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St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Welland

 There has been a Presbyterian presence in this area since 1834 when the Rev. Angus Mackintosh was sent here from Scotland to minister to the Presbyterians in the Niagara area. 

It wasn’t until 1864 that a church was built on Church Street in Welland, The growing congregation felt they were too far from the center of town so they bought a house and property from William Bald where our present sanctuary stands.  The new church was dedicated on January 5, 1890.  In 1911 it was decided to erect a hall at the south end of the church to be named the McCuaig Hall. 

The issue of Church Union came up in 1925 but was defeated, 230-38.

The Great Depression came in 1929.  The ladies kept busy raising money with bazaars, selling baked goods, quilting and individual givings.  The Busy Bees Mission Band formed in 1902 and kept the children busy.  Groups in the Church were Ladies Guild, Ladies Aid, and the Young Peoples Society.

During 1950 a new Sunday School was built.  In January of 1964, all the ladies groups in the church joined to form the Women’s Association with 5 Units.

In 1967 the church was given a face lift – with oak and walnut panelling on the walls and new cathedral lights in the ceiling.  The false organ pipes were removed and were replaced by drapes centered by a 6 foot wooden cross. 

Thanks to a bequest from the late Dorothy Ort, the church was made handicap accessible and new offices for the minister and office staff was built.  After the manse was torn down, handicapped parking was installed.  During the summer of 2006 extensive renovations were completed and a cross was added to the steeple thanks to a generous bequest from the late Jim and Evelyn Brown. 

From 1864-2005 the following ministers were called for St. Andrews:

Rev. William Hancock – 1872-1875

Rev. James McEwen – 1878-1885

Rev. Findley McCuaig – 1887-1905

Rev. J.D. Cunningham – 1906-1926

Rev. R.A. Cranston – 1927-1941

Rev. A.D. Sutherland – 1941-1947

Rev. D.D. Davidson – 1948-1955

Rev. Wilfred MacLeod – 1956-1967

Rev. Ross Adams – 1967-1975

Rev. Marshall Jess – 1976-1979

Rev. Dr. Ray Dodgson – 1980-1986

Rev. James Goldsmith – 1987-1995

Rev. Ron Sharpe – 1997-2003

Pastor Guy Sinclair – 2005-present

Edythe Phillips

This website is a work in progress.

St. Andrew's as seen from the corner of Bald and Frazer Streets.

In 2006, a cross was placed on the top of the steeple.