Forks Road East United Church
The following excerpt was taken from "Chronicles of Wainfleet Township", published by the Wainfleet Historical Society.
Services in Forks road area began about 1854 when the Reverend Thomas Jeffers, Minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church on. Welland, began visiting pioneer homes along Forks road. Rev. James Armstrong was one of the first missionary visitors and services were conducted in family homes, particularly at Leonard Misener’s who gave the land on which the present Church is located.
As the congregation grew, the need for a Church increased and a small brich building was erected at the present site in 1862. An outside platform was built across the whole front and here neighbours gathered before and after service to talk and share the news of the community. The Board of Trustees of the first Church consisted of Leonard Misener, John MIsener, Edway Misener, John Clark, John Overholt, Ambrose Silverthorn, Cyrenus Chambers and Jacob Stayzer. In 1887 the original Church was torn down. The cornerstone for the present Church was laid in 1888 and the Church dedicated on January 13, 1889. Those were the days when temperance societies flourished in Ontario and the Forks road lodge built a hall adjoining the Church. The congregation met in this hall while the new Church was being built. In 1874, the year of union of some Methodist denominations in Canada, the Forks Road East Methodist Church was transferred to the Fenwick Circuit.
Women’s organizations played an important role in the life of the Church. In 1871 the first Ladies Aid Society was formed. Mrs. J.W. Overhold was the first President, with Mrs, Edway Misener as Secretary and Mrs. Thomas Robertson as Treasurer. Socials were held every week. The Women’s Missionary Society was formed in 1921. Mrs. Leonard Misener was the first President, Mrs. S. Overhold was Vice-President, Mrs. Thompson was Secretary and Mrs. H. Bradshaw was Treasurer.
In 1925, the year of Church Union, Forks Road East Methodist Church became Forks Road East United Church.
Mrs. Shirley Stayzer was leader for many years of a very active C.G.I.T. group. The Sunday School was always very important in the life of the Church, with many dedicated teachers. Christmas concerts were always a big event, as well as church suppers.
As time went on, many changes and improvements took place. In 1950, an electric organ was purchased. The first organist was Mrs. Fleeta Emerson, who served for approximately 30 years. Other organists have been Mrs. Kay Brown, Mrs. Darlene Oord, Mrs. Wilma Stayzer, Miss Kirsten Bennett and presently, Mrs. Debbie Sevenpifer are all granddaughters of Fleeta Emerson. That same year a new pulpit, chairs and communion table were donated as “In Memoriams’”. In 1957 a church parlour, kitchen, furnace room and washrooms were added and a gas furnace was installed in 1961. In 1962 the Ladies Aid and the Missionary Society became the United Church Women, known as the U.C.W.
In 1963 Fenwick became a one-point charge and the minister from Dain City served the Fords road congregation for one year. The following year, Morgan’s Point United Church and Forks Road East United church joined form a new two point charge and Rev. Norman Penrose was appointed as the new minister.
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More changes were made in 1966. A new entrance, a renovated sanctuary, memorial furnishings, a nursery and the first stained glass window were dedicated. Today all windows on the east and west sides of the Church have been replaced with stained glass windows – all given in memory of loved ones. In 1973 a church parlour with new furnishings as well as a memorial painting were dedicated.
Revered Penrose was called to a new charge in 1977 and Rev. Willian Tupling of St. Thomas took his place. In 1982 he moved to Erin, and Rev. Eric Grundy accepted a call and began his duties in January 1983. He stayed until 1986 when Rev. Tony J. Ouwehand took over as minister and is still serving the church today.
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In 1988 Forks Road East United Church held a special service to commemorate their 100th anniversary and many former members returned to take part in the celebration.