HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1969-10-16, Page 9Founded 1859
Burns' Church Holds
Final Service
A ministry that began 110 years ago terminated Sunday
when final services were held in Burns Churgh, Hulled,
The..final sermon was preached by ReV. D. E. A. Docken,
Minister of Duff's Church, Walton and secretary of the Huron
Perth Presbytery. The service on Sunday had a two-fold put-
pose, marking, the ,110th anniversary as well as the final
service and joining in the worship were many former mem-'
bers of0the congregation.
In 1959 when the congregation marked its Centennial a
booklet, prepared by a committee headed,by the late Mrs,
George Carter, recorded, the founding of the _Church in 1859
and the events of the succeeding years.
Excerpts from the booklet recall highlights of the l o
servile in the community. •
On December 24, 1858, at the home of Robert Reid, lot
9, concession 10, Hullett, a meeting was held for the pur-
pose of raising funds to build a church. Robeit Reid was
chairman, and George Watt,• Sr, , secretary. The majtority
were in favor of building. Sorne-Of those present were Rob-
ert Scott, Alex Knox, Gavin Hamilton, rigus Camp ell;
James Watt, Sr. , Thomas Lee, John Watt Robert Kn x,John
Nott, James Elliott and David Hill. The •te chosen was the
northeast corner of lot 12, concession 10, ullett. George
Watt, Sr. , gave three-quarters of an acre for the church site
and burial ground.
On July 5, 1859, they decided on a frame structure, 40
feet by 28 feet, sheeted on the outside with inch hemlock,
sided over with one-half inch plained lumber and floored
with inch hemlock. Mr, R. Rogerson, the framer, received
$165.'00 for building the church. The lumber and shingles
cost $95. 00, the plastering $42.50. The total expense was
$515, 00.
A petition was drafted in 1866 to Huron Presbytery deplor-
ing lack of missionary supply and asking,release from Blyth,
and -arrange for missionary supply from Manchester, with a
view to having service each Sabbath.
In 1870 the trustees were empowered to build a vestry 15
feet by 18 feet, at the south of the church. This building
cost $267. 00.
A petition was taken to Huron PreSbytery on December
26, '1876, that Burns' Church congregation wished to, be re-
leased from Manchester and made a separate charge in con-
nection with Knox Church, Londesboro. They would guaran-
tee a yearly stipend of $650. 00 and a free manse.
In 18/0 the present brick ,church was built free of debt. -
Messrs. Cluff and Bennett were awarded the contract at
$1,124. The building committee furnished 42, 000 bricks at
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a cost of $210, and a' hot air furnace was installed by An-
drew Kidd, Seaforth, for $125. The.congregation presented
Rev. Ramsay with a gift of $50. ,
The first church, which was moved back so that the pres- •
ent one could be on practically the Isarne site, was, used dur-
ing the building period and at the opening of the new church.
Some of the better seats were transferred to the new building.
Messrs, William and John Copp, of Seaforth, were the brick-
layers engaged, and received the frame church, valued at
$15. , as part payment for their work. It was moved to the
west end of Seaforth, on Goderich Street (now Davd Schenk's
garage).
By 1903 there were 109 members in Burns' Church, In
1905 Rev. Neil Leckie became pastor and remained for Aout
five years. During that time the membership increased to •
124. His yearly stipend was raised to $900. 00' and use of the
manse.
A decision was reached in 1917 to build an addition to
the south of the church for a vestry, choir room and library,
for ,approximately $500. 00. As the expense was $697. 03,-
the Ladies' Aid came to the rescue. The stipend in 1918
was $1,2:00. 00. For the first time, the organist, Miss Annie
Reid, received a salary of $25. 00.
In 1858, when making plans for the building of the first
church, it was decided to name it "The Hullett Free Church."
As money was needed to build a manse, in 1861 some church
seats were sold at $4. 00 each, and some choice seats sold to
the highest bidder. Burial lots, valued at $57. 00 were sold
to pay for fencing. A soiree was held about Christmas to pay
off the debt of the church,
Members thought they should no longer call it a "Free
Church", so changed the narne to "The Canada Presbyterian
Church of Hullett. " In 1863 .the name was changed to "Burns'
Church, -Hulled." In 1932, when union of the two Londesboro
-congregations with Constance and Burns' was consummated,
the new name given'was "Burns' United Church, Hulled."
In 1863 some seats in the church were sold, and a soiree
(Scotch for entertainment) was held, to raise funds, to build a
manse. ,
It is proven that Scottish people can change their minds.
In 187.5 they purchased one-half acre south of the church for
$25. 00 as a site for a manse. This was later used as part of
the cemetery. Later in the sarhe year the congregation de-
cided on the northwest corner of lot 15, concession 10, Hulled
(now Jack Riley's).
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