Our History

The Kensington St. John's Presbyterian church was established January 1, 2026 as a result of an amalgamation between the congregations of St. John's New London PC and the Kensington PC.

The congregations of St. John’s New London and Kensington have a history of worshiping and ministry together. Over the years, the congregations had a practice of having joint worship services for Christmas Eve and Easter, with each congregation alternating who hosted. 

In 2018 the congregations took part in a visioning program entitled ReVision, where future ministry ideas and projects were developed. As a result, the congregations worked together to start a free Kraft Dinner lunch program for the local Junior/Senior High school in Kensington. This program continues to this day with the support of both congregations through donations and volunteers.    

In the wake of Hurricane Fiona, while the St. John’s congregation was attending worship in Kensington, the New London congregation was invited to help with the annual take out fundraising dinners Kensington served. This cooperation continued after the St. John’s congregation returned to worship in New London, with both congregations splitting the profits.  

The two congregations also support local missions and ministries, many of which are spearheaded by the Ladies Guild in Kensington. These include ongoing and special collections for the local Lion’s Food Bank, local shelters, the Prince County Hospital, and a school snack program for Somerset Consolidated School in Kinkora.

At the St. John’s New London church 2025 Annual Meeting, the congregation voted not to use money from the Memorial Fund to supplement the church operational fund. As a result, the congregation only had enough funds to continue operations for the 2025 calendar year. At the Kensington church 2025 Annual Meeting, the congregation was made aware of the situation and decisions made at the St. John’s Annual Meeting. 

As a result a joint committee was struck to discuss possible options for the congregations moving forward. After thoughtful discussion and prayer the committee unanimously agreed that amalgamation made the most sense and was the best option for continuing ministry/worship into the future.

In September 2025, both congregations held separate votes and both approved the amalgamation of the churches to create a new congregation. At a separate meeting the congregations voted unanimously that the new congregation would worship and use the existing Kensington PC building and that the St. John’s New London building and land be sold. 

The amalgamation was approved by the Presbytery of PEI at their November meeting. As a result the last Christmas Eve service was held in St. John’s New London, with the last regular worship service taking place December 31, 2025. The newly created congregation was officially amalgamated January 1, 2026, with the first worship service occurring January 4, 2026 in Kensington.

Congregants gave suggestions for a new name and after several rounds of voting it was decided that the new congregation would be called, Kensington St. John's Presbyterian Church.