Summary

The Langford Community Church, located on 1601 Colborne Street E, was constructed in 1868 and was known by many different names. It was first called the Plank Road Church, then in 1924, after joining forces with the United Church of Canada, it became known as Langford United Church. After much deliberation, in 1989 Langford decided to break away from the United Church of Canada. At the end of a four-year battle, Langford United Church became known as the Langford Community Church.¹

Timeline

1868 – Church was constructed¹

It was built on land given by pioneer Edward Vanderlip. On May 4th, the building committee was appointed and included John Day and Samuel Westbrook. $770 was made available for this project.

1869 - Church was officially opened on February 28th¹

Service was at 10 am and was conducted by Reverend H.F. Bland of Dundas. In the afternoon, Reverend C.Freshman of Galt spoke. In the evening, Reverend Joel Briggs from Welland spoke. On all three sermons, the church was filled to capacity. The collections made totaled to $40.33.

1871 - Union of Methodist Churches was contemplated¹

1872 - In May, the Union of Methodist churches was voted on and Plank Road Church became known as Langford Wesleyan Methodist Church.

1920 - The Ladies Aid was organized¹

They later changed their name to Women's Association of Langford United Church

1925 - Joined the United Church of Canada and became known as Langford United Church¹

1926 - Electrical lighting system installed¹

1934 - The sheds were torn down and a building was added to the rear of the church¹

It was to be used as Sunday school rooms and dining hall.

1943 - Special honor roll service unveiled on Mother's Day, honouring the men who had joined the armed forces¹

1945 - Jean Cairns, after graduating from Toronto Bible School, became superintendent of the Sunday School¹

1949 - The church windows were re-glazed with amber cathedral glass¹

1950 - The entire inside of the church was painted, the walls and ceiling tinted¹

1950 - A new coal or wood furnace was installed improving the heating throughout the church¹

1953 - 85th anniversary celebration on September 13 with Reverend A.F. Gardner in the morning and Reverend H.W. Strapp in the evening¹

1955 - New parsonage was built on same lot due to widening of the highway¹

1956 - On December 9th, a fire broke out in Sunday School at the rear of the church shortly before 2 PM service was to start¹

The room containing the furnace and kitchen equipment was gutted. Some people removed the piano, carpet and some furnishings. The main church was saved by Brantford's fire department but was On damaged by smoke. Total damage was estimated at $7000.00. The fire was believed to have been started from the furnace which sat on a cement slab on the ground and came up through a space in the floor boards. One particular item lost was a mural that had been painted by Ernie Duce Sr. On December 13, the first meeting was held to discuss redecorating and rebuilding.

1957 - Church service was held in the one room of Langford school while the renovation was being completed¹

May 12th was the first service in the newly renovated sanctuary just 5 months after the fire; it was a special Mother's Day service. June 2nd was the official re-opening service. The new Sunday School hall and kitchen were built by Thomas Williams. In November, there was a large gathering at the dedication service for the new Sunday School hall. Chairman of the building committee, Walter Madden, thanked: builder Thomas Williams for an attractive building, Albert Olmstead for bulldozing, C.Stemmler for bricklaying, Jim Simpson for electric wiring, Feelys Hardware for the heating unit, Marvin Ireland for eavestrough, Sam Berrisford for wooden beams, George Musikov for plastering, Jack Devereaux for tilling, Alton Misner for building plans, Alex Hunter for gravel, Elm Avenue United Church for light fixtures, Langford Young People group for draperies, and Jean Cairns for painting of Christ.

1958- Nov 2nd was the 90th anniversary celebration of the church¹

$1000 debt still owing for building of church hall from fire.

1959- Debt on new hall stood at $800 and various upgrades were made¹

New buff vinyl asbestos tile floor has been laid in the hall by Brant United Floor Craft of Brantford. Finances were provided by the Women’s Association. Aug 10 – Mr. Thomas Williams began work on the new building at the east end of hall to contain a kitchen and two washrooms.

1960- New fire insurance for $30,000.00 on church buildings and upgrades were made¹

In the fall, the exterior woodwork of the church and hall had been painted by Mr. Ellis Chant. The cellar of the hall had been painted and furnished with low tables and small chairs for the primary dept of the Sunday school. Tables and chairs were donated by Wesley United Church (Brantford).

