On the 16th of Sept. 2026, Rev. Steven Stead posted the following item to his Facebook account. A eulogy for this former church, that is no longer a part of our landscape, it seemed that since social media can be fleeting by times, that it might be best to save this as a brief history of Churchill Presbyterian Church.
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| Churchill Presbyterian Church Sept 16, 2026 - photo by Steven Stead |
"Today, as the walls of Churchill Presbyterian Church come down, we pause to remember the story, faith, and people that made this place so much more than a building.
The church was built in 1862 by Alexander McFarlane of Hampton and originally served as a Church of Scotland congregation. It was a place of worship and community for generations. Among its distinctive features was a high pulpit, reached by three steps, from which ministers proclaimed the Gospel and offered words of comfort, challenge, and hope. The first minister was Rev. Donald MacDonald.
In 1938, the congregation made application to join the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Churchill subsequently became part of Central Parish, together with the congregations of Canoe Cove and Nine Mile Creek, which also joined the Presbyterian Church in Canada at that time.
But the history of Churchill Presbyterian Church is about much more than dates, buildings, ministers, and denominational changes. Its greatest story is found in the people who gathered within its walls—people who worshipped, prayed, celebrated, mourned, raised families, served their neighbours, and shared the love of Christ with their community and beyond.
We remember the many families who helped shape the life and ministry of this congregation: MacPhee, MacDonald, MacFadyen, MacKinnon, Lamont, and so many others whose names and stories are woven into the fabric of this church.
Today, the building may be torn down, but the ministry does not end with the walls. The prayers offered, friendships formed, lives touched, and acts of kindness shared here continue through the people who carry that legacy with them wherever they go.
A church is never simply bricks, mortar, wood, and windows. The church is the people. And while we say goodbye to this building, we give thanks for the generations who called it their spiritual home and for the ministry of love that continues because of them.
Today we remember.
Today we give thanks.
Today we grieve what is being lost.
And today we trust that the story of faith, hope, and love that began here in 1862 will continue to be lived out in the lives of all those who carry its memory forward.
