A Brief History

This brief history starts a long time ago, in July of 1888, when the Rev. W. W. Baer of Denman Island and the Rev. Alex Fraser of Comox began offering Methodist and Presbyterian services, respectively, outdoors in the mining settlement in Cumberland, BC. In 1889 these services shifted into a small cottage in the camp and then in 1890 into the schoolhouse. In 1893 the coal mine company donated the land at 2688 Penrith Avenue to St. George’s Presbyterian congregation and a campaign to raise the necessary $3,000 to begin construction was underway. 

The building was designed by architect James Carthew, and built by Daniel C. McDonald in the Gothic Revival style using an asymmetrical form including the front-gabled structure with entrance, and a cross-axial east gable. Its simple wood construction reflected the working-class community that would serve. The details of the interior ceiling arched supports and the rough-hewn timbers in door and window trim are examples of this simplicity and lack of any ornamentation. Tin work ceiling was done by C. H. Tarbell, painting by Hay and Wilkinson who offered wainscoting stained cherry red, with the walls above the wainscoting and the ceiling a light sky blue. Grant and McGregor supplied a McClary No. 17 furnace. Seating was a circle of 350 cedar seats with a hard oil finish. The 96 foot high spire was covered in cedar shingles. 

Construction was completed and the building consecrated in 1895 as St. George’s Presbyterian Church, which later became Cumberland United Church when the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches amalgamated in 1925. It is one of only two remaining church buildings on the historic “Church Row” (Penrith Avenue), and has been in community use for a wide spectrum of events for over 120 years. 

Certain interior features add to its historic value. 

The Pipe Organ 

The pipe organ, "Church's Chief Treasure", was built by Alfred Hunter of 379 Kensington Road London, England and shipped around Cape Horn in 1878 to St. Paul’s Naval Chapel in Esquimalt. It was subsequently sold to Courtenay Presbyterian Church in 1911, and in 1945 the organ and pipes were painted dark brown by a new minister. Complaints by the organist and congregation that the paint spoiled the tone, resulted in the church replacing both the minister and the organ. Cumberland United Church acquired the pipe organ in 1952, and it was refurbished by removing the paint and giving the wood a light stain. The instrument remains in excellent condition and is used in weekly services, by Artists-in-residence, and for concerts by much sought after and world renowned musicians. 

The Church Bell 

Samuel Clark Davis Sr. donated bells to new churches in Cumberland: St. George’s Presbyterian, Chinese Mission Church, and Holy Trinity Anglican. His plan to donate to the Methodist Church was changed due to a disagreement. The bell came from the Vanduzen and Tift Buckeye Bell Foundry, Cincinnati 1896.

Stained Glass 

There are 5 historic stained glass windows along the First Street side of the building, as well as the main window depicting miners, by well-known Canadian artist, John Mortensen. 

Necessary renovations in the mid-to-late 20th century included truncating the original 96-foot spire, stuccoing the exterior walls and gables, and modifications to the entrance. Oak pews were added along with a new steel roof (1985) now badly in need of replacement. 

In 2017, faced with a dwindling congregation and funds, the United Church took the difficult decision to decommission the church and the farewell service was on Nov 26. In January 2018 it was listed for sale with an asking price of $380,000. 

On May 28, 2018 the Cumberland United Church building was formally recognized as in the Canada’s Historic Places register as a historic place with significant Heritage Value, i.e. “The Cumberland United Church has cultural, historic, spiritual and social value as an enduring record of community life in Cumberland.” 

Subsequently, the Outreach Minister of St. George’s United in Courtenay sought approval to withdraw the church from sale and launch a multi-faceted project to rebuild the church’s role in the community as not only a church but also a centre for social, cultural, and artistic renewal and healing. Since then, the Rev. Ingrid Brown, now the Minister of Weird Church (which began in September of 2018), has invited the community back into the building with the aim of cultivating connections and building healthy relationships, opening the physical space to allow for social transformation in collaborative, intergenerational, inter-faith learning and sharing. 

R. Udell & J. Griffiths 

Updated 12 16 2021 by I . Brown

(From Canada’s Historic Places https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=23278&pid=0 &

Comox Valley Record Apr 1, 2013 https://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/community/a-brief-history-of-cumberland-united-church/

“Cumberland Heritage, A Selected History of People, Buildings, Institutions & Sites 1888 – 1950” By Jennifer Nell Barr, Corporation of the Village of Cumberland, 1997.)