Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
Gilbert Plains-Ethelbert Pastoral Charge
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Gilbert Plains is located directly West of Dauphin on the Canadian National Railway line. Ethelbert is located North of Dauphin. Settlers came to the area of Gilbert Plains around 1890, and by 1892 the Methodists has established several appointments north and south of the rail line. The area around Ethelbert was settled somewhat later. Chatsworth Methodist Church was the first church to be built in the district, in 1899. It was moved to town from its original location in 1901. The first ordained Presbyterian minister came into the district in 1899 and preached initially at the Chatsworth church, as well as throughout the district. A Presbyterian Church was opened in Gilbert Plains in 1904. Close co-operation between the Methodists and Presbyterians of the district was consummated in an agreement to formalise local union as of July 1, 1918. Thereafter services in Gilbert Plains were held in the Presbyterian building, which was larger. St. Paul's United Church in Gilbert Plains, and Ethelbert United Church, built in 1973, have been part of a two-point charge since 1980.