Glenboro United Church celebrates 130th anniversary

The big white church at the corner of Donald Avenue and Duncan Street has quite a story. Formerly Westminster Presbyterian Church, now the Glenboro United Church, was built around 1889 just three years after Glenboro was located here. Unfortunately on Sunday, March 3, 1895, the caretaker arrived at the church in the morning to find a fire in the cellar. By noon the church had burned down. The pews, organ and some furniture were saved. The Church Board met immediately and by May 1895, a contract was let for building the new church. With rain every day but one in June, the progress was slow. Much of the labor was done without men being paid. They persevered. On November 10, 1895 the church was completed in just over eight months after the fire. Three services were held that day; morning, afternoon, and evening. Rev. Haig, the present minister, assisted Rev. Dr. Duval of Knox United Winnipeg and Rev. Harrison of Cypress River. Then Monday, a concert and supper (in the basement) were held. The choir sang at all three services and the concert.Three hundred dollars was raised that Monday which was applied to the Building Fund. The Bell was bought by the children, but it did not arrive for the dedication. However, it was hung the following week and was rung for many, many years calling worshippers to Sunday church. Today it sits by the ramp near the main church door.

A new organ was given to the church in 1901 by the choir. The manse was across the road to the north until a new one was built in 1902.

Big changes happened in June of 1913 when at a meeting in the church basement, a resolution was passed that the Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church form a Union of the Churches. Each church had 110 members and adherents sign a petition asking that the Union of the Churches be formed on the basis of organic Union. In July 1913, at a meeting it was stated that the new name would be Glenboro Union Church. The most desirable property was the Presbyterian Church and Manse for the Union Church, however the imitation reed pipe organ from the Methodist Church was to be used.

In 1922, the Union congregation sold the Methodist Church to the Lutheran congregation who had been using the Northwest Hall up until this time. The Methodist Manse was sold to a private owner.
In 1925, the United Church of Canada was formed and therefore the name became Glenboro United Church. At this time it was custom to hold weddings in homes or the Manse, and it wasn’t until 1930 the first wedding occurred in the Glenboro United Church. Arnold Smith and Evelyn Brown were the first couple married in the Glenboro United Church. It did not catch on too quickly as the second couple wasn’t married in the church until 1939 and the third couple in 1941.

Victoria incorporated into the Glenboro congregation in 1941 with Patricia and Fairvalley following in 1950. Stockton amalgamated with Glenboro in 1975.

Continuous upgrades occurred over the years with the Memorial Cross and Drape being put in the church in 1964. The Christian Education Building was added in 1967. Beautiful new windows which we still view today were installed in 1980. A minister’s office was built in the basement and a new ramp and sidewalk were added. The church has been well maintained and stands strong today.

Traditionally men filled the pulpit but in 1996 Milo Spooner Craig became our first woman clergy. Milo stayed until 1999 and then was ordained in 2001. She returned to serve this congregation from 2002-2006. We are so blessed that Rev. Milo is leading worship on November 9 to help celebrate 130 years of this wonderful sanctuary.

Glenboro United Church was built in mere months by determined community folks and has withstood the test of time. The structure has stood proudly on the corner for 130 years and is likely to stay strong for many years to come, serving hundreds of people through several generations.

Glenboro United Church Board invites the community to a worship service on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow in the CE Building. RSVP to 526-7147.

In celebration of 130 years in the community, we invite you to come to share some stories about this church.

PHOTO CAPTION: Built in 1895 following a fire that razed the first church, the Glenboro United Church will celebrate their 130th anniversary with Rev. Milo Spooner leading the worship.