The Urban Partner: Grace United Church: 11 a.m. Sunday Service
Mission: Grace United Church is a welcoming family of Christian Faith, committed to living, learning, growing and sharing God’s Love; acting with acceptance, caring and joy in our community and the world.
Grace United Church also has strong roots in Methodism. In 1847, a large frame building was erected on the corner of Chapman and St. George Streets. This building later became the Sunday School Wing of our current church. A Christian Education Wing was built in its place in 1962. The present Sanctuary will seat 300. It has many beautiful stained-glass windows and is architecturally pleasing. An electronic pipe organ captures your attention and is a focal point of the sanctuary. Upgrades to the sanctuary include: a Grand Piano, new sound system, projector and screen, live stream equipment, new lights and the rebuilding of the large stained glass window at the back of the church. The building has been made fully accessible with ramps, an elevator, chairlift and updated washrooms. Several community groups rent the facilities at Grace.
Grace United celebrated its 175th Anniversary in 2022. Activities included: a joint picnic held at Woodhouse; a mini-putt outing to the Arbourtown Mini Golf; creation of a cookbook of favourite recipes from Grace Congregation members;
a 2023 calendar that highlights historical events with photos; 175th Anniversary Service with guest speaker Rev. Jenny Stephens and a roast beef dinner for the community.
The membership at Grace over the last 10 years has been changing. Fewer families with young children attend. Long-time family members are represented along with new retirees to Port Dover. Approximately 60 – 70 people attend the worship service. A Music Director provides music for a 20-member choir and inspirational pieces to complement the morning worship. Messy Church and Sunday School programs are currently under review.
A church council comprised of representatives from committees meets monthly. Subcommittees for Finance, Stewardship and Visioning, Music and Worship, Buildings and Grounds, Trustee Committee and Christian Education are in place and functioning well.
Grace members feel one of their strengths is supporting projects that include the entire congregation and community.
Most recently, they have helped with Haldimand Norfolk REACH and Youth in transitioning out of foster care, assisted a family after a house fire left them needing everything and helped the Sea Scouts that needed assistance with fees and programming costs.
Annual events that successfully raise friends and funds include:
As part of Grace United’s active involvement in the community, their facilities are rented to several recreational and social-based organizations on a weekly and monthly basis. Some of these organizations include:
Mission: Grace United Church is a welcoming family of Christian Faith, committed to living, learning, growing and sharing God’s Love; acting with acceptance, caring and joy in our community and the world.
Grace United Church also has strong roots in Methodism. In 1847, a large frame building was erected on the corner of Chapman and St. George Streets. This building later became the Sunday School Wing of our current church. A Christian Education Wing was built in its place in 1962. The present Sanctuary will seat 300. It has many beautiful stained-glass windows and is architecturally pleasing. An electronic pipe organ captures your attention and is a focal point of the sanctuary. Upgrades to the sanctuary include: a Grand Piano, new sound system, projector and screen, live stream equipment, new lights and the rebuilding of the large stained glass window at the back of the church. The building has been made fully accessible with ramps, an elevator, chairlift and updated washrooms. Several community groups rent the facilities at Grace.
Grace United celebrated its 175th Anniversary in 2022. Activities included: a joint picnic held at Woodhouse; a mini-putt outing to the Arbourtown Mini Golf; creation of a cookbook of favourite recipes from Grace Congregation members;
a 2023 calendar that highlights historical events with photos; 175th Anniversary Service with guest speaker Rev. Jenny Stephens and a roast beef dinner for the community.
The membership at Grace over the last 10 years has been changing. Fewer families with young children attend. Long-time family members are represented along with new retirees to Port Dover. Approximately 60 – 70 people attend the worship service. A Music Director provides music for a 20-member choir and inspirational pieces to complement the morning worship. Messy Church and Sunday School programs are currently under review.
A church council comprised of representatives from committees meets monthly. Subcommittees for Finance, Stewardship and Visioning, Music and Worship, Buildings and Grounds, Trustee Committee and Christian Education are in place and functioning well.
Grace members feel one of their strengths is supporting projects that include the entire congregation and community.
Most recently, they have helped with Haldimand Norfolk REACH and Youth in transitioning out of foster care, assisted a family after a house fire left them needing everything and helped the Sea Scouts that needed assistance with fees and programming costs.
Annual events that successfully raise friends and funds include:
- Community suppers: Shrove Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day, Anniversary celebrations
- Friday the 13th - food, coat check and use of washrooms
- Spring Rummage Sale (currently suspended)
- The Fall Affair bazaar (under review)
- Bible Study in daytime for the Pastoral Charge
- UCW
- Weekly Prayer Service
- Spirit Journey lecture series each Fall with a focus on social justice issues
- Coffee time at 10 a.m. before worship service (suspended due to COVID concerns)
- Lift Up Your Spirit Women’s Group
As part of Grace United’s active involvement in the community, their facilities are rented to several recreational and social-based organizations on a weekly and monthly basis. Some of these organizations include:
- Stonebridge fitness class
- Tai Chi
- Dover Uke Heads
- T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
- A.A.
- Embers and Girl Guides
- Duplicate Bridge Club
- Hand and Foot Card game
- Bagpipers
- Community Sing-along Group
