A Church Is Born: 1891

The congregation of "CENTENNIAL" had its real beginning way back in pioneer days of 1883 in a small roughcast meeting house on the east side of Westmoreland Ave., formerly occupied by some baptist worshippers. With the help of a group of laymen from Metropolitan Church, this building was bought and converted into a Methodist meeting house, known then as Dovercourt Church.

This was a community village just starting up with large areas of land were still vacant with cattle grazed nearby with ducks and geese swam in the many ponds. Even the sound of farmers harvesting their grain could be heard nearby. The village was connected to the city proper by horse-drawn streetcars. Families began to move in and establish homes. This was a time of growth for the small church, who carried its ministry to this new community. These were boom times for the City of Toronto, Soon the little church was no longer adequate to accommodate the needs of the people.

In 1891, a small dedicated group of men and women, who had worked in the Dovercourt Church, decided to try to find a location somewhere south of Bloor St., where they could build a larger church. In due time, the present site on Dovercourt Rd. was purchased for $3,000. At first, services were held in a large tent on this property with seating on planks placed on wooden boxes and the tent was lighted by kerosene lamps.

These were days of hardship, but with dedication and a willingness to work, that same year, it was decided to start the building of a permanent church. The new church was built of solid brick and cost $10,000. Its seating capacity was 400 people.

As 1891 was the 100th Anniversary of the death of Rev. John Wesley, it was decided to name the new church "CENTENNIAL" in commemoration of the achievements accomplished by the Methodist denomination. The Rev. J.J. Ferguson became the first minister of the new church (1891-1892).

Not long after the church was built, a depression period followed, bringing unemployment and poverty to many people. This was a difficult period for the new young church in financing its cost and upkeep. However, the people carried on courageously, giving from their meager supply to meet the needs. Many people found themselves without even the bare necessities of life and the church people set up a soup kitchen to feed the hungry, and they shared what the Lord had provided for them with those in need.

A Sunday School for the children had been started in the small Dovercourt church and now was carried on at Centennial, with William Price as the first superintendent. He was the grandfather of Mr. Harold Price, present Treasurer in 1986. He proved to be a great leader in this work. He was followed by such men as Thomas Langlois, George Ward, and Robert Prest.

The Ladies Aid was organized under the leadership of Mrs. A.A. McLean and helped the