Historic Sites of Manitoba: Westminster Presbyterian Church / Westminster United Church (745 Westminster Avenue, Winnipeg)
Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
During the early 20th century, Manitoba’s economy boomed and its population grew dramatically. With sharp increases in memberships, many churches found it necessary to replace their buildings. In 1909, the members of Westminster Presbyterian (now United) Church concluded that their 1893-1894 building was inadequate for a congregation of almost 1,000. This site, closer to the homes of the parishioners, was selected and the church was built between 1910 and 1912. For its grandest buildings—Westminster, Augustine (1903-1904) and Knox (1914-1918)—the Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg called upon renowned architect J. H. G. Russell. For each church, Russell relied on a different interpretation of the Gothic Revival, a popular architectural style that drew its inspiration from medieval churches. Russell’s design was based upon the English expression of Gothic and emphasized pinnacle towers, slender vertical supports and large openings, in this case featuring a beautiful rose window.
Inside the church are plaques commemorating parishioners who served and were killed during military service. A First World War plaque was unveiled at the morning service on 4 February 1923 by Harriet Bevan, the eight-year-old daughter of Private Sydney Bevan who died during the Battle of Vimy Ridge and whose name appears on it. There is also a plaque for casualties of the Second World War.
In 1992, the Manitoba Heritage Council unveiled a commemorative plaque to recognize this fine stone church, a provincially- and municipally-designated historic site. A collection of photographs of the building by J. H. G. Russell is held at the Archives of Manitoba.
The church received a Conservation Award from Heritage Winnipeg in 2020.
Clerics
Period |
Cleric |
1893-1905 |
Charles Bruce Pitblado (1836-1913) |
1905-1909 |
Clarence Mackinnon (1866-?) |
1909-1929 |
David Christie (1865-1943) |
1929-1935 |
John Sutherland Bonnell (1893-1992) |
1935-1948 |
Ernest Marshal Howse (1902-1993) |
1948-1955 |
Allen Richard Huband (1903-1993) |
1955-1962 |
Nelson Richardson Mercer (1914-1991) |
1963-1979 |
Reid E. Vipond (1914-2001) |
1979-1989 |
Robert D. Thompson |
1989-2016 |
Robert Campbell |
Photos & Coordinates

Westminster United Church (May 2011) Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Interior of Westminster United Church (October 2016) Source: George Penner

Interior of Westminster United Church (October 2016)
Source: George Penner

One of two original First World War Honour Rolls at Westminster United (April 2019)
Source: Darryl Toews

Second of two original First World War Honour Rolls at Westminster United (April 2019)
Source: Darryl Toews

First World War commemorative plaque (March 2019)
Source: Darryl Toews

Second World War commemorative plaque (March 2019) Source: Darryl Toews
Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.88210, W97.16127 denoted by symbol on the map above
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First World War
Name |
Occupation |
Service |
Rank |
Birth Date |
Death Date |
David Wilson Aitken
[Next of Kin] |
Tailor |
78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Company Sergeant Major |
13 January 1882 |
9 April 1917 |
William Austin Armstrong
[Next of Kin] |
Student |
73rd Squadron, Royal Air Force |
Lieutenant |
22 February 1896 |
25 July 1918 |
Harry Bain |
Farmer |
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
17 March 1885 |
28 September 1918 |
Sydney James Bevan
[Next of Kin] |
Homesteader |
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles |
Private |
28 January 1891 |
9 April 1917 |
Ralph Russell James Brown
[Law Society, Masonic, Next of Kin, Wesley College] |
Student at Law |
44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Major |
21 November 1875 |
31 October 1917 |
Kenneth Turner Campbell
[Kelvin, Next of Kin] |
? |
210th Squadron, Royal Air Force |
Second Lieutenant |
2 June 1899 |
17 June 1918 |
Andrew Fleming Christie
[Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
15 December 1893 |
26 August 1918 |
James Dean Collins |
Clerk |
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry |
Sergeant |
12 March 1894 |
29 September 1918 |
John Arnold Collins |
Student |
49th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
19 August 1895 |
29 September 1918 |
William Henry Puddicomb Collum
[Canadian Club, Masonic, Next of Kin] |
