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Memorial Church is located in the historical picturesque village of Port Ryerse on the northern shore of Lake Erie, approximately 10 minutes south of the town of Simcoe and 10 minutes west of the town of Port Dover, close to both town amenities. The village was one of the first settlements in the area and the Memorial Church grounds contain a Loyalist cemetery with burials as early as 1798. The cemetery was closed for burials in 1917. The church building was built in 1870 in memory of the early pioneers and Col. Samuel Ryerse who is buried there. The church building, cemetery, and grounds are situated on one corner lot at 31 King Street, Port Ryerse. Memorial Church does not have a rectory of its own, due to its small size and because it has always been paired with a larger church with a functioning rectory. Memorial, as part of the Long Point Parish presently has a shared rectory in Port Rowan approximately 30 minutes away.
Memorial Church is used for church and some community functions. It is the only church in Port Ryerse and can hold approximately 75 people seated. In 1980 the congregation together with financial and physical support from the community raised the church and added a basement. This is utilized as a parish hall having a capacity of 65 persons, with kitchen and washroom facilities. In 2012 the building was renovated with a new bell tower and made fully accessible including new wheelchair accessible washrooms and a lift. The Bell Tower and Accessibility Project cost over $200,000 raised through available church funds, grants, and local support. In 2014, the exterior was repainted and the windows repaired. Today the church has no debts, the building is in good condition and should not require any major upgrades for years to come.
The interior of the church sanctuary is historical with original woodwork, high ceiling and excellent acoustics. It is also modern due to recent changes using 30 comfortable chairs in a circular seating arrangement, making the service experience for 12 to 15 members each week very unique and inclusive. This arrangement also allows for a more functional space. The chairs can be arranged in the more traditional rows for larger functions or removed for the addition of tables for conferences, art shows, musical presentations etc. This building and grounds have great potential for use as a retreat center or spiritual workshop. Presently the building has regular weekly rentals for Yoga, singing and adult exercise classes which help offset expenses. The weekly community coffee break in the basement is well attended each week by many with proceeds supporting the church. Memorial has been very supportive of outreach programs in recent years supporting both local and abroad causes as part of our annual budget and as needs arise. Presently Memorial Church supports two Rwanda students-in-need making it possible for them to attend Vunga Vocational Training Centre, in Rwanda.
Weekly Sunday morning services at 9:30 am celebrate Eucharist alternate weeks, with licensed lay readers taking the remaining services. We have a regular organist who works with our music program for weekly and special services. In past years the Sunday School has had a busy program but presently is inactive due to the change in the demographics of the congregation and the surrounding population.
Each point in the Long Point Parish is unique. Memorial Church in Port Ryerse is no exception. In the past decade, parishioners have taken advantage of a weekly spiritual study group and are a very dedicated and supportive group. Our informal circular seating arrangement and inclusive services have given many the feeling of welcome and the ability to express themselves during the services. The immediate challenge facing Memorial Church is to attract growth in its congregation and to develop alternate methods to reach people and address the many needs of a busy population.There is populace growth in the surrounding areas with the influx of retired people which is encouraging and hopeful for future growth. We are researching more proactive means in letting those in the area know what we have to offer in providing spiritual growth and sense of community and fellowship.
Annual fundraising events include manning the local Norfolk County Fall Fair gates, providing staffing at one gate for the duration of the fair. Each year, these shifts are covered by members of the congregation, friends and neighbours. Another popular annual event is our Silent Auction held in the parish hall each spring, creating friendly competitive bidding for donated items. Our biggest turnout of supporters occurs each August when over 200 come out on a summer evening in the church yard to enjoy a corn roast and BBQ burgers with desserts. This has been an event for the last 30 years. In Port Ryerse, any event that attracts the public is usually organized by Memorial Church.
Memorial Church has been financially viable each year and able to overcome unexpected expenses with required support from both the congregation and community. It is the belief of the congregation and community that Memorial Church will continue to play an active role in Port Ryerse for many years to come. Using the Vision process the Memorial Church congregation developed the following mission statement.
“We are a Christian presence which reaches out and provides a sense of community, including spiritual, emotional and physical support to our parishioners and all residents of the surrounding area, in a flexible, compassionate and participatory manner.”
Memorial Church is used for church and some community functions. It is the only church in Port Ryerse and can hold approximately 75 people seated. In 1980 the congregation together with financial and physical support from the community raised the church and added a basement. This is utilized as a parish hall having a capacity of 65 persons, with kitchen and washroom facilities. In 2012 the building was renovated with a new bell tower and made fully accessible including new wheelchair accessible washrooms and a lift. The Bell Tower and Accessibility Project cost over $200,000 raised through available church funds, grants, and local support. In 2014, the exterior was repainted and the windows repaired. Today the church has no debts, the building is in good condition and should not require any major upgrades for years to come.
The interior of the church sanctuary is historical with original woodwork, high ceiling and excellent acoustics. It is also modern due to recent changes using 30 comfortable chairs in a circular seating arrangement, making the service experience for 12 to 15 members each week very unique and inclusive. This arrangement also allows for a more functional space. The chairs can be arranged in the more traditional rows for larger functions or removed for the addition of tables for conferences, art shows, musical presentations etc. This building and grounds have great potential for use as a retreat center or spiritual workshop. Presently the building has regular weekly rentals for Yoga, singing and adult exercise classes which help offset expenses. The weekly community coffee break in the basement is well attended each week by many with proceeds supporting the church. Memorial has been very supportive of outreach programs in recent years supporting both local and abroad causes as part of our annual budget and as needs arise. Presently Memorial Church supports two Rwanda students-in-need making it possible for them to attend Vunga Vocational Training Centre, in Rwanda.
Weekly Sunday morning services at 9:30 am celebrate Eucharist alternate weeks, with licensed lay readers taking the remaining services. We have a regular organist who works with our music program for weekly and special services. In past years the Sunday School has had a busy program but presently is inactive due to the change in the demographics of the congregation and the surrounding population.
Each point in the Long Point Parish is unique. Memorial Church in Port Ryerse is no exception. In the past decade, parishioners have taken advantage of a weekly spiritual study group and are a very dedicated and supportive group. Our informal circular seating arrangement and inclusive services have given many the feeling of welcome and the ability to express themselves during the services. The immediate challenge facing Memorial Church is to attract growth in its congregation and to develop alternate methods to reach people and address the many needs of a busy population.There is populace growth in the surrounding areas with the influx of retired people which is encouraging and hopeful for future growth. We are researching more proactive means in letting those in the area know what we have to offer in providing spiritual growth and sense of community and fellowship.
Annual fundraising events include manning the local Norfolk County Fall Fair gates, providing staffing at one gate for the duration of the fair. Each year, these shifts are covered by members of the congregation, friends and neighbours. Another popular annual event is our Silent Auction held in the parish hall each spring, creating friendly competitive bidding for donated items. Our biggest turnout of supporters occurs each August when over 200 come out on a summer evening in the church yard to enjoy a corn roast and BBQ burgers with desserts. This has been an event for the last 30 years. In Port Ryerse, any event that attracts the public is usually organized by Memorial Church.
Memorial Church has been financially viable each year and able to overcome unexpected expenses with required support from both the congregation and community. It is the belief of the congregation and community that Memorial Church will continue to play an active role in Port Ryerse for many years to come. Using the Vision process the Memorial Church congregation developed the following mission statement.
“We are a Christian presence which reaches out and provides a sense of community, including spiritual, emotional and physical support to our parishioners and all residents of the surrounding area, in a flexible, compassionate and participatory manner.”
