Methodism in the 1900s

Methodism in the 1900s

Rev. Dr. George J. Bishop was our next pastor (1902–1904). In 1905, Dr. John Graham, whose father had been

a previous minister of North Street Methodist Church, came to London as pastor of this growing and

prosperous church. Dr. Graham had attended the Collegiate Institute in London and was well and favourably

known by the younger businessmen of the city. Though still a comparatively young man, he was an

outstanding preacher, and drew capacity crowds to hear him every Sunday. His work among the young men

was most evident. In 1907 he was made General Secretary of Education for the Methodist church and moved

to Toronto.

In 1909, the Rev. Dr. Richard Whiting began his ministry of four years. Dr. Whiting was outstanding both as a

minister and as a pastor, and under his ministry the church grew rapidly. He was succeeded in 1913 by the

Rev. Dr. Flanders. He was seen as an exceptional preacher in the four years of his ministry, and a man with an

artistic temperament and deep spiritual insight. It is to be noted that the pastorates of the above two

ministers continued for four years, contrary to the old three-year limit, setting a new pattern. In 1917, the Rev.

Dr. G. Peever became our pastor. In 1921, the Rev. William Sparling was our pastor, and was succeeded in

1923 by the Rev. John Bruce Hunter.

A new name, Mr. J. E. Boomer, was added to the list of the Board of Trustees. Since then, the following men

have served as Trustees: Messrs. J. S. Barnard, G. F. Brickenden, W. M. Manning, W. E. Saunders, T. A.

Stevens, R. I. Watson, W. G. Young, J. C. Snell, George McBroom, S. W. Abbott, C. Glass, J. E. Magee, A.

Screaton, Dr. S. W. Kennedy, Israel Taylor, W. P. Young, T. W. McFarland, and A. A. Langford.

The position of Recording Steward, which was the chief executive office of the church, was most efficiently

filled by Mr. J. H. Chapman from 1909 to 1929. His long years of service are commemorated by a tablet on the

east wall of the sanctuary. At his death he was succeeded by Mr. W. N. Manning, a prominent manufacturer

who, in turn, was followed by Dr. S. M. Kennedy, whose dignity and dedication to his church were

affectionately recalled.

In 1923, a century of Methodism in the London area was recognized by Metropolitan (First Methodist) Church,

although the first place of worship was built only ninety years before. The other ten years of Methodism were

covered by itinerants. With a membership of twelve hundred in 1923, our Church was the senior Methodist

Church in the Conference. Not only had it aided in church extension in the city, but also it was represented in

distant Japan and China by the Rev. T. A. Wilkinson and Dr. Wallace Crawford.

The Rev. John Bruce Hunter, B.A., B.D., D.D., L.L.D., was ordained in 1911. During his eleven years (1923-1934)

of tenure at First Methodist and Metropolitan Churches, he established himself in the community in a unique

way. On increasingly numerous occasions, he became the voice not only of his own church or denomination

but also of organized religion at civic and patriotic junctions, a position and voice previously filled by the

Bishops of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. In 1942, he was promoted to Major and Senior Military

Chaplain in Montreal.

During his ministry a major structural change was made in 1928 in Wesley Hall, the Sunday School or religious

education part of the building. After the entire structure was underpinned, the foundations were extended

downward for six feet making the present Vineyard (formerly gymnasium) possible. A steel frame just inside

the walls was then erected from the basement to the roof which it now supported. The classrooms, opening

onto a gallery, were removed and a fireproof steel and concrete floor constructed, giving the hall two levels.

Classrooms were set up on both levels, as was an excellent auditorium on the upper floor. The ladies were

provided with an attractive parlour. The gymnasium (currently our Vineyard) also functioned as a dining hall

which added to the utility of the building. The Vineyard continues to this day (2023) as a dining hall. Suitable

kitchen facilities were also added next to the gymnasium. Due to the architectural and engineering skills of Mr.

L. Gordon Bridgman, a lifelong member of the church, this major alteration was achieved by October 1929

without the slightest damage to the massive brickwork and other structural portions of the building. This task

would probably have cost a quarter of a million dollars but was achieved for less than forty percent of that

amount.

