptist church will also be found in the Dunwich township volume.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Baptist
Name of Church: Iona Station Baptist Church
Location: 10096 Iona Road; east side of Southwold-Dunwich Townline 
Date of Formation: 1903 (from the amalgamation of First & Second Baptist churches)
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations:
Dutton Baptist Church (1913-1924)
Sparta Baptist & First Yarmouth (Plains) (1958-1963)
Dutton Baptist Church (1963-present)
Records: Minute Book (1916-1942) (at Canadian Baptist Archives)
History: see listing for First Southwold Regular Baptist Church.
Ministers:
Rev. C. C. Anderson, 1900-1903
Rev. James Cross, 1904-1906
Gilbert Lamont, 1906-1909
Rev. Arthur Hale, 1909-1910
Rev. T. Watson, 1911-1913
Rev. R. W. Kelly, 1914-1915
Rev. F. Oliver, 1915
S. Hamilton, 1916
Rev. Thomas Bingham, 1916-1917
various students, 1917-1918
D. Priddle, 1918
Rev. John Pollock, 1920-1923
(no records 1923-1925)
Rev. J. Proudfoot, 1925
Rev. George Creigh, 1927
Lorne Whittaker, 1928-1931
(no records 1931-1933)
Rev. J. B. Brown, 1933-1937
Rev. Fred Bennett, 1938-1941
(no records 1941-1943)
Mr. W. O. Cooke, 1943-1948
Rev. A. C. Campbell, 1949-1954
Vernon Kimball, 1955
Robert Giuliano, 1956-1957
Rev. Seymour Boyce, 1958-1963
Mr. John Russell, 1963-1965
Mr. Roy Latimer, 1965-1967
Rev. Charles Burtch, 1967-1972
Rev. E. A. Lorimer, 1972-1978
Rev. David Stamp, 1978-1982
Rev. Peter Burritt, 1983-1993
Rev. Stephen Self, 1995-2000
Rev. James Lewis, 2000-2002
Pastor Deane Proctor, 2002-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Baptist
Name of Church: Fingal Baptist Church
Location: 35778 Lanark Street, Fingal 
Date of Formation: 1845
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations: St. Thomas, Shedden
Records: The Canadian Baptist Archives lists the following records in their holdings:
Minute Book (1858-1883)
Membership List (1865, 1896)
The above minute book is also found on LDS microfilm number 0897914 (item 7).
Later records were lost, but records from 1922 are in local custody.
Contact: Dorothy Campbell, Church Street, Fingal (519) 769-2371, to view records
History: Fingal Baptist church was organized in 1845, and the congregation first met in the old school house on lot 17, north side of Talbot Road (now Fingal Line). The 1847 the congregation was recognized as a member of the Western Association of Baptist Churches. The Sunday School was started in 1855, and by 1858 membership in the church had grown to 106. Property was then purchased from Robert Blackwood, a Fingal merchant. A deed exists dated July 15, 1858 from Robert Blackwood to the Trustees of the Regular Baptist Church, Fingal, part of lot 19, Talbot Road North side. The trustees were George Wilson, Adam Burwell & Truman Hawly. A wooden building occupied the property, and was replaced by a brick building in 1869 under the direction of Rev. Abraham Duncan. In 1927 the congregation joined the Union of Regular Baptist Churches of Ontario & Quebec, and became a three point charge including Shedden and St. Thomas. In 1953, they joined the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada. In 1971, a tornado ripped through Fingal, resulting in serious damage to the church. The congregation rallied together and made the necessary repairs. Using leftover funds from insurance, in 1973 an addition was built at the back of church which included a large room with kitchen cupboards, two washrooms, storage room and furnace.
Ministers:
1845-1867 (unknown)
Rev. Abraham Duncan, 1867-1870
1871-1881 (unknown)
Charles Carroll, 1881-1882
Dam, 1882-1883
W. Phelps, 1883-1885
Ramsey, 1885-1888
Thomas C. Sowter, 1888-1891
W. Charlesworth, 1891-1893
Mr. Wilson, 1893
Burchess, 1893-1896
Adams, 1896-1897
Weaver, 1897-1899
Mr. McFadyen, 1899-1904
Mr. Salten, 1904-1906
Mr. Paull, 1906-1907
Mr. Gregory, 1907-1908
Russell, 1908-1910
Cain, 1910-1911
Richard Marshall, 1911-1912
H. Kedy, 1912-1918
J. Schultz, 1918-1922
P. Lockhart, 1922-1924
James Proudfoot, 1924-1930
George Creagh, 1930-1934
E. Buchner, 1934-1944
Birch, 1944-1948
Rev. J. I. Murray, 1948-1956
David Cole, 1956-1957
Bill Fynny, 1957-1958
Eustace Meade, 1958-1964
Gerry Rowe, 1964-1966
David Blayney, 1966-1968
Walter Siteman, 1968-1969
(guest ministers) 1969-1970
Vincent Bennett, 1970-1974
Maitland Jones, 1974-1975
Wayne Jupp, 1975-1977
Lorne Norton, 1979-1981
Joe W. Scott, 1981-1983
David Reid, 1983-1987
Wayne Prevett, 1987-1992
Robert Marcus, 1993-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Baptist
Name of Church: Shedden Baptist Church
Location: Village Lot 34, 35, North Side North Branch Talbot Road (35888 Talbot Line) 
Date of Formation: January 15, 1894 (possibly as early as 1879)
Date of Closing: May 1994 (sold to Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church)
Affiliations: Fingal Baptist Church (to 1927)
Records: no known records to 1900
-any existing records are in custody of Sharon Mallott, (519) 764-2152. The marriage register was given to Fingal Baptist church
History: Before establishment of Baptist churches at Shedden and Fingal, people went to church in a log house north of Fingal. Shedden Baptist church was dedicated November 1879. The church was used by a Congregational group for short time, then re-opened as a Baptist church in 1894. A deed dated January 15, 1894 exits between John Silcox, George Silcox & Francis Warren, Trustees of Congregation Church, and Thomas Orchard, Joseph Spackman, and James Campbell, Trustees of the Regular Baptist Church Home Mission, with a purchase price of $500. This deed must refer to the time when the church was re-opened as a Baptist church. There are no records prior to 1910, as the church clerk’s house burnt down. In 1910 a parsonage was purchased in Shedden on Union Road and was sold in March 1964. On November 13, 1927, the Shedden Baptist church withdrew from the Old Baptist Convention of Ontario & Quebec over a dispute with church doctrine. They united with the Union of Regular Baptist Churches of Ontario & Quebec. The church at that time was a joint charge with Fingal Baptist. In May 1943 the Shedden Baptist Church withdrew from the Regular Baptist Churches to have affiliation with Independent Baptist Churches. In 1953 they joined the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada and were still a Fellowship church when they closed. An addition to the church was finished in October 1965. Due to low attendance, the church was closed in May 1994. It was sold in September 1995 and opened as Grace Church.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Name of Church: Grace Church
Location: 35888 Talbot Line, Shedden (former Shedden Baptist Church)
Date of Formation: September 1995
Affiliations: Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church, London
History: This congregation purchased the former Shedden Baptist church in September, 1995. It is part of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and its sister church is Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church in London. The parent church is Pilgrim OPC in Metamora, Michigan. The pastor in 2001 was K. Dale Collison. The mailing address for the church is P.O. Box 55, Shedden, ON. N0L 2E0. Their website gives an elder’s name as a contact: Jim van’t Voort, (519) 764-2841 or e-mail [email protected]
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Baptist
Name of Church: Talbotville Baptist
Location:
Date of Formation: meetings held in 1825
Date of Closing:
Affiliations:
Records:
History: services were held in 1825 at the home of Joseph Lyons, Lot 48, East of North Street
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Congregational
Name of Church: Shedden Congregational
Location: lot 34, 35, North Side North Branch Talbot Road
Date of Formation: 1877
Date of Closing: 1890 (sold to Baptist church)
Records: no known records
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (Episcopal)
Name of Church: Frome Episcopal
Location: Lot 26, South Side North Branch Talbot Road
Date of Formation: December 30, 1865
Date of Closing: March 1912 (burned down)
Affiliations:
Records: no known records
See also listing for Shedden Methodist (now Bethany United) Church:
History: this congregation shared a church building with the Wesleyan Methodist congregation at Frome. See Frome Wesleyan Methodist for history.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Congregational (became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Frome Congregational Church (now Frome United Church)
Location: 
Lot 26, North Side North Branch Talbot Road
37694 Talbot Line; phone (519) 764-2006
Date of Formation: 1819
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations: Shedden (1908 – 1952) Southwold (1908 – 1952)
Southwold Pastoral Charge (Shedden, Frome) (? – present)
Records:
Baptisms (1908-1952)
Burials (1908 – 1952)
Marriages (1908 – 1952)
At the time of our original survey (1991), the above records were stored at the Manse in Shedden. They have since been transferred to the United Church Archives in Toronto.
