The first Methodist church was constructed in 1814 under the ministry of Rev. William Ellis. It served its congregation for thirty-five years and was known as the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel while its followers were called ‘Wesleyans'. In 1851, it was felt that the church had to be enlarged and was done so a few years later. However, on Sunday, January 8, 1870, a severe storm destroyed the church. Undaunted, the people rebuilt the church and it was completed in 1871 under the ministry of Rev. John S. Phimmey.

On March 4, 1918, this building was taken down in favour of a new facility. The fourth and present church was built in 1921 under the leadership of Rev. Charles Lench. It is 65 feet wide and 124 feet long with a seating capacity of 1375. It is of the "Classical Revival Style," widely popular throughout mainland British North America from circa 1820 to 1860. It is the largest wooden church in Eastern Canada and is a magnificent structure that stands as a memorial to those who paid the supreme sacrifice during the first and second World Wars.

List of clergy who served the Memorial United Church of Bonavista since it became a member of the United Church of Canada:

1916-1923. . . Rev. Charles Lench
1923-1926. . . Rev. C. R. Blount
1926-1934. . . Rev. S. Bennett
1934-1940. . . Rev. S. I. Murley
1940-1947. . . Rev. J. M. Winsor
1947-1951. . . Rev. Dr. Arthur S. Butt
1951-1953. . . Rev. Thomas R. Mills
1953-1957. . . Rev. William E. Stanford
1957-1961. . . Rev. Frederick W. Bradbury
1961-1962. . . Rev. Calvin Evans
1962-1965. . . Rev. Melvin Ralph
1965-1966. . . Rev. W. R. Bowering
1966-1968. . . Rev. Clarence Stanford
1968-1973. . . Rev. Ambrose E. Newbury
1973-1978. . . Rev. Harvey D. Harris
1978-1985. . . Rev. A. James Hoddinott
1985-1986. . . Rev. Dr. Arthur S. Butt
1986-1989. . . Rev. Ernest Feltham
1989-1990. . . Rev. Albert Trask
1990-1992. . . Rev. Douglas Best
1992-1993. . . Rev. W. R. Bowering
1993-1994. . . Rev. Fred Hickman
1994-1995. . . Rev. Cecil Tiller
1995-1996. . . Rev. Ernest Parsons
1996-Present. . . Elsie E. Pottle