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The first Methodist Church in Mount Pearl, known as First United Church, had its beginnings as a congregation in 1956. The congregation started out without a church building, so services of the congregation were held in a school auditorium and later a temporary building was secured which was once used by the Anglican church. Prior to that time, Glendale-Mount Pearl was a preaching place of the Topsail Pastoral Charge. Glendale and Mount Pearl were merged to become the town of Mount Pearl.

The first phase (the basement) of the present church was completed and dedicated in 1958. It was used for two years while money was being raised to finish the project. In 1959 the second phase of the building program was undertaken and completed. The new church was dedicated on October 22,1961 with Rev. Pearce J. Penney officiating. At the time of the dedication of the church, the Mount Pearl pastoral charge was administering to 135 families. Boundary changes in 1964 resulted in Topsail and Mount Pearl becoming separate charges.

By the early 1970's, Mount Pearl's population had nearly doubled and the effect of this increase in population could be seen in the First United Church services as they were now overcrowded. By 1981 the First United Church had undertook and executed a major job of renovating and extending the church in order to meet the needs of the growing membership in the church. In 1982 the total area from Kenmount Road to Brookfield Road including the Donovan's Industrial Park became the Town of Mount Pearl.

As the town continued to grow, the there was growth within the United Church as well and overcrowding became a problem A decision had to be made on whether to change boundaries and form a new congregation or form a Satellite congregation in conjunction with the First United Church. In the spring of 1988 a decision was made and a satellite congregation to First United Church was formed with a membership of 12. This congregation was named Trinity United and this congregation of people met at the Mount Pearl Junior High School for worship.

The membership has grown considerably since then but this congregation is still using the school for worship.

Custodial History: Before Mount Pearl became a pastoral charge on its own, it was part of the pastoral charge of Topsail. The vital statistics records and Boards and Service groups records are presently being maintained at the church office in Mount Pearl. Mount Pearl Pastoral Charge forwarded a small group of records to the United Church Archive. This accession included Annual Reports, Service Bulletin, Board and Committee Records, Financial Statements from Trinity United and First United Church.

Musgrave Harbour, formerly known as Muddy Hole, was colonized by people from Bonavista and Western Bay. In its early years, Musgrave Harbour was visited by Methodist preachers from Greenspond. From 1870-1874, Solomon Matthews did faithful pioneer work there. In 1874, when the Newfoundland Conference of the Methodist Church was organized and a rearrangement of Circuits and Missions was deemed necessary, Musgrave Harbour became a separate mission with the Rev. Henry Lewis as its first minister.

Previously to 1874, Musgrave Harbour was the first born of the Greenspond Circuit. John B. Wheeler, Esq., J.P., was, for many years, the leading lay worker combining in himself a local preacher, a superintendent of the Sunday School, circuit steward and other offices both civil and religious. He was a most acceptable local preacher. The people of this charge are noted for their cordial cooperation with their ministers. Solomon Hann and Ernest W. Mouland entered the ministry from this circuit, and others fill honored positions in the civil life of the Island and other lands.

Musgrave Harbour had the following appointments: Aspen Cove, Ladle Cove and Milford along with Wadham Island which was an appointment of this circuit during the summer when fishermen from other islands attend. Each of the communities under Musgrave Harbour's charge had its own little place of worship. The congregation of Aspen Cove built a new church in 1960. The foundation was poured for Ladle Cove's new church in November 1957 and the church, which is presently in use, was opened for worship in October 1961. The old church in Ladle Cove, which was opened in 1894 by Rev. Thomas Darby, was closed the same day as the new one was opened. Construction of a new church in Musgrave Harbour began in early 1969 and was completed in October of the same year. Wadham Island also had a small church built there.

Methodism in Musgravetown dates back to the 1860's and by the late 1800's Methodism was well rooted in Goose Bay. Congregations were active in Musgravetown, Bloomfield, Brooklyn West (Lethbridge), Portland and a little later Brooklyn. Musgravetown had a church building, a parsonage and a circuit clergyman.

In early records, Musgravetown was known by another name - Goose Bay . The name of the community was changed to Musgravetown after the then Governor of Newfoundland, Sir Anthony Musgrave (1864-1869). Musgravetown was supplied from Bonavista until 1872 when it was formed into a mission under J. P. Bowell. With the creation of the Musgravetown Methodist Circuit in 1872, among the communities served by this circuit was Hopeville later South East Arm, Brooklyn West, and Lethbridge. Lethbridge is just a few miles from Musgravetown and lies in the S.E. corner of Goose Bay in Bonavista Bay.

