One hundred years ago, the first draft of the Basis of Union was completed.
This remarkable document inspired people of vision to form many unions
prior to the official formation of the United Church in 1925. the first
of these unions was in the prairie town of Melville, saskatchewan. Melville
sprang up while the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was being built in 1907.
People from many cultures and religious traditions were drawn together
as the town grew. In discussiong a place of worship, these pioneers realized
they had much in common. Under the leadership of the Rev. John Redgwick
of the Congregational Church, the group organized a congregation using
the Basis of Union. At Melville's first service six denominations were
represented - Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Anglican, Lutheran, and
the Christian church.
Between 1908 and 1925, when the United Church of Canada was formed, people
were giving birth to this vision with their spirit of openness, common
sense, and ecumenism. In every part of Canada there was a impetus to be
a uniting force of faith in the community.
Today First United Church in Melville, Saskatchewan, continues to reach
out to the local community through friendship and hospitiality and to the
wider world through generosity to the Mission and Service Fund.
from a June calendar back celebrating 83 years of the United Church of
Canada. |
