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Remember This? It took 11 years to build this church

From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library:

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Rembember This? - Central United Church

An imposing feature on the corner of Albert and Spring Streets, Central United Church represents the non-conformist architectural style of the Methodist Church. 

The work of the Methodist Church began in the Sault Ste. Marie area in 1851 when Rev. George MacDougall established his mission in Garden River. 

However it was Rev. Samuel Down who was sent to the district in 1864 who is listed as the first Methodist Minister for Sault Ste. Marie. 

Initially Methodist meetings were held at the Ermatinger Old Stone House, which was the residence of Sheriff W.H. Carney at that time.  

By 1867 two ministers oversaw the Methodist congregation.   In 1871 the two missions were officially separated into Garden River, the “Indian Mission” and Sault Ste. Marie, the “Domestic Mission”. 

Construction of a church began in 1870 on the northeast corner of Pim and Queen Streets and was expanded 20 years later as the community grew. 

It became clear by 1897 that the population of the congregation had outgrown the original church and land was purchased for $700 at the corner of Albert and Spring Streets, where Central United Church presently stands. 

A building committee was formed which included W.H. Hearst (who became Premier of Ontario in 1914), Dr. Shannon and Mr. Farwell. 

The committee contacted six of the best architects with the instructions to design a church that did not exceed $7,500.  The design that was chosen was from Toronto based architect Henry Simpson. 

The design included seating for 450 individuals on the ground level with numerous galleries.  

A building fund was started and in 1899 the Trustees authorized construction of the Sunday School Room which would have a seating capacity of 450.  The stone excavated from the building of the Soo Canal was used in the construction of the new Sunday School.  

By 1901 with the new Sunday School construction underway the old church on Pim Street was sold to W. H Plummer for $2,200 and the parsonage on Church Street was sold to George Stone for $1,500.     

In 1902 Central United Church received a donation of $5,000 from the estate of Mr. Hart A. Massey for the construction of a new church with specific conditions that included the church congregation contributing $5,000 towards the construction costs. 

Henry Simpson was again selected as the architect and the plans included a 1000 seat gallery but could be opened to 1,500 if needed. 

The corner stone was laid by Sheriff Carney on September 7, 1903. 

However with the collapse of the Consolidated Lake Superior Co. the following month, work on the new church was halted and would not resume again until 1905.  

In 1907 the tower was commissioned that would become the main entrance to the church and in 1911 the corner stone for the north-east addition was laid. 

All in all it took approximately 11 years to fully build this impressive church partly due to labour strikes and economic difficulties within the town.  

In 1925, the congregation voted to join the union of Methodist, Congregationalist and Presbyterian churches and the new congregation became known as the Central United Church. 

Central United not only boasts an impressive exterior but an equally impressive interior with stained glass windows and massive organ pipes dominating the main sanctuary.  

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Each week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library and its Archives provides SooToday readers with a glimpse of the city’s past.

Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more Remember This? columns here


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