WILLIAM E. WRIGHT – Methodist Minister

Rev. William E. Wright

Charges:

1888 Johnstown, 1922 Shanly Ontario,  1923-1928 Johnstown,

Christian Guardian – Births – Lloyd James Wright was born on October 17, 1922 in Shanly Ontario to Rev William E. and Mrs Wright

St. Paul’s Methodist Church – Milton

History of St. Paul’s Milton

St. Paul’s traces its roots in Wesleyan Methodism to the time of the saddlebag preachers. It was in 1851 that the decision was made to build the first church on this site, a Wesleyan Methodist Church.

A large date stone placed in that first church sets 1852 as the year of construction. That date stone can be seen on the south side of the present church under a window taken from the original church at the time of its demolition.

The original church was altered to accommodate a larger congregation when the local New Connection Methodists joined the Wesleyans in 1874.

The present sanctuary, built in 1891, was an addition to the original church. The architect remains unknown although one unsubstantiated story says it was the minister of the day, the Rev. Dr. George Clarke. The original windows were of light, delicately-tinted cathedral glass and the initial lighting was provided by 150 glass lights. Church membership at the time was 325 and the original estimated cost of the new sanctuary along with some changes to the adjoining structure was nearly $18,000.

The need for additional Sunday School facilities became apparent when the town’s population doubled and enrolment increased in the 1950s. In 1962 the original Sunday School building was demolished and a neighbouring house was moved to make room for the Christian Education building which now adjoins the Church sanctuary. The lower hall was named Graham hall in recognition of the contribution of the Rev. J.L. Graham and Mrs. Graham who ministered to the congregation during the time of the construction.

Over the years, of course, modifications were necessary to keep abreast of changing times. Gas lights gave way to electricity in 1927. The present fixtures were installed in 1993. To make the sanctuary accessible for wheelchairs, access from the James Street parking lot was added in 1988.

Ministers:

1854-1855  Rev. John Hunt

1856  Rev. John Law

1856-1858  Rev. James Caswell

1857-1858  Rev. Francis Coleman

1859  Rev. John Sanderson

1859-1861  Rev. George Goodson

1860  Rev. Hall Christopherson

1860-1862  Rev. James McAllister

1862  Rev. James Hocking

1863-1864  Rev. Thomas Goldsmith

1864-1866  Rev. Jonathan E. Betts

1865-1866  Rev. William Birks

1867  Rev. Thomas Brock

1867  Rev. Benjamin Clement

1869  Rev. William Gundy

1869  Rev. John Kaye

1871  Rev. Thomas W. Jeffery

1871  Rev. William Tindall

1872-1875  Rev. George Brown

1881  Rev. David Ludwig Brethour

1901-1902  Rev. John W. Cooley

West Brome Methodist Church – Quebec

The earliest preachers in the West Brome area were Congregationalists. One minister, who preached here from time to time between 1856 and 1862, was the Rev. R. Duff from the Congregational church in Nelsonville (Cowansville).

However, the first religious society actually formed in West Brome, in 1856, was Methodist. The Rev. William Barnet, a minister of the New Connexion Methodists from Dunham, organized it. On April 6, 1857, a Board of trustees was formed for the purpose of accepting a deed from Stephen L. Hungerford, for the site of a Methodist chapel and burying ground, which is now known as the Pettes Cemetery.

Contractor, Simon Shufelt, built the church in 1857, and Austin Vaughan, a bricklayer in West Brome, did the brickwork. The Rev. William Barnet became the first minister.

West Brome was on the Brome circuit from 1861-75. This circuit also included Scottmore (Scott’s Neighbourhood), Allen’s Corner (East Farnham), and Wood’s schoolhouse. The Methodist chapel was a vital force in the West Brome community for many years, but by 1967, services were no longer held and the building was sold….Phyllis Hamilton

Ministers:

1856  Rev. William Barnet

Ontario Street Wesleyan Methodist Church – Clinton, Huron County

CLINTON.
A village in the townships of Tuckersrnith, Hullet and Goderich, County of Huron, Ontario. It was formerly part of Goderich Mission. It is distant from Goderich 12 miles, from Stratford 32 miles, and from Toronto 120 miles.

Ministers:

1854  Rev. John Hough

1854  Rev. Alexander Campbell 

1855  Rev. John Armstrong Dowler

1857-1859  Rev. Thomas Cleghorn

1858  Rev. Samuel C. Philp Jr.

1859  Rev. George Henry Cornish

1860  Rev. Daniel E. Brownell

1861  Rev. William J.  Hunter

1862  Rev. Thomas Garbutt

1863  Rev. Daniel E. Brownell

1864  Rev. Thomas Brock

1865  Rev. John Cameron

1865  Rev. George A. Mitchell

1864-1866  Rev. Robert Brewster 

1866-1869  Rev. William Hawke

1866-1869   Rev. Henry Kellam

1870  Rev. Joseph H. Locke

1871  Rev. James Graham

1874-1876   Rev. Thomas Brock

1877-1878  Rev. Robert Fowler

1880  Rev. Donald George Sutherland 

1882  Rev. William McDonagh

1884  Rev. John Kenner

1888-1890  Rev. Joseph Edge

1900-1902  Rev. Gorham A. Gifford

1901-1902  Rev. Josiah Greene

 

Alvinston Methodist Church – Huron County

Ministers:

1880  Rev. Benjamin Sherlock

1881  Rev. James Henry Kennedy

Stevensville Methodist Church – Welland County

 

Kirby Methodist Church – Clarke Township, Northumberland County