Financial Agent |
27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Major |
11 October 1884 |
14 August 1917 |
John Cowan |
Secretary |
16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
8 August 1889 |
9 April 1917 |
Douglas Arthur Cram
[Kelvin, Morden, Next of Kin] |
Chauffeur |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
28 April 1896 |
8 November 1916 |
William Howard Cram
[Morden, Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
17 April 1888 |
26 February 1917 |
Robert Lawson Cumming
[Rossburn, Russell, Shoal Lake] |
Commercial Traveller |
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lance Corporal |
3 December 1888 |
27 November 1916 |
Robert Alexander Cunningham
[Agricultural College, Brandon Armoury, Next of Kin] |
Professor of Chemistry |
46th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
22 July 1888 |
27 September 1918 |
John Frederick Davidson
[Next of Kin, Lakeside] |
Bank Manager, Union Bank of Canada |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
27 April 1888 |
29 September 1918 |
Richard Stanley Dawson
[Next of Kin, Winnipeg Hydro] |
Meter Reader |
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
28 October 1887 |
9 August 1918 |
John Dick |
Clerk |
5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
15 February 1891 |
4 October 1916 |
David John Doig
[Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Corporal |
5 August 1893 |
17 March 1916 |
John Winfield Downey
[Ogilvie] |
Clerk |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
26 May 1889 |
12 November 1917 |
Stewart Esplin |
Tinsmith |
16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lance Corporal |
6 June 1889 |
23 April 1915 |
Samuel Ewing
[Next of Kin] |
Teamster |
52nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
15 September 1891 |
30 October 1917 |
Cyrus Wilton Field |
School Teacher |
78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
7 April 1894 |
19 February 1917 |
Harry Forrester
[Next of Kin] |
Electrician |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
25 December 1892 |
27 January 1918 |
Alexander Garden
[Next of Kin] |
Accountant |
38th Battery, 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery |
Corporal |
6 August 1890 |
27 April 1917 |
William John Knox Graham
[Elm Creek] |
Farmer |
Royal Air Force |
Second Lieutenant |
9 May 1894 |
17 May 1918 |
Howard Eckhardt Grundy
[Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
Royal Naval Air Service |
Probationary Flight Officer |
24 December 1891 |
1 May 1917 |
William Forbes Guild
[Brandon Armoury, Canadian Club, Law Society, Manitoba College, Next of Kin] |
Barrister-at-Law |
52nd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Captain |
2 December 1886 |
10 April 1917 |
Herbert Russell Hamill
[Next of Kin] |
Book-keeper |
78th Battalion Canadian Infantry |
Private |
17 December 1894 |
2 September 1918 |
Oswald John Donaldson Hanna |
Clerk |
203rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
6 September 1887 |
26 July 1917 |
Neil Alexander Hood
[Next of Kin] |
Laborer |
23rd Battalion, Australian Infantry, AIF |
Private |
1885 |
9 May 1918 |
Richard Arthur Hopkinson
[Next of Kin] |
Shoemaker |
18th Battery, 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery |
Driver |
16 May 1870 |
27 July 1916 |
William Innes |
Clerk |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
4 December 1883 |
4 October 1916 |
William Jackson
[Next of Kin] |
Bricklayer |
16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Company Sergeant Major |
21 June 1883 |
14 May 1916 |
William Brooks Jasper
[Next of Kin] |
Cabinet Maker |
44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Sergeant |
7 December 1884 |
14 October 1916 |
George James Jessiman
[Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
15 June 1890 |
15 September 1916 |
John Orr MacDonald
[Next of Kin] |
Paper Hanger |
44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Sergeant |
3 June 1896 |
9 August 1918 |
William MacDonald |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
John Stirling MacInnes
[Next of Kin, Osler Hammond & Nanton, St. Johns] |
Clerk |
7th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
7 March 1897 |
9 April 1917 |
Ian MacMillan
[Next of Kin, Ogilvie] |
Clerk |
49th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
26 October 1897 |
30 October 1917 |
Alexander Marr |
Plumber |
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
29 August 1892 |
25 April 1915 |
Elphinstone Forrest Struthers Mather
[Next of Kin] |
Journalist |
