HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-10-15, Page 1010 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Northside celebrates 150th anniversary
Internet photo
Seaforth Methodist Church -1908
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
A common sight for any-
one traveling down Goder-
ich St., few realize Northside
United Church's origin dates
back to a time when Seaforth
was a rapidly growing village
back in 1864.
To celebrate this mile-
stone, the congregation of
Northside is planning a cel-
ebration, including a variety
show and anniversary sup-
per, as well as a special ser-
vice on Oct. 19.
Frank Golding, one of the
church's longest serving
members, is thought of by
many as the history buff of
the congregation.
"My first memories of
Northside United are going
to church with my dad. At
that time there were only
four aisles, and I seem to
remember the pews were
numbered," he explained,
adding the Golding pew was
G47, on the west side of the
church. "I remember going
to church with him and that
would have been up to 1932,
when he was elected as
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Member of Parliament for
this area." During his Sunday
School days, Golding says he
remembers his teacher Ida
Close was noted for her
candy making, on occasions
bringing candy like home-
made fudge to class.
Golding also remembers a
time, years later, when he
was a member Northside's
youth group, the Tuxis Rang-
ers, meeting on Saturday
afternoons in a frame build-
ing behind the church.
"Sam Scott from Roxboro
was our teacher," he said,
adding the group was made
up of around 13 local boys.
"We always had a bible
story and then we would
play crokinole and snakes
and ladders. Sometimes, in
the summertime we'd go
down to the swimming
pool and the skating rink in
the winter."
According to the Story of
Seaforth, a history by Isa-
belle Campbell, Northside
began its long life as the
Episcopal Methodist Church
in 1864, when it was erected
on St. John St. with a seating
capacity of 200 people.
Shortly after the Union in
1884 of the three existing
Methodist Churches - Epis-
copal, Bible Christian and
Wesleyan - it was sold to the
congregation of St. Thomas'
Anglican Church for a Par-
ish Hall.
In 1865 a move was made
to change the location and
that year, a frame church
was built on the site of the
present church on Goderich
St. at a cost of $1,000. The
new building had a capacity
to seat 300. Late in 1866,
when Rev. William Hayhurst
was the minister, the church
was remodeled and
enlarged to almost double
its seating capacity.
A gallery was added at the
sides and front, a choir loft
was provided and a melo-
deon was furnished. The
building was re -floored and
new pews were installed. A
Communion railing was
erected and an elaborate
pulpit was added. The cost of
these improvements
amounted to almost $1,300.
This building then served
the congregation another
ten years. But, in the middle
1870's, because of the rapidly
increasing population, it was
felt more accommodation
was necessary and the frame
church was torn down. The
materials were then taken to
Winthrop, to be rebuilt into a
barn on the farm owned by
William M. Gray and later by
Melvin Blanchard.
The present brick church
was erected on the same site
in 1877. Walter Mullins, of
Wingham, was the contrac-
tor. Rev. George Buggins was
the minister at the time.
It wasn't until the union of
the Presbyterian, Methodist
and Congregational
Churches in Canada took
place in June, 1925, the
church became known as
Northside United Church as
it still is today.
Northside United Church
would like to welcome the
public to attend their vari-
ety show, which will be
held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.
Admission is a freewill
offering. The congregation
will continue their celebra-
tion with a special service
Sunday morning.
RE-ELECT
Larry McGrath
for
Tuckersmith Ward
Councillor
• Lifelong Tuckersmith
resident
• Over 20 years in Municipal
Politics
• Common sense approach
• Has the taxpayers best
interest as top priority