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Bird's eye view of Centenary United Church and Stanstead College
1900
Stanstead, Québec

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Stanstead Journal , 23 June 1897
Colby-Cobb Fashionable Wedding at the Methodist Church.
"A large and brilliant assembly gathered in the Methodist Church on Wednesday evening (16 June 1897?) to witness the nuptials of Charles W. Colby, Ph.D., Professor of History, McGill University, eldest son of Hon. C.C. Colby and Miss Emma F.Cobb, daughter of Mrs. Walter Balfour Cobb. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion with ferns and peonies, forming with the gay dresses and hats of the numerous ladies present, a perfect symphony of color. Mr. Gould, organist of
Crescent Street Church, Montreal, presided at the organ and performed several selections during the time the company was assembling. The following gentlemen discharged the duties of ushers: Messrs. George P. Butters and W.H. Butters, Mr. Keyes and Messrs. George Keyes, C.W. Keyes and Stephen Foster, Drs. Henry Lafleur and Charles Martin."

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Emma Frances Cobb Colby
1897
Stanstead, Québec

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"Shortly after seven the bridal party entered the church to the strains of the Bridal March from Lohengrin, the bride leaning upon the arm of her mother. She looked charming in a gown of white ivory satin and a veil trimmed with orange blossoms and carried a boquet of lilies of the valley. Miss Butters, who wore a gown of pink and white silk and carried a boquet of white roses, acted as maid of honor. The bridesmaids, Miss Colby and Miss Pitcher each wore a gown of green muslin over green silk and carried a boquet of red roses. They were met at the communion rail by the groom and his brother, Mr. John Colby, who acted as best
man. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J.Tallman Pitcher and the bride was given away by her mother, who wore a dress of black moire ambique. As the party left the church the organ pealed forth the Wedding March flooding the building with joyous melody." ( Stanstead Journal , 23 June 1897)

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Reception at a Summer home
1897
Stanstead, Québec

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"After the ceremony a reception was held at Broadview. The grounds were brilliantly illuminated with Chinese lanterns and electric lights. Following the reception came refreshments and dancing on the lawn, the bride and groom leading off the first figure. The whole scene was one of fairy like beauty and called forth many expressions of admiration from the numerous guests.
The presents were elegant and costly and spoke volumes for the regard and esteem in which the bride and groom alike are held.
The happy pair left for the North at the close of the festivities." (Stanstead Journal , 23 June 1897)
Splendid example of a villa in the "Italianate" style, Broadview was built in 1866 for Isaac Butters and his wife, Martha Pierce Butters, daughter of Wilder Pierce, a prominent Stanstead resident.

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Centenary United Church
1905
Stanstead, Québec

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175th ANNIVERSARY OF CENTENARY UNITED CHURCH, STANSTEAD, QUEBEC
History of Church Name and Buildings by Arthur E. Curtis, Jr. November 4, 1979.
In 1804, one hundred and seventy five years ago, this congregation was known as "The St. Francis Circuit of the New England Methodist Church."
In 1819, Stanstead was declared a separate circuit and joined the British Wesleyan Conference.
In 1830, a brick church was built at the location where the present Registry Office is located.
In 1864, Carlos Pierce offered the land and $7,500, providing an equal amount was raised by the congregation. Thus the original church building was constructed.
In 1866, the Corner Stone was laid for the new church building.
On September 26th, 1869, the Church Building was formally opened and dedicated, and named the Stanstead Wesleyan Methodist Church.
In May of 1883, the church building was destroyed by fire, apparently caused by a blow torch which was being used to repair one of the eaves troughs.
By July of 1884, the church building was rebuilt in the form of our present beautiful edifice, with the construction taking place in only fourteen months.
In 1904, on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary, the name of the church was changed to the Centenary Methodist Church.
In 1925, when Church Union took place, the name of the church was again changed to Centenary United Church, this being the
fifth change in name since 1804.

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Century United Church
1910
Stanstead, Québec

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In 1925, when Church Union took place, the name of the church was changed from Centenary Methodist Chruch to Centenary
United Church, this being the fifth change in name since 1804.

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An active and generous supporter
1930
Stanstead, Québec

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Jessie Colby was an active and generous supporter of Centenary Methodist Church. Few reported church events fail to list her name as a participant or benefactor. Among her memorabilia are some small printed cards inviting children to a series of bible
study groups to be held at Carrollcroft.

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Centenary United Church
2002
Stanstead, Québec

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The year 2002 was an important one in the life of Stanstead Quebec's Gothic Revival masterpiece, Centenary United Church,
the largest Protestant Church in the Eastern Townships, and one of the largest in Quebec. It had been in need of repairs for years and this is when it got a major makeover - including a new roof in traditional Townships slate, the material used when the church was first opened back in 1869. The steeple, which towers to a dizzying height above the street, is also being restored, as are the four clock faces midway up. Work on the church interior is in progress, as well, including painting and repairs to mouldings, walls, and ceilings, and restoration of the splendid stained glass windows, including the large rose window set in the façade.