United Church Of Canada

Town of Dunham

Situated at the heart of this picturesque Eastern Townships village, Dunham United Church has served its community for one hundred and sixty years. The structure's essence harks even further back into the annals of local history. The simplicity of the architectural lines and the enduring solidity of the building's fieldstone walls recall the industrious determination and sustaining faith of the area's pioneering founders.

In 1796, Dunham became the first of the Eastern Townships to be granted by British authorities in Canada to American Loyalists, in return for their allegiance during the War of Independence. Before the turn of the nineteenth century, itinerant Methodist preachers, primarily from New England, began to visit the backwoods community here. Traveling either on foot or on horseback over large distances, the preachers endured the elements and the rough terrain in order to share the word of God with the isolated settlers. The initial 'churches' were a case in point of making do; the meetings were held in whichever barn or rustic schoolhouse could accommodate a crowd.

In 1819, Dunham's Methodist subscribers erected their first log chapel about a half-mile from the village. This early suburb became known as Chapel Corner. Although there are no churches in this corner of the Township today, the original Methodist cemetery - still in use - stands as a reminder of the first real meeting house where local citizens came to worship.

The present church was built in 1847. Records from this period are sketchy; however,. it is believed that Orange Ellis, a local stone mason of some renown, was contracted for the job. Over the years, many improvements were made to the interior of the church, though always with an eye to preserving the original simple aesthetic.

Dunham United seats 200, and in days gone by this number could be expected to answer the call to devotion on any given Sunday,. Today, we are a small congregation of 12 faithful members who work together, as our forefathers did to maintain the church for future generations.

UPCOMING EVENTS