John Wesley United Church has closed. The final service was held on Sunday 29 March  2015 -- Palm Sunday

Rev Larry Burton has retired.

History

In 1901 Sault Ste. Marie was a flourishing town of 6,323 people, already predicting our city of 80,000. In the east end of town there were mew three-storey hotels and homes, stores and businesses. In the west end, clustered around the foundations for the steel plant, smaller homes were built for the many nationalities who came to construct the new industries and the Algoma Central Railway.
For more than 50 years there had been churches in the east end of the town, and these congregations organized and helped establish churches in the west end.
After retiring from the pulpit of Central Methodist Church, in 1901, Rev. S.G. Stone presided at a meeting in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church for the purpose of organizing a Methodist Mission in the western part of town. Future meetings and services were held in a small store on Wellington Street until 1902 when a building was erected on three lots at the N.E. corner of John Street and St. George’s Avenue, known as John Street Church.
Soon afterwards St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church established the Presbyterian Italian Mission in a rented room on Queen Street West. Central Methodist Church established the Methodist All People’s Mission. In 1920 these tow missions joined to make the first United Church in Sault Ste. Marie, preceding the general Union by five years. This new congregation, known as All Peoples’ Church, built a large complex of chapel, gymnasium, clubrooms, primary room, library, kitchen and office which was opened and dedicated on December 10, 1922. All People’s became a true Community Centre, serving some 15 nationalities and attracting people from al of Sault Ste. Marie to international festivities at the corner of Albert and Hudson Streets. Between the congregations of All Peoples’ and John Street there developed a warm cooperation.
John Street congregation gained a province-wide reputation for youth work. The empty lot on the corner became a baseball diamond for the Sault’s first organized teams for both girls and boys. On the lot behind, a tennis court was built and Manitou Lodge, which was used primarily as a boys’ club house.
When the congregation outgrew the original structure, it was replaced by a beautiful larger one in 1960. Beautiful stained glass windows were installed depicting the life of Christ and were donated by the Baldwin and Lash families. The tennis court and Manitou Lodge gave way to a parking lot. The original church was used for Christian Education until destroyed by fire in 1965. In 1966 a new wing was added to the church for this work.
Also during construction time, changing the name of the church was discussed. There were three churches on John Street, one being named St. John’s and this caused many humorous incidents over the years. John Street church was renamed John Wesley United in order to avoid confusion and to give the congregation a more distinctive name.
In 1952 seven people took the first recorded aly preachers’ class which was conducted at John Street. Over the years a number of men and women were ordained for full-time ministry.
In 1959 the Provincial Government announced plans to build an international Bridge and the Canadian Plaza of the bridge involved the property occupied by All Peoples’ church. After several plans, All Peoples’ decided to accept the invitation of John Wesley to join their congregations. In 1967 All Peoples’ held the last service in their chapel and, carrying their Bible and Hymn Books, they journeyed to John Wesley where they melded into one congregation. John Wesley is a mosaic of many people and congregations, truly a United Church meeting changing needs in Sault Ste. Marie.
During the ministry of Rev. D. Elmslie the governing body of John Wesley changed to a Unified board and continues to function well. During his ministry, also, the Manse was renovated and succeeding ministers have chosen their own living quarters. Also the Algoma Presbytery Resource Centre was established and housed in the Upper C.E. Wing. About this time, too, a very active Sunday evening discussion group was formed, which later evolved into the Raggedy Band – a folk singing group which for several years has been very much in demand conducting Sunday services throughout the Presbytery.
In 1980 major renovation were made to the Upper C.E. Wing to provide larger office space for both the minister and the secretary. Beginning that year also, and continuing for several years, John Wesley obtained the services of summer students.
When the economic situation worsened in Sault Ste. Marie, a team of ladies was soon formed and continues to assist at the Blessed Sacrament Soup Kitchen. Also the ancient custom of a Benevolent Fund (A special offering taken at Communion Services) was revived and provides funds for the minster to assist a goodly number of needy who call at the church.
In September 1984 our candidate for the Ministry, Everett Hollis, entered Queen’s Theological College and will be ordained when Conference meets here in May 1987.
In October 1984 when Rev. D. Trask was called to Sarnia, Susan Butler-Jones (a Diaconal Minister) with the help of lay persons gave leadership at John Wesley until Rev. Jim Thompson arrived in March of 1985. There are many highlights of Rev. Thompson’s ministry, but one that is being established as a tradition is our Anniversary Weekend workshop; 1986’s theme of Planet At the Crossroads, with Dr. Clarke Macdonald, and 1987’s Renewal of Faith, with Dr. Clifford Elliott.
In 1986 we were grateful for the gifts given to deepen our worship experience; the beautiful Classic Organ (a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sally in memory of their only son, David) with the accessories provided by man other members of the congregation in memory of loved ones; also the beautiful altar cloths designed by the Worship Committee and woven by Russ Mason, a member of our congregation.
In 1986 Susan Butler-Jones was employed as a part-time assistant, but shortly afterwards her husband transferred; this left us without an assistant until recently when we engaged Edwin St. Amand as Staff Associate.
Ministers serving All Peoples’ since the time of Church Union: Rev. Fred Smith (1921-26), Rev. I.G. Perkins (1926-43), Rev. F.L.H. Stymiest (1943-49), Rev. H.M. Baily (1949-51), Rev. J. MacCrimmond (1951), Rev. A. Rice (1951-54), Rev. Paul Morris (1954-57), Rev. A. Holmes (1957-66), Rev. A. Rapson, Interim Minister (1966-67).
Ministers serving John Wesley since the time of Church Union: Rev. T.W.F.G. Andrews (1925-30), Rev. J.W. Dudgeon (1930-36), Rev. A.E. Duffield (1936-44), Rev. Phillip Hommersen (1944-50), Rev. George Rousom (1951-55), Rev. J.H. Warr (1955-57), Rev. George W. Payne (1957-64), Rev. Alex Rapson (1965-72), Rev. W.D. Elmslie (1972-77), Rev. Douglas H. Trask (1978-84), Rev. James H. Thompson (1985- ).