Our History

Our Logo Explained

In the Fall of 2017, Edith Rankin Memorial United Church Council of Elders commissioned a working group to look at ...

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Our church roots have been planted deep in this community for over two centuries. The Wesleyan Methodists instituted a circuit rider preacher around the north-east shores of Lake Ontario in 1790. Collins Bay (Collinsby originally) was one of the eleven communities served.

In 1864 the Canada Methodists united with the British Wesleyans under the name the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and in 1872 its members erected the red brick building which still stands on Hillview Road. Gradually the 11 preaching stations on the circuit decreased until, in 1912, Collins Bay was one of three “points”: Collins Bay, Cataraqui, and Westbrook.

Stewart Renfrew has written three essays on the predecessor to our sanctuary.

In 1919, six years before church union, the Methodists and Presbyterians united to form one congregation, worshipping in the church on Hillview Road. The Bill for Church Union in 1925 was sponsored in the Ontario Legislature by Anthony Rankin, M.L.A. for Frontenac-Addington, and a staunch pillar in the church. The Rankins were wealthy linen merchants who emigrated from Ireland to Collins Bay in the mid 1800’s to establish several grist and carding mills. The family was responsible for building the three beautiful old stone houses across the road and west of our Church.

After church union, the church on Hillview Road became known as Collins Bay United Church. The original church sign, pulpit, and three chairs from the old church are on display in the narthex.

A RECORD OF OUR MINISTERS: 1958 to the present

The Rev. Barry Armstrong

In the forties and fifties, the population in Collins Bay grew, and in 1958 the charge became a single point and called the Rev. J.G. (Barry) Armstrong. A manse was built nearby on Bath Road.

In 1956, David Rankin, son of Anthony Rankin, generously offered his waterfront property for a new church with the request that the church be named “Edith Rankin Memorial” in memory of his cousin Edith Rankin (1900 – 1940). She had been killed in a car / train accident at Garden City, Long Island, just weeks before her wedding.

The cornerstone for Edith Rankin Memorial United Church was laid October 11, 1959 and the congregation of Collins Bay United Church moved into their new church on Sunday, January 17, 1960.

The trowel used in the construction was donated by the builder and is also on display in the narthex. On the January 2003 anniversary, four of the original windows from the Hillsview Church were dedicated. They hang on our current clear-glass windows on the south side of the sanctuary – a beautiful as well as historic addition.

The Rev. Ray Milley

When the Rev. Ray Milley became our minister in 1963, a larger manse was needed, so 701 Truman Drive in Hillview was purchased. This was a time of growth as the community expanded around Collins Bay. Reah was his much loved spouse and stalwart in the church. Both were welcomed back by the congregation upon his retirement in the late 1980s.

The Rev. Dr. Albert Burnside

When the Rev. Dr. Albert Burnside began his ministry with us in 1974, he and his wife lived in the Simcoe Apartments in the city and so the manse on Truman Drive was sold. In 1978 the old church property on Hillview Road was sold; and in 1983 the congregation purchased the Byrne property east of the church to allow for additional parking. The growth of the Sunday School was remarkable, so much so that classrooms were rented from the school across the road, a source of great angst amongst the parents and congregants. Clearly, an expansion was require.

The Rev. Ian Mackay

Rev. Mackay arrived in 1983 and was the minister on Nov. 23, 1986 when the cornerstone was laid for an expanded sanctuary and a new wing adjoining the west end of the building. This addition was called Clark Hall, named after Harriett and Harold Clark, loyal church members and relatives of the Rankins.

Sod turning for addition of Clark Hall 1986

The church continued to grow as the new millennium neared, and soon a part-time Staff Associate, Sharon Van Nest, as well as a Youth Associate, Lori Servage, were added to the Church Staff. Ian accepted a call to St. Lambert’s in 1993 and the Rev. Dr. Wayne Soble served as an Interim Minister from January to August, 1994, prior to the arrival of our next minister.

