Wesley United Church has been designated a Municipal Heritage Structure, by the city of St. John's, for its aesthetic and historical value. It is located at the corner of Patrick Street and Hamilton Ave. in the west end of the city. Wesley United Church is aesthetically valuable because it is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture. It features many elements of this style, including varying towers (one tower being 90 feet high), pediments, columns and arched doors that have tracery in their transoms. The church has rounded towers with arched windows, and the front facade features a Romanesque ached tri-window with circular motifs and this is complemented by the circular window located high in the gable. Wesley United Church has a tall steeple which is set off by eaves, brackets and corner buttresses with pyramidal peaks. It also has an adjoining building which houses radio station VOWR (Voice Of Wesley Radio).
Wesley United Church is historically valuable because of its age and its association with radio station VOWR. Work began on the church in 1907 and on June 26, 1908 the church was officially dedicated and opened. A notable appointment to the church was an ornamental window inscribed to the memory of Reverend George Boyd, who was a great proponent for constructing the church. Wesley United Church was opened and officially dedicated by The Reverend Doctor Albert Carman; General Superintendent of The Methodist Church of Canada and was named for the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.
The role of Wesley United Church as a pioneer of radio broadcasting is singularly noteworthy. Radio station VOWR was the brainchild of Reverend Joseph G. Joyce, minister of Wesley United Church from 1922-1930. Joyce had been a radio enthusiast from it advent and, early in his ministry, saw its unique potential as a vehicle of communication in the service of religion. He convinced the congregation of the benefits to be derived from a Church affiliated broadcasting station and to raise the funds necessary to acquire one. VOWR (then 8-WMC) was launched on July 20, 1924 from the church. Wesley United Church holds a very special place in the history of communications in Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada.
Further, this church is also significant because the radio station was the first station to broadcast religious services (which it continues to do twice each Sunday) and election results to Newfoundlanders. The station also made an important link during two tragedies. It was the only communications link to the Burin Peninsula during the 1929 tidal wave and also helped in rescuing survivors of the 1931 Viking Disaster. You can listen to VOWR throughout the Avalon Peninsula by tuning to 800 on the AM dial or on the internet by visiting the VOWR webpage at http://www.vowr.org
Also, for the last two years, Wesley has live-streamed its worship services (including two services during the pandemic lockdown when gatherings were limited to just 5 individuals - organist, sound booth operator, video technician and Rev. Bill being the only people present) on YouTube and Facebook; continuing and expanding upon Rev. Joyce's vision of outreach ministry.
