Dominion
From 1816-1826, itinerant preachers, called circuit-riders, preached the gospel to settlements around this area. A class met regularly at Squire Wright's home in Hull, and in 1826 this class decided to send some of their members to organize a class and erect a chapel on the south side of the Ottawa River. This was the first stirring of Methodism in Ottawa. The little wooden church was built on the north side of Rideau Street in 1827 at what was later called Chapel Street. Within a year it was destroyed by fire and a brick church was built on the south side of Rideau Street.
In 1830 a Methodist Church was built in Upper Town and in 1852 the Upper and Lower Town churches were united to form the Metcalfe Street Methodist Church, the parent of Dominion Church, at Metcalfe and Queen Streets.
In 1873, The Reverend William J. Hunter was appointed pastor of Metcalfe Street Methodist Church. He came from a family of great preachers and was an excellent orator. To him came the dream of a great church in Ottawa to symbolize fittingly the expansion and strength of Methodism throughout the country. The congregation having increased greatly in numbers, the church was torn down in 1874 and re-built by 1876. When the cornerstone was laid, the name was changed to Dominion Methodist Church. The congregation grew, the church prospered, a parsonage was acquired, a Sunday School was built, and an organ was installed.
The "Mother Church of Methodism" in the city and district of Ottawa entered the United Church of Canada whole-heartedly on June 10, 1925. Dominion Church always took an active part in the community and her role as a downtown church was well-established. Tragedy struck this historical building on February 4, 1961, when fire destroyed it completely - only a few things were saved. |
