Long River United Church - Long River, PEI
Posted by: 
T0SHEA
N 46° 29.416 W 063° 32.581
20T E 458325 N 5148665
This rural church served the United Church congregation for many decades until its retirement several years ago.
Waymark Code: WMX562
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Date Posted: 11/28/2017
Views: 2
Though the United Church sign still stands beside the (former) church, the dwindling of the population of Long River eventually precipitated its closure for lack of attendees. The community of Long River, once a small business centre for the area, has lost all its businesses and all of its population save for possibly a dozen remaining citizens. Essentially all of these either own or work on the nearby farms.
We don't known exactly when this little Gothic Revival church was retired from active duty, but we do know that it was for sale, asking price $69,000, in the summer of 2011. It sold in 2012 to a couple of writers who have been spending their spare time on repairs. The building itself seemed in reasonably good condition but the foundation was in serious need of repair. Given that the church was built in 1928, we suppose this is to be expected.
One of the conditions of sale, at least in 2011, was that the congregation would remove the stained glass window in the north wall of the sanctuary, but we see that it remains in place. Possibly this is because the new owners intend to keep the church open as a meeting and gathering place for the community as long as possible.
Percy Tanton was the architect responsible for this fine building, while Rutherford Cotton was the general contractor who made it happen. As was the norm when the church was built, it has a nice large bell tower and steeple, which, to our knowledge, still houses its bell. Offset on the corner of the sanctuary, it also serves as the main entrance.
The church is 10 kilometres north on Highway 101 and east on Highway 234 from Kensington, well out in the country.
