History

St. Andrew's United Church

St. Andrew's United Church is an amalgamation of two congregations - Brant Avenue United Church and Zion United Church. These two historic Brantford congregations joined in 1995. A decision was made to use the former Zion facility at 95 Darling Street as the new congregational home, and to offer for sale the former Brant Avenue Church building on Brant Avenue.

Brant Avenue Church

On May 12, 1870 "a very protracted talk took place with respect to the necessity of building a second church in some part of the town - a project earnestly advocated by the Superintendent, the Rev. W. R. Parker, as a necessity in the interest of Methodism in Brantford." In these words from the records of Wellington Street Methodist Church lies the beginning of Brant Avenue United Church.

Brant Avenue Church and Sunday School were launched in less than two months from the time the scheme was first mentioned. "The school room was bright and airy..... There was a chapel at the back, but it soon became necessary to open the vestries in order to accommodate the increasing number of attendants."

The main church building was completed in July 1871. "A quaint little structure, but the tower and the large ornamental window in from lent it a measure of ecclesiastical dignity and the low walls redeemed it from the barn-like appearance of so many Methodist churches of that day."

The present building is a result of many years of loving lavour by the congregation over the years of Methodism and in 1925 - The United Church of Cannada.

In 1963 after the church fire, a great deal of energy went into rebuilding the sanctuary in its present state. A splendid Keates Organ was installed at this time for the glory of God. Many beautiful memorial stained glass windows, and icons were dedicated over the years, most of which may still be seen today at that location.

St. Andrew's Church

St. Andrew's continued as a United Church but the membership was only 250, a group having split off at the time of union to join with what is now known as Central Presybyterian Church. Following the depression of the early 1930's finances proved a burden and in 1937, the church disposed of its property and joined Brant Avenue which had become a United Church with union in 1925.

The St. Andrew's structure still stands on Brant Avenue as St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.

Zion Church

In 1852, Mr. A. I. MacKenzie, a layman of the Free Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) came to Upper Canada and settled in Brantford. A Sunday School was established by Mr. MacKenzie in the Town Hall. The first minister was inducted in August 1854.

The decision was made to build a church in 1857. Church services were held in the school room of the unfinished Church. The building was completed in 1859 at a cost of $17,000. In 1876 a new organ was installed. The church was enlarged and redecorated, with a gallery all around and a centre pulpit in 1883. The "Ladies Pulpit", now the lectern, was carved and presented to the church in 1906 by the ladies.

The bank property at George and Darling streets was purchased and renovated for the Church School use, and was opened on October 30, 1927. In 1925 the church voted itself into The United Church of Canada, but exercised its right to retain its Presbyterian order and policy.

On October 13, 1934, a fire necessitated extensive resoration and renovation. The divided chancel arrangement, the interchange of location of the organ and the Cochrane windows, and a new heating system were accomplished. In 1937 the present Casavant Pipe Organ was installed and dedicated. In 1960 the Sanctuary building was extensively renovated and repaired at a cost of $97,000. Zion United Church was reopened and redidicated for the third time in April of 1961.

There are numerous memorial windows, icons, and plaques in the present building that attest to the fine history of the Church in Brantford. After many years, due to declining membership, the congregation began amalgamation talks with Brant Avenue United Church, and the two congregations joined in February of 1995.

"St. Andrew's United Church" was the name chosen for the new congregation, because of its links to the past of both Zion and Brant Avenue Churches.