The period of the Great Depression (1929-1939) and the Second World War (1939-1945) inhibited further

building that would entail heavy expenditures. During the pastorates of Rev. Dr. J. E. Hughson (1934-1938) and

Rev. Dr. W. E. MacNiven (1938-1948), our church saw few structural changes. Our next minister, Rev. Dr.

George W. Goth (1948-1975), had been a minister for nine years. Under his 27-year lively leadership at

Metropolitan, the urge to modernize our church reasserted itself.

In 1957 Metropolitan Hall was completely renovated and took its present form. The solid classroom walls were

removed, and portable walls were substituted to add to the elasticity of arrangements. The stage was

rearranged and reconstructed. A handsome boardroom was created on the west side of the building.

Another major enterprise developed in 1951 when critical looks were turned upon the sanctuary, the organ,

and the entire chancel that had followed the Methodist style of the 19th century in which the pulpit was at a

central point and the emphasis was on the preaching. After diligent committee work under the chairmanship

of Mr. Armand Manness, the organ pipes were recessed, the choir loft lowered, and the organ pipes masked

behind a wooden screen dominated by a massive Cross. The former graceful staircases, leading from the

galleries to the Sanctuary floor, disappeared, leaving space for screens, lectern, and pulpit. Pews were

readjusted to create a centre aisle in the sanctuary and the dark mahogany of the woodwork yielded to light

limed tones. A mighty transformation had been wrought and Metropolitan joined the ranks of the twentieth

century without losing the dignity and beauty that were visualized in 1895. Again, the expenditure was large,

particularly with the addition of fine carpet, but the congregation felt that a sum in excess of $80,000. was

well spent.

Another highly significant development in our church building was seen in 1963. At the time of the

construction of Metropolitan Church, the basement was not fully excavated. The foundations did not extend

to a sufficient depth to make the area usable, yet the expanding Sunday School was urgently in need of

additional space. As in the case of Metropolitan Hall, there came the laborious task of underpinning, then the

insertion of great steel beams to carry the pillars supporting the gallery, the deepening of the foundations, the

excavating, and ultimately the construction of a very fine Christian Education Centre with the requisite

auditorium, lounge, classrooms, kitchen, etc. It is difficult to imagine facilities necessary for effective church

work that are not now included in the present Metropolitan plan. Happily, the term "Wesley Hall" that was

borne so worthily by the original Sunday School building was transferred to the new centre, and a name that

links the church with its origins and traditions has been preserved.

The one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Metropolitan was celebrated in 1948, dating from the

establishment of the London Township circuit of the Methodist church in 1823.

Mere statistics do not supply a complete record but the figures for 1948 (Dr. Goth's first year as our minister)

are of interest. Church membership was 1450 with 262 of these non-residents. Total givings were

approximately $47,000. Three years later, in 1951, total givings were $86,500. By 1954, the total reached

$97,312. and continued to grow. Membership increased appreciably during those 7 years.

The years succeeding the modernization of the church were busy and demanding. The congregation grew.

There were urgent suggestions in some quarters for the amalgamation of the two women’s organizations, the

Women’s Missionary Society (W.M.S.) and the Women’s Association (W.A.). This was finally accomplished in

1962 when the women formed a new organization, the United Church Women (U.C.W.).

In 1960 there was a movement to build a United Church residence and Student Centre near the campus of the

University of Western Ontario and thus supply a church contact with students who had left home and church

in increasing numbers. Others were considering church extensions in growing cities like London, church

camps, etc. As a result, a Capital Funds Campaign was established and proved to be popular throughout the

London Conference of the United Church of Canada. Metropolitan raised $125,000. Thus, our Church had a

part in the construction of Westminster College, in the extension programme of Alma College, in the

development of Camp Kee-Mo-Kee, in church extension in London, and in religious broadcasting.

