A Brief History of Battersea United Church

The 1851 census quotes the religious affiliations of the 46 families living in this area as 21 Methodists (15 of them Episcopal, 6 of them Wesleyan), 13 Church of England, 8 Presbyterian, 3 Catholic and 1 Quaker. A Wesleyan Methodist Church was built at Latimer in 1855, and a Presbyterian Church at Sunbury about the same time.

In the 1850Õs this district was on the Waterloo (Cataraqui) circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In January 1850 the quarterly meeting of the circuit resolved to build a church "in the vicinity of Storrington". On November 29th, 1855 William bond sold the trustees a quarter acre adjacent to the site of the new village of Inverary for 5 shillings. A stone church was built, reputedly by John Richards, a local stonemason.

Although an organ was installed in the church, and money raised for improvements to the church property and parsonage in 1874, the members of Inverary were determined to have a new church. The cornerstone of the present brick building was laid on September 4th, 1877. It is sealed, but is said to be inscribed with the names of the trustees: William Ferguson, William Lyon, George Perry, and Leverett Tolls. The ceremony was conducted by the presiding elder, Mr. Aylesworth, the bishop being absent. Apparently, and I quote: "the assembly of people was large and a strong voice was lent to the services; and the ladies provided a nice spread at dinner afterwards." The minister, Reverend Ferguson, participated in the building process and was said to have built the spire with his own hands. The dedication took place on January 6th, 1878 and in spite of the bad weather, the church, designed to seat about 200 people, was comfortably filled.

The church was closed for extensive remodeling at the turn of the century, and reopened in February 1900. Major repairs to save the steeple were made in 1958 and gas furnaces were installed in 1959. The chur

A Brief History Of Battersea United  Church

    Two strands of Methodism are entwined in the present Battersea United Church - Wesleyan Methodism and Episcopal Methodism. The Wesleyan Methodists were established in the early 1850's, probably around 1853. It was part of the Waterloo Mission by 1856, and in 1858 the present church was built. By 1884 all branches of Methodists in Canada were united in the Methodist Church of Canada. "When Battersea Church was started in 1858, Henry VanLuven offered to give double any subscription given to the building fund. Up until then, the subscriptions had not been very plentiful, but Mr. VanLuven's offer was taken up and he ended up having to contribute very liberally. He donated the land on which the church was built." (Notes from Karl Van Luven).

    There were early struggles between the Wesleyans and the Episcopal Methodists, but things improved by 1874, and in early 1882 the interior of the church was improved, a house and lot bought for parsonage, and the house renovated. In 1883 the arguments over Methodist union split the church, but union took place and the trouble soon disappeared. After union the church continued as a mission until 1891 and was considered a "rugged field." The church became self-sustaining in the year and from then on it is listed as a circuit.

    A bell tower was built shortly after World War I. The inscription on the bell reads: "Meneely & Co. Watervillett, N.Y. 1921 'Holiness unto the Lord'. In memory Henry VanLuven Born in Duchess County, N.Y. Dec. 15, 1794 Died at Battersea, Ontario Oct. 27 1891. A veteran of Lundy's Land and a soldier of the Cross."

    In 1925 the Battersea Methodist Church became part of the United Church of Canada. In a letter from the minister in 1958, the Rev. Robin Sharp says, "Over the years the Battersea United Church has weathered many storms, reached many a low ebb, yet achieved many 'mountain top experiences' as it has many a steady witness to the power and love of Jesus Christ in people's lives."

    Dr. N.V. Freeman, a medical doctor for many years in the community and Sunday School Superintendent for 44 years chaired a committee charged with making major improvements in 1958 as part of the centennial celebrations. These included redecoration and renovation of the church, installing a new modem heating system and building an addition on the back of the church to accommodate a growing Sunday School.

    In 1968, the Battersea United Church was realigned with the Inverary United Church to become the Storrington Pastoral Charge. This alignment continues to this day. Thanks to the hard work of the Committee of Stewards, the building is still in excellent condition and improvements to the heating system and electrical wiring have recently been done. A new carpet was laid in the sanctuary and new oak doors were gifted to the church in 1999 by Larry and Grace York. Renovations to the hall were done in 2003 including the building of a fine storage room which has improved the facility a great deal.