HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 25See Us For Your
TRUCKING
NEEDS TOO!
We Really
Dig Exeter!
We Dig Excavations,
Drains, Etc.
Sam Sweitzer
& SON CONSTRUCTION
235-0181 Exeter
Serving Exeter Since 1947
Section 2, Page 5 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973
CASKET RIG - The above picture is not of any ordinary sleigh. It belonged to undertaker R.N, Rowe and was
called the "casket rig", It was used to pick up bodies from homes in the winter, This picture was taken in
March, 1840
Baptist congregation
Jim Cares . • •
Yes, Jim Hennessey cares about
your clothes and that's why many Ex-
eter and area residents call him when
they need dry cleaning. Clothes are
expensive and require the care and
attention given to them as soon as
they're delivered into Jim's hands
and expertly processed through our
plant at Grand Bend and back to
you.
You wouldn't want it any other
way . . . would you?
We also provide complete laundry
facilities at our Exeter store. Bright
surroundings and dependable equip-
ment,
GRAND
BEND
CLEANERS
and
LAUNDERERS
Main at Sanders 0.0°1141,„
EXETER
CALL 235-0360
newest in community
`General Pickard'
he was a whopper
ROBT. LORD
A group of believers of Baptist
conviction comprising a handful
of local families were in-
strumental in the com-
mencement of what is now known
as Emmanuel Baptist Church,
On the evening of Thursday,
March 15, 1962, this group, most
of whom had previously fellow
worshipped in the Baptist Church
at Bayfield met at-the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Perry of
Exeter,
A provisional executive
committee was set up with the
pastor of Wortley Baptist Church
of London, Mr. Martin 0. Wedge,
appointed chairman.
After consultation with the
minister and the board of Bethel
Reformed Church regarding the
rental of their building in which
to hold services, the newly for-
med Baptist congregation held
their first prayer service on
Wednesday evening, March 21st.
The Bible study was conducted
by Mr. Wallace Stephenson, a
student in his graduating year at
the London College of Bible and
Missions.
On Sunday, March 25, at 3 p.m.
the first church service was held
in the auditorium of Bethel
Reformed Church. pastor Martin
Wedge led, with an attendance in
excess of eighty persons.
Two weeks later Sunday School
classes commenced with Mr.
Vernon De Montmorency
teaching the adult class and two
ladies teaching the girls and
boys.
The church called its first
pastor in July, Mr, Wallace
Stephenson, a graduate of
London College of Bible and
Missions, who was currently
studying at Waterloo University
towards a degree.
At his suggestion the church
appointed an investigating
committee to look into the matter
of locating a suitable site for a
new church building and sub-
sequently this was done in July,
1963. Land was purchased on
Huron street west between
Market and Atchinson streets,
where the present building now
stands.
In January 1963 the first slate
of officers was elected 'and at this
meeting the charter membership
was closed with a total of twenty
four members.
Official recognition . of
Emmanuel Baptist Church as a
properly organized New
Testament Church took place in
March with a number of
Fellowship Baptist Churches and
pastors attending.
The recognition council
received Emmanuel Baptist
Church as a sister church into the
Fellowship of Evangelical
Baptist Churches of Canada.
On November 12, 1963 pastor
J.W. Stephenson was ordained
into the gospel ministry by a
special ordination council called
for this purpose: comprising
seventeen Baptist Churches in
the area.
Under pastor Stephenson's
ministry, the blessing of the Lord
was experienced and the church
enjoyed steady growth during his
three and ahalf years as pastor.
Pastor I. Bodenham was called
as pastor to Emmanuel Church in
March 1966 and the church
continued to progress.
A number of converts
professing saving faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ were baptised
and added to the church mem-
bership.
In August 1967, the
congregation authorized the
building committee to proceed
with plans for a new church
edifice and on September 3rd, a
sod turning ceremony took place
on the selected site.
The first Sunday School and
church services were held in the
new building in March 1968 and
— Please turn to page 6
Feb 15, 1951
To the editor of the Exeter Times-
Advocate
Dear Sir,
Exeter is now a town and its
history briefly written but there
is one thing which put Exeter on
the map for a reason which has
been overlooked.
The late James Pickard in his
day had a double title
"Storekeeper Pickard" and
"Farmer Pickard," A neighbour
looking on said; "If it was not for
storekeeper, Pickard farmer
Pickard could, not live."
Pickard was a first class
farmer and his cattle and his
sheep would compare favourably
with others of his day. He raised a
steer which grew to gigantic
proportions and was exhibited at
the fairs and exhibitions for a
season under the title "General
Pickard" and was a great at-
traction.
Had he lived, his life would
have been spent in travel and
would have been a bonanza to his
owner. When he reached the
butcher men would have paid an
enormous price per pound for his
beef so that they could tell their
children and their children's
children that they had eaten
some of General Pickard, the
biggest steer on earth.
On the files of the Exeter
Times, somewhere around 1880
the story of his life would be
'recorded. We fancy his weight
approached two tons. Hoping that
someone can give his height, size
and weight. I remain
Yours truly
J. Johns
NOTE - We have searched what
copies we have on file of the
Times in 1880 but fail to find any
reference. We have heard
numerous stories of the steer and
like Mr. Johns, would like to hear
something authentic. —
The Editor.
Feb. 22, 1951
Dear Sirs:
In your last issue you men-
tioned about the big steer that
James Pickard owned,
Am enclosing with this ,a photo
of this steer taken the day my
father look the animal away by
G. T.R. freight to Stratford. I
myself remember this animal as
a calf. In the picture are Thomas
Dearing, George Hill and James
Pickard.
This photo I think was taken by
Chas, Senior, taken on the south
side of the brick building still
standing on James St. This
building was a cattle stable at
that time, there were also several
other frame buildings on the
property for cattle.
My father took care of James
Pickard's livestock. At that time
in the winter there were about 25
head of cattle in those stables at
the rear of the store, also pigs and
colts, and where the new High
school stands were two stables
housing 30 head of cattle each
winter, also some sheep.
This picture was taken when
snow was on the ground about
1882 or maybe a year earlier or
later, I remember quite well my
father taking the animal away to
the new owner at Stratford, the
steer was shown by the new
owner at fairs and side shows for
some time till it got sick and was
sent back to Mr. Pickard to try
and regain health so my father
looked after it again till it died,
Yours sincerely
William H. Hill
ED NOTE - Unfortunately, the
picture cannot be reproduced but
the following information ap-
pears on it.
Height, 5 feet 8 inches
Length, from poll to root of tail, 9
ft.
Girth, 2 ft.
Girth centre of body, 10 ft.
Girth front shoulder, 9 ft. 3 ins.
Tip of tail to tip of nose, 13 ft. 6
ins.
Weight, 2,800
Age, 3 years. 11 months.