Although Musgravetown was the seat of the Musgravetown Circuit, each of the communities under its charge had its own little place of worship, often in the form of a school chapel as in the case of Portland and Brooklyn. Lethbridge was no exception. As early as 1874/75, records show money being collected for the church fund. Lethbridge's church was built when Mr. Broughton was on the field. Lethbridge's church was dedicated on 8 February 1903 by Rev. J.C. Sidley. To the great credit of its members, this church was opened entirely free from debt.

In February 1912, during the ministry of Rev. William Harris the church at Musgravetown was destroyed by fire. Almost immediately plans were made to build a church on the site of the old church. The building was commenced in June, the cornerstone laid in November and the church completed December 7, 1913.

On June 10, 1925, the Methodist Church in Newfoundland, with other Methodist Churches joined with some Presbyterian and Congregational Churches to form the United Church of Canada. At the time of the union, the Musgravetown Circuit had four preaching places: Brooklyn, Lethbridge, Portland and Winter Brook with a total membership of 177 families.

By the mid 1960's, the United Church Congregation at Musgravetown had grown enough to be classed as an entity unto itself, with their place of worship, their Heritage United Church in the community. Some of the congregations once embraced by the Musgravetown Circuit were placed with the Summerville Circuit, which, since the late 1950's, has enjoyed Circuit status. The Memorial United Church at Lethbridge became part of the Summerville Circuit, which at that time also included Brooklyn, Charleston, Princeton, Portland and Summerville.

Musgravetown remained an entity to itself until 1994 after which it was combined with Bloomfield to form the Musgravetown-Bloomfield pastoral charge with a family membership of 240 families.

Nipper's Harbour Pastoral Charge, established in 1885, was formerly part of Little Bay Islands Pastoral Charge and at one time was associated with Tilt Cove, Bett's Cove and White Bay. The pastoral charge was established to administer to the religious needs of the residents of Nippers Harbour and this pastoral charge boundary extended to Snooks Arm, Woodstock and Pacquet. Church records indicate that baptisms and marriages were being performed at Nipper's Harbour as early as 1874.

Because of the needs of Tilt Cove, the boundaries of the Nipper's Harbour Mission were extended from Three Arms to Cape John in 1888. In 1890 the boundaries of Nipper's Harbour Mission were extended again to include a larger area. The Little Bay, Nipper's Harbour and White Bay Mission's were readjusted resulting in Three Arms, Harry's Harbour and Jackson Cove and the whole of principal places included in the White Bay Mission being added to the Nipper's Harbour Mission. Nipper's Harbour Mission was divided again the following year and Tilt Cove was removed and renamed the Tilt Cove Mission with boundaries extending from Tilt Cove to La Scie with the remaining communities under the Nipper's Harbour Mission.

Nipper's Harbour and Tilt Cove were recorded together as a mission in 1895 with a total of 443 members. Edwin Moore and J.C. Sydney were listed as missionaries for the charge. Although the exact date of the building of a church in Nipper's Harbour could not be determined, records show that the Nipper's Harbour church was enlarged in 1896.

After 1925 the following communities were included in the Nipper's Harbour pastoral charge: Burlington, Smith's Harbour, Rouge Harbour, Middle Arm and Indian Burying Place.

On December 22, 1927, the United Church people of Nipper's Harbour sustained a great loss by destruction of their church by fire. This church was valued at $6,000 and was built by the congregation.

In 1928 its restoration was begun by Rev. J.D. Bourne, who organized a church rebuilding committee, and they set to work to erect another. The church was officially opened in 1929, built on the site of the old United Church and is still in operation today.

The Norman's Cove Pastoral Charge was formed in 1986 within the Avalon Presbytery, Newfoundland Conference of the United Church of Canada. Rev. Ebbie W. Snow became its first minister. The appointments of the charge were Norman's Cove, Thornlea, and Fairhaven.

Although Norman's Cove was one of the first communities to be visited by Methodist missionaries in Newfoundland, it first appeared on the circuit list in the 1880s as part of the Railroad Mission with Chapel Arm as the centre. During its history, the congregation have been part of the various missions and pastoral charges formed on and around the isthmus. In the late 1880s, Norman's Cove became a congregation of the Whitbourne Mission, which was re-named Bay Bulls Arm Mission in 1911, with headquarters in Sunnyside.

The date of construction of the first Methodist church in Norman's Cove is uncertain, but a report on a missionary meeting held there in December 1913 stated, "The church was spotlessly clean, varnished and renovated for the occasion." A replacement church was dedicated in 1923.

