Historic Sites of Manitoba: Sperling United Church (Sperling, RM of Morris)

This building in Sperling, in the Rural Municipality of Morris, was constructed by volunteer labour in 1943 using lumber salvaged from the former church building. That structure, originally a Methodist Church built in 1903, became a United Church following the 1925 unification of Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational faiths in Canada. The church closed in 1993. The building was sold and renovated into a private residence and art studio.

Among the clerics who served at Sperling United Church were H. Gilbert, Manson Doyle, Dr. Coleman, D. Clare, William Bunt, A. Farnsworth, Graham Tench, and J. F. Palmer.

An Honour Roll listing Sperling community members killed during military service in the First World War, once displayed in the church, is in the possession of a Sperling Legion member.

The former Sperling United Church (Fall 2011) Source: Lorne Thompson, RM of Morris The former Sperling United Church (Fall 2011) Source: Lorne Thompson, RM of Morris Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.50699, W97.70482 denoted by symbol on the map above

Community Members Killed during the First World War

Name	Occupation	Service	Rank	Birth Date	Death Date
James Paton Buchanan	Farmer	28th Company, Canadian Forestry Corps	Private	9 October 1890	17 October 1918
John McPherson Buchanan	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	11 November 1884	22 February 1918
Henry Alexander “Sandy” Burnett	Farmer	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	2 April 1898	7 April 1917
D. Campbell	?	?	?	?	?
Noah Davison	Farmer	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	4 August 1890	25 September 1916
Frederick Foote [Rosery School]	Farmer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	26 September 1880	9 April 1917
Morley William George Hobbs [Pharmacy]	Farmer	1st Depot Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	28 March 1898	20 August 1918
George Clarence Kinnear	Laborer	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	25 August 1892	11 May 1917
Fitzroy Donald Maclean	Farmer	2nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Corporal	20 July 1895	9 November 1917
Wesley Webster Manary	Teamster	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	19 June 1887	31 October 1917
William Smith Marshall	Clerk	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1892	9 April 1917
George Mellis	Farm Servant	2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, British Army	Private	1883	20 March 1915
Alfred Ernest Morison [Electric Railway, Roland]	Conductor	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	28 February 1891	9 April 1917
Wilmot Smith	Butcher	50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	17 November 1881	10 April 1917
James Wilson	?	?	?	?	?

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Sperling War Memorial (Sperling, RM of Morris)

Sources:

Carman Larger Pastoral Charge, Church History.

We thank Ralph Groening (Rural Municipality of Morris) for providing information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Darryl Toews.

Page revised: 30 January 2024

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