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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1966-04-21, Page 13C:. -1' DEPENDABLE QUitrirVirriERTEE 101 JOSEPHINE STREET - PHONE 357-2581 WINGHAM • Pioneers Erected First Presbyterian Church 100 Years Ago New Building Is The Third The Wingham Presbyterian congregation was organized by Rev. W. C. Young on June 12, 1862. There was no regular minister and meetings were held in homes or other conveni- ent buildings. The preachers were usually college students and periodically an ordained minister would come to per- form baptisms. In 1866 a site on Victoria Street, west of Arthur Street, was purchased for the erection of a church. A frame structure was built that summer. A union session of Wingham, Bluevale and Eadies' was form- ed with Rev. John Ferguson of Brussels as moderator. Rev, James Hastie was called and or- dained as pastor of the three charges that same year. The old Scottish style of ser- vice was used and the first pre- centor was Lawrence Fyfe. Rev. Hastie resigned in 1871 and was followed by Rev. Jas. Pritchard. The congregation in creased and it was soon neces- sary to build an addition to the north end of the church. Before long a second addition was nec- essary, this time on the east side. By 1876 the congregation of Wingham decided it was large enough to maintain its own minister. Mr. Pritchard con- tinued to serve Bluevale and Eadies' and Wingham called Rev. Hector MacQuarrie. Eadies' Church was again to play a significant part in the history of St. Andrew's at a much later date when it closed in 1941 and the membership transferred to St. Andrew's Pres- byteonriamFnIaCizrsbziurcD1 1. ,Ii DISASTER On frame building on Victoria Street burned to the ground. In earlier years the site of St, Andrew's had been fairly central since Lower Town was settled first. After much deliberation it was decided to build the church on the present site, and the new brick building was erected. The congregation held meet- ings in the town hall until the church was opened in the spring of 1882. This was the old town hall, originally the public school built in 1863 which stood on the corner of John and Leo- pold Streets and had been mov- ed to the Josephine site about 1876. The building was again moved when the new town hall was built and stands across from the Salvation Army Citadel on Edward Street. Rev. MacQuarrie resigned in 1893. He was followed by Rev. David Perrie who in 1919 re- ceived an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity and later be- came moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He held this office at the time of his death in 1930. Rev. Kenneth MacLean was called to St. Andrew's that year. He held the offices of clerk of Huron-Maitland Pres- Dytery and moderator of the Synod of Hamilton and London. He resigned in 1944 because of Ill health to take a smaller congregation in Exeter.. Rev. Alexander Nimmo, who had served as senior chaplain with the RCAF during World War II. was inducted here in 1945. Presbyterian College in Mont- real honored him with a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1956 and in 1960 the university of Wes- tern Ontario conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Dr. Nimmo was elected moderator of the General As- sembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1959. Dr. Nimmo died March 28, 1961. It was not until January 1962 that the vacancy was filled. At that time the present minister, Rev. G. L. Fish was inducted. He came to. Wingham from Brantford. CENTENNIAL YEAR Mr. Fish's ministry here has been active. His arrival was at the opening of the congrega- tion's centennial year and the past year has been a busy one with the building program. Included in special functions during centennial year was the ordination of Rev. Peter Mc- Kague and Rev. John Congram on May 17, 1962. Rev. Fred Cromey, moderator of Huron- Maitland Presbytery read the ordination service. Mr. Fish gave the sermon and the charge was given by Rev. Douglas 0. Fry who only four years earlier had been ordained in the same church. These three young men and Rev. David Perrie, son of Dr. Perrie, are the four members of St. Andrew's congregation to enter the ministry. While not relevant to cen- tennial year we also mention here that members of St. An- drew's were also active workers in the mission field. Miss Caroline MacDonald went to Tokyo in 1904 where her work with laborers, prison- ers and their families earned her the name of White Angel of Tokyo. She devoted the rest of her life to her work. Miss Marion Williamson re- turned from the Bhil field in Central India in 1954. She went to India in 1927 and her duties over the years were many and varied. CONVENTICLE SERVICE One of the highlights of the centennial year took place on the original site, June 17, when a large crowd attended a con- ventical service outdoors. Rev. Dr. Finlay Stewart was the guest speaker. H. V. Pym was precentor and piper was D. A. MacLennan of Lochalsh. James Smith, the beadle, placed the Bible on the lectern as is done in the traditional Covenanters' service. The pre- centor led the singing and the offering was collected in long- handled ladles, The congre- gation remained seated during the singing and stood up for prayers. Ross Hamilton gave an out- line of the origin and meaning of a Conventicle which dates to the 100s. Unit to Cater cor Banquet FORDWICH—The ,,liternoon unit of Fordwich U. C. W met for the April meeting in the Sunday School room. Mrs. Wray Cooper was in charge of the worship service. Her theme was "Easter, the Birthday of Our Faith". She was assisted by Mrs. Bruce Agla and Mrs. Jim Warrell reading passages of Scripture. Miss Minnie McElwain and Miss Violet Beswitherick con- vened the program. Miss Min- nie McElwain read a poem and meditation, "I Walked Today Where. Jesus Walked". A duet was sung by Miss Marion Hard- ing and Miss Leslie Campbell. Easter customs in different lands were given by Miss M. McElwain. Mrs. Clarence Carswell showed a film, "The Meaning of the Resurrection" and Miss Violet Beswithcrick read " What Is Easter". Mrs. Warren Lurbrigg had charge of the business. The unit is to cater to the Mother and Daughter banquet on May 16, A report of the Huron Pres- byterial was given by Mrs. Clarence Carswell. The Hi-C will have a variety concert Ap- ril 30 in the :iowick Central School. Elle ladies quilted during the afternoon. Wingharn Advance-Times. Thursday, April 21, 1966 Page 6 BROWN, BRISLEY & BROWN, architects, with Douglas Brown as consultant architect, has specialized in church architecture for three generations. Doug Brown design- ed the furnishings. Shown here is the baptismal font. —A-T Photo. GRACING THE PULPIT is a statue symbolic of St. Andrew famous for preaching to the multitudes, as he brings to Christ. The statue is the work of Rebecca Sisle- Terra Cotta, who is becoming increasingly well-know.; an artist and sculptress.—A-T Photo. Congratulations. - TO - THE CONGREGATION OF ST. DREW'S PRESBYTERIAN Olir ON COMPLETION OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL NEW CHL,FiC0 It has been a privileoa 4,o play o part in tita- extension of Wingiriam's spiritual n d cultural life. Best Wishes To ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THE PAINTING OF THIS BEAUTIFUL NEW CHURCH WAS COMPLETED BY M. MC MASTER ST. MARY, ONTARIO P.O. Box 261 LONDON, ONTARIO Phone 652-2974 St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church WE EXPRESS SINCERE WISHES THAT THE SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING OF THE CONGREGATION WILL BE INSPIRED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY OF THE NEW CHURCH AND THAT THEY WILL GO FORWARD IN STRENGTH AND UNITY AS AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS. TRIPOD CONSTRUCTION LTD. 0