Newton Robinson was originally called Latimer's Corners after the innkeeper during the 1820s., and later Springfield. The present name derives from Newton, one of the Newtowns in Ireland and Robinson for William Benjamin Robinson, the area's political representative from 1828 to 1858.
Newton Robinson was busy during the 1880’s because of the train tracks that went through it. As a result, people eventually started congregating there, resulting in a cheese factory, a sawmill and a number of small businesses starting.
In 1841, a log church, Wesley Chapel, later to be named Wesley Church, was built on Latimer's Corners. This small Methodist Church was the center of the social and spiritual life of the people. It supplied teaching, preaching, admonishing, and comforting and provided opportunities for entertainment and excitement. Wesley Chapel became a new church in 1849, when the log cabin was replaced with a frame church on the land the congregation purchased in 1848.
That same year, Latimer's Corners was formally christened Newton Robinson. Wesley Church became known as the Newton Robinson Methodist Church. The church was full to overflowing by 1886 with people and events. There were Sunday Services, mid-week meetings, camp meetings, socials and Sunday School for people to attend, as they built their lives around a deep sure faith.
On October 23, 1887, the Methodist church opened for its first Sunday service. It was built to replace the log church that was first opened in 1841. It is situated on two thirds of an acre with a cemetery on either side of it.
In 1893, the railroads closed and were redirected to Alliston Beeton in Bradford. This caused the shutdown of the sawmill and general store because of the low business.
On June 10, 1925 the union of the Methodists and Presbyterians occurred. Newton Robinson United Church was born. Changes were rapidly occurring in the surrounding communities. Unfortunately, with businesses closing, people moving elsewhere and the loss of important church members, the congregation began dwindling and this trend is continuing today.
There were many challenges and changes in the life of Newton Robinson Church. The congregation is 158 years old. Although small, the church continues to be a source of friendship, love and piece for those who come and for those who pass by. It is, and will continue to be, a symbol of enduring faith and strength with which to meet the future.