Rev. Dr. Jeff Maissan

Rev. Dr. Jeff Maissan

I was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and immigrated to Canada in 1953 arriving at the now historic Pier 21 Halifax.  The train took our family to the Niagara area, settling first in Dunnville, then Fenwick, Fonthill and Welland.  Though my church roots are Christian Reform, we attended the United Church because it was closest to our home and have done so ever since.

I completed my B.A. degree in 1971 in two years at Waterloo Lutheran University, now Wilfred Laurier, majoring in Religion & Culture.   Archeological work in Israel piqued my interest in theology.  I received a M. Div. Degree from Emmauel College, Toronto in 1974 and was ordained by Hamilton Conference to the ministry of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care.

I met my wife Ellen, who was then working on her Masters of Science degree, while we were in residence at the Centre For Christian Studies.   We married in 1975 and have two grown children, Greg and Melissa.

My “ordination charge” was the Alma-Albert pastoral charge extending from the gates of the Bay of Fundy National Park to the Hopewell Hill rocks.  I served pastorates in Metcalfe south of Ottawa, Donminster United (now the newly amalgamated Jubilee church) in Toronto from 1979 to 1988 and First United St. Catharines from 1989 to 2004.

In 2000, I completed my D.Min. degree in Pastoral Theology at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The thesis topic was “older adults as a resource for church renewal.”

I have been part of a ministry team together with Paul at the new First Grantham United Church since our amalgamation in 2004.  Supported by the solid foundation of our two church histories and focused on the future, I feel confident that we will be able to nurture physical and spiritual growth and become an embassy of Christian faith in our increasingly pluralistic and secular world.

Rev. Dr. Paul Miller

I get paid to be a preacher and pastor, but I'm really interested in the fascinating places God, faith and religion show up in people's lives. I live in the beautiful village of Fenwick in the Niagara Region of Ontario with my wife, Rev. Diane Walker, just we two, because all of our four little birdies have flown the nest.

I was born in Galt, Ontario, now Cambridge. I grew up in the United Church. My father was the organist and my mother was in the choir, so we were there every Sunday for Sunday School at 9:30 and church at 11. I can’t remember a time when the church wasn’t an important part of my life.

I went to York University in Toronto to study history. In 1981, I graduated from Emmanuel College in Toronto and was ordained by Hamilton Conference in June of that year. After spending one year on a four-point charge north of Huntsville, Ontario, I moved to Vankleek Hill, Ontario (half-way between Ottawa and Montreal) in 1982 and then to Norwich, Ontario in 1988. I was called to Grantham United Church in 1996.

In 1995, I completed my Ph.D. in Religious Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton. My academic studies have allowed me to do some teaching at McMaster. I have also had the opportunity to have several articles published in journals and magazines. My academic studies have really strengthened my ministry by helping me understand the Bible and Jesus at a much deeper level. I hope I’ve been able to pass some of that learning along.

EUE

First Grantham United Church is an historic congregation of 300 families in the north-east corner of St. Catharines with a vision of the future!   We've been here for over a hundred years in three different buildings, and each Sunday we continue to come together as a community of all ages, gathering to celebrate the power of God's love through Scripture, story, song and prayer.

We have an excellent Sunday School plus a wide range of programs for young and old.   Through a variety of small associations, people quickly discover the joy of following Jesus and helping others while they form deep Christian friendships.

Our Church building -- complete with full special needs access -- is home to many community and support groups including: Alchoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Cubs, Scouts, Beavers, Family and Children's Services, Swing and Whirl Square Dancers and more.
Our motto is: "Reaching Up, Reaching In, Reaching Out."   Our mission is to help people become mature Christians who reach up to God, reach in to one another and reach out to a hurting world.   Won't you join us?

First Grantham was born as the amalgamation of Grantham United Church and First United Church at the beginning of 2004.

Grantham United Church was established in 1879 as a rural congregation.   The first sanctuary was dedicated in January 1880.   Grantham was part of a Methodist Circuit until Church Union in 1925.   For most of the years the Circuit was with Louth and Homer Churches.   At Church Union it became known as Grantham United Church and was part of a circuit with Louth United Church.

