The history of both of our churches dates back to over 120 years ago with the introduction of Methodist in Carleton County.

Between 1868 and 1925, the congregations of both of our churches were Methodist.  They became known as the United Church of Canada in 1925 with the union of various sections of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches, a union that was brought about by “….A desire for wider fellowship and closer church relations”.  This led to a conference in 1874 between the denominations, which deepened the sense of Christian fellowship, revealed more clearly the hindrances to the Christian Church through unnecessary overlapping in the work of its various branches and prepared the way for the various forms of cooperation….”

It is said that Methodism was introduced into Carleton County by James Killen, an Irishman, who, with his wife, came from the Miramichi.  The first visits by a Methodist preacher in Carleton County date around 1821 with the first preacher having been appointed to the field in 1832.  At that time, the circuit included the whole county from Woodstock to Tobique on both sides of the river.

The Jacksonville circuit was cut off from the Woodstock circuit in 1862 and included Jacksonville, Lindsay, Bloomfield, North and South Richmond and Gesner Settlement.  The church at Jacksonville was dedicated on December 26^th, 1886.  Information regarding the previous church, which had been in use for 25 years, is sketchy. (If anyone has this information, we would appreciate hearing from you.)

The Methodist first appeared in Hartland in 1868.  Through the kindness and solely at the expense of Murdock Matheson, a commodious hall for preaching was opened on November 17, 1873.  This hall was upstairs over Murdock Matheson’s blacksmith and wheelwright shop.  The Methodist services were held here, rent free, for the next 25 years.  A new Church was erected in Hartland in 1894.  Miss Maud I. Keswick laid the cornerstone on the afternoon of July 11th, 1894.  The Church was later dedicated on October 7^th, 1894.

Over the years, many improvements were carried out including renovations in 1910, with the interior having been done in mostly pressed steel.  In 1930 a bell, donated by Mr. R.J. Potts, was placed in the church edifice and in 1931 a basement was added by raising the building.