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Wesley Memorial Methodist Church
As early as 1870, the Methodists of the community were organized into a mission under the direction of the Stellarton circuit. The original place of worship seems to have been a small hall over the shop owned by John Oliver, and later a building owned by Dan Munro. In the early 1870’s the congregation decided to build a more suitable place of worship.
A church, erected at the corner of what are now Grant and College streets, was dedicated on the same day construction was completed. In all probability, the first minister was the Rev. A. D. Morton. Westville’s Methodist Church was served for the most part by Stellarton’s probationary ministers. The Methodists were the first church in Westville to have a church organ installed. Miss Yorke, later George Dawson’s mother, was the first organist; Mr. J.S. Goode, father of Miss Muriel Goode, directed the choir.
In 1904 during the pastorate of Dr. Jost, the church was moved to the corner of South Main and Court streets where it was renovated and rededicated. The Westville mission then became a separate and semi-independent Charge in 1913 with the Rev. R. C. Tait, the first minister, succeeded by Rev. R. Williams in 1915, and followed by Rev. John Adamson in 1917.
Adamson was the minister in 1918 when the church was again renovated; it was known then as the Methodist Memorial Church, being named in memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice in World War l.
Later Rev. R. Turner served for two years, and his successor, Rev. A.G. Pentz, for one.
In 1926 the church became part of the United Church of Canada. The minister at this time was Rev. A.R. Wallis.
Wesley Memorial Church was used as a primary department for the United Church Sunday School and for the reception purposes by youth groups; however, economic restraints of the Depression years forced the United Church to sell the building to the Royal Canadian Legion.