A BRIEF HISTORY
by David Morrison (2004)The Gibson Circuit was organized at the Methodist Church Conference of 1874 and consisted of Gibson, Douglas, and Robinson. Gibson included the area around Gibson and Union Streets: Douglas was Nashwaaksis; and Robinson was a community at the York-Sunbury line.
The first Methodist sermon preached in Gibson was by Rev. Robert Wilson in 1873 and at Robinson in 1874. Rev. Matthew Knight and Rev. Thomas Allen were associated with the early Gibson Circuit. In 1879, a decision was made to build a Methodist Church at Gibson. People had been meeting in homes and in a hall over the railway station, but more space was needed. A lot of land (60 ft by 100 ft) was donated by deed of 1880 by Robert and Joseph Mecklin. This is the lot where the present church stands. The local congregation was said to have raised a few hundred dollars toward the Building Fund and Alexander (Boss) Gibson paid the balance. Alexander was a lumberman and industrialist who lived in Marysville and also provided that community with a beautiful church. The total cost of building Gibson Church was $3,500, and it was debt-free when dedicated in 1881.
On June 10, 1925, the Methodist, Congregationalist and part of the Presbyterian Church, Canada wide, joined to form the "United Church of Canada". Gibson Church then became known a "Gibson Memorial United Church".
Disaster struck Gibson on the 25th of April, 1940, when the church was completely destroyed by fire. Firemen miraculously saved the adjoining buildings. The men of the Church met at the parsonage that night, and the decision was made to rebuild at once on the same location. On June 5, 1940, a Congregational meeting approved the design presented by the architect, and on August 1, 1940, the bid from Diamond Construction (Ashley Colter) to rebuild the church was accepted. The laying of the cornerstone took place September 11, 1940. The late Hon. W.G. Clark, Lieutenant-Governor at the time, addressed the gathering after officially laying the cornerstone. The hall was completed and used for church purposes for two years before the church was completed. The dedication of the main church was held on May 30, 1943. Rev. Dr. George Young was supply minister and conducted the dedication ceremonies with the assistance of Rev. A. G. Penz.
In 1951, an addition was constructed at the rear of the church, providing a new kitchen, the ladies parlour and two rooms above these, later used as the church office and Sunday School room. Later, an area around the church was purchased or donated so that the present property consists of seven separate parcels of land.
The Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary on May 25, 1975 with the late Dr. Robert B. McClure, a former missionary and moderator of the United Church of Canada, as guest speaker. At the time, Rev. George B. Barrett was minister.
By 1979, the congregation agreed that expansion was necessary and approved proceeding with a $400,000 project. On May 3, 1981 a sod-turning ceremony took place to expand the sanctuary and add new church offices, a kitchen and Sunday School rooms, a library, hall, and heating facilities with their official opening for use on November 5, 1981. The treasurer's office and a new sound system were added.
1999 was a special year with a number of home-coming events including the celebration of its 125th Anniversary.
Gibson Memorial United Church celebrated its 130th Anniversary as a church on Sunday, May 2nd, 2004 with Rev. Kelly Higgins as Guest Speaker. We were honoured to have Rev. Higgins as our guest speaker as she had been baptized at Gibson by the late Rev. George Gillis and enrolled on its Cradle Roll by Mrs. Robert B. Harvey.
The above provides a brief chronological history of events but does not reference its most important focus which is its members and adherents endeavouring to carry out God's message in the community and beyond over its history. Our Mission Statement is as follows: "The purpose of Gibson Memorial United Church is to create opportunity for each individual within the church family to experience friendship, spiritual growth. fulfillment and faith in Jesus Christ through worship, study, fellowship, service to the local community, and mission to the world at large".
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