By Rev. Peggy Bartlett
HAGERSVILLE—As Hagersville celebrates 150 years as a town, we are reminded that its story has always been intertwined with faith. From the very beginning, the families who settled here brought with them more than tools and traditions, they brought a deep reliance on God. Worship was not just a Sunday routine, but the heartbeat of a growing community.
The churches of Hagersville, each with its unique history and tradition, have been more than buildings. They have been places where children were baptized, couples were married, families were comforted in times of sorrow, meals were served, fundraisers were held, and communities were called to acts of compassion and service.
On Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 2 p.m., Hagersville United Church is hosting an ecumenical service celebrating not only the 150th anniversary of the town, but all the churches that have built this community.
I have sourced a little bit of history for all the churches in Hagersville from Don Brown’s book, ‘Down Memory Lane.’
The Methodists and Hagersville United Church
The first Methodist meetings were held in 1847 in a log school just a half mile north of the village on the east side of what is now Highway 6, then called Plank Road. The Hagersville Methodist appointment in the 1860s was part of the Hullsville circuit, connected with Hullsville (now Garnet).
In 1869, Charles Hager deeded a plot of land to the Wesley Methodists for the sum of $1. The first portion of the church, that still stands, was built on the land that year, and Reverend TD Pearson became the first minister in the charge of the church in 1873.
By 1882, the congregation had grown and extensive alterations were needed. Wings were added, greatly enlarging the seating capacity and giving the church a cruciform shape. In 1891, the Hullsville circuit was divided and only Springvale was left as an outside appointment for the Hagersville charge; there was no further need for assistant ministers.
In 1925, Church Union came into effect and the Hagersville Methodist Church became a congregation of the United Church of Canada. Through the years, changes in the building kept pace with the needs of the congregation. In 1951, a new front entrance was added. In 1956, the Christian Education wing was added to help accommodate expanding activities. In 1965, extensive renovations were made to the interior, with the dedication service being held on November 14, 1965.
Springvale (Methodist) United Church
More than 173 years ago, pioneers Benn and Hicks came from Camden, near Kingston, to settle on the 14th Concession. As members of the Methodist Church, they held open air services in the schoolyard under a grove of trees. In 1850, a schoolhouse was built, which also served as a place of worship. W. Tomlin was the minister and teacher. John Holbrook built his stone house about 1869, now owned by Mr. Arnold Nigh, situated directly back of the church. In keeping with the Methodist custom, two rooms on the top floor were set aside for the minister, and for the next 20 years, the assistant minister made his home there.
The first church opened under the guidance of Samuel Bowan on the southeast corner of Concession 13. As the population increased a new building became necessary. In 1873, John Holbrook donated the land where the present Springvale United Church stands.
All Saints’ Anglican Church
The history of the Church of England in the town of Hagersville began about 1850, when Rev. B. Cudmore Hill held services in an old schoolhouse on the Plank Road between Hagersville and Ballsville.
Mr. Hill was known as the Grand River Missionary and served almost the whole of Haldimand County. Before there was any Church of England (Anglican) in Hagersville, services were held in a hall over a building on the present market site. The surrounding areas were then known as the Walpole Mission, which was later divided into the North and South Walpole missions. The South Walpole Mission became the present Parishes of Nanticoke (disbanded), Cheapside, Jarvis, and Hagersville (disbanded). It was not until 1870 that the present structure was erected on the land deeded to the church by David Almas.
In 1913, the tower and the baptistry were built; the chancel extended and the whole church renovated. On September 13, 2021, after 155 years of ministry, All Saints Anglican Church closed its doors for the last time.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
There were Presbyterian churches near Hagersville from 1850 to 1875 in Jarvis, Walpole, and the Gore. In the summer of 1880, Rev. Alexander Grant held the first worship service in Hagersville at the Old Drill Hall on Main Street South. It was large and cold, so that winter the Methodist Church invited the Presbyterian congregation to use their church for Sunday afternoon services. The services were held there for nearly a year, but some friction arose. The Presbyterians withdrew to an old hall attached to the Wilson House Hotel, located at the site of the present police office. The Wilson House was not really a desirable place for worship, reflecting something of a dance hall on other days and because of the adjoining tavern. This led to a decision to organize and build a new church.
On August 6, 1880, Mr. Charles Hager sold lot numbers 11 and 12 in block G of the village of Hagersville to SW Howard for $200. Mr. Howard then sold this property to the trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Hagersville, where St. Andrew’s and the Church manse were built. On July 9, 2023, after serving the Hagersville community for 140 years, St. Andrews closed their doors for the last time.
Hagersville Baptist Church
Early Baptist meetings were held over Fisher’s store on the northwest corner of King and Main streets. The congregation was officially organized on June 22, 1882. The new chapel was built with Barton Gilder as contractor and was first used for divine service for Christmas on Sunday, December 23, 1883.
In 1922, the tower was erected at the cost of about $2,000. Mr. Peter Bagley was the contractor at the time; the doors were moved from the centre of the church to the present location in the tower, and new stained-glass windows were installed in 1933. The horse sheds at the back of the church were torn down and a room was built at the back for meetings.
Extensive renovations were made in 1969. From 1980 to 1981, a new Christian education building was constructed, and a new church sign was presented to the church in October of 1990.
This history will continue with more Hagersville area churches featured in the October 16 edition of The Haldimand Press.
