Another thing that happened shortly after the war was the undertaking by the Sunday School and the Epworth League to sponsor Dr. A.E. and Mrs. Best as their missionary representatives to China. Centennial has always been a missionary minded church, raising money to answer God's call to spread the gospel to every nation.

In 1919, Dr. D. Lowery retired as Superintendent of the Sunday School and was succeeded by Mr. W.E. Phipps.

In 1921, the congregation was greatly saddened by the death of another beloved minister, Rev. R. R. Corrigan, who died in January of that year.

On Easter Sunday in 1921, a Memorial Tablet was unveiled in the foyer of the church commemorating our honoured dead. This was a most impressive service in honour of those who had made the supreme sacrifice.

After the death of Rev. Corrigan, a former minister, Rev. E.I. Hart, who had been pastor at Centennial from 1895 to 1898, returned from Montreal to take over the work until we could find another full-time minister. His return was greatly appreciated by the members of the church and his experience was invaluable in helping to fill the gap.

A Dream Comes True! Church Union Becomes a Reality!

On July 1st, 1921, Rev. W.L. Armstrong came from Winnipeg to begin his ministry at Centennial and stayed with us for four years (1921-1925). He was a very able minister, who preached with power and conviction. His kindly manner won him a large place in the affections of the people.

It was towards the close of Dr. Armstrong's ministry that Church Union came into being. The Presbyterians from Dovercourt Presbyterian Church across the road from Centennial, became a church divided and some 560 in number resolved to become a part of church union. They worshipped for some months in the Kenwood Theatre on Bloor St. near Dovercourt, using the facilities of Centennial for their mid-week activities. This brought about a strong bond of understanding and Christian good will between the two worshipping groups. In May 1925, the Official Board of Centennial invited this group from Dovercourt to join with us and this was graciously accepted.

On June 10th, 1925, Dr. Armstrong conducted a very impressive service to celebrate the reality of Church Union. A long awaited dream come true! The group from Dovercourt Presbyterian marched together as a band of people from the Kenwood Theatre to join Centennial and become one United Church. This included one of their ministers Rev. H.J. MacKay, 18 elders and a number of stewards and 15 Sunday School teachers. A very significant point in this union was that Miss Alice Munns, who had represented the Presbyterian group as a missionary in India, now became part of Centennial's missionary work. A group of younger business and professional women formed the "Alice Munns" Auxiliary. This group started around 1925 and continued for about 40 years while Miss Munns was in India. It disbanded and joined the Win-one Group of the U.C.W.