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Who We Are at Wesley United Church

Apr 5, 2011 | 8:24 AM

Wesley became the first Methodist Church in Prince Albert in 1880, under the spiritual guidance of the Reverend Arthur Whiteside, who travelled by boat down the North Saskatchewan River from Edmonton.

He named his new Mission Church in honour of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism in the 1700’s.

The Methodist Congregation voted in favour of Union with the Presbyterians and the Congregationalists in 1925 and established itself under its new name, Wesley United Church.

The Reverend Tony Thompson has been the presiding minister since 2003.

The congregation consists of about 175 families. Worship Services take place on Sunday mornings at 11am, followed by coffee-time for those who enjoy visiting.

The Church holds services for special occasions, such as Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, as well as weddings, funerals and baptisms on request. Wesley has a rich tradition of offering excellent music under the guidance of its music director, Phyllis McTaggart, together with an active, enthusiastic choir.

They are joined on occasion by Bob Hayes on drums and by guest musicians. Sunday School and the youth group are led by lay volunteers.

The Congregation sponsors a refuge family from the Karen camps in Thailand and supports various causes in the community and within the wider United Church of Canada.

Over the years, Wesley has hosted a Spring Beef-Bison-Pork Supper and Silent Auction, and, in recent years, The Wesley Players have performed various musicals.