See also listing for Shedden Methodist Church (now Bethany United)
The United Church Archives lists the following records for Frome Congregational Church in their holdings:
Minutes of Congregational Meetings (1880-1921)
Minutes of Look Out Committee (1893-1901)
Minutes of Sunday School Committee (1860-1872)
Rules and Regulations (1841)
Grave Yard Trustee Minutes (1883-1907)
Records of the Congregation (1860-1880)
The United Church Archives lists the following records for Frome United Church in their holdings:
Collection Book (1932-1978)
Some marriages from 1827-1843 are found on LDS Fiche number 6050356
History: The first Congregational church in Upper Canada (Ontario) was located at Frome, being organized in 1819 by Rev. Joseph Silcox, the local school-teacher. He rode on horseback over the townships of Southwold, Dunwich and Westminster, preaching in homes and log barns.
The first church at Frome was a log church and school house combined. It stood west of the present building, where the parking lot is now. Wishing to make it a community church, Rev. Silcox named it “The Indepents [sp?] Presbyterian Prince of Peace Society”.
The second church at Frome was built in 1842 on land on the front of the Silcox farm. A deed exists dated Feb. 22, 1843 for part of lot 27, North west side north branch Talbot Road, from Joseph Silcox to the Trustees of the Congregational church. It was a frame structure, and served the congregation until 1888. This building was purchased by Tom Firth and became part of his farm buildings, later the Roy Leeson farm. The building has since been torn down.
A brick church was built in 1888, with bricks from one of the Talbotville Methodist churches being used as a foundation, as it had been closed due to the union of the Methodist church. The new church was opened on November 14, 1888.
In March 1912, the Methodist church across the road burned down, and in 1913 the Methodist congregation joined the Congregational Church. In 1925, the congregation became part of the United Church of Canada.
Further history: -Frome United Church 150th Anniversary (1819-1969), history
(Elgin OGS has a copy)
-article in St. Thomas Times-Journal, July 23, 1955 “The Silcox Saga”
-article in St. Thomas Times-Journal, Nov. 16, 1957 “Events of Frome’s Early History are Recorded”
Ministers:
Rev. Joseph Silcox, 1819-1821
Rev. Joseph Silcox, 1829-1850
Rev. William Burgess, 1850’s-1860
Rev. John Durrant, 1860-1862
Rev. James Malcolm Smith, 1862-1867
Rev. John I. Hindley, 1868-1873
Rev. E. C. W. McColl, 1874
Rev. W. J. Cuthbertson, 1877-1880
Rev. Richard Vivian, 1881
Rev. William Henry Allworth, 1883-1885
Rev. William Henry Allworth Claris, 1885-1892
Rev. George Skinner, 1893-1900
Rev. A. B. Ross, 1902-1905
Rev. W. H. L. Marshall, 1905-1909
Rev. David A. Armstrong, 1909-1914
Rev. Matthew T. Walker, 1914-1919
Rev. William Cox, 1919-1923
Rev. Frank Purnell, 1924-?
Rev. Dr. John B. Silcox, 1926
Rev. A. E. A. Menzies, 1926
Rev. Fred Manning, 1926-1927
Rev. W. T. Eddy, 1927-1932
Rev. A. H. Plyley, 1932-1937
Rev. A. E. Hopper, 1937-1942
Rev. James Bright, 1942-1948
Rev. Dr. Max. Wm. Goodrich, 1948-1955
Rev. Erla Currey, 1955-1959
Rev. W. T. Eddy, 1955-1959
Rev. Thomas P. Moulton, 1961-1963
Rev. Charles Lewis, 1964-1965
Rev. Alexander Taylor, 1966-1972
Rev. T. Mitchell, 1972-1978
Rev. A. E. Loree, 1978-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist
Name of Church: Fingal Methodist
Location: Lot 11, South Side Talbot Road East (on site of present Fingal Cemetery)
Date of Formation: 1898
Date of Closing: November 1912
Records: no known record
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Bible Christian
Name of Church: Middlemarch Bible Christian (became Methodist church in 1882)
Location: Lot 33, North Side Talbot Road East
Date of Formation: June 3, 1879
Date of Closing: 1882
Affiliations: Talbotville (1879-1882)
Records: no known records
History: see listing for Middlemarch Methodist church, and Talbotville Bible Christian church
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Middlemarch Methodist (later United Church of Canada)
Location: Lot 33, North Side Talbot Road East
Date of Formation: 1882
Date of Closing: 1954
Affiliations: Fingal (1882-1954)
Southwold (1908 – 1954)
Iona (1908 – 1954)
Records:
Baptisms (1909-1954)
Marriages (1908-1954)
Burials (1909-1954)
The above records are believed to be stored at Fingal United Church. Researchers are advised to telephone the church (769-2302) and leave a message.
History: This congregation actually had its beginning as early as 1879 when Bible Christian readers came from Talbotville and held meetings in the schoolhouse and at homes. It was decided to build a church, and land was donated by Peter Smoke and his son Caleb. It became a Methodist church in 1882, and became affiliated with Fingal. In 1907, a cyclone blew out both end walls of the church, and the church was rebuilt.