While a large and active church may seem to be quite self-sufficient, Metropolitan has been sensitive to

denominational needs. Rev. Dr. George W. Goth was made the president of London Conference in 1961, and

Rev. Anne P. Graham in 1966. Each had also held the position of Chair of Presbytery. The two ministers formed

an unusually effective team as each complemented the other. Throughout much of his ministry at

Metropolitan (1948-1975), Dr. Goth was assisted by Rev. Anne Graham Langford (1949-1955 and 1963-1977)

who worked with him for a total of eighteen years. In 1968 Huron College conferred upon her an honorary

Doctor of Divinity degree. It was not until 1971 that she married Laurence Langford, a lifelong member of

Metropolitan. A letter referring to Rev. Dr. Langford speaks of her dedicated leadership and her deep spiritual

and personal commitment. “Hers has been a multi-faceted ministry.”

Dr. Goth was particularly effective in the pulpit. Traditionalism was discarded and the preaching was directed

to the modern mind and conscience. Dr. Goth resigned and retired in 1975 after a ministry of 27 years at

Metropolitan. Dr. Langford retired 2 years later after twenty years of dedicated service to Metropolitan

Church in addition to a period as the Minister of Rowntree Memorial United Church in London. Their portraits,

along with those of Mr. T. C. Chattoe, organist and choir director (1929-1959) and the Rev. A. E. Culley

Pentland who served as Minister of Visitation (1962-1976), hang in Metropolitan’s Guest Conference Room.

A Pastoral Relations Committee was appointed late in 1974 to find a Senior Minister after Dr. Goth’s ministry

would end. This was achieved at the time of the first ballot when Rev. Dr. R. Maurice Boyd was called to the

position in 1977. In the long years of Metropolitan’s existence, there has been a tradition of great preaching

which Dr. Boyd maintained with his Celtic eloquence, flashes of humour and deep spiritual insight. The church

was in a very healthy and vigorous condition and promised to continue to contribute to the religious life of our

city. This was explained (to the first writer of Metropolitan’s history) by a clergyman of another denomination

as the work of the Holy Spirit.

In 1977, the Rev. Frances M. Clarke, who had previously worked with Dr. Boyd in Sarnia, joined our ministerial

staff. In the pulpit and in the face of the innumerable demands of a large congregation, Rev. Clarke effectively

contributed her skills and services until she retired in 1993. The Rev. Ralph E. King arrived in 1979 to serve as7

Assistant Minister, but his ministry with us was cut short because of poor health. Meanwhile, our minister of

visitation from 1975 to 1979, the Rev. Edwin G. Morrow, had retired. A new Pastoral Relations Committee

carefully studied our ministry’s leadership needs and conducted a thorough search for two ministers with

particular gifts and qualities required to serve our growing congregation. They did an excellent job! During the

summer of 1981, the Rev. Morley Clarke joined our staff as full-time Assistant Minister, and the Rev. Dr. Reid

E. Vipond arrived from Winnipeg to become our part-time, and dearly loved Minister of Visitation for eight

years until he retired in mid-June 1989.

In 1985 a new surge of energy and enthusiasm greatly enhanced every area of Metropolitan life and work

through our" Keeping Faith" Stewardship Program directed by Resource Services and chaired by Dr. James

Guest.

The Rev. Morley Clarke, then president-elect of London Conference, retired at the end of June 1986. He

continued to serve both Metropolitan and the wider church as consultant for the Kerygma Bible Study

program and, along with his wife Trudie, for marriage preparation and enrichment events.

The Rev. Kenneth N. Taylor (1987–1993) came to us from Richard's Landing in Algoma Presbytery, bringing his

own gifts of quiet caring and behind-the-scenes helpfulness and support, especially among young adults and

new and out-of-town members. He took on some of the responsibilities previously done by Rev. Morley Clarke

and added others according to his own particular interests and skills.

In 1988, Dr. Boyd accepted a call to Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City, and began his ministry

there on the first Sunday in May. On the recommendation of a very hardworking and dedicated Pastoral

Relations Committee, Metropolitan extended a call to the Rev. Gervis Beecher Black of Ottawa. The six

months of transition between our farewell to Dr. Boyd and the arrival of Mr. Black in late October 1988

enabled the congregation to enter this new period of our history with a sense of hope and eager anticipation

in spite of the turmoil throughout the whole United Church of Canada over the 32nd General Council's

controversial statement on Membership, Ministry and Human Sexuality.

