Sunday service: 11:15 am, August through June.
(Closed during July; joining with Bar River UC for service at 10:00 am.)

During the years of the First World War union churches were organized in many parts of Algoma. Thus, in 1917 we find a Union Church being organized in Echo Bay. The first Board meeting was on July 23rd, 1917 and the spirit in which this change was made is reflected in the minutes of that meeting. The first item of business was concerned with the purchase of sacramental wine and the second showed a unanimous decision that they hymn books to be used in the Methodist Church would be Presbyterian hymnals.

In 1920 Rev. Arthur Harden became the minister and in 1922 the charge made its first attempt to become self-supporting. Difficulty was experienced, however, in meeting the commitments and it was once again necessary to ask Home Missions Board for a grant.

When Church Union took place in June, 1925, this charge became members of The United Church of Canada by unanimous decision. At the time, Rev. Beverley Oates was minister.

The first man to be appointed by the United Church was Rev. Crawford Tate. Rev. Tate did not arrive until the Fall of 1925 and for a brief time the pulpit was occupied by Mr. Peter Renner. After serving for many years as a lay supply the latter was ordained a minster at the London Conference of 1948. From the conclusion of Mr. Tate’s pastorate to the present, the following have served as minister: Rev. C. Oke (1927-30), Rev. R.E. Gosse (1930-37), Rev. J. Hutton (1937-40), Rev. H. Vickerson (1940-42), Rev. Steven Dunk (1942-44), Rev. J. Burden (1944-47), Rev. A.R. Jones (1947-49), Rev. G. Rousom (1949-51), Rev. Arrol (1951-53), Mr. M. Morrison (1953-58), Rev. H. Burtch (1958-60), Dr. D. McKenzie (1960-62), Rev. G. Bowers (1962-67), Rev. Marjorie Stedman (1967-68), Rev. Andreas Kaellgren (1968-73), Rev. Bryan Lapier, our present minister.

During the pastorate of Mr. Hutton a change of boundaries by Algoma Presbytery added the McLennan Church to the Echo Bay Charge. This church was closed in the late 70’s on motion of Presbytery, thereby making our a two-point charge for the first time in its history. At one time it had been a four-point charge, including Sylvan Valley as a preaching point. In 1942 the jurisdiction passed from the Toronto to the London Conference.

Echo Bay:

The forerunner of the present church was a simple log building which, for a time, served its small congregation well but it was by no means central. When a half-acre of land was donated, tenders were requested for the new building. It was erected for $595.00 and for this sum the builder furnished all the material, erected the building, painted it and left it in a completed condition, expect for seats.

The corner stone was laid in August, 1897 by Rev. Manning of Sault Ste. Marie, the Superintendent of the field, assisted by the pastor, Rev John Coburn. In later years the latter turned author, as well as being secretary of the United Church’s Department of Evangelism and Social Services. One of his publications, "I Kept My Powder Dry", is composed of stories and anecdotes of this area which was his first pastorate. It is of interest that in 1947 Rev. Coburn returned to the Echo Bay Charge as guest preacher for its fiftieth anniversary.

As early as 1920 a committee was appointed to discuss the matter of a new parsonage. In 1921 permission was requested from Conference to sell the old building and apply the proceeds to a new manse. The matter hung fire until January 11th, 1927 when a motion was passed that a new building be erected on the property next to the church. In due time the new manse was completed at a cost of $3,850.00. A Home Mission grant of $500.00 was of great assistance. In the fall of 1933 the manse was wired and furnished and today this large brick building is one of which the charge can be truly proud. The excellent way in which it has been maintained and improved over the years is a credit to the ladies of the charge along with the Manse Committee who, mainly, have accepted this responsibility.

The Echo Bay congregation is the larger of the two points with the charge and it is within their church that the minister’s office is located. Its spacious basement and well equipped kitchen facilities have frequently provided a place of fellowship for all within the pastoral charge.

During the latter months of 1986 a new photocopier was obtained for the church office. It has reducing and coloring capabilities that will enrich printed materials used within the charge, such as newsletters, church bulletins, financial statements. As well, our church organizations such as Sunday school and United Church Women will benefit greatly.