St. Paul’s United Church

Our History

The St. Paul's Story

St. Paul’s tradition of worship began in 1875 when regular Methodist services were established in Midland. Reverend Snowdon was the first ordained minister and, as a circuit rider, met his congregation on Sunday afternoon in an upstairs room of the town jail.

After 1880, they worshiped in the Baptist Church and, two years later, built a church on Midland Avenue (now an apartment building).

Midland continued as part of a circuit ministry until 1897, when the Reverend T. Dunlop inspired the construction of a new Methodist Church on King Street. The imposing red brick structure (called King Street Methodist) was dedicated in 1902, with Dr. W. F. Campbell as the first minister.

The cost of the original building, exclusive of heating and eavestroughing, was $12,866.

The name was changed to St. Paul’s United with Church Union in 1925 when St. Paul’s became a part of the new United Church of Canada. 

Renovations

In 2016 at a cost of over $800,000 the building was renovated to make it accessible.  This included putting in an elevator lift, which provides access to all three floors, (six levels), a new ramp, new meeting rooms, a new and welcoming atrium, wheelchair accessible washrooms and small serving kitchens on each floor.  

 

In 2010 there was a major renovation in the sanctuary that included a larger and wheelchair accessible chancel and an updated organ.

The sanctuary was updated in the 1980’s refinishing the dark interior to a more natural lighter wood that is now shown.  The choir loft was relocated to be centred on the chancel, not two sections facing each

In the mid 1950″s, The Great Hall, Minister’s Study and additional upstairs Sunday School rooms were added.   

1955 – The Manse was still in place, The Great Hall was not built as yet.