HISTORY
OF 
DUNDAS STREET CENTRE UNITED CHURCH

We began in 1846 as a group of British and American Methodists meeting for prayer and worship in a small cottage on Adelaide Street near Bathurst. In 1856 a house was rented for worship on Adelaide Street. Plans were being made for church construction. By 1860 a frame church was built on the northeast corner of Adelaide and King Streets to accommodate 300 people. Adelaide Methodist Church as it was called, was sold later to the Anglicans and then to the Baptists. It was moved to the south side of King Street and enlarged to become what is now Adelaide Street Baptist Church.

Wooded property at the corner of Dundas and Maitland Streets was purchased in 1869. On April 3, 1870 the yellow-brick, Gothic-style Dundas Street Wesleyan Methodist Church was dedicated. In 1876 it was named Dundas Street Centre Methodist Church to distinguish it from Dundas Street East Methodist Church (now Centennial United) built in 1874 further down the street.

Dundas Street Centre Methodist Church burned on February 13, 1895 and was quickly replaced with the present red-brick, Romanesque-style building. The Sunday School Auditorium was finished first and dedicated on October 24, 1895. The new church was dedicated on May 24, 1896.

Many renovations were made over the years. The sanctuary was redecorated in summer of 1949. The Sunday School auditorium was remodelled in 1958. The sod was turned for a new Christian Education Building in April 1962 and on November 4, 1962, Shambleau Hall was dedicated. The Memorial Chapel was dedicated in January 1963. Our Romanesque, red-brick church was built in 1896 to replace the original Gothic, yellow-brick structure built in 1870 and destroyed by fire in 1895. The building is a designated historic site in London. It is recognized for its unique sanctuary with a semicircular freestanding balcony and its beautiful Victorian stained glass windows and dome. Our pipe organ which was restored in 1986, is an excellent three-manual Casavant with 60 ranks.

Stained glass window at Dundas Centre, photo courtesy of Diane Cuppels

Over these many years, we have seen many changes yet we have retained a strong sense of church family, togetherness and a busy schedule of worship, Bible study and community service. This is a caring and compassionate congregation, one that welcomes you and your talents if you are seeking an active church home or refuge from the hurting world.