Our History
The origin of Bethel United Church dates back to the Confederation of Canada in 1867 when the Presbytery of Perth of the Church of Scotland organized the congregations of Lombardy and Oliver’s Ferry (now Rideau Ferry).
In 1868, it was decided to build a church at Oliver’s Ferry. A plot of land was donated and St. Mary’s Presbyterian Church was built. In 1886 a call was extended to The Reverend Neil Campbell to be the first full time resident minister. At that time, seventy five members were recorded on the roll of St. Mary’s. A church manse was built on the adjoining lot, which was purchased from William McCue for the sum of $30.
In 1894 additional land was secured from William McLean and the present church was built. The new church was renamed Bethel Presbyterian Church and was opened on July 21, 1895.
In 1927, after the formation of the United Church of Canada, the congregations of Bethel Presbyterian and Elm Grove Methodist were amalgamated with Lombardy Methodist and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian at Port Elmsley to form the Elmsley Lombardy Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada. Both St. Andrew's and Lombardy United Churches closed in early 2000's and the buildings were sold. The official name was then changed to Rideau Ferry: Bethel Pastoral Charge.