In the late 1970s, Norman's Cove was listed as head of the pastoral charge. From 1980 to 1986, Norman's Cove was part of the Dunville-Norman's Cove Pastoral Charge, which included the appointments of Norman's Cove, Dunville, Fairhaven, and Thornlea.

The Pool's Cove Pastoral Charge was formed in 1941 as a pastoral charge in the Newfoundland Conference of the United Church of Canada. It was a successor body to the Congregationalist Mission of Fortune Bay.

In 1874, during the ministry of Rev. Thomas Hall in Newfoundland, the Congregational Colonial Missionary Society in London established the Fortune Bay Mission. Pool's Cove became the headquarters for the mission, and churches were established in Pool's Cove and Bay du Nord. The first minister appointed to the area , Rev. J. B. Saer, ministered to many families scattered along the south coast in Fortune Bay as well as in Placentia Bay. In Fortune Bay itself, congregations were spread from the Little Bay East area on the eastern side to the Belloram area on the western side. Communities mentioned in early registers included Little Bay East, Anderson's Cove, Conne, Fomme, Lake's Cove, Grand La Pierre, Harbour Mille, Bay du Nord, Pool's Cove, and Belloram. The first church in Little Bay East was built under the leadership of Rev. James Middleton in 1910.

The Congregationalist Mission at Pool's Cove resisted the Church Union of 1925 and amalgamation with the Presbyterians, remaining independent until it became part of the United Church of Canada in 1941.

The first United Church representative appointed to the mission was Mr. J. S. Moran (lay supply) who ministered to congregations in Pool's Cove, Anderson's Cove, and Little Bay East. The boundaries of the pastoral charge remained the same until 1970, when, after the resettlement of Anderson's Cove, Pool's Cove and Little Bay East came under the Port Elizabeth Pastoral Charge. In 1972, they came under the Red Harbour Pastoral Charge. In 1975, Little Bay East was incorporated into the Creston-Red Harbour Pastoral Charge, leaving Pool's Cove to once again form the Pool's Cove Pastoral Charge.

The original appointments of what is now the Port Blandford mission were Bunyan's Cove and Charlottetown. Both of these towns were on Clode Sound. They were at one time a part of Musgravetown mission. Just after the turn of the century the congregation, along with Bunyan's Cove, Gambo and Benton, became part of the newly formed Port Blandford Methodist Circuit. Later, Gambo and Benton were removed from the circuit and Terra Nova was added.

Port Blandford was reached from Whitbourne after the railway went through and a cause was established there. After a minister was stationed there, the two appointments were taken from Musgravetown.

At the time of the union of the churches to form the United Church of Canada in 1925, Port Blandford was still head of the mission and administering to twenty-five families. Port Blandford, at this time, had a church and a one room school. At Bunyan's Cove, formerly called Bryan's Hole, the preacher visits once in four weeks with the mail man.

At Charlottetown, the second preaching point of Port Blandford, there are twenty-five Methodist families. Charlottetown's first church was burned as seemed to be the case with lots of churches during this time. It was replaced by another church shortly afterwards and served the people of the charge for about sixty years until June of 1963 when the present church building was opened and dedicated on the site of the old church. The minister of the church at the time of the opening and dedication was the Rev. Theodore J. Snelgrove.

Port Blandford remains as head of a pastoral charge with preaching places at Bunyan's Cove, Charlottetown, Port Blandford and Terra Nova.

Methodism has a long and noble history in the Random area. The whole of the South West Arm of Random was settled between 1865 and 1880. At Northern Bight, the first arrivals were James Styles and D. Benson, the former was a Methodist. Random first appeared in the Minutes in 1871 in connection with Shoal Harbour. This mission had thirty appointments. By 1874, the circuit included the whole bottom of Trinity Bay with more than twenty appointments. In 1878, Shoal Harbour was divided into two missions - Random North and Random South, and later, the former went back to the title of Shoal Harbour.

Random South became head of the pastoral charge with a total membership of 238 under the pastorate of Rev. K. Davis. The first Methodist building went up in 1878 and Edgar Taylor was appointed as the first resident pastor. The first church was erected in 1899 and the new church, much larger than its predecessor, in 1923.

At the time of the union of the churches to form the United Church of Canada in 1925, Random South was still head of the circuit with thirteen preaching points and a membership of 223. Boundary changes in 1930, saw Hillview, which was formerly called Northern Bight, being made the head of the circuit under the pastorate of Rev. Chesley Howell. The pastoral charge included: Adeytown, Deep Bight, Hatchet Cove, Loweburn, North West Brook, Queen's Cove and St. Jones Within.

