HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen-Auburn, 2004-07-29, Page 32Merchant
This photo shows R.J. Phillips General Store in downtown
Auburn. (Photo courtesy of Dorothy Schneider)
MONTGOMERY FORD
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Phone: 519-528-2813
Fax: 519-528-2017
1119 Sutton St.
Kincardine, ON
-N2Z 2C8
Phone: 519-396-3436
Fax: 519-396-3265 }
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Blyth
Congratulations Auburn--1
on your 150th Anniversary!
HOWSON &
HOWSON LTD.
1----;inal Presbyterian service held Dec. 27, 1970
AUBURN - 150 YEARS OF HISTORY PAGE 11
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen Ale
Although an amalgamation 34
years ago caused the Knox
Presbyterian Church in Auburn to
close its doors to members, the
history of hard work and community
involvement keeps the church spirit
alive.
One hundred and ten years of
Auburn Presbyteriansim wittness
came to an end with a final service
on Dec. 27. 1970.
John Turner of Clinton and of the
University of Waterloo, was in
charge of the service and chose to
read Church of the Real or Museum
of the Trivial. He also based his
remarks on Hebrews 12.
During the service, Mrs. Donald
Haines was the organist and Eleanor
Bradnock sang a solo.
Following the closing service of
the Presbyterian Church was the
amalgamation service, which was
conducted at Knox Presbyterian
Church in Goderich on Jan. 3, 1971.
Nearly all members attended' the
service.
Records of the Auburn
Presybterian church were transferred
to the Goderich Knox Presbyterian
Church.
In the spring of 1971, the Huron
Christian Men's Fellowship, now
known as the Huron Chapel
Evangelical Missionary Church,
bought the church building and
conducted a worship each Sunday
evening.
The record of Presbyterianism in
the Manchester Congregation (now
known as Auburn), dates back to the
formation of the first session in
1860, when Joseph Dobie and John
Jackson were ordained as the first
elders on June 8 that year.
Previous to the organization of the
Manchester congregation. John
MacKay and Archibald Stewart,
who were itinerary missionaries and,
well remembered by the community,
visited area homes and conducted
services at the school.
In the early 1850s, records show a
communion service was conducted
in Robert Down's Blacksmith shop.
Rev. Archibald Currie, the first
minister of the church, was called as
pastor of Blyth, Hullett and Auburn
in 1860. During his time as paStor,
the first church was erected on a lot
Which was donated by John
McDonald.
Much of the work was done by
volunteers, but unfortunately the
building wasn't completed for
several years to follow.
Instead of cash donations to
support the building cost of the
chruch, flour, meat and other
produce were collected and sold for
cash at Crabb's store in Goderich.
The name of Manchester Church
was changed to Knox Church in
1902 when Rev. J. M. Small was
inducted as minister.
In 1903 during a special town
meeting, citizens decided to build a
new church and a farewell service
was conducted in the old church in
March 1904. Subsequently the
building was torn down.
During the rebuilding process of
the church, the congregation
worshiped at the Methodist Church
and in January 1905 the new
building was welcomed into the
community through a special
service.
Through a clear objective to assist
in building the new church, a Ladies
Aid Society was formed under the
presidency of Oliver Clark and
Margaret King in 1903.
In 1913, the west lot of the church
was bought from George Hamilton
and a red-brick manse was built.
After being raised and fully
remodelled, the building was opened
and dedicated to the Glory of God on
Nov. 18, 1928 with Rev. Robert
Gracie as minister.
At a very memorable service in
September of 1918, Mary Fingland
(Mrs. Greerson as known today) was
designated as a missionary to Korea
by the Women's Missionary Society.
On June . 10, 1925, a
congregational vote was taken on the
question of union between the
Presbyterian, the Methodist and
Congregational churhces, which was
divided into,two groups; those who
went into union and those who
continued on as Presbyterians. The
majoirty voted for union and by an
act of parliament, those who
remained as Presbyterians, lost the
church building and records.
From December 1925 to 1928,
worship was conducted in the
Baptist church with Rev. R.C.
McDermid of Goderich until early
1928 when the former Methodist
Church was purchased.
Currie continued his ministry in
Auburn until 1862 when Rev. John
Stewart took over until 1866.
The next year, Rev. Stepheh
Young became minister until 1867
and during his time, the first manse
was built on a lot just east of the
church.
Succeeding Young was Rev. James
Pritchard until 1886.
In 1887, Rev. Alexander McMillan
was officially given charge of
Auburn and Smith's Hill and
continued until 1891.
During McMillan's pastorate.
"Alexander McKenzie wavadded to
the session and the Kirk session
decided to purchase Hymn books for
the congregation.
From 1892 - 1901, Rev. Robert
Henderson was minister and in
1893, Dr. J. Y McLachlin and
William Waite were ordained as
elders. Also during this time, an
organ was introduced into the
service of worship.
Following Rev. Small's ministry
was the induction of Rev. J. R. Mann
in 1908, who in 1912, was replaced
by Rev. Andrew Laing.
In 1960, special services weri
conducted by Rev. Douglas Black
and Rev. F. G. Steart to
commemorate a century of Christian
service in the-community