1962 – Church ceiling was insulated. Mr. Ellis Chant painted a picture of the Lord's supper for the hall¹

1962 - On April 7, Mrs. E.R Langs was honoured by congregation and friends of Langford Church attended by 140 people – she was church treasurer for 33 years and retired at the end of 1961¹

1962 - Two Elm trees were cut down on church property due to being attacked by dutch elm disease¹

1964 – Baptismal font, pulpit and communion table were donated through the estate of Harry Westbrook- dedicated the furniture in his memory¹

Silver bread trays for the communion set were also donated through a gift of money in memory of Peter Cairns. In June, renovations were made to the church worship centre including plastering of the arch, removal of part of the front railing and making of new centre steps. On December, the final payment on the kitchen building fund was finally made thus retiring the debt.

1965 - The January 24 church service was cancelled due to severe snow and ice storm¹

Congregational dinner was held in March to celebrate the retirement of debt on church kitchen. 97th church anniversary held on June 13. Also in June, new kitchen cupboards were installed at cost of $754.37. On October 13, a public meeting was held in the old Brant school with township officials regarding request to purchase property at the rear of the church for parking from Mr. Howard Schneider. On November 26, a downpayment of $300 was made to the Schneiders in process of annexation.

1966 – Another large elm tree on church grounds got cut down due to Dutch Elm Disease¹

In March a church library had been started. A cooler had been purchased by the UCW and installed, and a vacuum cleaner was donated. Fire Insurance renewed for $36,000. Final payment on the newly-annexed property was made and a new deed was prepared.

1967 – On February, inside of hall was painted, woodwork varnished and new curtains hung by UCW¹

In June, ornamental shrubs were planted at the front of the church. On September, men of the church erected a wooden fence along the east side of the church property. Materials were donated by Mr. W Madden Sr and Mr. W Madden Jr. On December, new front doors with crash hardware were placed on church by Mr. Schneider.

1968 – January 14th service was cancelled due to ice storm¹

In February, a stained glass window (gift from Myers family) was installed above new doors by Gordon Durnford and W Madden Jr. Last week of February, interior walls and ceiling of church were painted a warm beige colour by Mr W Wandermout of Brantford. Following this, the woodwork, pews and organ were woodgrained. During first two weeks of May, Mr. Vandermout also painted exterior trim of church and hall. May 4, fundraising aunction was held to help with cost of renos and redecorating. Approximately $2000 was raised. During last week of May, blue wall to wall carpet was laid on the floor and platform of the church. Early in June, the brickwork and foundation of the church were repaired by Mr. E Chant. A stone cairn was erected by Mr W Madden Jr and Mr G Durnford on the north-west corner of the church grounds to honour the founders of the church. The bronze plaque there on, donated by Kostuk family, bears the inscription : “LANGFORD UNITED CHURCH 1868-1968. This cairn erected to commemorate our 100th anniversary by the congregation June 9 1968.” On June 9, the 100 anniversary services commenced. In October, an agreement was made with Mr H Schneider to supply hard water to the church. A pipeline was connected from his home to the church lines. The cistern in the basement was leaking and causing much dampness. In December, a new coat rack has been made by MR, Ellis Chant and placed at rear of church.

1969 – Church became part of Erie Presbytery¹

1970 – Auction was held to augment funds as supporters were declining¹

1972- Local church board was re-organized into committees for more efficient running of church business and to get more members involved¹

1973 - Pictures of families and groups within the Cainsville and Langford churches were being taken for the preparation of a church directory. 105th anniversary of the church on June 10¹

1975 - Unusual wind and hail storm left a trail of damage through community. Large oak tree on church yard split by lightning¹

1976 - New wooden fence was put along east side of church property¹

1977 - New organ was bought for church. On May 28, a barn dance was held in new barn of Tom Alderson, sponsored by church community¹

1978 - Celebration service was held on February 12 for the retirement of debt on organ and dedication of new red hymn books purchased by UCW. In October, a new sign was made for the church by Norm Baulcomb, Brantford, from cedar from bush on property of McCann family¹

1979- Church yard sale held on May 26. November 3, insulation put in over church ceiling¹

1980 - A messenger group was started with Debbie Bean of Cainsville and Georgina Stavnitzky of Langford as leader for girls 5-8 years old¹

1980 - 112 anniversary June 8 service¹

1981- Storm windows were installed by Stevens Aluminium sales of Cainsville¹

1983- Aluminum windows were installed on windows of church hall. New oak doors were installed on the church by Kotten-Sorensen Ltd. Cainsville¹