By 1954, the congregation had become so small that it was decided to close the church, and the members went to Fingal church. The church was sold in 1956 to Mr. H. Duff
– see also history of Talbotville Bible Christian church
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Fingal United Church
Location: 35832 Fingal Line 
Mailing address: Fingal Pastoral Charge, Box 56, Fingal, ON N0L 1K0
Phone & fax (519) 769-2302; e-mail: [email protected]
Date of Formation: 1856
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations: Iona (c1939-1964)
Middlemarch ( -1954)
Port Stanley and Dexter (1964 – )
Records:
Baptisms (1909-1958)
Marriages (1908-1957)
Burials (1909-1958)
The above records are believed to be stored at the church. Researchers are advised to telephone the church and leave a message.
A fire destroyed the parsonage and its contents including the church records in 1898.
The United Church Archives lists the following records for Fingal Methodist/Presbyterian/United Church in their holdings:
Minutes of Session, St. Columbus Church (Presbyterian), 1865-1869
Minutes of the Quarterly Official Board (Methodist), 1879-1911
Missionary Subscription List (Methodist), 1907-1925
History: Three branches of the Methodist church were in existence in Fingal at one time – the Bible Christian, the Wesleyan Methodist, and the Episcopal Methodist.
The original Wesleyan Methodist church was built in 1856, and served the congregation for several years, until it became too small. The building was sold to the School Trustees. The Methodists then used the church built by the “Old Kirk” congregation, and in 1878, the present church was built on a large lot on Talbot Street.
A deed exists dated Dec. 4, 1860 for 1/4 acre, part of lot 18, Talbot Road north side, from Levi Fowler to the Trustees of Fingal Wesleyan Methodist church.
Another deed exists dated Aug. 9, 1867 for property in lot 18, South Talbot Road from Sarah Casey, heir of George Elliott, to Levi Fowler, Amasa Wood, Samuel Tubby, Thomas Humphries, John Conn, Daniel Axford & Rufus Bissell – Trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Fingal. Fingal church was associated with Iona United Church for 25 years. In 1964, Iona joined the Southwold charge, and Fingal became part of the Port Stanley and Dexter charge. Middlemarch was also a part of the Fingal charge, but ceased to be a congregation in 1954, when the church closed.
Ministers:
Rev. Matthew Swan, 1856
Rev. Luther O. Rice, 1874
Rev. Thomas Crews
Rev. Wm. E. Walker
Rev. Joseph Shepley
Rev. Andrew Edwards
Rev. James Harris
Rev. Hugh T. Crossley
Rev. Jasper Wilson
Rev. George Ferguson
Rev. George Daniel
Rev. Wm. Sparling
Rev. James Hazelwood
Rev. James H. McCartney
Rev. G. W. Dean
1880-1909 not available
Rev. J. W. Pring
Rev. A. R. Johnstone
Rev. A. W. McKibbin
Rev. A. R. Kellan
Rev. James Anthony
Rev. E. S. Hissocks, 1933
Rev. T. C. Wilkinson, 1935
Rev. D. W. Pomeroy, 1938
Rev. J. A. McKim, 1943
Rev. E. A. Poulter, 1945
Rev. W. Killan, 1950
Rev. H. A. Bunt, 1951
Mr. Harvey Sparling, 1954
Mr. Marvin Streich, 1956
Rev. Morley Colling, 1957
Rev. W. P. Smetheram, 1964-1967
Rev. Stanley Shippey, 1967-1968
Rev. W. Edgar Gill, 1968-1972
Rev. Karl Sievert, 1972-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (Wesleyan)
Name of Church: Frome Methodist
Location: Lot 26, South Side North Branch Talbot Road 
Date of Formation: December 30, 1865
Date of Closing: March 1912 (church burned)
Affiliations: Southwold Station (1886-1912)
Iona (1886-1912)
Lawrence Station (1886-1912)
Joined Congregational Church at Frome in 1913
Records: no known records
See also listing for Shedden Methodist (now Bethany United) Church
History: The land for this church was purchased from John Sutton on Dec. 30, 1865, being one-tenth of an acre, for one dollar. The elders were Thomas Sharon, Hugh Sharon, John Egan, John Lewis, John Sutton, and Sturgeon Sharon. These elders represented both the Wesleyan and Episcopal Methodist congregations, and the church was used by both groups, on alternate Sundays.
By 1886 the Frome Methodist Church was on the Shedden Circuit with Southwold Station, Iona, and Lawrence Station. The church was destroyed by fire in March 1912, and the congregation joined with the Frome Congregational church.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (Episcopal) [became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Shedden Methodist (now called Bethany United Church)
Location: Lot 15, North Side North Branch Talbot Road 
35764 Talbot Line
Mailing address: Southwold Pastoral Charge, Box 59, Shedden, ON N0L 2E0. Phone (519) 764-2468; fax (519) 769-2161
E-mail contact, Ruby Silcox: [email protected]
Date of Formation: 1811
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations: Frome (1887-1912)
Southwold Station or Hunt’s (c1887-1925)
Iona (c1887-1919)
Lawrence (c1887-1925)
Shedden Pastoral Charge (includes Frome, Southwold, Shedden, Lawrence Station, McBride’s, Cowal) (1964-1966)
Southwold Pastoral Charge (Shedden, Frome) (? -present)
Records: Baptisms (1908-1952)
Burials (1908-1955)
Marriages (1922-1955)
At the time of our original survey (1991), these records were stored at the Manse in Shedden. The records have since been transferred to the United Church Archives in Toronto.
The United Church Archives lists the following records for Shedden United Church in their holdings:
Board and Committee Minutes (1922-1964)
Woman’s Association Minutes (1956-1961)
Woman’s Missionary Society Minutes (1960-1961)
United Church Women minutes (1962-1965)
The United Church Archives lists the following records for Bethany United Church, Shedden, in their holdings:
United Church Women minutes (1966-1973; 1973-1984)
Also at the United Church Archives are records for Southwold Pastoral Charge, including Lawrence Station, McBride’s, Cowal, Shedden & Frome:
Baptisms (1899-1970; 1953-1990)
Marriages (1933-1965; 1956-1990)
Burials (1955-1990)
Communion Roll (1926-1965)
Christian Education Committee minutes (1968-1988)
Official Board Minutes (1922-1964)
History: The first Methodist church services in this community were held about 1811 in a log barn loaned by Peter Sutton. Following a revival service at which over one hundred people were converted and joined the church, preparations began for the building of a church
Peter Sutton donated a site for this church on the outer south-west corner of the village of Shedden and the church was built about 1837 or 1838. It was known as the Methodist Episcopal Church. Preparations began for the building of the present brick church in 1885 and it was dedicated in 1886. A deed exists dated July 31, 1886 for part of lot 15, from Mary Ann Shaw to the Trustees of Shedden Methodist church. At this time, Shedden Circuit had two preaching places, Frome and Shedden. Later, Iona, Lawrence and Hunt’s (later called Southwold Station) were added.
