If one was to read through the information on the history of the United Church in Botwood from the Botwood Historical Society, one would soon realize that to place such vast amounts of information within these web pages would be very time consuming. One thing is certain – Trinity United has touched the spirits of thousands of people through its ministry in this  quiet but beautiful, and historical town. One of the quotations which kept surfacing through research was, “Trinity United Church is one of the most attractive places of worship in the country.”

The Following words from a church bulletin of December 3, 2000, summerizes nicely some factual history of Trinity United, author unknown.

The congregation of Trinity United Church in Botwood can trace its history at least back to the first ordained minister to serve the congregation, the Rev. Frank Hollett in 1899, when only seventeen families lived in the community.

Worship services were first conducted in a small combined Methodist School-Chapel built in 1905 under the leadership of the Rev. C.R. Durrant at a cost of only $1,950.00. It can be readily guessed that a good deal of free labour went into it’s construction. A second church was built on the site where the manse now stands and was used until the congregation outgrew it.

The present church cornerstone was laid in 1926 under the leadership of the Rev. Edgar Mercer. At that time the church had two high towers but during World War II these towers were cut down considerably because it was claimed they were a danger to planes landing and taking off from the harbour.

In 1958 a complete rebuilding job inside and out was undertaken when the original towers were removed and a central tower was constructed as we see today. The roof was lowered, the inside gallery removed and a Young Peoples Hall built in the basement. More recently a Christian Education Centre has been added as an extention. A pipe organ donated by Mrs. James Wentzell was dismantled and Sold.

Below we will give you a glimpse of what Trinity United first looked like when it was first built, during a time when there was said to be a “gracious revival.” You will also see the beautiful pipe organ which,  was removed in the 1958 rebuilding of the church, sent to Mount Cashel Orphanage, and now is in use in Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, St. John’s, NL.

A view of Trinity United in her youth from Guide Rd.

 A side shot. 

After the towers were cropped in WW II.

 Interior of Trinity United, complete with beautiful pipe organ, before the 1958 rebuild.

 

A picture of the downtown/ base area of Botwood. See if you can find Trinity United.

 A picture of United Church Regional High.

Hard to believe this is the same building. The first picture we see Trinity United similiar to how it stands today. The Second is more what the church  looked like when it was first built.

Ministers to serve Trinity United: (Botwood Historical Society)

Late 1880(s)- Samuel Russell – first chapel/school was constructed.

1889 – James Nurse – Methodism began

1890- Samuel J. Russell

1890- Henry Whitmore

1892- Edwin Moore

1894- Selby Jefferson

1896- John Durrant

1897- J.K. Curtis

1898- William J. Luscombe

1899- Frank S. Hollett

1903- W.A. Palmer

1904- W. Muir

1905- C.R. Durrant

1907- John J. Durrant

1908- William J. Morris

1912- W.H. Webber

1914- J.T. Newman

1917- H.G. Coppin

1922- Ira F. Curtis

1924- W. Edgar Mercer

1929- Charles Howse

1930- W.S. Woolfrey

1935- W.B. Perry

1940- H.G. Coppin

1942- Samuel I. Murley

1949- B.B. Snow

1957- W.E. Stanford

1959- N.B. Hodder

1962- Hector Swain

1967- E.C. Sturge

1977- John Adams

           – Sidney Newbury

1985- Neil Newbury

          – John Finlayson

1991- Ian March-Macuish

1993- Ray Cole

1994-2003 - Lawrence Watkins

2003-2005 – John Maich

2005-2010 – Linda Burt

 2010-Present- Stephen Barbour