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A History of Quispamsis United Church
In the early 1920's a small group from this area started to meet together in halls, living rooms, and on verandahs for worship, Bible study and prayer. This group, inspired by Agnes and Harry Allingham, built a small hall that was, until recent years, located on the Hampton Road near the corner of the Quispamsis Road.
A regular Sunday School was started, but the Second World War was at hand and the hall became silent. In the late 1940's the rural community of Quispamsis began to grow slowly and each Sunday the hall was again used as a place of worship.
In 1958, Miss Florence Phillips sold a corner of her farm to the inter-denominational group that worshipped in the old hall. Under the leadership of the Rev. Ted Thompson, the first step in the formation of our church structure was the completion of a basement that was roofed over and used as a place of worship.
Sharing the minister from St. David's United Church, Rothesay, the Quispamsis United Church continued underground for seven years. Then, in 1965, a small dedicated group of only fifteen families took a giant step in faith and built the present sanctuary.
The church was dedicated on October 17, 1965, at a service conducted by the Saint John Presbytery. The fifteen families, plus a few newcomers, had everything paid for within ten years. In October 1990, celebrated our 25th. anniversary.
The area and the church continued to grow and July 1st., 1979, the Quispamsis congregation separated from St. David's, Rothesay, to form a new pastoral charge. A new manse was built on Westminster Drive and Rev. James MacDonald was called to be the first full-time minister.
On June 6, 1982, after much study and prayer, the congregation decided to build a surely needed Christian Education extension. On April 16, 1983, the extension was dedicated by the Saint John Presbytery.
At that time only the lower was completed. The upper level was completed in 1984 and was opened for use on September 23rd. Our facilities are used to capacity for our Church School programs, and shared generously within the community.
Presbytery, Maritime Conference and the National Office of our church have helped our congregation with all our building and expansion projects. We are truly grateful for the concern and guidance shown by the church officials who have worked with us.
Our community and our congregation continue to grow. New challenges and opportunities are constantly set before us.
May we honor the faithfulness of our forebears and continue to "walk worthy of the calling wherewith we are called", (Eph. 4:1) and as "workers who are not ashamed of our work", (2 Tim. 2:15).
Pictures of the Quispamsis United's 35th Anniversay Celebration and Founding members
FROM WHERE I SIT…
Being a member of Quispamsis United Church for over forty years, I have fond memories and also some silly things that have happened over the years.
Our U.C.W. would have “Turkey Suppers” and we would have to bring all of the dishes from home and do most of the cooking on Coleman stoves. I remember one year the lights went out and we had no power, but the dinner was still on the table. I seem to be always in charge of peas and I was known as the “Pea Lady”. We also ran out of water, which meant we had to bring our dishes home dirty.
One year Sandra Mosher and I were in charge of “Take Outs”. I told Sandra to put her initials on everything, so we would know who owned the dishes after everything was over. Little did we know our initials were the same.
Every Christmas and even today we have our annual Christmas Party. I remember one year the snow was so high, Carol Ann and Barry Nice came on their ski-doo. Then there was the years we had to bring the chairs down stairs every Sunday for Sunday School and take them back up for church the following Sunday.
To God be the glory for all the things he has done in our church!
By: Shirley Melvin, Founding Member
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