Empey Hill United Church, part of the Selby United Church Pastoral Charge, traces its beginnings to the 1850s, when a small group of families first began meeting for worship. By 1861 the congregation had grown to the point where it required a church building. During that year the trustees acquired from T. W. Casey 15,000 square feet of land on which to build the new church. It was constructed to the south of the driveway of the present church (in the area where cars are now parked).

The congregation continued to grow, and in the early 1900s it became clear that a much larger building was needed. Tenders were called on March 9, 1912. Plans and specifications could be seen at F. L. Hooper’s Drug Store in Napanee.

On March 12, the contract was awarded to W. H. Garrison, who agreed to build the church at a cost of $7000. (Mr. Garrison had built thirty-eight churches previously; this would be his thirty- ninth.) The building was erected on land donated by the McMath family, adjacent to the old church.

The cornerstone was laid by an “old Richmond boy,” M. Madole, on Wednesday June 18 of that same year. The silver trowel used for the event can still be seen on the west wall of the church.

On August 28 about 500 people attended a “harvest home” dinner and an outdoor Jubilee service. The service was held at 10:30 in the morning, the sermon being delivered from the unfinished church tower by Rev. M. E. Sexsmith. The headstone was placed by Thomas Gibbard and the new bell was dedicated by W. J. Paul, M. P. The bell was called “Wesley.”

The church was finally completed and dedicated on November 18, 1912 – free of debt! Rev. Wesley Down was the minister at the time of the dedication. Tragically, about that same time his nine-year-old son Harry died unexpectedly. The stained glass window at the back of the church was erected in Harry’s memory by the boys of the Sunday School. Meanwhile, neighbouring Mount Pleasant Church had been built in the same year as the original Empey Hill Church (1861), and had been dedicated on May 20 of that year. It was situated on Highway 502, and became part of the Selby circuit in 1866.

About the Minister (Student Intern Mike Putnam)…

I was born in Hamilton and studied business and marketing at Mohawk College and Ryerson University. I moved to Kingston after marrying my wife Andrea, who is a teacher with the Limestone District School Board. After university I worked for ten years in corporate sales, selling cleaning supplies to nursing homes, school boards and hospitals.

After a long period of testing my faith I decided to enter into the formal process for discernment for ministry in the United Church of Canada. In 2012 I decided I couldn’t ignore God’s call for my life any longer and I took the plunge and left a successful career in sales and began full-time studies at Queen’s University. I have recently graduated with a Masters of Divinity Degree. Prior to coming to Selby and Empey Hill, I was the Student Supply Minister at Storrington Pastoral Charge in Inverary and Battersea

I have a three year old son, who is the light of my life. I have a passion for Canadian history and I enjoy putting that passion into practice through historical re-enactment. I also enjoy being outdoors and kayaking and hiking.

I believe that God is active in the world and through the person of Jesus of Nazareth we can witness the abundant life that God wants for all of us. I believe that God calls us to join together in faithful communities so that we can be Christ’s body working to bring about the Kingdom in our own time and place. Questions and doubts are always welcome; Jesus was never one for easy answers!

I want to welcome you to Selby United Church and I hope you will find this faith community to be a nurturing, supportive and loving one. All are welcome here; whether you are a life-long Christian looking for a church home or you are just testing the waters and wondering what Christianity is all about. I look forward to getting to know you and journeying together, in beloved community, along life’s bumpy road.