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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-06-30, Page 132Page 92 Proudfoot did Knox spade work When the Rev. William Proudfoot, Presbyterian missionary, visited Goderich, a five-year-old settlement, in 1832, he breakfasted at Reed's hotel on Hibernia street, along with "Mr. Hale, storekeeper, who favors the Methodist persuasion. He was unable to tell me how many Presbyterians there were in the town." He was back in 1833. on "Sabbath, March 3rd," when he "dined with Mr. Gooding. There were present Mr. Black, once a member of North Benwick, Edinburgh. He has got lands on the lake shore about three miles below Goderich, also Mr. Reuben Good. It was arranged that Mr. Black should ask some of the leading men of the place to meet tomorrow before sermon and arrange mat, tors." Late in 1834, members of the Scotch settlement in McKillop and Tuckersmith despatched John Govenlock and Robert Scott to a meeting of Toronto Presbytery in Galt in an effort to "get the or- dinance of God among us." They travelled 60 miles on foot, andwere well repaid when the community was visited by Rev, William Proudfoot and Rev. Thomas Christie on their second missionary journey to the Huron Tract. Main events of Presbyterian history in Goderich were presented from week to week in Knox Church calendars in 1973. Founding of Knox was 1835. in which year Rev. Alexander MacKenzie settled in • this .area and served congregations in Goderich. Stanley and Tuckersmith townships. The Stanley charge would be on the London road. First mention of a church building in Goderich was in 1843. Mr. MacKenzie edifice of St. Andrew's was used as a Gaelic Mission. In 1888. the Rev. James Anderson became associate minister with Dr. Ure and succeeded him in 1892: In 1910 on a visit to Ottawa the beloved Mr. Anderson died. He was succeeded by the. Rev. George Ross who remained • ' until 1916, From 1916 -until 1931 the Rev. Robert McDermid ministered to the Presbyterians in Goderich, Dr. McDermid was followed by Dr. David J, Lane during whose Ministry the Cen- tennial of the congregation was celebrated in 1935. Dr. Lane resigned in 1941 and in 1942 was succeeded by the Rev. Richard Stewart. Mr. Stewart remained in Goderich until being called to London in 1947. His successor was the Rev. Robert MacMillan in 1948. During Mr. MacMillan's tenure the Church edifice burned in September,' 1950, and the new edifice was opened in Sep- tember, 1952. Mr. MacMillan resigned in 1960 and was succeeded by the Rev. G.L. Royal in that same year. On June 1, 1972 the Rev, R.C. McCallum became Assistant to the Minister. On Sept. 18, 1952, a dedication service was held on completion of the present Knox church. The following particulars of the several buildings were announced: "The first building was erected on Nelson street in 1843. With the growth of the congregation a new building was completed in 1861 on the ,corner of Victoria and East streets. This was renovated and enlarged in 1897, and continued to ' serve the congregation until Sept. 30, 1950, when it was destroyed by fire. On July 3, 1951, first sod for a new building was turned by Peter MacEwan. On November 4. 1951, the remained until 1846 when he cornerstone was laid by Rev. was succeeded by the Rev. Robert G. MacMillan. The Charles Fletcher. By 1847 the building was completed in congregation bore the title. September. It was designed "The United Presbyterian by Philip Carter Johnson and Church. Goderich." In 1849 a constructed by T.J. number of members with- Colbourne Construction Co.. drew to form St. Andrew's. a Toronto. under the super - congregation in communion vision of David Ross. During with the established Church its construction the of Scotland. Mr. Fletcher congregation worshipped in resigned in 1851 and in 1853 North Street United church Mr. Devine was inducted and and the public school remained until 1855. Mr. auditorium. Devine's successor was the The history of Knox Rev. John Fraser. under congregation and its progress whom a new building was under successive ministers is constructed and opened in set forth in booklets prepared 1861. Prior to the opening Mr. by members of the Fraser resigned, effective congregation , a n d 1860. In June of 1862 the long biographical sketches of the ministry of the Rev. Robert later ministers is not at- tire began. In 1875 the union tempted in this article. That of all Presbyterian bodies in of Rey, William Fraser Canada was consummated. belongs to the early years and The Rev. James Sieveright is appropriate at this time. - was minister of St. Andrew's Rev. William Fraser was a at the time and he became native of the county of Picton. associate minister with Dr. Nova Scotia. He received his Ure. In 1880 Mr. Sieveright training in the Picton resigned to accept a Call Academy and was ordained elsewhere. The Church Tarn to page 93• Personal and corporate services Personal insurance plans Mortgage redemption Family protection Educational funding Death expenses Estate preservation Disability income Personal tax deferral plans Registered retirement savings plans Deferred annuities Income averaging annuities Business insurance plans Funding buy -sell agreements Key executive coverage Deferred profit sharing plans Executive's deferred compensation Sole proprietor coverage Collateral financing Employee benefit programs Group life insurance Accidental death benefits Dependents' life insurance Incomeguard Short and long term disability income Supplementary health benefits Dental coverage Registered pension plans or ur Ic U ew yr rot nd a lw ev un HIE d k nt TERRY CROWLEY GOCIRICH 524-1.75 representing London Life { One of Canada's Oldest All Canadian Companies Congratulations Goderich CONGRATULATIONS TO 4 0 GODERICH 130th ANNIVERSARY HELPING TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY 1 FISHER CUSTOM BUILDERS GODERICH.ONT.