In 1919, Iona became attached to Fingal, leaving Shedden, Lawrence Station and Southwold a three point charge. In 1925, Lawrence joined McBride’s and Cowal, and Frome was added to Shedden and Southwold.
In 1964 a new pastoral charge was formed, including Shedden, Frome, Iona, McBride’s and Lawrence Station. The United Churches at Iona and McBrides closed in 1965.
Woodview United Church at Lawrence Station was closed in 1966 and joined with Shedden to form a new congregation. In 1968 the name Bethany United Church, Shedden, was chosen.
Further history: – 175th anniversary history (Elgin OGS has a copy)
– article in Dutton Advance, June 14, 1961 re 75th anniversary
Ministers:
Rev. R. Thompson, 1887-1889
Rev. Mr. Staples, 1889-1891
Rev. M. Briers, 1891-1893
Rev. Mr. Barltrop, 1893-1895
Rev. C. Deacon, 1895-1897
Rev. J. Henderson, 1897-1900
Rev. Mr. Waddell, 1900-1904
Rev. Mr. Nethercott, 1904-1907
Rev. Mr. Thibaudeau, 1907-1910
Rev. A. E. Moorhouse, 1910-1913
Rev. Mr. Taylor, 1913-1915
Rev. I. W. Kilpatrick, 1915-1919
Rev. E. Matthews, 1919-1920
Rev. J. Millian, 1920-1921
Rev. P. E. James, 1921-1925
Rev. F. Manning, 1925-1927
Rev. W. T. Eddy, 1927-1933
Rev. A. H. Plyley, 1933-1937
Rev. A. E. Hopper, 1937-1944
Rev. J. Bright, 1944-1948
Dr. M. W. Goodrich, 1948-1954
Rev. Erla Currey, 1955-1959
Rev. W. T. Eddy, 1959-1963
Rev. T. P. Moulton, 1963-1965
Rev. C. Lewis, 1966-1972
Rev. Alex Taylor, 1966-1972
Rev. T. Mitchell, 1972-1978
Rev. A. E. Loree, 1978-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (Wesleyan) [became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Miller Church and Woodview Church (Also known as Lawrence Station)
Location:
Miller – South Part Lot 12, Concession 1
Woodview – South Part Lot 12, Concession 2
Date of Formation:
Miller – 1867
Woodview – 1885
Date of Closing: Miller – 18 Woodview – 1966
Affiliations:
Fingal (1867-1919?)
Iona (1868-1919?)
Muskoka (1867-1868)
Southwold Station (1868-1925)
Shedden & Frome
Shedden Circuit (including Shedden, Southwold, Lawrence (1919-1925)
Cowal, McBride & Lawrence (1925- )
Southwold Charge (Lawrence, Frome, Shedden, Iona, McBride’s)
Records: Baptisms (Dec. 1899-1964)
Marriages (1907-1955)
Burials (1907-1955)
Records for the Southwold Pastoral Charge (Lawrence, McBride’s & Cowal):
Baptisms (1966-1970)
Burials (1958-1967)
Marriages (1933-1965)
At the time of our original survey (1991), the above records were stored in the Manse at Shedden. They have since been transferred to the United Church Archives in Toronto.
The United Church Archives lists the following records for Woodview United Church, St. Lawrence Station (including Lawrence Methodist Church):
Session Minutes (1877-1894)
Session Minutes (1939-1961)
Marriage Register (photocopy) 1897-1933 (Lawrence Stn. Pastoral Chg)
Congregational Minutes (1926-1965)
Manse Committee Minutes (1950-1963)
Deed (1880)
Sunday School Minutes (1930-1963)
Correspondence regarding Sale (1966)
Manse Fund Financial Records (1953-1964)
-see also Southwold Pastoral Charge, under Bethany United Church
History: Church services were first held in homes, but by 1865, a fund for building a church was begun. In 1867-1868, a church was built on land donated by William Irvine on lot 12, Concession 1 and a Wesleyan Methodist congregation was formed. This was known as Miller’s Church, and later joined with Fingal. A deed exists dated Sept. 9, 1868 for ½ acre, in the south corner of lot 12, concession 1, from Thomas Irvine to the Trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist church – Henry Miller, Robert Miller, William Miller, Francis Irvine, John Miller, Joseph Ibbotson & Amasa Wood.
In 1885 a new church was erected on land donated by John Killens at Lawrence Station. The deed is dated June 18, 1885 for part of the southeast quarter of lot 12, concession 2 from John Killens to the Trustees of the Methodist Church in Canada. The church was named Woodview, after Amasa Wood, who donated funds liberally.
In 1966, Lawrence Church closed, and the congregation joined with Shedden, which renamed its church Bethany United Church Shedden in 1968.
Further history: – article in Dutton Advance, June 22, 1966 re church closing
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Bible Christian
Name of Church: Talbotville Bible Christian
Location: Lot 43, South Side Talbot Road North Branch (site of present Talbotville cemetery)
Date of Formation: 1876
Date of Closing: 1885 (united with Methodist Church)
Affiliations: Middlemarch (1879-1882)
Records: no known records
History: At Talbotville, in Southwold Township, the congregation was started in 1876. To understand the politics found even in Christian congregations, one must have all the facts. In 1874, the Methodists held their first attempt at unifying the various Methodist branches, without much success. However, here and there a few New Connexions congregations and a few Bible Christian congregations took the offer. These were struggling congregations who could see no way out from under their debt (those with a mortgaged chapel) or who could see no way of ever affording the luxury of even a tiny chapel.
The Bible Christian congregation at Talbotville were among those who joined this first union, along with the local New Connexions congregation. But differences soon arose ……
In the book, The Families of Five Stakes: The History of Talbotville Royal, 1811-1851, by Morley Thomas, we find this reference…..
“Then, in 1876, many members withdrew from the church ….. and built a Bible Christian Church near the site of the present Talbotville Cemetery. In 1878, a new brick church was built by the Methodists on Lot 41 East and a few years later, in 1884, the congregations were reunited. This [1878] church still serves as the Talbotville United Church of Canada. The Bible Christian church on the Back Street was taken down and the materials were used to build a Congregationalist church at Frome”
The Bible Christian Property Book tells us that this chapel was 30 feet by 44 feet and was of brick construction.
In the book, Historical Sketch of the Talbotville United Church, by Rev. J.W. Hedley, 1938,
Talbotville Bible Christian, continued:
comes this further information…… “ [The Bible Christian congregation] used as a parsonage the house enlarged and now occupied by Mr. Lewis Jones.”
According to the Property Book, the parsonage measured 28 feet by 24 feet with a kitchen wing 16 feet by 22 feet. It was a frame house built in 1879. The chapel and the parsonage do not seem to be on the same parcel of land.
“A deed was found for a lot in the north part of Lot 40 south side of the North Branch Talbot Road, dated April 12, 1876, from Richard B. Nicoll to the trustees of the Bible Christian church.”
The lot by the cemetery where the church was located was Lot 43, south side of the North Branch Talbot Road. Based on 200 acres per lot, that would be 3/4 to 1 mile further along the road from Lot 40. This deed may be for the land where the parsonage was built.
