Metropolitan United Church was founded in 1833 as London’s first Methodist Church on the corner of Ridout and Carling Street. It served one of the largest congregations west of Montreal. In 1854 North Street Methodist Church was built on the Queen’s Avenue. Unfortunately a fire burned this church down on February 2, 1895. Plans for a new church were formulated and for a new location.

            Over 99 planning meetings were involved in creating the new church. It was planned in the Romanesque Revival style. Its foundation was 184 by 96 feet, with a 170 feet bell tower. The cornerstone was laid on July 30, 1895. It was renamed First Methodist Church and is situated on its modern site at Wellington and Dufferin.

            Throughout the 20th century First Methodist was to be a pioneer in organ and liturgy music in addition to having a very active community. Sunday school was extremely popular, and extensions were required to house more children.  A gymnasium and classrooms were added to the church in the 1920’s. In the 1950’s there were continual renovations of the lower level classrooms and the church hall. The organ was cleaned and refitted to the new church. As the church continued to grow there were further expansions to the Sunday school areas, and minor ascetic changes made to the church.

            First Methodist felt the need to respond to an ongoing Christian crisis in London, Ontario where many denominations did not have buildings to celebrate their masses, or whose structure was similar to their own. The church responded by incorporating other Christian denominations. The church was renamed the United Church of Canada on June 10, 1925. It changed its name again to become Metropolitan United Church.

            Today Metropolitan United remains one of the most community oriented churches in London with an active focus on the family and childhood education programs. 

METROPOLITAN UNITED CHURCH