Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
Methodist church services in this area of Winnipeg began in the home of Frank Christie on Government Avenue. By 1908, the congregation (also known as People’s Methodist Church in its early years) moved to a building owned by developer Hartley M. Millman. The following year, he donated property at the southeast corner of Government Avenue and Wallace Street [now London Street] for the construction of a church. The Morse Place Methodist Church was built later that year with a dedication service led by Reverends Joseph W. Sparling and Rupert O. Armstrong on 19 December 1909 along with the Gordon Methodist Church choir. The East Kildonan congregation joined the United Church of Canada in 1925.
In July 1928, the cornerstone of an expansion for Morse Place United Church was laid by Mrs. Emily Lilley (President, Ladies Aid Society). The $7,000 addition measured 32 feet by 40 feet and extended northeast along Wallace Street towards Government Avenue. The last service in the original church was held 30 September 1928. With both buildings combined, seating capacity was increased to 350. A second dedication service was held by Reverend T. A. Munroe (President, Manitoba Conference) on 7 October 1928. The old building was used as a hall and for Sunday overflow. The church was later further expanded to the southeast.
The congregation had disbanded by the 1980s and the former church building was converted into residential and commercial units.
Period
Cleric
1909-1911
Wesley College theology students
1911-?
Rev. Fred Hodgkins
?-?
Rev. Arthur Rose
c1915
Rev. W. L. T. Patterson
?-?
Rev. John Clark
?-?
Rev. W. H. Pankhurst
1926-c1928
Rev. W. S. Atchison
?-?
Lloyd Cleworth Stinson (1904-1976)
?-?
Rev. John Bowering
?-?
Rev L. Bouchard
?-1934
Rev H. N. Wright
1934?
Rev. William Steenson
c1939-1941
Thomas Neville (c1869-1963)
1941-1942
Charles Robert Newcombe (1914-1986)
1942-1943
Rev. H. Gordon Harland
1943-c1980s
?
The former original building (centre), 1928 expansion (left), and later addition (right)
of the Morse Place Methodist Church (October 2017)
Source: Nathan Kramer
The former original building (right), 1928 expansion (centre), and later addition (left)
of the Morse Place Methodist Church (October 2017)
Source: Nathan Kramer
The former Morse Place Methodist Church (June 2021)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91314, W97.07992
denoted by symbol on the map above
1911, 1916, 1921, & 1926 Canada censuses, Library and Archives Canada.
“Coming events [A grant concert ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 30 April 1909, page 10.
“Give support to the centennial,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 June 1909, page 1.
“Local news paragraphs [Methodist Church dedicated],” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 December 1909, page 9.
“Great success,” Winnipeg Tribune, 23 December 1909, page 10.
“Suburban [Elmwood - A Sunday School was started at Morse Place],” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 10 February 1910, page 15.
“Coming events [The first anniversary ...],” Winnipeg Tribune, 15 December 1910, page 5.
“Morse Place Methodist concert,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 December 1910, page 5.
“Officers chosen,” Winnipeg Tribune,, 11 May 1911, page 5.
“Final draft of Methodist stations [1. Winnipeg North District],” Winnipeg Tribune, 21 June 1911, page 1.
“Methodist [Morse Place Methodist Church],” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 30 October 1915, page 29.
“Morse Place,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 September 1922, page 5.
“Rev. W. S. Atchison,” Manitoba Free Press, 11 October 1926, page 8.
“Church notes [Morse Place United Church ...],” Manitoba Free Press, 29 September 1928, page 33.
“New Morse Place Church completed,” Manitoba Free Press, 6 October 1928, page 30.
“Annual church reports show steady progress [Morse Place United],” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 January 1931, page 12.
“Morse Place congregation to mark anniversary,” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 November 1932, page 8.
“News from the suburbs [The congregation of St. Vital United Church ...],” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 30 June 1934, page 16.
“Morse Place congregation to celebrate,” Winnipeg Tribune, 17 November 1934, page 26.
“Morse Place United completes 31 years,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 December 1940, page 21.
“Veteran retires,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 November 1941, page 15.
“Reports progress in all departments,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 January 1942, page 19.
“Rev. T. Neville honored at social,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 February 1942, page 2.
“Morse Place United at 34th birthday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 December 1942, page 12.
“Morse Place Church hears good report,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 Feb 1943, page 2.
Morse Place (People’s) Methodist Church, Manitoba Archival Information Network.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
We thank George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 5 June 2021
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