Asbury & West United Church

Can you imagine a church’s journey spanning over two centuries? Asbury & West United Church, right here at Bathurst and Lawrence, has witnessed Toronto’s transformation from a scattering of settlements to the bustling metropolis it is today. The story of Asbury & West begins in 1812, in the farmhouse of Henry Mulholland, a War of 1812 veteran. Small groups of Methodist settlers gathered there, laying the foundation for what would become Asbury & West United Church. These early services were led by circuit preachers who traveled from nearby Eglinton. By 1817, the congregation had grown enough to hold services in a new schoolhouse. Mulholland dreamed of a dedicated church building and began clearing land for its construction. Tragically, he perished in the sinking of the Lady of the Lake in 1833. His widow, Jane, donated the cleared land, and a small wooden chapel was erected in his memory, named after Francis Asbury, a prominent Methodist leader. This chapel served the community until 1898 when it was destroyed by fire. A new brick church rose in its place. With the formation of the United Church of Canada in 1925, Asbury Methodist Church became Asbury United Church. The story doesn’t end there. In 1947, Asbury United Church merged with West United Church, a congregation with its own rich history. West United Church began as West Presbyterian Church in 1860, initially meeting in a hall on Brock Street. Their first building was erected in 1864 on Denison Street. They later moved further north on Denison before relocating to College and Montrose in 1910. They joined the United Church in 1925, becoming West United Church. The former Methodist congregation from Clinton Street joined them in 1928. By 1947, the congregation had dwindled, leading to the merger with Asbury United Church. The current building of Asbury & West United Church was built in the 1950s to accommodate the growing community. Asbury & West has stood witness to the area’s dramatic shift from farmland to a bustling suburb. It continues to serve as a testament to the enduring power of faith and community in a constantly evolving city.