HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1976-06-24, Page 50Baptist Church newcomer t
From a bet dediOlited to th
memory Of Clifford Talbot Sr.. by
his wifeMina.
The Bayfield Baptist Church is
a part of the Fellowship
Evangelical Baptist Churches of
Canada and was sponsored by
;rat Baptist Church of Lon -
t.
The Crusaders Class of the
t:ondon Church would travel
'!'zany miles to hold gospel ser-
vices in various centres and for
some time before World War 11.
held meetings in the Talbot and
Westlake farm homes -oat the
Bluewater Highway south of
Bayfield. Then World War 11
interrupted this.vwork.
In 1952. a prayer and Bible
study group was again begun. led
by Mr. Cerar who was also in
charge of the work on the Oneida
Indian Reserve.
After the group held a meeting in
regard to having a church in
Bayfield, Mr. Elgie of London
offered to loan the necessary
funds. A lot was bought from
Mrs. Dawson and in 1955 Mr. Ivar
Bodehharn becaine the pastor, in
charge of building both church
and congregation.
The L.O.L. budding next door
was rented kir services and
people from Ba field and area.
including Varna. Hensall and
Clinton, attended.
The sod -turning cermony was
on Oct. 17. 1954. with Dr. Percy
Hargis conducting the service
and Dr. Elgie turning the first
sod. Mr. Cliff Talbot had drawn
up the design and plan for the
new church and gave unstintingly
of his time and effort. Mr. John M
Pearson laboured unceasing, m
both with shovel and wheel-
barrow and in attendance at the b
meetings. He was made an to
honorary deacon. a position e
which he held until his death.
The first caretaker was Mr.
Albert Woods who, over the
years, has done an excellent job.
Also, he presented a beautiful
Bible. which had been his
mother's. for use in divine
worship.
As the building progressed. an
elderly man of gentlemanly
bearing with white hair and
pointed goatee often stopped by
to watch and chat. He was Mr.
C.R. Jones of Stratford; who
e became the first adult Bib
Class teacher.
One bright Sunday mornin
when the church was nearing
of completion, and afterthe servi
in the f..O,f,. was over, ata
interested friends hastened o
to see the newly -finished ceilin
To the amazement of all, wh
did they behold? It could
• be!- But. yes, it was'a leg hangi
down through those lovely whi
squares of that ceiling. Its ovine
a boy about nine. out of sh
curiosity, had climbed up into th
attic with this disastrous resin
ft has never been established wh
was the more surprised --t
observers or the owner of the leg
The Dedication Service w
held on_ June 12. 1955 with a wel
attended meeting.' Rev. Arth
Pyke, the minister from Centra
Baptist of London. was the gues
speaker. The Recognition Servi
was .held on Sept. 20th of tha
year.
A new home was built for Mr.
Bodenham at the corner of
Louisa St. and Emma Place, and
this became the first parsonage.
By 1956. the membership had
increased from 16 to 60 and
continued to grow. The first
charter members were: Mr. and
Mrs. T. Fostans. ,Mr. John
Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford
Talbot, Mr. and Mrs. I.
Bodenham. • Clifford L. Talbot.
Mrs. Agnes _Murray; Kathleen
Talbot. Mr. and Mrs. R. Cornish,
Louise Talbot, Mrs. E. Cornish,ti.
Mr. and Mrs,. Ken Christ#a •
Soon after Mr. and Mrs. C.R.
Jones of Stratford and Mr. and
rs• M. Riordon joined the
embership roll.
The church had to be enlarged
y 1958. This was done by ex-
nding the foyer to include the
ntrance and placing the steps
outside. a wrought -iron railing
being added.
After Rev. Bodenham resigned
in 1962. having brought the
'church from a small struggling
nucleus to a full-fledged. self-
supporting; missionary -minded
congregation, the work was
carried on by Mr. L. Robbins.
During this time the parsonage
was sold to Mr. and Mrs. J.
MacKenzie in 1963 and the two-
storey brick home next the
church bought. Under the
le
its
ce
ny.
ver
at
n't
ng
to
r,
eer
e
t.
0
he
as
or
t
ce
re1igjo,,s scene
The Bayfield Baptist Church Is just one of the worshipping places In Bayfield (photo by, Mlivena
Erickson)
leadership of the next minister.
Mr. Eaton, much was done to this
building: a wall strengthened;
an old stairway. and a cistern
torn out; a new basement floor
laid; rewiring; re -decorating; a
new heating system.
The first Daily Vacation Bible
School was held in the church in
July 1965 with an average at-
tendance of 71 and has been
carried on by dedicated workers.
The Sunday -school began in
1955 with five pupils and thirteen
adults' present and grew until
"the walls bulged." Mr. and Mrs.
Talbot and others laboured un-
ceasingly to help young and old
(and in-betweens) in studying the
Scriptures.
Ministers over the years have
been Mr. (later Rev.)
Bodenham, Mr. Robbins, Mr.
Eaton, Mr. Leslie Cummins, Rev.
L. Bigelow, and Rev. Brian
Harris.
The church celebrated its 20th
anniversary in June. 1975. and
looks forward to its
"golden"—.and even a Centennial,
as the work is carried on by
succeeding generations.
A worm
Centennial
Salute to our
many Friends
in Bayfield
FROM ALL OF US AT
A
1OOth
BIRTHDAY
SALUTE
K.W. COLQUHOUN
INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE
14 ISAAC ST., CLINTON
4$2-9747
From the
Management & Staff of
H
K.W. (Danny) Colquhaun
H.E. (Hal) Hartley
C. Buruma
Len Theedon
Margaret Carter
Allan Amy
(Bayfield)
Allan Campbell
(RR 1 - Seaforth)
Gard Charter
-LOBB $ONS LTD.
BAYF1ELD ROAD, CLINTON 422440,
DEALERS FOR
* 1.1. CASE * SPERRY_NEW HOLLAND
* GEO. WHITE * AIMED EQUIPMENT '* KQNGSKlLDE
"Wie Service What We Seal" because we have the staff to do tnie fob.