In 2019, Harrowsmith Free Methodist Church (HFMC) celebrated a century of proclaiming the gospel and serving the Village of Harrowsmith and surrounding area in the name of Christ.

As an outcome of revival services held across the region by C.V. Fairbairn, from 1916 to 1920, (he later became a bishop of the Free Methodist Church) the Society of HFMC was formed on April 6, 1919. “Opposition was intense – the greatest organized resistance we ever encountered”, wrote Mr. Fairbairn later. The fledgling congregation purchased an existing limestone church (which today exists as a private residence) and adjacent eleven-room brick parsonage in 1920, just west of Road 38 in Harrowsmith from the Presbyterian congregation (when it merged with Methodists and Episcopalians to form the United Church of Canada.) Rev. D. S. Wartman was the first pastor in 1919 until 1920. The church was dedicated in 1924 at a denominational conference held there.

The following pastors were assigned to the Harrowsmith, Petworh and Holleford
circuit during the next four decades:
1921 – 1923!! Rev. R. Babcock
1924 – 1926 Rev. Walter W. Brown
1927 !! ! Rev. Silas B. Griffith
1928 – 1930 Rev. Alfred F. Ball
1931 – 1933!! Rev. G. H. Bache
1934! ! ! Rev. E. R. Orser
1935 – 1937!! Rev. C. W. Reynolds
1938 – 1941!! Rev. Roy Sedore
1942 – 1945!! Rev. P. O. Miller
1946 – 1951!! Rev. Earl S. Bull
1952 – 1954!! Rev. C. W. Kay
1955 – 1959!! Rev. Albert B. Moffatt

1958 saw the first expansion of the church with the construction of two Sunday School rooms on the north end (rear) of the building. A year later the congregation resolved a contentious issue when, by a narrow majority vote, musical instruments were permitted in worship services. These included only the piano, organ and accordion.

In 1965 a committee was struck with authority to investigate the cost of renovations to the church and in early 1969, washrooms and a nursery were constructed, a new rug installed, 30 new pews were delivered and wainscoting installed on the sanctuary walls. Rev. R. Babcock was the pastor for the
Harrowsmith, Petworth and Holleford circuit from 1964 to 1968. In 1968 Harrowsmith became independent of the circuit and Rev. Babcock continued as pastor. That year the Official Board voted to start a midweek family night which has continued since then. In 2009 it was re-branded as “Oasis” and provides ministry programs for all ages.

In August,1970 a celebration and dedication service was held, under the leadership of Rev. A. W. Perry (1969 – 1972), to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the HFMC society and two years later the church issued the following proclamation: “The church in which we as Free Methodist Denomination are worshipping was built in 1872. The Presbyterian Denomination worshipped in it for 48 years and in 1920 it became the property of the newly- formed class of Free Methodists in Harrowsmith. Now after 52 years of worshipping here we wish to commemorate the completion of the first 100 years
of Divine Worship in the building designed for this purpose. The building itself is in good condition and we trust the Holy Spirit will put his seal on the Centenary Meeting. To God be all the Glory.”

Over the next six years (1973 – 1979) discussions occurred, plans were made and construction undertaken for a major addition of a new education wing, nine Sunday School rooms and a kitchen. The addition was dedicated on May 27, 1979 with Bishop Donald Bastian officiating and approximately 250 visitors in attendance. The following pastors were assigned to Harrowsmith during these years and following:
1973 – 1974!! Rev. W. A. Smith
1975 – 1981 Rev. Alan R. Lyle

Rev. Wayne Kleinsteuber was appointed as pastor in 1982 replacing Rev. Lyle. He served until 1986 and during his tenure he wrote the book “More Than A Memory: The Renewal of Methodism in Canada.” He was followed by Rev. Stanley Hanna whose induction service was held on November 5, 1986.

During the latter half of the 1980’s Sunday morning attendance had grown steadily and it became clear that the church had reached over 80% of the sanctuary’s capacity and sustained growth would likely not continue.

