Since the inception of Ottawa East's Methodist Church, its congregations have, to a great extent, retained the characteristics of a small rural house of worship. In contrast to the large congregation worshipping in a huge stone edifice with soaring spire and liturgical pomp, Wesley has remained the centre of a simple, unassuming fellowship of Christians paying homage to God in a family atmosphere - a comfortable, yet seriously dignified informality. Wesley is a relatively small church where a thankful congregation has met each Sunday in form and manner little changed, until very recently, from that of its forebears. Visitors have remarked on the attractive building, and those who have remained long enough to know the Wesley 'family', have found that the sanctity of the building in the hearts and minds of its frequenters is surpassed at no shrine, abbey, cathedral nor any geographically designated 'holy place'. Those who have been a part of Wesley through the years, have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit within the confines of the sanctuary as intensely as if they were entering any of the world's great cathedrals.

In compiling this account of the first eighty-eight years of Wesley's history, care has been taken to include only those events that can be verified by records existing when quoted or, in some cases, situations known to be valid by virtue of the writer's participation or presence. Many hours of research and delving into the minutes of congregational and organizational meetings have resulted in what we hope will serve not only as an authoritative historic reference, but an interesting and readable narrative. We express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Andy Halvorson for his time and effort in gathering re-cords and making initial notations used in the early portion of this history. It was, in fact, he who suggested the 1982 project. We also appreciate the work of others who have left historical writings that have proved useful in research. And we thank all who have helped in production, then and now.

It has been difficult to decide how involved to become in recounting the activities of the various church organizations, and the naming of some members and not others might conceivably prompt. charges of favouritism. This is not in the least intended, as we have striven to present the project as an overall picture of the congregation's progress and accomplishments over the years. In addition, some readers may recall personal or social events which, while no doubt of interest to them, can not be counted as vital in describing the Wesley fact and therefore do not appear on these pages.

To list organizational officers poses a particular challenge. Whereas the names and tenures of clergy and laypersons serving Wesley were obtainable with little difficulty, the names of Sunday schoolteachers, for example, are not easily located and the list may well be incomplete. Some lists include but a few dates and others show starting dates only. A date preceded by a 'c' indicates that a person is known to have been active during that year, but it can't be verified as the starting year. Unfortunately, gaps appear in some chronological listings, as records in particular areas are not available. An Elder remains ordained whether or not he or she sits on the Session during a given period. Similarly, Trustees are replaced only when one leaves or resigns; (i.e. they do not serve specific terms); consequently, elders and trustees are listed in alphabetical format with the year of original appointment. Any who have served in an official capacity at Wesley will appreciate the monumental task and plethora of repetition that would be involved in attempting to follow the several and continuing retiring and reappointment of the same people to the Boards.

With this document, we pray that those who occupy the pews of Wesley United Church, and any who have an interest in its welfare, gain from these pages some realization of the work and sacrifice of those who have gone before in order that we might have our treasured place of worship-and given that realization, continue in Christian concern and with God's help, to maintain what they have loved so much and entrusted to us.

C.E.C.
(September, 1982)
Rev. December, 1996