The Bible Christian Property Book lists a second chapel on this circuit, on Front Street.
“A Bible Christian church was located in the community of Middlemarch, also in Southwold township. Bible Christian preachers and lay-preachers came out to this community and held meetings in the schoolhouse and in homes. It was decided to build a church, and land was donated by Peter Smoke & his son Caleb. This was on lot 33, North Side Talbot Road East. (The Talbot Road was also known in various places as The Front Road, and in Middlemarch they called it Front Street.) The congregation was formed on June 3, 1879, and became part of the Methodist church in 1884, when it was linked with the Fingal circuit. It was later part of the Southwold & Iona charge, along with Fingal. In 1907 a cyclone blew out both end walls of the church, but it was rebuilt. The church was closed in 1954 and sold in 1956 to Mr. H. Duff to be converted into a chicken hatchery.”
This chapel was a small brick structure, 26 feet by 40 feet, built in 1879.
Further information from Sim’s, History of Elgin County, tells us the preachers from Talbotville boarded with Thomas Futcher when they came over to Middlemarch. Also from this book, we find that John Curtis and John Stubbs teamed the lumber for the chapel from Lambeth and London, and that the church was erected with a “bee”.
Preachers to serve this circuit include:
1877 – Francis Metherall Whitlock (son of Jesse Whitlock)
1878 – Richard Mallett and Daniel Williams (with St Thomas)
1879 – Richard Mallett (with St. Thomas)
1880-82 – J.H. Rice
1883 – Samuel J. Allin
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (New Connection) [became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Talbotville Methodist (now Talbotville United)
Location:
Lot 47, North Talbot Road 
10734 Sunset Road (Highway 4)
Mailing address: Suburban Pastoral Charge, General Delivery, Talbotville,
N0L 2K0. Phone: (519) 633-7325; Fax: (519) 633-4830
E-mail: [email protected]
Date of Formation: 1825
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations: Gore School or Hunt’s (1853)
Paynes (1853)
Townline (1886 – )
Yarmouth Centre & Townline (Suburban Pastoral Charge)
Records: Baptisms (1900-1969) (May 11, 1941 – present)
Marriages (Dec. 9, 1896-June 27, 1936; 1969 – present)
Burials (1900-1969; 1970 – present)
Official Board Minutes (May 14, 1945 – June 16, 1982)
Congregational Meeting Minute Book (Jan. 31, 1987 – present)
United Church Women Register (1954 – )
The above records are located at the church office of Talbotville United Church
The United Church Archives lists the following records for Talbotville Methodist New Connection/Methodist/United Church in their holdings:
Official Board Minutes (1847-1917)
Baptisms (St. Thomas Circuit) (1844-1850)
Records of Talbotville Methodist Church (1845-1875)
Records of Talbotville Methodist Church (1859-1895)
Records of Talbotville Methodist Church (1892-1925)
Records of Talbotville United Church (1909-1931)
Membership Register (1877-1914)
Adult Bible Class Attendance (1909-1929)
Secretary’s Book (1913-1918)
Ladies’ Aid Minutes (1892-1931)
Baptisms (1845-1850) have been transcribed and published in Middlesex County Marriages & Baptisms, 1848-1858, by Dan Walker & Fawne Stratford Devai.
History: In 1844 a parcel of land was purchased and a frame church was built. A deed exists dated Oct. 29, 1843 for property in the northwest corner of lot 41, east side Talbot Road North Branch, from Isaac Bowlby to the Trustees of the Canadian Wesleyan Methodist New Connection. The frame church was later moved to the farm of Mr. F. Hellka. A new church was built in 1878. The Talbotville congregation was associated with the New Connection branch of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The first minister recorded is Rev. Edward Baillie in 1844. In 1859 the name of the circuit was changed from St. Thomas circuit to the Talbotville circuit. In 1886 the circuit was formed with only Talbotville and Townline church. In 1884 the union of the Primitive, Episcopal and Bible Christian churches resulted in the Methodist church being formed.
In 1945, Talbotville, Yarmouth Center and Townline formed the St. Thomas Suburban Charge. In 1954, Talbotville and St. Andrews formed a charge. In 1958, the St. Thomas Suburban charge was once again formed. In 2000, a 3/4 acre parcel of land was added to the back of the church. Improvements consisted of drainage, gravel, fencing and signs.
Note: The United Church Archives lists a Talbotville Primitive Methodist congregation that was part of the London Primitive Methodist Circuit (1854-1884). It is not known if there was ever a church erected for this congregation at Talbotville. The records are listed under King Street Primitive Methodist Church in London, and may include references to Talbotville, as follows:
Baptisms (1861-1879)
Minutes Quarterly Board, London Mission Circuit (1854-1869; 1879-1884)
Pew Rent Books (1866-1874; 1868)
Accounts (1876-1877)
Trustee Minutes (1860-1864)
Ministers:
Mr. T. W. Jackson, 1877-1880
Edwin Holmes, 1880-1881
Daniel Thompson, 1881-1883
Joseph Ward, 1883-1884
Joseph Philp, 1884-1885
Robert Parsons, 1885-1888
Edward Kershaw, 1888-1891
John Yelland, 1894-1895
David Rogers, 1895-1897
Thomas Sanderson, 1897-1901
Charles C. Cousens, 1901-1904
Redmond, 1904-1908
F. Sutcliffe, 1908-1911
John Holmes, 1911-1914
John Mahan, 1914-1916
John Kennedy, 1916-1919
M. Colling, 1919-1920
M. Keys, 1920-1924
L. Couzens, 1924-1927
C. Copeland, 1927-1929
J. Bridgette, 1929-1936
Thomas Sawyer, 1936-1937
W. Hedley, 1937-1940
Harry Royle, 1940-1945
Angus Tayloe, 1945-1949
Scot Milly, 1949-1952
Currie Winlaw, 1953
Mervyn Wright, 1954-1957
Charles Perkins, 1957-1958
Pease, 1958
C. Copeland, 1958-1959
George Shields, 1959-1969
Barry Thomas, 1969-1974
Wm. Smetheran, 1974-1975
Russell Cook
Willi Kammerer, 1975-1978
Isgani Lazaro, 1978-1982
Joe Campbell, 1982-1985
Roger Landell, 1985-2000
Rob Pierce, 2001
Stephen Iverson, 2001-2003
Donald Macpherson, 2004-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist
Name of Church: Lake Road Methodist
Location: Concession 6, Range 1, North Side Lake Road
Date of Formation: 1850
Date of Closing: about 1925
Affiliations: Port Stanley (1854-c1925)
Dexter (1854-c1925)
Records: Membership List (1858-1894)
Marriages (Aug. 21, 1910 – c 1925)
Baptisms (1912 – c 1925)
Burials (Sept. 27, 1912 – c 1925)
The above records are located at the office of Port Stanley United Church, Colborne St., Port Stanley
History: About 1850, residents in the southern part of Southwold who were travelling long distances, or meeting in each other’s homes to worship, felt the need for a church. In 1854, a church was built on about 1/4 acre of land donated from the Fleming Hunter farm, a short distance from the old Boxall Post office. The deed is dated May 9, 1854 from Fleming Hunter to the Trustees of Lake Road congregation of the Wesleyan Methodist church, for 1/5 acre in lot 6, Range 1, north side Lake Road. Here in this little church worshipped Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and Roman Catholics. It was on a circuit with Port Stanley and Dexter. In 1859, about a mile from the church, a cemetery was started known as Lake Road Cemetery, or the Hunter Cemetery.
