Topsail United Church

Topsail United Church Topsail United Church - "the church by the side of the road" - is a congregation of The United Church x 18 ft. and constructed from local timber. John’s.

Topsail United Church – “The Church by The Side of The Road” – had its beginning in 1837 with the formation of a small Wesleyan Methodist Meeting House. But even before this, the early settlers, with assistance from visiting clergy from St. John’s, had been holding church services in various homes throughout the small community. Land for the Meeting House was donated by the Butler family, and this

land, overlooking the picturesque Conception Bay, was large enough for a cemetery as well. Throughout 1836, people of the community worked hard to erect a small church – a modest building measuring 30 ft. By 1860 though, this little church was getting too small for the growing congregation, and it was decided to construct a larger church building. This new building was opened in 1871 and contained two rooms – the church sanctuary and the Sunday School. Services were conducted by Rev. William Faulkner, minister of Gower Street Church in St. This little church became a well known landmark throughout Newfoundland and was given the name “The Church by The Side of The Road.” The name remains to this day. In 1886 the Topsail Church hired its first resident minister, The Rev. Dr. Mark Fenwick, and at the 1886 session of the Newfoundland Conference of the Methodist Church of Canada the Topsail church was constituted as a separate parish or, as it was called in those days, a separate circuit. Under the ministry of Rev. Fenwick a minister’s residence was started but was not completed until after the arrival, some three years later, of the Rev. Samuel Snowden. In 1925 the Topsail Methodist Church, along with all other Methodist churches in Newfoundland, joined the newly established union with the United Church of Canada. As time passed, the Topsail congregation once again outgrew their little church and the decision was made to construct yet another new edifice. This new larger building, which exists to the present time, was opened for worship in 1977. the old brass bell, rung so faithfully by people like Harold Somerton and Bert Perry, was moved from the old church, and still rings out from its tower on Sunday morning as it has done for all these many years. So, too, the Church’s message of salvation, of love and hope, still echoes loud and clear from the sanctuary. In the Spring of 2002, the manse was sold and the offices were moved into the Church. Additional space was added to the back of the building; including a new kitchen, caretaker's closet and a coat check in the basement and stairs leading up the new offices for the minister and office administrator along with a new Conference Room and choir closets.

06/21/2026
06/21/2026

Today, June 21, is National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples across Canada.

You can participate in this special day by attending a local Indigenous celebration, supporting Indigenous businesses and restaurants, reading a book by an Indigenous author, listening to Indigenous music, enjoying Indigenous art at a museum or gallery, donating to our Northern Indigenous Ministers appeal, and so many other ways: http://uccf-northern-ministers-retreat.pllenty.com

In this prayer by Rev. Nancy Best, we are called to love our neighbours and seek out ways to work for reconciliation and justice in our communities:

Tender and loving Creator, we are all part of the delicate web of life. When one thread is plucked, the ripples are widely felt, stronger closer to the epicentre, still felt toward the outer reaches. May the uncertainties and concerns we hold close to our hearts be gentled by the love we have of you, and the support of each other.

You know the longing of our hearts for a just society for all of your beloved children. When we are cut, we bleed the same colour. When we donate blood, it provides the same life-giving sustaining gift with no knowledge of race; it does not exist in that little clear bag. We don’t understand the conflicts and hatred rampant, which aren’t new; have they always existed? We pray for people living in troubled places, for refugees needing homes and relocation, for people without safe drinking water.

Rabboni Jesus, may your teachings lead us all to speak the same language of loving you, ourselves, and our neighbours. Gentle people’s harsh feelings and opinions. Restore our gratitude and refresh our faith. Grant us dreams of unity and harmony. May your light and love encircle and envelope us all as we rest in the promise of your goodness. Living Spirit, we are all relations in your family. We give thanks for our blessings. Amen.

—Prayer by Rev. Nancy Best, from a 2022 Indigenous Day of Prayer worship service. https://united-church.ca/worship-special-days/indigenous-day-prayer

Great year-end outing with the Coffee Group
06/19/2026

Great year-end outing with the Coffee Group

WOW! What a wonderful evening. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, to A& W for the coupons, and especially to all w...
06/16/2026

WOW! What a wonderful evening. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, to A& W for the coupons, and especially to all who shared their rides with us tonight. Our 1st Annual Bless My Ride was a great success.

If you would like to get a closer look at this antique car, and others tonight. You are welcome to join us in the Topsai...
06/15/2026

If you would like to get a closer look at this antique car, and others tonight. You are welcome to join us in the Topsail United Church parking lot, 6-8 pm. The parking lot will be used for antique and special vehicles. Parking for the general public at SUF Lodge and Topsail Elementary. There will be a blessing at approximately 7 pm. Come along and have a free ice cream on us.

Happy Anniversary to Alan and Linda Parsons. It was hard to find a picture of just both of you, I guess that speaks to ...
06/15/2026

Happy Anniversary to Alan and Linda Parsons. It was hard to find a picture of just both of you, I guess that speaks to how committed you are to others. Blessings from your church family here at TUC

Click here to view 2nd part of today's service -
06/14/2026

Click here to view 2nd part of today's service -

Live Worship Service - 2nd half - June 14th, 2026.

Click here to view 1st part of today's service -
06/14/2026

Click here to view 1st part of today's service -

Live Worship Service - June 16th, 2026.

Thank you to the Church Carpenters and apprentices for fixing the steps to the fire escape.
06/13/2026

Thank you to the Church Carpenters and apprentices for fixing the steps to the fire escape.

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2426 Topsail Road
Conception Bay South, NL
A1W2K1

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