Big River Pastoral Charge was originally formed in 1925, as the United Church's Eldred Mission Field, part of Prince Albert Presbytery and containing preaching points at Eldred and Big River. It was listed as an aid-receiving Pastoral Charge in 1926. By 1932, the name had changed to Big River Pastoral Charge, with points at Big River, Eldred and Sturgeon Heights. As of 1936, the charge included Black Duck, De Laronde, Reed and Stoney Lake. South Stoney and Swanston were also added ca.1940. By 1962, the charge consisted of just Big River, Debden and Rapid Bend.

Around 1972, Big River and Canwood (previously part of Shellbrook-Leask Pastoral Charge) amalgamated to form Big River - Canwood Pastoral Charge. Canwood's Trinity United Church closed March 30 2010, leaving just Big River's First United Church in the pastoral charge. As of April 27, 2012, the name returned to Big River Pastoral Charge.

Foxdale Pastoral Charge was formed around 1926, as an aid-receiving United Church charge, part of Prince Albert Presbytery. By 1932, the charge included Foxdale, Canwood, Silver Cliff and Sturgeon River points, and was listed as Canwood-Foxdale Pastoral Charge. As of 1936, the name had shifted to Canwood Pastoral Charge and it consisted of just Canwood, Polwarth and Silver Cliff. Marchant Grove was added and Silver Cliff removed by 1940. Sometime between 1946 and 1951, the points moved into Shellbrook Pastoral Charge.

Around 1972, Canwood moved from Shellbrook Pastoral Charge (which became Shellbrook-Leask) to Big River Pastoral Charge, which was re-named Big River - Canwood Pastoral Charge. Canwood's Trinity United Church closed March 30 2010, leaving just Big River's First United Church and the charge would return to the name Big River Pastoral Charge.