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. They managed to save the pump organ.
The present church was designed by Winnipeg architect James Chisholm and the church was built between 1912 and 1913 by contractor Frederick “Fred” Hinds at a cost of about $30,000. 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. Benjamin Wilson 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.
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)
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
The former Roland United Church building (June 2023)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
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 KuzinaSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.36625, W97.93696
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: James Chisholm (1841-1920)
Memorable Manitobans: Frederick “Fred” Hinds (1864-1935)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
“General news,” Manitoba Free Press, 13 July 1912, page 1.
“Winnipeg contractor to build Roland Church,” Manitoba Free Press, 13 July 1912, page 11.
“Roland’s fine church to be dedicated at easter,” Manitoba Free Press, 15 March 1913, page 50.
“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, Jordan Makichuk, Rose Kuzina, and George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 3 February 2025
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