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HISTORY OF WEST PLAINS UNITED CHURCH The history of West Plains United Church, situated on the Toronto-Hamilton highway, two miles from the city limits, dates back to 1876, when the late William Hendrie donated land to the settlement on which to erect a church. Previous to this, Sunday school services had been held in the settlement and the superintendent was W. Turner. In 1878 Sarah Jane Smoke donated the first money for the erection of this church and a one-room structure, with plain glass windows and seating about 90 people was erected. The pulpit chairs were donated by Thomas Boston and the approximate cost of the building was $400. In the same year, Rev. W. Williamson dedicated the church and it was then known as the Methodist Episcopal church and remained so until union five years later in 1883, when it became West Plains Methodist. Commencing with a membership of about twenty-five. Mr. Williamson was succeeded by the following ministers: Rev. Van Wyck Rev. W. E. Prescott Rev. C. R. Morrow Rev. R. J. Forman Rev. W. C. McCartney Rev. E. B. Stevenson Rev. W. Archer Rev. G. Louds Rev. G. K. Bradshaw Rev. G. Smith Rev. J. W. Schofield Rev. R. L. Merner Rev. J. W. Hunt Rev. F. Hendershot Rev. S. B. Stokes Rev. J. T. Heslop Rev. M. A. Bury Dr. H. W. Outerbridge Rev. E. A. Chester Rev. A. McCuaig At the time of church union in 1925, the name was again changed to West Plains United Church. In 1930 the Hendrie estate donated land on which was built the present handsome edifice. Three beautiful memorial windows adorn the church, Mrs. E. G. Reycraft donated one; the members of the Y.M.C.A. old boys, former pupils of William Robinson, donated a window in memory of comrades who fell in the Great War, and a third window was donated by W. E. Peart. Rev. S. M. Roadhouse dedicated the church in September of the same year. With a membership of 130, the church is most progressive and in a splendid position. September 16th, 1954: Rev. Alan McCuaig was on this date inducted as the first full time Minister of West Plains United. Formerly it was a joint charge with Appleby and East Plains United and more recently with just the latter. Rev. W. J. Preston, chairman of the Hamilton Presbytery conducted the service of induction with Rev. S. B. Stokes, a former minister, welcoming the incubent and stated it was anothe first in the life of West Plains. October 24th, 1958: West Plains United Church yesterday celebrated the 84th anniversary of the congregation. The church was first Upper School House, but in 1872 was renamed Plains West. The anniversary was marked by a special service at which Rev. Robert Dobbie was preacher. Mr. Dobbie has recently arrived from Edinburgh to take up his duties as instructor to the United Church Theological Students at Emmanuel College, Toronto and this was his first preaching engagement. Appropriately he spoke about the occasion described in the Bible which have been commorated as anniversaries through the centuries. The congregation was advised in ways by which it might enrich the fellowship it had received as a heritage, directly from the great John Wesley, and indirectly from themselves.