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Here from the beginning

Black people have played a significant role in the history of The United Church of Canada, but their stories have often gone untold. As we commemorate the

we invite you to join us in bringing these untold stories to life.

“Here from the Beginning” is an exhibition that showcases the contributions and experiences of Black people within the church, amplifying voices that have long been overshadowed by the dominant narrative.

This is a celebration of faith, history, community and The United Church of Canada.

Inauguration service of The United Church of Canada in Toronto 1925
Courtesy of The United Church of Canada Archives
The congregation of Union United in Montreal, c. 1941.
Courtesy Broadview Magazine from Union United Church Archives
Some of the Black people at first meeting of Northern Spirit Regional Council in 2019
Black Clergy Network 2024
Methodist preacher William Black preached to approx 260 Black people in Burchtown, Nova Scotia, in 1784

Our Planning Team

These are the members of the amazing planning team for this exhibition

Rev. Marlene Britton

Rev. Franklyn James

Julie Graham

Rev. Adam Kilner

Rev. Dr. Lloyd Nyarota

Rev. Thérèse Samuel

Rev. Dr. Paul Douglas Walfall

Chairperson

Get Involved

Here from the beginning,

Get ready to be part of something extraordinary!

We’re shining a light on the untold stories of Black people in The United Church of Canada. As we gear up for the 100th anniversary in 2025, we’re announcing “Here from the Beginning” – an amazing exhibition celebrating Black individuals’ remarkable contributions and experiences within the church. It’s time to amplify these voices and showcase their incredible impact on our faith, history, and community. We need your support to make this project a reality.

Let’s tell history together!

We need your help. There is little or no documentation of lay Black people’s involvement in the church at the congregational level in Canada. This is where you come in! If there have been lay Black people you know or knew who were or are currently involved in the work of the church, help us tell their stories. Think through stories and direct experiences you’ve had with Black people whose stories you want to lift up. What’s needed:

  • First, approach the person for consent, or their loved ones if the person you want to honour has died.
  • The names of the persons (including date of death where applicable).
  • A short narrative (no more than 100 words) about their involvement in the work of their community of faith.
  • A picture of them.
  • Paragraph of up to 100 words, and a photo if possible.

Please send these to Rev Paul Douglas Walfall: herefromthebeginning@gmail.com

Get Involved

Here from the beginning,

Get ready to be part of something extraordinary!

We’re shining a light on the untold stories of Black people in The United Church of Canada. As we gear up for the 100th anniversary in 2025, we’re announcing “Here from the Beginning” – an amazing exhibition celebrating Black individuals’ remarkable contributions and experiences within the church. It’s time to amplify these voices and showcase their incredible impact on our faith, history, and community. We need your support to make this project a reality.

Let’s tell history together!

We need your help. There is little or no documentation of lay Black people’s involvement in the church at the congregational level in Canada. This is where you come in! If there have been lay Black people you know or knew who were or are currently involved in the work of the church, help us tell their stories. Think through stories and direct experiences you’ve had with Black people whose stories you want to lift up. What’s needed:

  • First, approach the person for consent, or their loved ones if the person you want to honour has died.
  • The names of the persons (including date of death where applicable).
  • A short narrative (no more than 100 words) about their involvement in the work of their community of faith.
  • A picture of them.
  • Paragraph of up to 100 words, and a photo if possible.

Please send these to Rev Paul Douglas Walfall: herefromthebeginning@gmail.com

Template for your Story

Your story can follow the following:

  1. Tell us your name
  2. Tell us what church you attend
  3. Tell us how long you have been in the United Church (optional)
  4. Tell us about your areas of involvement (past and present) in the church.
  5. Tell us your dream/vision for the United Church.
  6. Tell us about your hobbies and things you like to do in your spare time.

Please also send a picture of yourself, if you are able.

Tessica Hackshaw

Ordained Minister

The Rev Tessica Hackshaw joined the United Church of Canada ministry in 2013 after serving the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas for fifteen years. From June 2013 to November 2021, he served the Knox United Church in Durham, West Grey, becoming the first person of color to serve this community of faith.  

He has been serving the Emmanuel United Church, Hamilton, since December 2021, again being the first male of color to serve this Community of Faith. 

 Rev Hackshaw served on the Student and Education commission in the then Northern Waters Presbytery and is now a member of the Board of Vocation in the Southwestern Candidacy Board. He serves as the Justice and Equity monitor  at the Last two Horseshoe Regional Council Meetings. 

Eleanor Scarlett

Third Black Woman Ordained in The United Church of Canada.

