Our History

As early as 1824, members of Germain Street Church met at the home of John Evans to discuss the advisability of building a Methodist Church in the part of Saint John known as Portland.  In 1826, the Rev. Richard Williams began holding regular worship services in the home of John Owens.  It soon became evident that a church building was necessary.

The land for the new church was given by the Speaker of the House of the Assembly, the Honourable Charles Simonds, for the consideration of a "peppercorn" per annum.  The frame of the church was donated by John Owens, a trustee, who advised that should he ever become poor, the frame would be paid for.  Mr. Owens never needed the money.  On June 7, 1829, the "Wesleyan Chapel" was opened for public worship becoming the first place of worship in the Parish of Portland.

The growth of the congregation made it necessary to enlarge the "Chapel" in 1839.  On August 26, 1841, a shipyard fire destroyed this centre of worship.  A new church was built and opened for worship on June 5, 1842.  This new church was destroyed by fire on October 20, 1877, just four months after the "Great Saint John Fire."  Undaunted, the congregation immediately decided to build another church and on October 10, 1881, the new church was opened for worship.  The congregation remembers the kindness of St. Luke's Anglican Church and Main Street Baptist Church in making facilities available during these trying times.

The Daily Telegraph reported, "When the old church was rapped in flames, they were sad hearts and the outlook was gloomy and they thought it was impossible to rally for a new church, but their faith was practical and they did not sit down and moan, instead they put their shoulders to the wheel and hence another church."

In 1904, the Young Men's Association Hall was built providing gymnasium facilities.  Portland has always held a great interest in sports.  During the early part of this century, the "Big Team" were the city and New Brunswick Basketball Champions for three years.  Sports continues to be of high interest today with Portland, sponsoring a hockey team, "The Portland Flyers" many times champions of the Church Hockey League, and an Annual Golf Tournament.

In December 1968, a decision was made to sell the existing church property to the Urban Renewal Commission and relocate the congregation.  The decision to locate where Portland worships today was made by the congregation on December 21, 1968.  The first worship held in the new building was on June 21, 1971.  Since the building was opened, an apartment building, Newport Village, has been added to serve the housing needs of seniors, single-parent families, and the physically challenged.

The United Church Women and its predecessors, the youth groups, the choirs, the United Church Men, the boards and committees of the church have concentrated their efforts on bearing witness to Jesus Christ in all their endeavours.  Whenever possible, facilities are shared with the community for a variety of events.

Much of the credit for the beauty of the sanctuary and the usefulness of the entire facility goes to those who were on the building committee.  Their pictures can be seen along with pictures of the former church and ministers in the hallway.  The organ, the front woodwork, the lights and any of the stained-glass windows are from the former church building.

The congregation hopes and prays that it will be able to continue to do God's work for many years to come.