Feb. 24, 1959 - from a meeting of the Barrie and District Church Extension Council attended by Rev. Ball (Dalston): Moved that we obtain a sixty day option on property as described, with a payment of $25.00 to bind the option. Full cost of the property is $3,000. A survey map indicates that this property is 297 feet on the Willowdale Avenue frontage and 293.331/3 feet on the unopened portion of Cook Street.

April 1, 1959 - the student minister of Shanty Bay, Douglas Tomlinson, was asked by the Barrie &District Church Extension Council to conduct a survey to see if there is sufficient interest to consider forming a new United Church congregation in the north east section of Barrie

April 21, 1959 - letter written to Mr. George Longstaffe, the Business Administrator of the Barrie Public School Board asking permission to use the facilities at Steel Street School for a Sunday School program

May 22, 1959 - letter from Mr. George Longstaffe advising Mr. Mitchell that the auditorium would be available at a rental rate of $5.00 per Sunday plus a fee ($5.00) to be paid directly to the caretaker

Aug. 25, 1959 - preliminary report received from Mr. Douglas Tomlinson, student minister at Shanty Bay concerning his survey in the north east portion of Barrie indicated strong support for a Sunday School

Sept. 16, 1959 - completed survey report presented by Doug Tomlinson
-685 households had been contacted from which he identified 229 United Church families with 140 Sunday School aged children
- 69 families indicated a definite interest in a Sunday School and Church in the area
- moved by Rev. Wanless, seconded by R. Hickling, “that we open a Sunday School at Steele Street School”

Fall, 1959 - Sunday School started at Steel Street School with Mr. J Barry Bartman, a Single Lay Supply Minister in charge

Nov. 4, 1959 - letter from Board of Home Missions acknowledging receipt of the registered title to the new church site in the Township of Vespra (now in the city of Barrie)
- title to be held for safe keeping until such time as it is requested

Nov. 5, 1959 - Mr. Barry Bartman gave a report to date stating he had some 35 children in attendance the first Sunday
- motion that in future the Sunday School to be known as the Willowdale United Church Sunday School

May 26,1960 - report to B & D Church Extension Council
- request by Mr. J. Barry Bartman to hold a church service on Sunday, June 26, 1960 at 9:30 am

Nov., 1960 - Mrs. Ball lead a delegation that reported to the Extension Council that Sunday School attendance averaged 50 to 55 per Sunday
- Mr. Ron Atkinson is now the student minister at Shanty Bay and Willowdale and is planning a Christmas Concert for Sunday, December18
- it was decided to hold another church service on December 18 at 11:00 am.

Dec. 18, 1960 - church service held followed by a meeting with representatives of the Extension Council who recommended that regular church services be started as soon as possible

Jan. 4, 1961 -first regular Sunday morning worship conducted by Mr. R. Atkinson, student minister at Shanty Bay United Church
-an ad was placed in the Barrie Examiner to announce the commencement of
regular church services at Willowdale United Church at a cost of $3.92. The same announcement would be made on CKBB but it would be free

Jan. 8, 1961 - a meeting of the committee was held at the home of Mrs. Blanche Ford.
- Dr. Perkins of Central United Church was invited to sit in on the meeting

First Church Steering Committee formed:
Chairman: Ernie Harris
Vice-chairman: Elmer Wilkins
Treasurer: June Ball
Secretary: Jean McEachern
Members: Jean Walker, Blanche Ford, Albert Hadley, Ron Chantler

Mar. 22, 1961 - the Clerk of Session was authorized to purchase a guest book at the cost of $7.50

Dec. 3, 1961 - Willowdale United Church Congregation was duly constituted with a Charter Roll membership of some 90 persons from 58 families.

Elders: Dr. Alvin Perkins, Bill Vis, Bob Watson, Marian Muir, Susan McLean

Jan. 23, 1962 - inaugural meeting of the Official Board
- Proposed Budget for 1962: Total of $4,584 plus Building Fund of $5,250

Jan. 30, 1962 - from the annual report of the Barrie and District Church Extension Council: Motion of recommendation that Willowdale and Shanty Bay be constituted as a pastoral charge

Feb. 4, 1962 - Allen Tomlinson inaugurated the Willowdale United Church Women’s Organization and installed the first executive in the auditorium of Steel Street School.