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Captain |
18 January 1888 |
9 April 1918 |
Peter Ballantyne McBride |
Grocer |
No. 3 Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps |
Private |
4 March 1885 |
3 November 1917 |
Alexander "Scotty" McFeat MM
[Augustine, Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
The Royal Canadian Regiment |
Private |
29 September 1892 |
22 December 1916 |
Robert Herbert McGirr
[Morden, Next of Kin] |
Drug Clerk |
8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
13 February 1894 |
23 August 1917 |
Stuart Scott McIntyre
[Kelvin, Manitoba College, Next of Kin] |
Student |
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles |
Private |
29 June 1897 |
26 October 1917 |
Richard Flemming McQueen |
Printing Pressman |
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles |
Private |
30 July 1888 |
2 November 1917 |
Robert Grant “Putts” McVicar MM
[Next of Kin, Ritchot] |
Clerk |
78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lance Corporal |
1 January 1895 |
23 December 1917 |
Alistair Forbes Menzies DCM DSO
[Brandon College] |
Clerk |
17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
Captain |
1 June 1892 |
4 May 1918 |
Stanley Hall Mitchell
[Manitoba College, Masonic, Next of Kin] |
Merchant |
11th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
10 June 1886 |
8 April 1915 |
John Roderick Morrison |
Clerk |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Company Sergeant Major |
3 May 1886 |
22 May 1916 |
Andrew Gray Nicol
[Ashdown Hardware, Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
Canadian Railway Troops |
Lance Corporal |
19 August 1886 |
4 April 1917 |
Glen Norton
[Law Society, Manitoba College, Next of Kin] |
Law Student |
1st Canadian Division Signal Company, Canadian Signal Corps |
Lieutenant |
17 March 1891 |
26 September 1916 |
John Frederick Norton DCM
[Engineering, Next of Kin] |
Civil Engineer |
Canadian Engineers |
Lance Corporal |
23 July 1893 |
7 August 1919 |
Robert Paterson |
Laborer |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lance Corporal |
4 May 1891 |
11 January 1917 |
Thomas Gordon Playford |
Physician |
Canadian Army Medical Corps |
Lieutenant |
3 May 1896 |
5 June 1919 |
Lawrence Ducharme Pridham
[Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
4th Canadian Mounted Rifles |
Company Sergeant Major |
25 January 1890 |
9 August 1918 |
William Alexander Ross |
Salesman |
27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Corporal |
24 July 1888 |
17 November 1915 |
John Shaw
[Next of Kin] |
Farrier & Bank Clerk |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
23 April 1892 |
1 October 1918 |
Alex T. Sim |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Alexander Beverage Sinclair
[Next of Kin, UGG] |
Clerk |
87th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
17 April 1895 |
5 September 1916 |
Robert James Smith |
Steel Moulder |
Training Depot, Canadian Engineers |
Sapper |
27 August 1890 |
4 December 1915 |
Garnet Kelvin Stewart
[Kelvin, Manitoba College, Next of Kin] |
Student of Arts |
Lord Strathcona’s Horse |
Private |
28 September 1897 |
2 April 1918 |
Benjamin Strachan |
Accountant |
12th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps |
Second Lieutenant |
16 June 1888 |
18 May 1917 |
Bessie Gray Sutherland |
Nurse |
Scottish Women's Hospital |
Nursing Sister |
16 October 1871 |
26 September 1915 |
Alexander Taylor |
? |
? |
? |
? |
? |
Frederick Johnston Watson |
Chartered Accountant |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
24 June 1888 |
10 June 1916 |
Edward Hull Williams
[Next of Kin] |
Accountant |
43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Sergeant |
31 January 1885 |
8 October 1916 |
Major Percy Willson |
Salesman |
5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Lieutenant |
23 August 1883 |
30 September 1916 |
William Johnstone Wilson
[Next of Kin] |
Clerk |
78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry |
Private |
3 November 1896 |
27 November 1916 |
Second World War
Name |
Service |
Rank |
Birth Date |
Death Date |
Clifford Nairn Ackland |
Lake Superior Regiment (Motor), Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
Lieutenant |
28 May 1916 |
1 March 1945 |
Jack Douglas Baird |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flying Officer |
29 March 1924 |
6 December 1944 |
James Murray Beatty |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Sergeant |
16 October 1923 |
2 December 1943 |
Dennis Bryan Bennett |
Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