Shortly before the formation of the United Church of Canada in 1925, it was decided to sell the church. It was purchased by Herbert Hunter, who moved it several hundred yards and remodelled it into a horse stable.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Hunt Methodist Church (later called Southwold Station)
Location: Lot 1, Concession 2 
Date of Formation: c 1876
Date of Closing: 1962
Affiliations: Iona (1876 – ?)
Lawrence (1876 – ?)
Shedden (1880 – ?)
Fingal (1880 – ?)
Middlemarch (Smoke’s) (1880-1881)
White Station (1880-1882)
Frome (1881 – ?)
Records: Baptisms (1908-1952)
Burials (1908-1955)
Marriages (1922-1955)
At the time of our original survey (1991), the above records were stored at the Manse in Shedden. They have since been transferred to the United Church Archives in Toronto.
The United Church Archives in Toronto lists the following records for Southwold Station Methodist/United Church:
Minutes of Epworth League (1923-1927)
Women’s Association Minutes (1935-1961)
Financial Records (1942-1962)
Sunday School Attendance Records (1911-1959)
Sunday School Minutes (1925-1956)
Minutes of Annual Congregational Meetings (1934-1962)
Women’s Association Financial Records (1940-1961)
History: no history available
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (Episcopal)
Name of Church: White’s Station Church (or Mellor Church)
Location: Lot 4, Range 2, East River Road
Date of Formation: 1867
Date of Closing: 1882
Affiliations: Sparta (1867)
Union (1867)
Paynes (1874)
Fingal (1874-1882)
Corseley (Shedden) (1877-1882)
Hunt’s (1881-1882)
Frome (1881-1882)
River (1882)
Records: no known records
History: About 1867 there was a tiny white frame church located about one mile west of White’s Station. Adjacent to the church was a cemetery, known as Mellor’s cemetery, after the family who owned the land for many years. A deed dated June 2, 1871 exists between Mr. & Mrs. John Mellor to the Methodist Episcopal Trustees – John Henry Campbell, Gideon Howell, and Homer N. Basset – for the church property. The lot was located on the southeast corner of the Mellor farm, and measured 6 rods by 7 rods, and eleven rods from the Southwold-Yarmouth townline.
This church was a Methodist Episcopal congregation and was connected with the Yarmouth-Southwold circuits and after 1874 with Southwold alone. Services were mostly conducted by local preachers, but an ordained minister was occasionally in charge. At the time of the Methodist church union in 1884, White’s Station church disappears from records. It seems that after 1884 the church building was no longer used. The church was dismantled soon after and now remains a vacant lot.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (Wesleyan)
Name of Church: Muskoka Methodist
Location: Lot 8, West Side of Routh Road
Date of Formation: 1881
Date of Closing: 1892
Affiliations: Iona (1881-1888)
Miller’s (1881-1888)
Records: no known records
History: In 1881, a Wesleyan Methodist church of modest dimensions was erected on the southeast corner of the James Plain farm, lot 8, west side of the Routh Road. This church, along with Iona and Miller’s, were joined to make the Iona Methodist charge. In 1888, the Muskoka appointment was dropped and Southwold Station taken on. Mr. John Miller conducted services every Sunday afternoon for a few years. A Sunday school was started and it flourished for a few years. Some services carried on until about 1892 before the Muskoka church was at last deserted. Seats from the church were later used in the school, as extra seats were needed. In 1909 when the school burned, the church was used until a new school was built.
Ministers:
Rev. Mr. Hackett
Rev. W. Smith
Rev. W. H. Cooper
Rev. T. T. George
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Free Methodist
Name of Church: Thames River and Town Line (Free Methodist)
Location: Lot 1, Broken Front (Routh Lands) 
Date of Formation: 1878
Date of Closing: 1971
Affiliations:
Records: no known records
History: This church was first organized in 1878 under the North Michigan Conference. Around 1880, meetings were being held in the schoolhouse on lot 4. In 1885, a church was erected on lot 1, Routh Lands. The land was owned by Alexander and James Battin and sold for $20 to the Trustees of the church: Joseph Milton, Robert Beedle and Thomas Smith in 1886. It was reported in the May 26th issue of the Dutton Advance under Cowal News that “The Free Methodists of the Thames River have their new church about finished”. In 1889 it became part of the Canada Conference and in 1896 part of the West Ontario Conference. Camp meetings were held in the summer in the grove of trees on the McNabb farm across the road from the church, where hundreds would come to attend these evangelistic meetings. Services in the church were held quite regularly until 1959 and intermittently until 1969. In 1970, C. Emerald Walls, a retired minister, served the church and when he left in 1971 the work of the church was closed. For the next few years, the church was been maintained and used occasionally for funerals and other gatherings. The church and property was sold by the Trustees of the Canada Great Lakes Conference of the Free Methodist church in Canada in 1983, to Joseph Kropf. The cement block parsonage, which in later years became a residence, was destroyed by fire in 1978. The church was destroyed by a fire started by vandals on October 21st, 1993. An article appeared in the Dutton Advance\pard plain , Nov. 3, 1993, regarding the destruction of the church by fire.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist
Name of Church: Watson’s Corners Methodist Church
Location: Lot 9, East Side of Scotch Road North East (corner of South Talbot Road East)
Date of Formation: about 1872
Date of Closing: about 1900
Affiliations:
Records: no known records
History: A deed exists dated Dec. 6, 1872 for 1/4 acre in lot 9, South Talbot Road from Andrew Edwards to Amasa Wood, et al, Trustees of Watson Church. Very little is known about this church, except recollections of Clarence Horton in 1991 (over 90 years old), who remembers his father telling him the church was located across the road from the school house. The school was on the south east corner of what is now the airport property, and the church was on the north east corner later owned by Max Lethbridge. The church was moved prior to 1900. Mr. Horton’s father stated that the church was moved to Middlemiss.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Methodist (became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: Iona Methodist (United Church)
Location: 9075 Iona Road; [Southwold-Dunwich townline] 
Date of Formation: 1874
Date of Closing: 1966 (continued as Iona Christian Fellowship Church)
Affiliations:
Fingal (1874 – 1880?)
Iona Charge (Miller’s, Muskoka) (1880-1888)
Miller’s (Lawrence Station), Southwold Station (1888- ?)
