History of Greenbank Church
The Greenbank United church was built in 1896.
In the early days, the small village of Greenbank was home to five churches. Most of Canada’s religious denominations were well-represented with community members offering their labour, money and land to found the church of their choice.
The first religious services in the area were held in Edward Bassingthwaite’s log barn. The Schoolhouse was used until 1848, when a Primitive Methodist frame structure, plastered inside, with neat doors and windows, and bench seats with backs, was erected in the Bethel Cemetery grounds. It was the first place of worship of any denomination in the Township of Reach. Forty-one pounds sterling was paid to the man who undertook the construction work. Rev. Thomas Adams, of Bethesda, officiated at the opening of the Church on October 8th. Pioneer preachers Andrew Moore, William Crosier, Joseph Lee and James Burnett all conducted services at Bethel Church.
The original frame church was later replaced by a white, brick building. The cement steps were later erected at the entrance of the cemetery to honour Mr. Bassingthwaite. There are over 85 individuals buried in the cemetery. A committee, led by William Clyde, purchased the then unused Marsh Hill church and used part of it in the erection of a chapel with vaults to use for winter burials.
In the early 1860’s the congregation began to worship in a white, brick church, located father east in the village on the north side of the road.
In the meantime, the Wesleyan Methodists erected a frame edifice, later used as a Blacksmith shop, in the north end of the Village.
In 1896 the present United Church, large enough to accommodate the entire community, was dedicated on the former site of the Cottage Hotel. Prior to the Methodist Union, the Minister preached at Marsh Hill, Saintfield and Greenbank, living in the Parsonage in Greenbank.
The Presbyterians worshipped in a frame structure, opened in 1849 on the 12th Concession. In 1887 the new red, brick church opened, on the brow of the hill to the east. The Minister lived at Wick, having morning and evening services there and afternoon services in Greenbank. By 1918 the Presbyterians and the Methodists held joint services, alternating Churches each week, until the Presbyterian Church was closed in 1922 and their union with the Methodists was made final. They felt that this cooperative union would further their aim of building the kingdom of God in Greenbank. The Church was later remodeled into a private home.
St. Agnes, the Church of England, was established in 1870. Previously services had been held in the Sons of Temperance Hall. The site for the church was donated by John Ianson. The congregation decreased and the Church was closed for a few years at the turn of the century. It was reopened in 1910, and stayed active until 1920. The building later became the Greenbank Community Hall.
In 1896 the Baptists began services in the Temperance Hall and later erected a church on the west side of the village. The Greggs, Rodds, Watsons, Forsythes, Harmons and Loves all worshipped there. Rev. C.H. Schutt was instrumental in founding the Church. By 1927 the congregation had declined and it was closed and sold to be used as a private residence.
Source: http://www.virtualmuseum.ca