May 24, 1962 - Official Board passed a motion to commence a New Building Study
- suggested price: $27,000

May 31, 1962 - letter written to Rev. Brenn, chair of the extension committee by Dr. Perkins
- reporting average Sunday School attendance of 110 pupils
- referred to an available grant from the Home Mission board of $7,500 and the possibility of a loan up to $15,000 at an interest rate of 4 ½ percent for three years

June 3, 1962 - Congregational Meeting was held to discuss a building proposal

Nov. 3, 1962 - Allen Tomlinson, “our student minister”
-services at 9:00am at Shanty Bay and 10:00 to 11:00 am at Willowdale

1962 - reported the transfer of Mr. & Mrs. Wilbur Oakes from St. Andrews U. C. in St Catharines

Jan. 23, 1963 - Extension Committee asked Willowdale Church to put their building plans on hold and advised them to seek financial assistance from Presbytery for the purpose of employing a retired or ordained minister
-financial statement indicated a bank balance of $292.66 with $.70 being owed to Rev. Reeve for a phone call which in fact would leave an actual balance of $291.96

April 2, 1963 - letter written to the United Church Observer asking them to place the following ad. Willowdale-Zion United Churches(Barrie and Shanty Bay) require retired minister, full time. Salary and car allowance $3,300. Attractive urban- rural two-point charge. Contact Dr. Perkins.

May 1, 1963 - letter written to Rev. A. E. Baker by Elmer Wilkins asking him to be our minister
- service times have changed to 9:30 at Shanty Bay and 11:00 at Willowdale
- Allen Tomlinson preached his last service on the previous Sunday
- Mr. Barry Dunbar will conduct services for May and June

May 12, 1963 - Barry Dunbar preached his first service

Sept. 1, 1963 - Rev. Baker preached his first service as a full-time minister at Willowdale and Shanty Bay Churches

Fall of 1963 - moved temporarily to Johnson Street School while work was being done at Steel Street School
- because the Presbyterians were using also using Johnston Street School
for their services at 9:30, no Grace members or cars were to be at Johnson
Street before 10:50 am

Dec. 3, 1963 - name of congregation changes to Grace United Church with the renaming of Willowdale Avenue to Grove Street

Feb. 25, 1964 - planning for the Sod Turning Ceremony for the new Christian Education Centre
- price now estimated at $70,000

Mar. 22, 1964 - Sod Turning Ceremony for the Christian Education Centre

April 25, 1964 - last meeting attended by Rev. A. E. Baker

May 2, 1964 - Rev. Baker died

July 21, 1964 - Arnold Creaser, Lay Minister, formerly of Wyebridge Charge, now our minister

Oct. 18, 1964 - Dedication of Christian Education Centre

Dec. 6, 1964 - 4th Anniversary Service was held with the Rev. Ronald Atkinson of Pinewood United Church, North Bay as the guest preacher.

July 1, 1966 - Rev. Albert J. Cook becomes the first full-time ordained minister at Shanty Bay and Grace United Churches

Sep. 17,1967 - new manse purchased at 13 Bellevue Crescent at a cost of
$23,860 with a mortgage of $18,360

July 1, 1969 - Rev. Arthur J. Storey welcomed to Grace United Church as our minister
- Grace now a one point charge with the closure of Shanty Bay United Church
- Grace still supported by Home Mission Grants of $3,400

1971 - end of Home Mission Grants

1972 - speculation about possibility of further construction including a sanctuary
- Planning and Development Committee established

January, 1973 - Barrie United Clergy agree to support the concept of expansion
- Resolution of Official Board to “Build a new sanctuary addition at the earliest possible time”

Feb. 1974 - Mortgage now $13,500 of original $73,000 ten years ago
- objective set to burn mortgage by the end of the year

Oct. 26, 1975 - mortgage burned
- Mrs. Baker present

1975 - church building attached to city water system
- Statement of Purpose approved

Feb. 1977 - up to $1,500 authorized to be spent by Building Study Committee

Feb. 1978 - final planning decision and presentation of Building Proposal at
$200,000
- after uncertainty by Presbytery, revised to include only Sanctuary at $140,000
- much work by our own people planned -proposal accepted

April 22, 1979 - Ground Breaking Service at 1:30 pm.

Oct. 28, 1979 - Anniversary Service and Laying of Cornerstone
-preaching and officiating, Rev. Sam Obol of Trinity Anglican (since returned to Uganda), assisted by Rev. Norman Thomas of Barrie

Dec. 16, 1979 - Dedication of the Sanctuary with President of Toronto Conference Rev. Bill Fritz of Collier Street United and Rev. Paul Morrow of Burton Avenue United, Chairman of Presbytery, presiding

May 27, 1980 - Susan Shelstad-Pearson ordained as a minister of the United Church of Canada

October 18, 1984 - Anniversary Services
* 25 years of Congregational Activity
* 20 years for the first building (Christian Education Centre)
* 5 years of completion and dedication of our Sanctuary
* 15 years of Ministry by Art and Janet Storey
* Burning of the Mortgage for the Sanctuary

November 9, 1986 - Congregational Meeting to receive and review a proposal for construction of additional facilities
- approval given to begin a $175,000 addition which would close in areas
for church offices, washrooms, nursery, Chapel/Choir Room, kitchen, foyer
and Board Room.

