About Us
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History of Ravenswood United Church
1865-1939
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The Methodist Church
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The Primitive Methodists held services in the Presbyterian church. Then the Wesleyan Methodists founded a congregation and church in the year 1867. The Wesleyan Church was part of the Arkona Mission (which was founded in 1861 and compromised Arkona, Ravenswood, Tripps Branch, Forest, Lake Road, Paine and McIlmurray's branch.) In the year 1871, Forest was organized as a circuit and Ravenswood, Uttoxeter, McKays, Springfield, Kettle Point, Sauble comprised a double circuit. In the year 1874 the Wesleyan's and New Connection Methodists united to form the Methodist Church of Canada and in 1884 all the Methodist churches united to form the Methodist Church. In this same year the Ravenswood circuit was formed consisting of Ravenswood, Ebenezer, and Kinnaird with the Ravenswood minister supplying the Reserve churches at a salary of $100 extra per year. The circuit was called Ravenswood and Bosanquet Circuit. The first minister was Rev. Robert Wilson in 1867 when the church was built. The minister until 1877 resided at Arkona and Forest. In the year 1884 a parsonage was bought at Ravenswood near the church. Part of the time Ravenswood was served by two ministers, being part of a double circuit with the superintendent residing at Forest. The attendance was large at the services which were held in the evening and Sunday School in the morning. The church boasted a gallery and the Presbyterians and Methodist fraternized and attended both churches. For some time there was no organ and for a time Mr Isaac Davidson raised the tune. From the year 1900 to 1920, Ravenswood was under the superintendency of Forest and Thedford. From 1921-1925 it became self-sustaining again.
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The Presbyterian Church - Lake Shore Road Congregation 1850-1925
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The first minister to hold services in Ravenswood was Rev. James Blount. He held services in the school house and there are rumours that for a time the services were held in John McIntyres'sbarn at the corner of the 10th concession and the Lake Road. In 1865 under the leadership of Rev. Peter Goodfellow, the congregation decided to build their own church. The lumber was obtained from a mill between Ravenswood and the lake and was dried on site beside the church. The first pews were rented and discontinued later, the practice of family pews retained until union in 1925. The offering was received in wooden boxes with long handles so that the usher could pass the box to everyone in the pews. Communion services were held twice a year. Preparatory services were held on Friday and Saturday with the Sacrament held on Sunday and a Thanksgiving Service on the Monday. The church was also used by the Primitive Methodists who held services in the mornings. The elders at the time of Union were David Taylor, John Clemens, Thomas Lithgow and Robert Lithgow.
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Ravenswood United 1925-1939
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After Union in 1925 the church became known as Ravenswood United. The services were held in the Presbyterian church as it was the larger of the two. The first minister of the church was Rev. McInnis. The Woman's Association was first organized in 1929. In 1930 the Young People's Union was organized. At the time of the depression, the church suffered and it was even considered advisable to close its doors. But it struggled through the dark times and it then decided to have the Sunday School Session follow church services which were in the afternoon. This plan proved a success and the church continued to thrive until it was destroyed by fire July 20th, 1939. Nearby residents were only able to save the organ, pulpit, chairs, dishes etc.
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The New Building 1939
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The following week, meeting in the school house, the members and adherents moved unanimously to erect a new brick structure on the same site. The work began in early September and with the help of the men of the congregation, a special corner stone laying ceremony was held on October 14th. On Sunday November 26th the church was officially opened and dedicated for services by Rev. Gordon Raymer, President of Conference and assisted by Rev. Husser. On the Tuesday night the ladies served a supper to a crowd estimated at more than 500 people followed by a three act play "Cyclone Sally". The church was opened debt free due to the sacrifices of the congregation and the gifts given by the friends of the community. Rev. Husser remained until 1941. The last minister of the Ravenswood, Jura, North Plympton charge was Rev. Bundy who left in 1946. In July of 1946, Jura closed and North Plympton joined with Camlachie. Ravenswood looked to Arkona for affiliation because of Thedford's previous attitude. Discussions were made in 1954 which would have seen the three point charge joined with the Thedford charge. This proposal was rejected by the Official Board of Arkona, West Williams and Ravenswood. Fifteen years later in 1969 it was suggested that Ravenswood close their doors. Arkona and Ravenswood quickly declined seeing this proposal implemented either. At this time, Ravenswood served 46 families while the Sunday School had eight teachers with an average attendance of 40 out of a possible enrolment of 55. Two choirs served the congregation with thirteen in the Senior Choir and twenty-three in the Junior Choir. There was also a UCW group of 17.
Present Day 2001-2019
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Late in 2001, Ravenswood received a couple of bequeaths which aided us in 2002 to begin the process to have a new addition for a washroom and entry way. A septic system was added, pews and baptismal font re-finished, floor re-finished and new carpet added as well as having a chair lift installed. In 2006-2007, a new sign was installed and the parking lot redone. Seat cushions were made for the pews in 2009.
Sadly, in 2008 the Arkona United Church closed, leaving us on our own. We were fortunate to have Rev. Mary Leard with us through 2008 and Terry Fletcher from Jan 2009 until the end of September 2009 when he left to pursue ministry with his wife in Auburn. The JNAC process started once again and during this time period we were fortunate to have Jim Brennan with us from October 2009 until end of June 2010. From July 2010 until the end of Feb. 2011 we had 5 or 6 dedicated supplies preaching each Sunday. Carolyn Tencamp was hired on a trial contract basis from March 2011 until end of June 2011 when she signed a further contract to be our spiritual leader on July 2011. Carolyn Tencamp decided to retire November 2013 which led the church to the process of looking for a new minister once again. Rev. Janet Uren stepped in at the beginning of December to lead us in worship through advent season and remained with us throughout until June, having applied for the position of ½ time Minister.
Rev. Janet Uren was hired and began her time with us as a ½ Minister in July of 2014 focusing on Sunday Worship and Pastoral Care.
Presently we have a young Sunday School with a small membership and a choir consisting of four dedicated members along with the organist. Our UCW continues to be active on an as-needs basis. Ravenswood today, presently serves a small active membership along with a number of adherents and is held together by an aging population and is energized by a few youthful families.