The Rev. Dr. Paul Currie

Rev. Currie was senior minister from September 1994 to 2001, leading us into the 21st century. The Rev. Maggie Coleman and the Rev. Beverley Burlock each served as associate ministers during Dr. Currie’s tenure. The Rev. Dr. Currie left for a call in Peterborough Dec. 31 2001.

The Rev. Mark Fleming

Beginning the first of January 2002, the Rev. Mark Fleming, known as “Mark, the Spark” was appointed as our full-time Supply Minister until a Transition minister could be brought on staff. However, this proved difficult since there were very few Intentional Interim Ministers available. The solution found was to continue the Rev. Mark Fleming’s term to 30 June 2004 and to appoint the Rev. George Lavery, a qualified Intentional Interim Minister for half-time from 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2004.

The Rev. George Lavery

God truly blessed this congregation in bringing together this team ministry to serve our needs and lead us forward.

In the Spring of 2003, the congregation formed a Joint Needs Assessment Committee and subsequently a Joint Search Committee. The result was a call issued to the Rev. Dr. Wayne Soble, one and the same who had served as our Interim Minister in 1994.

The Rev. Dr. Wayne Soble and The Rev. Micheline Montreuil

Dr. Soble arrived August 2004, and a second call was issued to the Rev. Micheline Montreuil. When Rev. Montreuil joined us in September, the new leadership team was in place to offer their gifts as we continued to further our goals of serving God, our neighbours and one another in faithful ways. In December 2011, she was called to a pastorate in Northern Frontenac County,  leaving a vacancy for a 2nd minister.

The Rev. Dr. Jean Stairs, teamed with Dr. Soble

The Rev. Dr. Jean Stairs, wife of our then minister Wayne, was called 1st August, 2012. She had retired a year earlier as Principal of Queen’s Theological College and was available, following her year on sabbatical.  Wayne’s role was defined as Minister of Worship, Pastoral Care and Administration; Jean’s role was defined as Minister of Education, Outreach and Pastoral Care. Wayne is remembered not only for his preaching but also his seminar series on the bible. Jean lead the Sunday School into different directions, including Thank God Its Friday evenings (monthly) with children and parents and a major initiative in leading the sponsorship team which brought a Syrian family to Kingston and maintained them for a year.

During Wayne and Jean’s tenure, the church decided that an addition was again required and, after an in depth process lasting several years, the needs of the community and the congregation were prioritized and the building plans were finalized to meet those needs. The construction was completed in the summer of 2016. In June 2019, both Wayne and Jean retired from active ministry.

Rev. Dr. Bill Smith and Rev. Joe Ramsay

Bill and Joe formed an interim team ministry beginning the late summer of 2019. Together they moved the congregation forward as it sought a called ministry. After much discussion the Search and Selection Committee was directed to recommend a single full-time minister with a commitment to review the workload and functioning of the congregation after a 6-month period to analyze what, if any, additional assistance was required. Elizabeth Amirault continued as Minister of Pastoral Care.

In mid-March, 2020, COVID-19 hit the church as it hit the world, locking down all business and social activities to stop the spread of this pandemic. Very quickly, Rev. Joe Ramsay led the congregation into videoconferencing Sunday morning services, using RingCentral (ZOOM). A team of technical volunteers stepped to assist Joe and Bill and our organist, Kim Barney, to produce these services with increasing quality. The “attendance” at our services grew to an average of sites every Sunday (probable  120 persons or more).  In addition, a social open-line RingCentral meeting was held every Wednesday, allowing members and adherents to keep in touch with each other. This is our current situation (May 2021).

The Rev. Michelle Down

On 1 June 2020, by videoconferencing at a Congregational Meeting, the Search and Selection Committee, endorsed by Council, presented Rev. Michelle Down as their candidate for the call. This was accepted unanimously and she was issued a call for 1 September 2020.

Weekly worship, with its careful blend of both traditional and contemporary expression, is the heartbeat of our gathered life. Relevant preaching, excellent music and lay participation from all ages maintain a high level of attendance and participation.

It is good to be God’s people in this place.