Past Ministry: Rev. Eleanor Scarlett’s ministry journey began with her arrival in Canada in 1973 from the Methodist Church of the Caribbean. Initially feeling unwelcome in several United Church congregations, she found a spiritual home in a non-denominational church, where her gifts were embraced. Encouraged by her call to ministry, she eventually returned to the United Church, finding support at St. Matthew’s United Church in Toronto.

Her theological education at Emmanuel College, combined with a transformative internship at Cole Harbour United Church (1994–1995), prepared her for ordination in 1996. She began her ordained ministry at Crossroads Pastoral Charge in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where her pastoral work included responding to the Swissair Flight 111 disaster in 1998. She later served at St. Paul’s United Church in Toronto, where she began exploring Intentional Interim Ministry, a path she embraced following her training in 2004.

Present Ministry: Rev. Scarlett has dedicated herself to Intentional Interim Ministry, offering guidance to congregations across Ontario and Nova Scotia during times of transition. She has also served the wider church through leadership roles on the National Interim Ministry Board and committees, including Ethnic Ministry, Pastoral Relations, and Credentialing. A founding member of the “Journeys of Black Peoples in The United Church of Canada,” she continues to champion diversity and inclusion within the denomination.

Future Vision: As the United Church approaches its 100th anniversary, Rev. Scarlett envisions a future where the church fully embodies “Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice.” She is committed to honoring the legacy of past leaders while nurturing spaces of welcome, equity, and faith for future generations.

Hepta Doreen Deslandes

Layperson

A path to ministry was carved out for me since childhood. I am Hepta Doreen Deslandes; attending church on Sundays, in Jamaica, was my norm.  In 1974, I migrated to Canada, where I combined work and studies. In 1994, I became a member of Union United Church of Montreal. Despite my busy schedule as a teacher, I taught Sunday school, served on the Official Board and acted as a chairperson of the Rev. Este Scholarship Committee. In 2004, I became a licensed lay leader and have led services throughout the Montreal Presbytery. 

In 2004, Union United church saw an influx of refugees from Africa. My interaction with them include getting clothing and wares. Visiting, exchanging ideas and pointing them towards employment opportunities have been fulfilling. For example, I celebrated Christmas dinner 2024 with five of them at my home.

Serving others and expounding on the word have been my passion. It is in this vein that I intend to grow my ministry. As Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, in an act, of love, he tells them: … Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another… (John 13: 34-35). Hence discipleship is key to my ministry.

Lisa Byer

Diaconal Minister

I am a candidate for Diaconal ministry of both West-Indian Caribbean and Indigenous descent. As a bilingual anglophone living in Quebec, I have navigated the between spaces of identity, language and culture my whole life. I believe God is calling me to the ministry of & “and”. To move away from polarized, isolated and segregated realities and create spaces where both the church and world collide. Intercultural ministry is a large part of this ministry, which strives to view life, understand God, and interact with each other in ways that are dignifying, just and life-giving.

My ongoing commitment and passion for social justice is a life-long journey of learning and unlearning, that includes decolonizing my own practices, as well as attending to issues of power, privilege, and oppression.

As part of the United Church I have served in leadership in the following ways and places:

Maison Saint Columba House, Montreal, Quebec, 2017-2023 – Executive Director 

Kahnawake United Church, Kahnawake, Mohawk Territory, QC, 2015-017- Student

Minister

Montreal City Mission, Montreal, Quebec, 2016-2017 – Project Manager- Camp Cosmos

Montreal City Mission Montreal, Quebec, 2015-2017 – Theological Intern

Ste Genevieve United Church, D.D.O. Quebec, Trustee, Interim W&S Chair

Presbytery Rep, Youth Coordinator,  

Nakonha:Ka Regional Council, Regional Executive, Co-Chair Living in Right

Relations, AGM Pot-luck band, Building & Strengthening Relationships with CoF,

Targeted Communications Team.

Montreal & Quebec Presbyteries, Co-Chair Living in Right Relations, Vision & Transformation, Youth & Young Adult Coordinator, JGER/ Justice leadership circle

Great Lakes Waterways Presbytery, Council on Healing & Respect     

M & O Conference, AGM Pot-luck band, AGM Head Steward, Youth & Young Adult Coordinator

Kairos, Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives Montreal Co-Lead, Blanket Exercise Facilitator

Healing Pathways, Practitioner

Updates

Exhibition Opens
July 27 - August 2
in Edmonton

More dates and venues to be announced

January 31

Second edits of exhibition completed.

February 6

Exhibition information submitted for French Translation

Join us in making history together!

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https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/121450
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