The former minister at Byron United Church in London, Rev. Douglas K. G. Story (1989 – 1998) of Grimsby,

accepted a call to be our full-time Minister of Visitation starting in September 1989. Meanwhile, Rev. Black

saw the need for a dedicated youth and young adults leader. In July 1989, the new position of Staff Associate

for Youth Ministries was undertaken by Mr. Dwight Ozard. Under his leadership, our work with teens and

young adults was greatly strengthened as he built on the foundation already put in place by the Sunday School

throughout many years. During his tenure, he developed and expanded the youth program such that roughly

100 high-school-aged youth were in attendance most Sundays. Mr. Ozard also led an active weekday program

for post-secondary young adults with up to 20 individuals in attendance.

Dr. George Goth who, after his retirement in 1975, continued his strong association with Metropolitan as

Minister Emeritus, died in August 1990. Shortly before his death, Wesley Centre was renamed George Goth

Hall to commemorate his long and distinguished ministry. A Service of Dedication, conducted by Dr. James

Guest and attended by members of the congregation and Dr. Goth's sons Lynn and Fred, was included as part

of Metropolitan’s Annual Congregational Meeting on February 6, 1991.

During the summer of 1990, while our Sanctuary was closed for extensive repairs and renovation, the

congregation enjoyed the hospitality of First-St. Andrew's United Church, sharing in worship, fellowship and

leadership.

In 1991, Metropolitan took decisive steps to revitalize its mission and to reform its organization. This

undertaking began by holding a consultation with the entire congregation. Every member and adherent was

given the opportunity to complete a questionnaire prepared by an external consultant, and to discuss their

hopes and expectations for Metropolitan at a series of small group meetings organized by the members of our

church Session. Once the responses were tabulated, they were reviewed in detail by a Forward Planning

Committee appointed by the Official Board of Elders.

Beginning in the fall of 1991 and working steadily for the next twelve months, the Forward Planning

Committee proceeded to formulate a one-page Mission Statement and a detailed Forward Plan. In November

1992 both the Mission Statement and the Forward Plan were approved by the congregation. The Forward Plan

consisted of five major commitments, each with numerous goals, objectives and strategies:

1. To worship God with reverence and joy and be renewed by His Grace through congregational worship.

2. To nurture people of all ages into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through scriptural study, prayer,

and fellowship.

3. To practise faithful stewardship of time, talents and possessions recognizing that all are gifts from God.

4. To serve and care for all within our congregational family and minister with love and compassion to

those in need in the wider community.

5. Organization, Leadership, Communications and Administration.

From an organizational point of view, the Executive of the Official Board (under lay chairmanship) was

enlarged and strengthened in 1992 to reflect more fully the numerous groups and committees within the

congregation. The committee structure of Session and the Committee of Stewards was revamped. The

Forward Plan gave a mandate to the Executive of the Official Board to review the existing organizational

structure annually to ensure that they are functioning in an effective and responsive manner.

The year 1993 brought major changes and announcements of changes to the congregation's ministerial staff.

The Rev. Frances M. Clarke retired from active ministry in 1993 and was given the distinct honour, Minister

Emerita. The Rev. Kenneth N. Taylor (1987-1993) resigned as our Assistant Minister to accept a call to serve

the rural three-point pastoral charge of Ailsa Craig, Brinsley, and Carlisle. At the beginning of December 1993,

the Rev. Gervis Beecher Black announced that he would be retiring and leaving Metropolitan on October 23,

1994, exactly six years to the day that he began his ministry with our congregation in 1988. Interestingly, Mr.

Black was the fifty-third pastor to take charge of this congregation since its founding in 1823.

All through 1994 to 1996, many church members collaborated to document and produce a comprehensive,

colourful, and superb book of Metropolitan’s history, called On This Corner … 1896 ~ 1996. An additional six

copies are stored in our church Archives. An emotional and exciting finale to the Sanctuary Centennial

Celebrations on October 26 and 27, 1996, was an opportunity for everyone to participate in a number of

enriching spiritual and cultural special events. The following day, a copper box, filled with words of wisdom

written by church members, was placed back into the cornerstone of our church building at the Sunday service

marking the 100th anniversary of the opening of Metropolitan’s Sanctuary in 1896.

