The group at Grace United Church on July 31, 2022 (left to right): Ryan Murray, Rev. Tami Spires, Allan James, Addison Murray, Cline MacDonald, Theda Lowry, Stuart Main, Sharon Moore, Faith Wharry, Janice Lowry Hartwell, Doreen Cairns, Marlene Lowry, Eddie Harvey, Mary Lebourveau, Judy Gilbert, Margaret James, Violet Main, Peter Murray, and Jody James.

“The church was dedicated on February 29, 1872.” That is written in the Bible that the minister, Reverend Adams, gave to the trustees on the occasion. And Violet Main has it.
Violet and Stuart Main were among a group of 20 at the July 31st service marking the 150th anniversary of the Grace United Church at 800 Brookbury Road just north of Bury. A larger celebration is planned next summer, after Covid is less of a threat.
Originally Methodist, the little white church has been United since the Methodists joined the United Church of Canada in 1925.
The family history of Violet, née Downes, has long been intertwined with that of Grace United. “Our farm was just two farms away. I believe it was William Francis who donated land for both the church and the cemetery (we’re cousins; Mrs. Francis was a Downes).”
She recalls attending the church as a child. “I remember my father was on the outside. I was on his lap. Then my sister sat next to him, then my mother, then my three brothers. We filled the seat. That was the fourth seat back from the front, just by the window.”
During the Second World War, the church didn’t have a minister. It was a long trip from Cookshire, especially in winter, when the roads were “rolled” to pack down the snow, rather than being plowed. Since then, the church has had services mostly in summers, or on special occasions.
“We used to have all kinds of people coming to services there. United, Anglican, Catholic – Brookbury people. That was wonderful,” Violet said.
When the United Church proposed selling the building, The Downes cousins and others arranged for the Grace United Cemetery Association to buy it in 2013. The Association has painted and repaired it, and anticipates further work on the building and its surrounding acre of land, said Margaret James, member of the Association board.
Inside, the little vestibule opens into a sanctuary containing simple wooden pews, an old-fashioned organ, pulpit, and a communion table in the front, bearing bouquets of flowers. Two wood stoves in the back of the church, and a long stovepipe leading to the front, were unused.
“It really is lovely, when the light comes through the stained glass, w the tin walls and ceiling,” said Margaret James, another long-time member. “It’s not overstated, it’s very simple. I think that’s the beauty of it.”
On July 31st, Rev. Tami Spires of the United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge led the service of hymns, prayers, scripture readings, and a reflection. From outside, the sun cast a dim light through the surrounding trees and the green, yellow and violet panes of the six tall windows. Sharon Moore played piano.
The old hymn, “Church in the Wildwood,” closed the service.
“There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood, No lovelier spot in the vale,” everyone sang with heart.
“It’s stepping back in time,” said James. “Theda Lowry said that Brookbury is the perfect church to sing that song in, because it IS the church in the wildwood!”