Lieutenant |
1 May 1921 |
14 September 1944 |
John Douglass Best |
1666 Heavy Conversion Unit, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Lieutenant |
19 October 1919 |
11 July 1944 |
Frank Dowler Bollert
[United College] |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Aircraftman 1st Class |
9 July 1920 |
20 June 1942 |
Wilson Gilmore Caldwell |
102 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Sergeant |
18 March 1915 |
16 December 1941 |
Douglas Earl Cawker |
432 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Lieutenant |
26 January 1920 |
22 March 1944 |
John Frederick Creba |
427 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flying Officer |
27 February 1916 |
15 March 1944 |
Ralph Nelson Adams Creswell |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Sergeant |
9 November 1916 |
31 May 1942 |
Roderick James Dunphy DFC |
426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Lieutenant Navigator |
15 June 1923 |
20 December 1943 |
Raymond Lee Duthoit |
11 Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps |
Private |
18 January 1924 |
2 July 1945 |
William Messinger Hazelton |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Pilot Officer |
12 November 1921 |
5 August 1945 |
Donald Louden Henderson |
408 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Sergeant |
19 August 1913 |
10 January 1942 |
Gordon Kirby Hignell |
197 (RAF) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Pilot Officer |
20 December 1918 |
23 July 1943 |
William John Kotchapaw
[Kelvin, St. James School] |
1st Herefordshire Light Infantry (TA) |
Lieutenant |
25 November 1923 |
10 September 1944 |
Robert John Lawrie |
53 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Warrant Officer Class II |
6 February 1923 |
17 April 1944 |
Allan Munro Livingston
[Law Society] |
Royal Canadian Artillery |
Lieutenant |
21 July 1918 |
2 September 1944 |
Robert John MacFarlane |
HMCS Chatham, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve |
Signalman |
4 January 1924 |
12 October 1942 |
Angus Gordon MacIntosh |
3 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery |
Gunner |
28 June 1922 |
4 September 1944 |
James Archibald MacKelvie |
414 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Lieutenant |
? |
18 June 1944 |
William MacKenzie Manson |
428 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Sergeant |
5 February 1920 |
29 April 1943 |
Wallace Andrew McKay |
Royal Canadian Engineers |
Sergeant |
5 February 1915 |
30 April 1941 |
Hugh Stanton McRae |
Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps |
Captain |
9 August 1914 |
30 April 1943 |
Harold Frederick Mogey |
15 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery |
Captain |
13 May 1913 |
28 October 1944 |
George Dixon Morrow |
2 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery |
Captain |
22 February 1885 |
30 April 1941 |
Gordon Joseph Mullin |
426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flying Officer |
16 February 1917 |
1 November 1944 |
Frank MacGregor Myers |
426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flying Officer |
20 April 1924 |
5 March 1945 |
William James Pope |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flight Sergeant |
1 June 1919 |
9 November 1942 |
John Murray Roberts |
409 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Flying Officer |
9 October 1914 |
27 July 1944 |
Gordon Melville Steventon |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Leading Aircraftman |
28 April 1917 |
15 September 1942 |
John Richards “Tuck” Tucker |
401 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force |
Pilot Officer |
23 February 1921 |
26 July 1942 |
Agnes Wightman Wilkie [Carman] |
HMCS Avalon, Royal Canadian Navy |
Nursing Sister |
5 September 1904 |
14 October 1942 |
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Municipally Designated Historic Sites
Sources:
“Noted divine to get call,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 September 1909, page 9.
“Memorial to Dead Unveiled at Westminster,” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 February 1923, page 7.
Obituary [Nelson Richardson Mercer], Winnipeg Free Press, 9 January 1991, page 43.
Obituary [Allen Richard Huband], Winnipeg Free Press, 26 November 1993, page 49.
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
Westminster United Church, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough, Darryl Toews, and George Penner.
Page revised: 30 May 2023
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