In 1925, with
Church Union in Canada, many Presbyterians in the the area chose to remain with their church, with the result that those who chose to align themselves with the newly formed
United Church of Canada had no church in which to worship. In June 1926 the members of the new congregation met to discuss the creation of their church, which was to become Central United. In 1927 land was donated for a church and cemetery. Following a successful fund raising campaign, on June 30, 1927 plans drawn by architect James Harris of Charlottetown, nephew of the renowned architect, William Critchlow Harris, were accepted and work was begun on the building. Dedication of Central United Church came about less than six months later, on December 18, 1927.
Shingle clad and possessed of a relatively large corner bell tower, Central United could easily pass for a somewhat older church, especially if one looks closely at the spire. It has obviously not been renovated, except for reshingling, and the wood work, especially the finial atop, is deteriorating quite badly. Atop the finial is what could pass for a Scottish thistle, accompanied by a 1927 vintage lightning rod.
Nearly a decade later the adjacent cemetery received its first interment, that of John A. Stewart, born in 1851, who died January 7th, 1935. Today
Find a Grave lists 74 headstones extant in the cemetery, which, like the church, remains in use.
In 1927, Almon Boswall of Dunstaffnage donated land to the recently formed United Church of Canada. This property was ideally located on a hill and sheltered by a stand of spruce and white birch, with abundant grounds for the future needs of the church community.
...meetings were held in Marshfield Hall, and on June 30, 1927 following a successful financial campaign and selection of building plans designed by architect James Harris of Charlottetown, a large
number of churchmen gathered to clear the site of trees.
A history of Central United Church written by Hilda M. Dennis in 1977 states, "during the building of the church, we held our worship
services in Marshfield Hall or in a small church in Dunstaffnage which was part of the Mount Stewart Circuit at that time.
So it was, with the dedication of congregation members from the districts of Marshfield, Dunstaffange, Frenchfort, Suffolk and East Royalty, that Central United Church was dedicated to the Glory of God on December 18, 1927... ...It was said that horses and sleighs brought an overflowing congregation to the church on that glorious and memorable day.
The first wedding performed was a double ceremony on June 26,1929 when two sisters, Amelia Pearl and Edith Jane Vessey, daughters of Wm. Eddy and Amelia J. (Stewart) Vessey of Dunstaffnage, married William Donald Cooke and Elmer Thomas Brown, respectively, both of Little York.
The first funeral service from the new church and first grave opened was that of John A. Stewart, son of Christy (MacLaughlan) and John Stewart, who died January 7th, 1935.
Many changes have taken place over the years, from gas lamps to electric lights, a pump organ to an electric organ, piano and sound system, new pews, stained glass windows, and structural changes
including a parlor and washrooms; and in the lower level, a church hall complete with kitchen facilities.
From the book "MARSHFIELD AND AREA - A Grand Legacy", digitized by Island Lives