Historic Sites of Manitoba: Zion Methodist Church / Roland United Church (Roland, RM of Roland)

Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

Roland’s first church, Grace Methodist, was built between 1889 and 1890 on this site in the Rural Municipality of Roland, opening with Rev. A. Gordon as first minister. The wood frame structure was destroyed by fire in February 1912, despite efforts of a fire brigade carrying buckets of water from local wells. The managed to save the pump organ. The community promptly erected the present church at a cost of $30,000, with design done by the Winnipeg architectural firm of James Chisholm and Son. The cornerstone for Zion Methodist Church was laid by the minister’s wife, Mrs. J. E. Lane, on Easter Sunday in 1913.

This church, and part of Knox Presbyterian Church, joined together on 2 August 1925 to become Roland United Church with Rev. B. W. Allison serving as minister. Stained glass windows in the church, installed in 1961 in memory of James H. Lytle, were designed by Leo Mol. They depicted the union of the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches. Designated as a municipal heritage building in 1997, it was de-designated in 1999.

The church closed in the 2010s as the congregation moved to a modern building nearby. The building was sold to a local resident who, in turn, sold it to a real estate developer. Between 2016 and 2017, the building was renovated into twelve residential condominiums.

Clerics

Period	Cleric
1890	A. Gordon
1890-1893	James Hoskins
1893-1897	Chancellor Teeter (1849-1942)
1897-1899	H. “Pappy” Lewis
1899-1901	E. J. Chegwin
1901-1903	J. M. Harrison
1903-1907	F. B. Stacey (1859-?)
1907-1911	George F. McCullagh
1911-1914	John E. Lane
1914-1917	D. R. Patterson
1917-1918	William W. Adamson (c1865-1918)
1918	H. G. Salton
1918-1922	R. E. McCullagh
1922-1925	George Peacock
1925-1929	Benjamin Wilson Allison (1870-1953)
1929-1930	? Middleton
1930-1936	A. F. Lavender
1936-1939	George McNeill
1939-1942	H. G. Tolton
1942-1944	T. V. Rutherford
1945-1950	Alexander Cox
1950-1954	George Henry Hambley (1896-1983)

Photos & Coordinates

Postcard view of the former Zion Methodist Church at Roland (no date) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2012-0130 The former Roland United Church building (September 2010) Source: Gordon Goldsborough The former Roland United Church building (June 2017) Source: Gordon Goldsborough The former Roland United Church building (October 2020) Source: Rose Kuzina Aerial view of the former Roland United Church building (September 2020) Source: George Penner Cornerstone of the former Zion Methodist Church (October 2020) Source: Rose Kuzina Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.36625, W97.93696 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites

Sources:

1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

“Rowland divine dies suddenly,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 January 1918, page 15.

Trails of the Pioneers: Records, Accounts, Historical Data Centred on the Town of Roland, Manitoba by George H. Hambley, 1956, pages 174-208.

Roland United Church, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.

“Roland Church Lofts truly a labour of love,” Winnipeg Free Press, 10 June 2017, page F14.

We thank Nathan Kramer, Michael Wood, Luke Wiebe, Rose Kuzina, and George Penner for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 27 May 2022

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Send corrections and additions to this page to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca. Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ Help us keep history alive!