April 10-12, 1987 - Art Sale of paintings by George Pearson with proceeds for the Building Fund

April 12, 1987 - Sod Turning Ceremony for the expansion of our facilities

September, 1987 - Gracemobile profits: $ 25,46.93. $20,000 designated to the Building Fund

January 31, 1988 - Dedication of the Chapel/Choir Room, Nursery, Church Offices and Washrooms
- Special Guest, Mrs. Audrey Emms, Chairperson of Presbytery

May 28,1988 - Norman A. Baines ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada

May 29, 1988 - Susan K. Binns commissioned into the United Church of Canada

January 1, 1989 - Eunice Chick became officially employed as our Church Secretary

October 29, 1989 - Anniversary Celebration of 30 years of Congregational Activity

June 13, 1991 - John and Linda Kirk ordained into the Free Methodist Church in Canada

June, 1992 - Completion of the new kitchen

October 25, 1992 - presentation made to Mr. David C. Scott to honour his ten years as Minister Emeritus

September, 1993 - Completion of Sunday School rooms on the lower level

May 25, 1995 - James K. Farrell ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada

October 29, 1995 - Dedication of the Oak Room

October 26, 1997 - Burning of the Mortgage for the last phrase of expansion

October 25, 1998 - Certificates of Appreciation were presented to 12 Charter Members and 26 Heritage Members (those who joined Grace Church during the first ten years) who are still active in church life

June 27, 1999 - Celebration of 30 years of Ministry by Art and Janet Storey

October 31, 1999 - Fortieth Anniversary of Congregational Activity celebrated with the dedication of a photographic tribute to clergy who have served at or been ordained from Grace United Church
- guest preacher was Reverend David Allan, Executive Secretary of Toronto Conference. A special guest was Reverend Allen Tomlinson, the student minister who conducted services in 1961 to 1962 at Steel Street School

May, 2000 - Construction of the Memorial Garden at the front of the church

June 11, 2000 - Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada

September, 2001 - Carol Butt began her work at Grace Church as Director of Youth Ministry

June 9, 2002 - Maureen McLeod ordained as a United Church Minister

June 30, 2002 - Retirement of Eunice Chick, our Church Secretary after 35 years of voluntary and paid service

August, 2002 – Liana Ferris commences duties as Church Secretary

September 8, 2002 - Dedication of the new Memorial Sign

June, 2003 – Grace welcomes and recognizes Rev. Bea Arnill as a “Resident Volunteer Retired Minister.

October, 2003 – Joyce Cavill is thanked for her 35 years of music ministry as Organist and Pianist at Grace Church.

December, 2003 – Terry Maynard is hired as the new Director of Youth ministry to replace Carol Butt who has moved with her family to Guelph.

January, 2004 – Rev. David Black becomes a Resident Volunteer Retired Minister at Grace

August, 2004 – Grace offers its first Vacation Bible School program to the community

December, 2004 – Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Sanctuary (December 16, 1979) with Special Guest, Rev. Dr. Don Jay

June 12, 2005 – Celebration of the 80th birthday of the United Church of Canada and of long-time Grace member, Edith Oakes who was born the day the United Church was inaugurated.
- Dedication of the first stained glass window in memory of Richard Kent Miller, donated by his mother Ena Miller

October 30, 2005 – Rev. Dr. Susan Pearson Shelstad, the first candidate for ministry from Grace Church was the guest speaker for the 45th Anniversary Service.
- The first Memorial Hymn Sing was held at Grace.

January30, 2006 – At the Annual Congregational Meeting, a policy was approved for the provision of same gender marriages at Grace United Church.
- The congregation approved the Joint Needs Assessment Committee report recommending a three year interim ministry after Rev. Art Storey’s retirement on June 30th.

June 25, 2006 – Rev. Art Storey conducted his last official worship service which was followed by presentations, tributes, a luncheon and an Open House, celebrating his retirement and honouring his 37 years of ministry at Grace.

September 10, 2006 – Rev. Bonnie E. Kelly was warmly welcomed to Grace Church as she conducted her first worship service as our Interim Minister.

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