The Rev. Robert C. Ripley who served as minister at Sarnia’s Dunlop United Church from 1987 to 1994, joined

our ministerial staff in July 1994. He worked with Mr. Black until October of that year, then assumed his new

role as Metropolitan’s Senior Minister. After stepping down from the ministry in October 2009, Bob Ripley9

later (2014) denounced religion and transformed into an atheist, as written in his published book Life Beyond

Belief: A Preacher’s Deconversion.

Miss Margaret K. Scott, a Diaconal Minister from Sarnia, arrived in July 1995 to serve as Assistant to Bob Ripley

until June 2000. She brought her own particular gifts to the demanding and diversified ministry at

Metropolitan. She later served as Minister at McKenzie United Church (2002 – 2016), Portage La Prairie,

Manitoba, until she retired in 2016.

In February 2000, the Rev. Edward W. Lewis joined Metropolitan as Minister of Outreach. Mr. Lewis accepted

a call to Southwood United Church, Calgary, effective May 1, 2007. He continues to serve as Pastor at

Southwood in 2023.

In April 1999, the Rev. Farquhar (Fred) MacKinnon joined the staff as Minister of Pastoral Care. Fred resigned

due to health reasons in 2004 and was recognized for his services on Sunday June 20, 2004. Rev. Bob Strachan

took over Fred’s duties from January 15 to July 15, 2004.

Following his retirement in 2005 from Robinson Memorial United Church, the Rev. Herbert Summers (2005-

2019) more than filled the position of Minister of Pastoral Care and Liturgist at Met United. He touched the

lives of numerous people through his ministry. He was passionate about his family, his church, cruises, and

shopping for shirts and socks. Oftentimes, he would raise one trouser pant leg and show off his very colourful

sock during worship services. The genuine camaraderie between Herb and Jeff (Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden) was

unique and delighted the congregation. Sadly, Rev. Summers took ill in 2019 and died in October of that year.

Metropolitan members annually honour our beloved Rev. Summers by donating socks for charity each

October. A stained-glass window graces Metropolitan’s Great Room in memory of Rev. Summers.

Beginning in late 2009, Reverend Dr. Barry David Moore assumed the role of Interim Minister after the

departure of the former Rev. Bob Ripley, until the arrival of Reverend Dr. Jeff Crittenden in July 2010. Dr.

Moore had been the President of Fanshawe College from 1987 to 1996. Over the years he served as a part-

time minister in eleven churches in and around London. He died in early December 2018.

The Reverend Dr. Jeff Crittenden has been our Senior Minister since July 1, 2010, and continues (2023) in this

role. A brilliant and scholarly theologian, Jeff has achieved not only his doctorate in Theology, but also his

doctorate in Philosophy (2023) from St. Mary’s University, Twickenham London, in the United Kingdom. And

he’s only 52 years of age at the writing of this account of Met United’s history (2023)! His many achievements

include the writing and publishing of his first book in the spring of 2023; he has committed to writing another

book about Metropolitan United Church and our Fairmont Campus. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Homiletics

at Huron University (London, Ontario); he is our esteemed preaching Minister for the Water’s Edge 9:30 a.m.

and 11:00 a.m. weekly Sunday morning worship services at Met United, and for the 7:00 p.m. weekly

Wednesday worship services at Fairmont Campus, London, Ontario; Jeff is also the Founder and Director of

the Centre for Practical Theology, London, Ontario. His research includes homiletics, leisure studies,

communication theory, congregational development, outreach, and last—but not least—stewardship.

Rick Wood is a retired elementary school principal and a long-standing member of Metropolitan United. Rick is

regularly seen in the bass section of the Senior Choir on Sunday mornings. He was inspired by a pilgrimage to

Israel and participated in the Licensed Lay Worship Leadership program in 2010, which he found transforming.

That voyage, and that course, have led Rick to become our Liturgist at Metropolitan since 2019 when Rev.

Herbert Summers was unable to continue in this role. Rick also provides some pastoral care and pulpit relief to

Jeff.

Effective September 2022, Jennifer Crewe Prince began her appointment as Pastoral Care and Outreach

Minister, sharing her ministry on a half-time (20 hours per week) basis with Richards Memorial United Church,

where she serves as Congregational Minister.