Miller’s, Southwold Station, Shedden, Frome ( ? – 1919)
Fingal (1919 – ?); Fingal & Middlemarch (1939-1954); Fingal (1954-1964)
Shedden, Frome, Lawrence & McBride’s (1964-1965)
Southwold Pastoral Charge (1965-1966)
Records: The United Church Archives lists the following records for Iona United Church in their holdings:
Board of Trustee Minutes (1966-1968)
Board of Stewards Minutes (1953-1965)
Deed, Iona Church (1890)
Financial Records and Correspondence (1960’s)
Minutes, Congregational Meetings, Board of Trustees (1966-1968)
Agreement, Elgin Presbytery and McBride Church (1966)
Legal Agreements & Property Records (1890, 1920)
Inventories, Church Furniture (1967)
Correspondence, Re: Sale of Iona United Church of the Iona Christian Fellowship (1967-1968)
Correspondence and Notes, Amalgamation Committee (1965-1968)
Historic Membership Roll (1964)
Correspondence regarding amalgamation (1965)
History: In June 1874, the Iona Methodist church had its beginning with liberal assistance from Mrs. Sarah Casey and Mr. Amasa Wood. Mrs. Casey had inherited a large block of land from her father, Mr. Elliott (for whom the Dunwich side of the village was named), and she donated two lots, 6 & 7, on
which the church that still stands today, was built. The congregation was originally Wesleyan Methodist. The frame church was completed in 1874 and had a capacity for 250 people.
Because of the declining rural population and the accompanying decline of church attendance, in 1965, the United Church of Canada began closing churches in less populated areas. In the fall of 1965, after considerable controversy, the congregations at Iona and McBride’s decided to keep their ministries going and withdrew from the United Church of Canada. The church was temporarily closed, but later was purchased by the congregation, which had chosen to affiliate with the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Canada. Along with its sister church, McBride’s, Iona continues as an Alliance Church. The centennial of the church was celebrated in 1974, and is now known as “Iona Christian Fellowship”.
Further history:
– article in Dutton Advance, June 8, 1944 re 70th anniversary
– article in Dutton Advance, June 17, 1954 re 80th anniversary
Ministers:
Rev. James Harris 1874-1876
Rev. George Ferguson 1876-1877
Rev. J. H. Hackett 1877-1880
Rev. W. Ray Smith 1880-1883
Rev. Mr. Cooper 1883-1886
Rev. T. T. George 1886-1889
Rev. Mr. Medd 1889-1892
Rev. Mr. Fairchilds 1892-1895
Rev. W. C. Deacon 1895-1896
Rev. John Henderson 1896-1899
Rev. Nethercott 1899-1902
Rev. Wendell 1902-1904
Rev. Thibedeau 1904-1907
Rev. A. E. Moorehouse 1907-1911
Rev. M. C. Taylor 1911-1915
Rev. I. W. Kilpatrick 1915-1918
Rev. A. R. Johnston 1918
Rev. F. Burgess 1920
Rev. Hugh Wilson 1921
Rev. A. McKibbon 1922
Rev. A. A. Kellum 1925-1927
Rev. W. G. Shaw 1928-1930
Rev. E. S. Hiscocks 1930-1935
Rev. T. C. Wilkinson 1935-1938
Rev. D. W. Pomeroy 1938-1943
Rev. J. A. McKim 1943-1944
Rev. E. A. Poulter 1944-1949
Rev. W. H. Killam 1949-1951
Rev. H. A. Bunt 1952-1954
Mr. Harvey Sparling 1954
Mr. Marvin Streich 1956
Rev. Morley Colling 1957
Rev. Charles Lewis 1964-1965
Rev. Alex Taylor 1966
Rev. Robert McCrea 1965-1969
Rev. Mr. Simpson 1969
Rev. Michael Johnson 1970-1971
Rev. J. Kyle 1971-1976
Rev. George Croft 1976-1979
Mr. Dan Cudney 1979-1981
Mr. Bruce Robinson 1982-1983
Mr. Wayne Spriggs 1984-1986
Mr. James Breen 1986
Mr. William Oosterman 1986-1988
Mr. Dan Cudney, 1988-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Presbyterian (became United Church of Canada in 1925)
Name of Church: McBride’s Presbyterian
Location: Lot 6, Concession 3 (corner of Union and Lawrence Roads) 
[house now occupies property – 11728 Union Road]
Date of Formation: 1840
Date of Closing: 1966 (remained open as McBride’s Christian Fellowship; closed 1990’s)
Affiliations: Knox Church, Fingal (1876-1900)
Woodview Methodist Church, Lawrence Station; and Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Cowal (1926-1966)
Records: see also listing for above churches
The United Church Archives lists the following records for McBride’s United Church in their holdings:
Congregational Minutes (1927-1937)
History: The congregation at McBride’s grew out of members of Knox Presbyterian Church, Fingal, who lived six miles away in the north part of Southwold. Services were conducted in the school house on Oneida Road for many years, until a church was built in 1876. On January 29, 1876, Duncan and Isabella McKillop sold one acre of lot 6, concession 3 to the Trustees of the Church – Neil McKillop, Samuel Lynn, and John A. Turner. The church was named McBride’s in honor of a noted minister in Scotland, Rev. Peter McBride, a great uncle of A. P. Campbell, of St. Thomas.
McBride’s church continued to share a minister with Fingal until 1900, when a two-point charge was made by joining McBride’s with Chalmers Church at Cowal in Dunwich Township. McBride’s and Cowal continued as a charge until 1925 when both became part of the United Church of Canada, and Lawrence Station church was added to the pastoral charge in 1926. A Sunday school room addition was dedicated in 1959.
In 1965, following considerable controversy, McBride’s and Iona Churches withdrew from the United Church of Canada, protesting the amalgamation of five area United Churches. Since their efforts to remain open and continue as a United Church proved fruitless, McBride’s bought the church from Elgin Presbytery. Mr. Robert McCrea was invited to be minister, and under his leadership, McBride’s and Iona Christian Fellowship Churches were formed and affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches. McBride’s Christian Fellowship closed in the 1990’s and the church was torn down in 1999. A new home was built on the property, present owned by Mr & Mrs Tom Telford, 11728 Union Road
Further history: -“McBride’s United Church Diamond Jubilee 1876-1936″; historical booklet (Elgin OGS has a copy)
-“Centennial History of McBride’s Christian Fellowship Church, 1876-1976″ (Elgin OGS has a copy)
– article in Dutton Advance, June 21, 1951 re 75th anniversary
Ministers:
Rev. Dr. George Sutherland, 1863-1900
Rev. Samuel Lawrence, 1901-1907
Rev. Donald McKay, 1907-1917
Rev. Gustavis Munro, 1917-1919
Rev. Charles A. Malcolm, 1920-1926
Rev. Neil A. Campbell, 1926-1929
Rev. R. Watson Langdon, 1929-1939
Rev. O. Glen Taylor, 1937-1943
Rev. T. C. Wilkinson, 1943-1949
Rev. Bruce Guy, 1949-1953
Rev. J. Harrower, 1953
Rev. A. G. Pease, 1957
Rev. Charles Badger, 1957
Rev. C. A. Dukelow, 1959
Rev. J. Earl Burr, 1961
Rev. Charles Lewis, 1963
Mr. Robert McCrea, 1965-1969
Rev. R. G. Simpson, 1969
Rev. Michael Johnson, 1970-1971
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Presbyterian
Name of Church: Knox Presbyterian Church, Fingal
Location:
35596 Fingal Line 
Mailing address: Box 35, Fingal, ON N0L 1K0. Phone: (519) 769-2157
Date of Formation: 1837
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations:
St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Port Stanley (1936- )
Records:
Baptisms (1851-1988)
Marriages (1850; 1858-1902; 1938-1988)
Communion Roll (prior to 1852)
Membership List (Sept. 1, 1856)
The above records are in original format and are stored at the Southwold Township Office, Fingal. Researchers wishing access to the records are asked to call the church phone number (above) and leave a message.
