From All Of Us At Southminster
Come on in, have a look around. At Southminster we welcome your questions, whether it is about our website,our faith and practices, our services, or our programs. Tell us what you think, what you would like to know more about. Whether you are new to the Niagara Falls area or a long time community member.
Sunday at 10:30am Worship Service
- Each Sunday is a celebration of our Risen Christ, symbolizing a new beginning for each of us as we enter into a new week together. We gather in worship, lifting our voices and hearts through song, scripture, sermon and prayer. It is a special time set apart where we join in Christian community sharing joys and concerns with each other and with God.
- We welcome the addition of new ideas from today while also honouring church traditions of the past.
- Each week the use of a projection system allows for additional artistic elements, videos and hymns to be included in each service. The sanctuary is fully accessible by elevator, with room for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.
- Sunday mornings are a time of fellowship and you are always welcome to join us!
- Come just as you are to worship!
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are always welcome! There are a variety of ways you can help around the church, in the kitchen or with some of the many programs offered at Southminster. Please don’t hesitate to call our office if you’d like to offer some time or talent.
Volunteer your time or talents weekly, monthly, bi-weekly or whenever you can!
Contact the Church office at 905 354-2125 for opportunities.
Our History
During the 1950’s, Niagara Falls was changing quickly. Hydro tunnels under the city were being constructed. There was an influx of workers that made for a shortage of living accommodations and new subdivisions were developed in the southwest part of the city.
Niagara Presbytery felt that there was a need for a building to act as a worship center and Sunday school in the south end. Property was purchased and ground broken for the Margaret Street Hall on April 15, 1953. United Church members banded together and donated their time and talents to erect a building. Faith was behind the construction as there was no congregation or minister in place.
Representatives from the five United Churches in the Greater Niagara area formed a Board of Management. The Board of Management appointed an executive and they decided to hold the first service in the new hall on the first Sunday of Lent – March 7, 1954. Useful and necessary items were donated from the other United Churches in the city. About 175 persons, mainly people from Lundy’s Lane and St. Andrew’s churches, attended the first service. Rev. Harold Watts, the Industrial Chaplain for the Hydro Project was willing to be the first Minister of the church with Walfrid Leman a student minister as his assistant. Aileen Hodgson volunteered to play the music for that day only. Eleven years later she retired as organist of Southminster United Church.
The dedication of those first leaders led to the constituting of Southminster as a congregation of the United Church of Canada on Sunday, May 16, 1954 with 88 charter members being received by transfer or profession of faith. The name “Southminster” was chosen because it was erected to “minister” the “south” end of the city.
As the congregation grew, we knew that we needed to expand our facility so as to accommodate all the activities of the congregation. However, the finances were not there to build a permanent sanctuary. For the interim, the foundation for the sanctuary was built and services and meetings were held there as well as the Margaret Street Hall. This was our church for several years. Our country’s centennial year was fast approaching and building a permanent sanctuary was to be our project. The present Southminster (Centennial) Sanctuary was dedicated on October 15, 1967. In order to make Southminster accessible an elevator, new entry and specially equipped washrooms were added in 2000.
The following Ministers have served Southminster United Church:
Rev. Sherry Fugard, 2012 – 2022
Rev. Dwain Ketcheson, 2008 – 2012
Rev. Carl Emke, 2003 – 2008
Rev. Don Glennie, 1994 – 2003
Rev. Jim Gibson, 1989 – 1993
Rev. Paul Grassie, 1982 – 1988
Rev. Dale Allison, 1975 – 1982
Rev. Michael Mandich, 1968 – 1975
Rev. Grant Dunning, 1972
Rev. Harvey Allen, 1964 – 1968
Rev. Gord Hume 1960 – 1964
Rev. W.D. Stenlake, 1954 – 1960
Rev. Walfrid Leeman, 1954-1955
Rev. Harold Watts, 1954
Three members of our congregation felt the call to become Ministers. They are Marjorie (Smith) Vipond (1990), Mel Sauer (1989) and Cathy McCallum (1986).
A Brief History of the United Church of Canada: Southminster is a congregation of The United Church of Canada, which is the largest Protestant denomination in Canada. The United Church ministers to close to 3 million people in over 3500 congregations across the country. Ours is a rich history closely entwined with the development of Canada itself.
The United Church was inaugurated on June 10, 1925, when the Methodist Church, Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church in Canada entered into union. Joining as well was the small General Council of Union Churches, centred largely in Western Canada. It was the first union of churches in the world to cross historical denominational lines and hence received international acclaim. The United Church declared on its l0th anniversary in l935, that it was not merely “a united, but a uniting church.” In l986 the members of the Evangelical United Brethren joined The United Church of Canada. For more information about the United Church of Canada click on the link – https://united-church.ca/
Southminster is a member of Horseshoe Falls Regional Council, one of 16 regional Councils that fall under the direction and leadership of the General Council and Executive of the United Church of Canada. Horseshoe Falls Regaional Council is a decision-making body responsible to serve and support Communities of Faith whithin in its bounds as well as to provide necessary oversight. For more information about Horseshoe Falls Regional Council click on the line – https://hfrcucc.ca/