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Growing Through Faith

Who We Are

We are a welcoming, community based place of faith. We have an active style of worship with singing, music, and engagement.

Meet The Pastor

Pastor Position is Vacant
Due to Retirement

About Us

Our History

Cottam United Church had its beginnings in the earliest stages of European development of the area. Beginning in the early 1800’s Methodist missionaries traveled throughout Essex County to share the Good News. Communities were small and the population too spread out to justify the expense of building churches. People gathered for worship in homes or outdoor gatherings. Many of these Methodists meetings later became congregations.

As more settlers arrived and communities grew, it became possible to consider erecting church buildings. Major Wagstaff arrived in the area, set up a post office and named it after his home town in England. The village of Cottam was born. The first Methodist church in Cottam was started in 1867 and came under the supervision of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The wood frame building was completed and dedicated in 1868. It existed a block east of the current church.

Another group of Methodists, the Canada Methodists, also established themselves in the area and erected another building in 1878. The two Methodist congregations worked within Cottam until 1884. During that year, various Methodist denominations joined together nationally to create the Methodist Church of Canada. This uniting spirit found its way to Cottam and the two Methodist congregations also agreed to join together, using the Canada Methodist Church as their place of worship. That building was located on the property of the current Cottam United Church.

The congregation grew. The corner stones of the new sanctuary were laid on May 26, 1913. It took almost a year to complete the impressive brick building. It was opened on February 22, 1914 and dedicated on March 1, 1914. Since then, various additions and modification have been completed. In 1949, the pipe organ was added in honour of the sacrifice of men and women in uniform during WWII. The Fellowship Hall was added in 1984 and the elevator and Albuna Room in 1993. The sanctuary was significantly remodeled in 2006 to bring it up to standards for modern worship. Finally, new office space was built onto the Fellowship Hall in 2012.

In 1925 the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches in Canada joined with various Local Union Churches to form the United Church of Canada. Cottam Methodist Church followed suit and became Cottam United Church.

Cottam United Church has a rich history in the area. It was a key contributor to the evangelistic crusades and tent meetings of the early 20th century, leading many people to Christ. Over the years, it has had strong Sunday School and Youth Programs. Music has always been an important part of our ministry. The work of the women has been carried out by the United Church Women and its predecessors, The Women’s Association and the Women’s Missionary Society. Cottam United Church also has a strong heart for missions and has supported many missions, local, national and international. The legacy continues.

Cottam United Church has made an intentional commitment to stand on the two pillars of Christian mission: evangelism and social justice. While we make significant contributions to the well being of others, we also seek to engage people for Christ and provide the resources for them to grow in faith. In doing this, we seek to know Christ and make Him known.

Please come and join us for worship. We look forward to seeing you and sharing Jesus’ message of love, forgiveness and salvation both in this life and the next.

Meet Our Staff

Staff Members

Heidi McLeod

Interim Music Director

Heidi has been a long time member of the church and this is not her first time stepping up and helping out. While we continue our search for a permanent Music Director Heidi has been providing us with great music direction.

Laura Danes

Caretaker

Laura has been a part of Cottam United Church for over 40 years. She was confirmed as a teenager and now, as a mother raising her twin daughters in Cottam, she is proud to be the caretaker for Cottam United Church and takes great pride in her work. Her family is the fifth generation attending Cottam United Church.

Pam Osborne

Office Administrator

Pam has been the office administrator of Cottam United Church for over 25 years, and feels blessed to have been a long-time part of this wonderful church family and community. She strives to be a welcoming presence and listening ear, and enjoys being creative.

Samantha Hammermeister

Junior Church Coordinator

Samantha, "Sam" comes to us full of ideas and energy. She will be a key person in our Junior Church program.

John Logan

Treasurer

John has been treasurer of Cottam United Church since 1997. Although born in Windsor, he grew up in the Kingston Ontario area where he attended St. Paul’s United in Harrowsmith. It was at St. Paul’s where he was confirmed into the church and where he married his wife Pattie. Over the years John has filled many roles in the church, from teaching Sunday School to chairing the official board of the Harrowsmith-Verona Pastoral Charge. John has also been on the Board of Directors for the Windsor Downtown Mission where he acted as treasurer for a number of years.