Church records from 1852-1988 are found on Elgin County Archives Mircofilm number 1451. Access is restricted to these records; contact Elgin County Archives for further information.
Church records from 1857-1902 are also found on LDS microfilm number 0161518.
History:
Duncan McColl, a young catechist of the Church of Scotland, immigrated to Canada in 1841 and began holding services in the townships of Southwold, Yarmouth and Dorchester, preaching in homes. At this time there was a Church of Scotland in Fingal. In 1843, the Free Church of Scotland was formed, and the movement eventually spread to Canada. The Church of Scotland in Fingal was closed and the reorganized congregation built a frame building on the present site in 1850.
During the 1870’s, Presbyterians who had been attending services in Fingal from the north part of Southwold were organized as a congregation by Dr. Sutherland who began holding services in the schoolhouse. In 1876, they built McBride’s church.
The present church in Fingal was built in 1906. In 1936, the congregation was united with St. John’s Church, Port Stanley, as a two-point charge.
Further history:
“Knox Presbyterian Church Fingal, 150th Anniversary, 1837-1987″, historical booklet (Elgin OGS has a copy)
Ministers:
Rev. George Sutherland, 1866-1902
Rev. R. C. McDermid, 1902-1908
Rev. George Gilmore, 1908-1913
Rev. P. F. Langill, 1913-1918
Rev. James Anthony, 1918-1925
Rev. Walter Moffatt, 1925-1928
Rev. G. S. Scott, 1928-1930
Rev. Walter Moffatt, 1931-1944
Rev. K. C. MacLellan, 1944-1952
Rev. S. W. Hirtle, 1953-1959
Rev. Basil Hartley, 1967-1969
Rev. David Stewart, 1970-1976
Rev. Tom Godfrey, 1981-1986
Rev. Harry Bradley, 1987-
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Presbyterian (Church of Scotland)
Name of Church: St. Columbus (or Columba), Fingal
Location: Lot 19, Talbot Road North Side, Fingal
Date of Formation: pre 1865
Date of Closing: at union of Presbyterian churches in 1875?
Affiliations:
Records:
The United Church Archives in Toronto lists the following records for St. Columbus Presbyterian Church, Fingal in their holdings (with Fingal United Church):
Minutes of the Session, St. Columbus Church (1865-1869)
History:
A deed dated April 7, 1864 exists for property in part of lot 19, Talbot Road north side (or part of village lots 21 & 22, south of Lanark Street), from Richard McQueen to the Trustees of St. Columbus Church – a Presbyterian church in Canada in connection with the Church of Scotland.
This congregation began as a mission station of the London Presbytery, and its first inducted minister was Rev. Donald Ross, formerly of Vaughan township, in 1865. In 1866, Ewan McCauley was ordained and inducted. A brick church was erected in 1865 at a cost of $1600. A glebe of ten acres with a manse was also purchased.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Presbyterian
Name of Church: Paynes Mills Presbyterian
Location: Lot 34, North Side North Branch Talbot Road
Date of Formation: 1906
Date of Closing: 1927
Affiliations: Tempo (1906-1927 ?)
Records:
The United Church Archives in Toronto lists the following records for Payne’s Mills Presbyterian church:
Baptismal Register (1910-1926)
History: no history available
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Name of Church: St. Paul’s Roman Catholic
Location:
Lot 11, North Talbot Road East 
[property now owned by James Potts – 35620 Fingal Line]
Date of Formation: 1825
Date of Closing: 1945
Affiliations: St. Thomas (1830-1945)
Aylmer (Jan. 18, 1901 – )
Port Stanley (1852- )
Records:
any records would be part of the registers of Holy Angels Church, St. Thomas
History:
History of St. Paul’s RC Church at Fingal
It is believed St. Paul’s church in Fingal was always part of the Holy Angels parish.
Township: Southwold
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Name of Church: St. Joseph’s Church, Port Stanley
Location:
George Street, Port Stanley 
Date of Formation: 1852
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations: St. Thomas (Holy Angels) (1852-present)
Aylmer (Jan. 18, 1901 – ?)
Fingal (1830- ?)
Records:
location of records unknown; probably with Holy Angels Registers
History:
According to local tradition, the first Mass in Port Stanley was held in 1852 in the Vigus residence, which was located on Main Street, south of the present site of the Clifton House. Mass was often held at the residence of Colonel Bostwick. In 1860 the congregation purchased the Sons of Temperance Hall in the north part of the village, and was served by priests from Holy Angels church in St. Thomas. A new edifice was erected in 1912 on a high knoll on the north side of St. George street. At one time, it was used only during the summer months, but because of the demand it was winterized and is in use year round. The church was constructed with bricks from the old Holy Angels Church in St. Thomas.
Priests:
Father Ryan
Father Flannery
Father Frechet
Father Zucher
Father Flannery
Township: Yarmouth
Denomination: Presbyterian
Name of Church: St. John’s Presbyterian, Port Stanley
Location: 238 Colborne Street, Port Stanley, ON N5L 1B9
Date of Formation: 1854
Date of Closing: active
Affiliations:
Knox Presbyterian Fingal (1936 – )
Records:
Baptisms (1910 – present)
Marriages (1855 – present)
The above records are in original format and are accessible at the church.
Elgin County Archives also has on microfilm number 1435 and 1460, church records from 1855 to 1988. Access is restricted to these records. Contact the Elgin County Archives for further information.
History:
Services were first held in the Union School house, west on Francis Street. The congregation was organized in 1854, and on March 12, 1855, lot 32 on North Colborne Street was purchased from Bryce Thomson, and tenders were called for a 50′ X 37′ brick church, but the church was never built. The first pastor, Rev. William Doak, came in 1855 but resigned in 1857 because of his health, and the Port Stanley congregation was placed under the “Home Missions” of the Presbytery of London. The congregation rented the Congregationalist Church, a frame church built in 1852 on the west side of Colborne Street near Hetty Street, which they eventually purchased in 1871, selling the lot they had hoped to build a church on earlier. This is the church still in use today. Before the union in 1875 of various Presbyterian denominations in Canada, the Port Stanley congregation was part of the Free Church of Scotland. The Port Stanley church was named St. John’s in 1898.
Further history:
History of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Port Stanley, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 1954 (Elgin OGS has a copy)