With the suburban growth in Grantham Township after World War II, the congregation grew dramatically.   In 1952 Grantham became a separate charge and Rev. Matthew Taylor was called.   During Mr. Taylor's ministry the building was expanded: the gymnasium and kitchen were built in 1953, and the Fraser Wing (Fellowship Room and former offices) in 1958.   Damage to the old church in a severe storm necessitated its demolition and accelerated plans for the new sanctuary which was dedicated in September 1960.   Rev. Taylor worked hard on outreach to the community to make it a welcoming church.

During the 1960's and 1970's we had strong leadership and continued growth under Rev. Walter Davis and Rev. Murray Masecar.   Toward the conclusion of Rev. Masecar's ministry we celebrated our centennial.   Our minister in the 1980's until his retirement in 1996 was Rev. Bruce Small.

In 1993 through a very generous bequest of a long-time member and Presbytery delegate, Evelyn Boyd, and a grant from the Access Fund, we built the new Evelyn Boyd Wing comprising Minister's Study, new office, two new meeting rooms, a central hallway, an elevator and two ramps which made the whole church wheelchair accessible and dramatically improved our facilities.

First United Church

In 1826 Mr. Hamilton Merritt had the vision to connect Lake Erie and Lake Ontario by a navigable waterway.   The canal construction brought an influx of workers, their families, contractors and businessmen, among them, Oliver Phelps.   Mr. Phelps took advantage of the increase in the flow of water and along with Mr. Merritt built the “Red Mill” at the foot of Geneva Street 1831.   As one of the eleven founding members of the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Phelps’ mill was used for worship services until the completion of a “Meeting House” on Church Street in 1834.

First Presbyterian church was under the care of the Buffalo Presbytery of the American Presbyterian Church until 1874, when it was released with best wishes and earnest prayers.   First Church was then accepted into the Hamilton Presbytery and received as a congregation of the Canada Presbyterian Church.

In 1878 the present Church sanctuary was completed and dedicated for divine worship.
December 1924 the congregation voted 190 to 38 in favour of union with the Methodist and Congregationalist Churches.   In May 1925, members in favour of Church union were received by certificate from Knox Church. Rev. J.H. Radcliffe served First Church for 39 years from 1883 to 1922.   During Rev. J.A. Pue-Gilchrist’s ministry the congregation passed into the larger fellowship and service of the United Church of Canada.

In September 1927 a new Casavant Freres Organ, pulpit, and baptismal font were all dedicated the same evening.  

1929 to 1933 Rev. J.A. Tuer served First United and during his tenure the church celebrated its 100th anniversary.   In honour of the occasion, Rev Tuer wrote the 100 page “Historical Narrative of The Life of First Church.”

1933 to 1941 Rev. F.S. Dowling was the minister followed by Rev. Eric Cowall 1941 to 1948.   During this war period, many bales of food and clothing were packed and shipped overseas.   For six months, Rev. W.D. Spence, one of the elders of First Church conducted worship until the arrival of the new minister, Rev. R. Graham Barr who served from 1948 to 1959.   Rev. Harvey Campbell joined the ministry team as an Assistant Pastor in 1956.

Rev. George Ward served the Church from 1959 until 1962.   In January 1962 the First United Church Women’s Association, the Women’s Missionary Society and the Sunshine Club united in an all embracing organization know as “The United Church Women.”

A fire in 1962 damaged the front interior of the sanctuary.   Architects MacDonald and Zuberec and General Contractors Newman Brothers repaired and refurbished the church and on November 14th 1965 the First United Church was rededicated.

Ministers who served the First United congregation to the time of amalgamation with Grantham were Rev. G. Cameron Quigley (1966-1970), Rev. William Sherwin (1971-1979), Rev. Dr. Alan Bennett (1979-1988), and Rev. Dr. Jeff Maissan (1989-2004).

In 2001 the aging, declining congregation began the process of seeking to amalgamate with one or more churches who share a common hope and vision for a new ministry for our times.   On January 27, 2004 the Niagara Presbytery approved the amalgamation of the First and Grantham congregations to become the new First Grantham United Church worshipping at 415 Linwell Road.   The Rev. Dr. Paul Miller and Rev. Dr. Jeff Maissan serve the new church congregation in a team ministry.