In 1933, Little Hearts Ease was added to the pastoral charge and the name was changed to the Hillview-Little Hearts Ease Pastoral Charge and more preaching places were added to this charge for a total of twelve preaching places. Hillview was combined with Little Hearts Ease until 1955.

Boundary changes after 1955 resulted in Hillview being combined with Sunnyside to form the Sunnyside-Hillview pastoral charge and it remained like this for a period of six years. Little Hearts Ease became a pastoral charge on its own with seven preaching points.

Then in 1974, Random South appears as pastoral charge as a result of the amalgamation of the two former charges of Little Hearts Ease and Hillview with a total of eleven preaching points stretching along both sides of North West Arm in Random South. In 1985, the pastoral charge of Random South was disbanded and ceased to exist. The charge was split into two pastoral charges - Hillview and Little Heart's Ease.

Although the Shoal Harbour Mission wasn't mentioned in Minutes until 1871, the early settlers of Shoal Harbour, who came from Hants Habour on the south side of Trinity Bay, had settled there by the mid 1800's. It is believed that these people being of the Methodist faith built a little church that was dedicated to the glory of God and opened for worship on February 11, 1866. John Tilley, Moses Tilley, Aaron Tilley and David Palmer were the builders of this first little church. The mission at that time had thirty appointments.

This was their place of worship for 26 years during which time a considerable number of families moved to the area. Not long after the opening of the first church, a parsonage was built and the first residential Minister, Rev. William Swann, arrived. He was stationed at Shoal Harbour from 1871-1872 during which time he spent six months in the area with 30 appointments to visit, most of the which worship during the week night and rarely on Sunday.

As there were no roads then, or for many years after, the Missionary had many dangerous journeys. For the early years the only church in the area was at Shoal Harbour. This church was soon followed by a church at Lower Shoal Harbour (now Clarenville) and George's Brook. Because of the large area to be covered in the Shoal Harbour Pastoral Charge, Shoal Harbour, Lower Shoal Harbour and George's Brook had lay readers who helped out the Minister.

Somewhere between 1872 and 1885, the first church was turned over for re-modeling and used as a school and a new church opened for worship on June 30, 1892. A forest fire swept the area shortly after destroying many of the homes and the church and parsonage as well. All church records previous to 1892 were destroyed in the fire.

In 1874, the Shoal Harbour circuit included the whole bottom of Trinity Bay with more than twenty appointments which was supplied by two men, of whom Thomas W. Atkinson was one. During this same period, a church was completed at George's Brook, and one was made suitable for services at Lower Shoal Harbour, and several others were in course of erection. During his three pastorate, Rev. Atkinson witnessed the building of six churches and school houses and many members were added to the church.

Boundary changes in 1878, saw Shoal Harbour divided into two missions - Random North and Random South and later the former went back to the title of Shoal Harbour. Several other missions were made out of portions of the old Shoal Harbour field. The present appointments are Shoal Harbour, Clarenville, George's Brook, Broad Cove and White Rock.

On December 30th of that year a firm decision was made to build a new church and this, the third church, was dedicated on December 9, 1894. Then in summer of 1903, a forest fire again swept the area and the third church was burned down. A church was dedicated early in 1903 at White Rock and another at Broad Cove, now Harcourt, in the pastorate of James Pincock. We have no record of when the fourth church was started at Shoal Harbour but the Trustee Board Records show that the exterior of the church was completed during 1906 and on October 31, 1907, the new church was dedicated by Rev. Sydney Bennett, Minister at Britannia, acting on behalf of the President of Conference, who was unable to attend.

The cornerstone of a new church at Clarenville, formerly Lower Shoal Harbour, was laid on August 13, 1923, by H.G. Coppin, Chairman of the District. At the time of the union of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches to form the United Church of Canada in 1925, the Shoal Harbour pastoral charge had four preaching places and Rev. Isaac Davis was administering to 164 families there.

The Opening an Dedication Service for a new church at George's Brook and Milton was held on July 29, 1962 under the pastorate of Rev. Edward George Bailey. Late in 1962, the congregation of Shoal Harbour decided that the old church was inadequate for their present needs. Work began shortly afterwards on the new church and it was completed on the outside. The closing service for the old church was conducted on June 28, 1966 and then the old church was demolished. For over a year, worship was conducted in the basement of the new church while it was being finished . The dedication ceremony for the new church was conducted on September 15, 1968.

Presently the pastoral charge of Shoal Harbour administers to the following communities: Harcourt, Milton-George's Brook, Monroe, Shoal Harbour.