Our History

In 1912 a small group of people gathered to discuss the starting of a mission service in Charleswood. Most of the people were Methodists and lived in the vicinity of Charleswood Road. Open air services were held weather permitting and in bad weather and winter they met in homes.

Nine women met to discuss the possibility of regular church service and Sunday school being held in the school. The trustees consented, and the Rev. R.G. Pritchard of the Methodist district responsible for Charleswood met with a deputation and arranged for student ministers to supply services on a regular basis. The congregation was called Charleswood Union Church, formed three years before the United Church of Canada came into being.

Charleswood was part of a three-point charge with Headingley, and Sturgeon Creek. The Rev. W. L. T. Patteson became the first minister of the new charge. The district was still sparsely settled at this time and transportation was difficult. Although 75 names appeared on the roll, attendance averaged about a dozen. There was a small choir and an active women’s group. In 1933 the Sunday school registered 62 children and received an annual offering of $33.98. Sunday School remained open in the summer months because travel was easier. People made their way to church by foot, horseback, bicycle or street car. The services were timed with the bus schedule which came each hour.

The limitations of the church building were being felt. When church suppers and social functions were held, the ladies had to manage in a little nook of a kitchen. The church had no running water, and two bucket brigades were required to bring hot clean water from across the street. When squirrels invaded it was time for the congregation to move.

In 1957 a new building was begun at Roblin Boulevard and Dieppe Road. Much of the work was accomplished by volunteer labor. After holding services in the basement for two years, the sanctuary was finally completed and dedicated on January 31, 1960.

Growth in the Sunday school and several other factors led to a $340,000 addition and renovation project in l984. The addition included 2 front offices, 1 office on the east side, meeting and choir room, handicap washroom as well as the nursery, storage area and large class room in the lower hall. The loft was changed to include two offices and a storage area.

Rev. Ray Smith joined with us in 1986 to help with pastoral visitation and Stewardship. Rev. Saunders was called to Knox United, in Edmonton, in 1988 and Rev. Smith retired in 1989.

In 1996 a Capital Improvement was mandated from Council. In May 1996 the congregation approved a budget of $125,200 plus $4800 for GST. A Community Places Grant of $20,000 was received to go to the lift portion of the project. Improvements included new doors, heating, ventilation, painting, windows for the sanctuary, fax machine, office furniture.

In 1999 we commissioned the designing of stain glass windows for the sanctuary. Judy Jennings met with a committee over a period of time to capture the desires of the committee. Windows were donated by individual families, the Heritage and Memorial Funds, Lights for Live Committee and many individual donations. The windows were installed by 2001.

In 2002 Joanne Kury took youth from our congregation to Jamaica to build homes for those in need. The experience was so positive that a trip in 2004 was made to the Bahamas. Funds were raised by the youth, congregation donations and many fund raising activities.

In April 2006 we launched our first ever Charleswood United Church website, our window to the world where we were able to track the progress of our Opening Doors Expansion and are now able to keep our congregation and others informed about the work and activities of our church.

In November 2008 we were able to commence use of our new addition and an appropriate dedication service was held. We now had room for all the people; room to be together at one time; room to move easily in and around one another; and room for the community of Charleswood to gather for special occasions. January of 2009 saw the dedication of our new stained glass window in the community hall, donated by loving and caring members of our congregation.

In April 2012, on the occasion of our 90th Anniversary Celebration, the new hall was officially named Van Roon Community Hall, honoring two of our founding members, Verna and Len VanRoon. Like all families, the church is constantly welcoming new members and saying farewell to dear friends, but unlike most we do so at an alarming and exciting rate.