CENTRAL UNITED CHURCH

The United Church of Canada was formed on June 10, 1925 from the union of the Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian Churches. After many debates and long deliberations, the entire body of Congregationalists, Methodists and about two thirds of the Presbyterians in Canada entered the Union. It has been said that this was a difficult time for some neighbours and families in the area, who were not of the same mind about the Union.

In June 1926, during a meeting of this area’s newly formed congregation of the United Church of Canada, two resolutions were passed unanimously:

1. A resolution presented by PEI Presbytery which designated York, Marshfield (including Dunstaffnage), Brackley and Pleasant Grove as one Charge — York Pastoral Charge.

2. That five elders be appointed for life, namely: W.J. Gibson, W. E. Vessey, John T. Ferguson, A. C. Foster and Herbert Thompson.

In 1927, Almon Boswall of Dunstaffnage donated land to the recently formed United Church of Canada. This property was ideally located on a hill and sheltered by a stand of spruce and white birch, with abundant grounds for the future needs of the church community. With its location on the Western boundary of Dunstaffnage and adjacent to the community of Marshfield, the name CENTRAL United Church was chosen.

Rev. F. E. Boothroyd, minister of York Pastoral Charge, was the chairman for the meetings concerning the building of Central United Church. The meetings were held in Marshfield Hall, and on June 30, 1927 following a successful financial campaign and selection of building plans designed by architect James Harris of Charlottetown, a large number of churchmen gathered to clear the site of trees. The first tree was felled and cleared by Alex Scott using a team of horses and a single plow, assisted by Wallace Wood, Sr.

A history of Central United Church written by Hilda M. Dennis in 1977 states, “during the building of the church, we held our worship services in Marshfield Hall or in a small church in Dunstaffnage which was part of the Mount Stewart Circuit at that time. The Rev. Dr. Heartz, father of Edgar Heartz and a retired Methodist minister, visited with the new congregation often and was a source of spiritual as well as financial help.”

Photo by Mrs. G. A. Christie, ca. 1932

Given by the late Mrs. John T. Ferguson Central United Church

In July 1927 the following men, who were also the Board of Stewards, were appointed as the Building Committee: W.W. Wood, Alex Scott, H. B. Dennis, S. C. Stewart and W. Owen assisted by W. W. Gibson and W. W. Stewart.

The Finance Committee appointed were: E. Heartz, W.J. Gibson, J. T. Ferguson and W. C. Vessey.

The following were employed by the Building Committee:

Contractor - Mr. Barret, Charlottetown,

Architect - Mr. James Harris, Charlottetown,

Masonry Work - Mr. Arbing,

Interior Decorator — Mr. Kenneth Ferguson.

So it was, with the dedication of congregation members from the districts of Marshfield, Dunstaffange, Frenchfort, Suffolk and East Royalty, that Central United Church was dedicated to the Glory of God on December 18, 1927. Rev. F.E. Boothroyd was assisted by Rev. J. M. MacLeod. The Rev. Ross Eaton of the Charlottetown Baptist Church and Rev. John MacNeill were on hand to bring greetings from their respective denominations. It was said that horses and sleighs