Written By Carol Small, Middlesex Centre Archives
When settlement first began, often the first building that was constructed, after the pioneers’ residences, was a structure that served initially as a church and school. As time passed, more permanent structures for both schools and churches were constructed. Across the Municipality of Middlesex Centre, there remains evidence of these buildings. Some schools and churches have been torn down and some have been repurposed. In the case of churches, some remain as places of worship.
Churches dotted the concession roads and villages and hosted many denominations. Often the origin of the settlers determined the denomination of the church. Scottish settlers were predominately Presbyterian; English were Methodists or Anglicans; Irish were Methodists, Church of Ireland or Roman Catholic. In the former Lobo Township, a Society of Friends (Quaker) Church still stands. Churches served not only as a place of worship but as the social hub of the community.
Communities across Canada continued to grow and change. The railroad and the automobile had a great deal to do with that change. If a railroad bypassed a community, often the community died. The automobile permitted people to travel longer distances. When this happened, smaller churches could no longer survive. In 1925, three denominations including the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church and the Congregational Church decided to amalgamate into one denomination, the United Church of Canada. Not all congregations voted to amalgamate and that is why you see Presbyterian and Methodist Churches active yet.
Because this is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the United Church of Canada, it seems like a good time to examine the churches of Middlesex Centre, both past and present. Where were they? What denomination were they? What happened to them?
According to London Township, A Rich History 1796-1997 Volume 1, there were 52 churches in the Township that included now annexed sections within the City of London. Most were Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist or Roman Catholic. Many have closed, including Ark Methodist (Wonderland Road and 8 Mile Road) in 1899; Arva United formerly Methodist in 2017; Bethel Presbyterian (Richmond Street and Ilderton Road) in 2015; Birr Trinity Anglican in 1970; Birr United formerly Methodist in 2019; Bryanston Presbyterian in 1961; Denfield Baptist in 1988; Emmanuel Anglican Church (Highbury Ave. and 8 Mile Road) in 1975; Grace Anglican Church, Ilderton in 2020; Ilderton Presbyterian in 1961; Centenary United (Clarke Road and 13 Mile Road) in 1961; Wesley United formerly Methodist (Highbury Ave. and 16 Mile Road) in 1997; The English Settlement Presbyterian (9 Mile Road and Denfield Road, site of Telfer Cemetery) in 1859 and the congregation moved to the new Vanneck Church; and Zion United formerly Methodist (Clarke Road and Medway Road) in 2022.
According to The Heritage of Lobo 1820-1990, there were nineteen churches in the former Lobo Township. Some of these have had several replacements over the years. Most were Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist, along with Pentecostal, Society of Friends, Church of Disciples and Christadelphian. Closed churches in this township include Vanneck United formerly Presbyterian (Corner of Vanneck and Ilderton Roads) in 2021; Covenant Baptist Church (Coldstream Road and Lamont Drive) in 1949; Particular Covenant Baptist Church (Poplar Hill) in1983-4; Woodward Methodist Church (Poplar Hill Road and Charlon Drive) in 1900; Komoka Tabernacle Church; Christadelphian (Egremont Road near Poplar Hill Road) and Knox Presbyterian (Komoka) in 2020s.
