Joyce Church was born in the town of Tonbridge in Kent, England in 1907. She came over to Canada in 1911 at the age of 4 years old with her parents and her only sister, Doris.
They settled in Transcona upon their arrival and her father, William Fuller, took a job working as a railway man. In 1917, the family moved to St. Vital and Joyce graduated from Windsor Park High School. After high school, Joyce completed a program at Success Business College and took a job at the T. Eaton Company Ltd.
Joyce married Charles Church in 1932 and moved from Winnipeg to Niverville. Their home was located on the road directly south of Arena Road.
Joyce was an early pioneer who left her mark on many aspects of our community.
As I scrolled through Niverville: A History, by the Niverville District Historical Society, it became apparent to me that the English and Scottish families who immigrated to this country had a great value for education. In this area, Joyce made a significant contribution. Before the consolidation of schools into the Hanover School Division, the Niverville Consolidated School District included Kingswood, St. Adolphe, and part of the Leblanc area. Education was truly the responsibility of the local community, and Joyce served as the school district’s secretary for 13 years.
She encouraged her children to complete postsecondary education, and her son Ken and daughter Doris both graduated from university. The majority of Mennonite settlers in Niverville at the time probably didn’t have the same value for education.
Joyce was a charter member of the Niverville Women’s Institute. Started by Irene Grant in 1949, the charter included the names of 39 women. Their passion to improve the community through contributions to education, sports, 4H clubs, and health care are legendary.
Joyce and Charles were the first residential developers in Niverville. The area west and north of the railway tracks was the first significant expansion to Niverville since the establishment of the original town site by William Hespeler in 1887. The names Ritchot Drive and Church Street reflect that the area, though part of Niverville in every way, was actually located in the Municipality of Ritchot. The Church name reflects who owned and developed the land. The home at the southeast corner of Ritchot and Main Street was the first home built, and it was Charles’ and Joyce’s retirement home.
Joyce and Charles were active proponents of the Niverville Community Club from its earliest time. Their home was a gathering place for those interested in sports, and this was expanded to include the site now occupied by the Niverville Centennial Arena. Joyce’s grandson Kerry mentioned to me that she would monitor the activities there, and she made sure to step outside at 8:00 every evening to blow the whistle, indicating it was time to go home.
After the death of her husband in September 1962, she and her son Ken determined to donate a 17-acre parcel of land to the Village of Niverville in honor of Charles. The land was to be used exclusively for the immediate and long-term recreational benefit of the community. It was a large gift, and in 1967 this became the home of the Niverville Centennial Arena and, later on, the Niverville Curling Club.
When the Golden Friendship Circle was formed, Joyce was its first secretary treasurer. She was also a committed lifelong contributor and member at the Niverville United Church and served in many capacities there during her life.
Joyce was one of a kind. She was one of those support people who makes a way for things to happen. Her willingness to contribute to the vision of others through service is evidence of her great character. She lived her life selflessly and her commitment to community life at so many levels was truly remarkable.
Joyce passed away on October 9, 1992. Our community was the beneficiary of her love and care. May we consider our own contributions so that we will be thus remembered.