At a Society meeting held May 21,1986 it was unanimously decided to sell the present property and relocate. 8.6 acres of land were available for purchase immediately east of the stone church on the Harrowsmith Road and the church and parsonage were listed for sale.

A building committee was formed in late 1986 with initial efforts made to secure the required municipal planning permits and engage qualified professionals including an architect, building contractor and project manager. Construction of the new church and parsonage began in mid -1990 with dedication of the new church facilities held on May 12, 1991.

In July, 1993 Rev. Hanna left Harrowsmith to assume a new position at Aldersgate College in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Rev. Donald E. Hodgins was appointed to the church in 1994 and was joined by Rev. Gary P. Shearer as Assistant Pastor. Rev. Shearer was appointed Senior Pastor when Rev. Hodgins
left the following year to accept the position of superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Rev. Shearer served in the senior role until 1999. Rev. Will Keller served as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Shearer (later Associate Pastor) from 1995 until 1999 and was then promoted to Senior Pastor early in 2000.

Cell (small) groups for adult Bible study, prayer and social times were introduced and encouraged in 1994 under the leadership of Pastors Shearer and Keller. In early 1995 Sunday School attendance averaged 85. Sunday morning service attendance averaged 181 in 1998. Rev. Will Keller officiated at 50 adult baptisms reported during his 12 year tenure.

During the “Ice Storm of ’98” the church fellowship hall housed members of the Mennonite Disaster service for three weeks and served as a hub for the distribution of food and cots to those in need throughout the duration of the storm recovery.

Jan MacPhail was hired to assist with worship and youth in 1998 and in 2000 was appointed Assistant Pastor. Rev. Keller and Pastor MacPhail served in their respective postions until 2007 when Pastor MacPhail resigned. Rev. David Greene was hired to replaced her and Gregory Adams was hired as Youth Director. They served until August, 2010 and Rev. Keller resigned the following month.

Pastor Keller, early in his tenure, together with congregation members, established the Community Assistance Program (CAP), to encourage the church’s involvement in local missions. This endeavour evolved from the provision of food and gas vouchers and free clothing to a specific mandate covering a variety of basic needs for individuals and families in the community and congregation. The CAP fund today is generously supported by many from our congregation. CAP is also responsible for the distribution of Christmas hampers to community residents. The Christmas Hamper program was initiated in 1997.

From its inception in 1919, when the church society was formed, the Women’s Missionary Society served as the church’s connection to Free Methodist global missions, packing many boxes of bandages, quilt squares, dry goods and even tupperware which were sent to missionaries overseas. The monthly meetings under various names, including “Primetime”, were well attended by congregation and community ladies until 2019 when it came to a close. HFMC, through its Mission Committee, supported the construction of churches and church facilities in various areas in the Dominican Republic and at Rancho Betania (camping ministry) in Northern Mexico. Congregation members and other donors
generously contributed funds to assist in sending volunteer teams to these countries and provide for local building materials and labour.

The following denotes the pastors who have served from 2010 to present.
Rev. Carl Bull, Interim Pastor, October, 2010 – June, 2012
Rev. David Moran, Lead Pastor, May, 2012 – July, 2016, C. Bull, Assistant
Rev. Carl Bull, Interim Pastor, November, 2016 – December, 2017
Pastor Bob Boutilier, Lead Pastor, January, 2018 – December, 2020, C.Bull,
Associate
Rev. Carl Bull, Interim Pastor, January, 2021 – June, 2021
Pastor Keith Deyo, Interim Pastor, May, 2021, October, 2022
Rev. Craig Peters, Lead Pastor, October, 2022 – Present

HFMC has a long history of serving Harrowsmith and the surrounding communities since its formation in 1919. It was known for many years as the “Church that Cares” and more recently was dubbed the “Church in the Village with a Global Heart.” It has strived to communicate the message of the gospel, truth of the Scriptures and remain obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. HFMC, as the last of three churches in Harrowsmith, looks forward with great anticipation to God’s grace poured into the lives of congregants and community members alike.