1983 - June 12 was the 115th anniversary service¹

1984- Langford will pay 1/3 and Cainsville will pay 2/3 of mutual charge expenses. In March, the interior of the hall has been redecorated and new curtains hung¹

1985- New antependia (four sets for the different seasons) have been designed and made by Dorothy Rutherford¹

In June 23, a special service was held at Cainsville Community Centre to celebrate 60 years of the formation of the United Church of Canada. In October, a new roof was put on the church by Styres Lumber, Oshweken. In December, the minister had bought a computer for his office to assist in his sermons and storing reference material. Reverend Mark Steinacher had a welcome dinner in November. In the Fall, Bob Davis and his crew made preparations and repairs at the manse for the new minister. New counter top and sink, painting of dining and living rooms, three new storm doors, cementing garage floor, cleaning up of basement and removing dead trees and trimming bushes in yard.

1986 - New pictures of members of Langford church for photo directory¹

1986 - Church concerns made this year have been: inclusive language, sexual orientation and ordination of homosexuals as ministers¹

1987 - Mutual expenses for charge will be shared on basis of Cainsville 60% and Langford 40%¹

New stained glass windows were installed – diamond shaped pieces of cream and gold coloured catherdral glass.Windows were designed by university student Scott Archer, and were manufactured and installed by Sun Lite Glass at a cost of $9,921.28.

1989 - At the annual meeting on January 29 the congregation voted to withdraw from the United Church of Canada at the end of April of this year¹

1989-1992 - Roof was redone on the Sunday School Room, Kitchen and Nursery. Two new furnances were installed, hot water tank was installed and electrical rewiring was done¹

1991 - On November 27, Erie Presbytery approved the transference of the property known as Langford United Church, to the Congregation/Trustees of The Langford Community Church subject to terms¹

1992 - On February 16, the motion for Langford church was defeated at the Hamilton Conference regarding the transference approval stated above¹

Reverend John Forester, Erie Presbytery representative, made a motion that the United Church should not accept anything less than $100,000 for the Langford Church and property since it was valued at $200,000. Things were looking grim for the church as the Hamilton Conference has placed value of money over morals. In November, Erie Presbytery sent a letter to the Langford Community Church stating “It is with great pleasure that I write this letter informing you that we have received a positive reply from Hamilton Conference concerning Langford Church Property. The following motion was passed by the Sub-Executive of Hamilton Conference: The Langford United Church facilities to be sold to the Langford Community Church for the sum of two dollars ($2.00), plus an additional six hundred dollars ($600.00) to cover costs of the transaction. This agreement be subject to a reversionary clause such that should the Langford Community Church ever cease to exist or decide to dispose of the property that it be required to offer it to the United Church of Canada for the sum of two dollars ($2.00)."

1993 - Langford Church, after a few years of negotiations and losses, successfully won the battle to separate from the United Church of Canada thus becoming Langford Community Church. The celebration of its acquisition was an afternoon service of worship and deed transfer on February 28¹

1996 - Roof was changed to membrane roof. Existing steel was removed. It was said to have life expectancy of about 25 years with 10 year guarantee. Church sign changed to digital¹

2008 - New sanctuary doors, a new furnace for sanctuary added, new air conditioning for the hall and the refurbishing of the nursery and washrooms. Sanctuary interior painted, new furnace for hall and cushions for the pews. New stairs to the sanctuary platform with carpet installed¹

2010 - Railway ties and snowplow markers installed in parking lot. Shrubs removed by church sign. Flower beds were worked on¹

2012 - Lightbulbs in nursery and downstairs Sunday School were changed to energy efficient ones. All windows were caulked¹

2013 - New bookkeeping software implemented. Brick of the church was repointed. Part of the chimney was taken down 3 or 4 layers.¹

2014 - Both toilets replaced with low flow toilets and both sinks and taps replaced¹

2016 - Sump pump drain buried. Carpet added to foyer. 60th anniversary of fire. Fridge added to kitchen¹

2017 - Roof was redone¹

Notes

1. Robinson, Bob. Church Archives. June 2017.

References

• Robinson, Bob. Church Archives. June 2017.

• Langford
  Ontario, Canada
  

  Latitude: 43.1668 Longitude: -80.13295