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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-06-01, Page 29Victoria St. church observes.... • from page IA `r` 22 the church dedicated. The architect of the church was W.H. Mallory of Chatham. The con- tractor was J.B. Crane and the contract price with extras was $6,379.21. The total cost with inside furnishings was $8,237.50. This was a terrible burden on the congregation, reports Mrs. Feagan, and but for the shouldering of the responsibility of this.debt by two of the elders, the church might well have been lost. Mrs. Feagan says from some of the old notes she has read, it appears that the first baby to be baptized in the present day church was Samuel Wyatt (uncle of Vernon Smith of Goderich) and the first girl married in the church was Vina Hale (although she does, not have the exact dates for. these occasions). Until more recent years, she says, many of the baptisms and weddings were in the homes. The certified list of Victoria Street Church members in 1879 was 50. The minister of Victoria Street United Church since 1976, the Reverend John D.M. Wood, reports that today there are about 200 families or 300 church members. was DEBT CONTINUES After the erection of the present day church in 1878, the debt continued to be a problem in spite of the valiant efforts of the people and various means were used to make, money. For example, tea meetings were always a popular money maker and on May 17, 1883 it was moved that the pews of the church be rented also to make money. For example, pews of four sittings was to be rented for $5 a year, pews of five sittings for $6 a year and pews of six sittings. for $8 a year. Imagine that, says Mrs. Feagan! With the union of the different Methodist Churches in 1884, Victoria Street Church became a member of the larger Methodist Church & sent delegates to London Conference. When the Reverend G. F. Salton came to Victoria Street Church in 1885, he ap- pealed to the Conference for help on the debt situation which was such a weight on the congregation. He was offered so much money if he could raise a certain amount in the church to match it. This he set out to do and one of the methods of raising money was something called a , Snowball League. A little card signed by Rev. Salton entitled Snowball League and dated November 25, 1887, is in Mrs. Feagan's possession. Under the word object, it reads: "The Victoria Street, Church, Goderich, at the time of the union of Methodist Churches, was in a very precarious condition. The debt (upwards of $5,000) was Hal Kalman of Ottawa was one of about 70 members of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, who snapped away with his camera inside the Huron Historic Gaol in Goderich last Wednesday. The group of ar- chitecture buffs toured historic landmarks in six Huron County towns and were favorably im- pressed. (Photo by Joanne Walters) TOWN OF GODERICH TENDER for Playing Field Lighting By The Design Build Method Sealed tenders on forms supplied by the Town of Goderich will be received by the undersigned until NOON local time one: MONDAY, JUNE 12E 1978 for the complete design and construction of two sets of lights, one being for a soccer field and the other being for a Hardball/Softball diamond. Both sets of lights will be located at the Agricultural Park, Goderich. Specifications and tender forms may be obtained from the undersigned. A certified cheque of 9,049 must ac• company each tender. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accep- ted. Larry J. McCabe Clerk -Treasurer Town of Goderich 37 West Street Goderich, Ontario NMA 21(3 driving a poor but loyal (people to despondency. Through God's blessing the interest has been faithfully paid and the principal reduced to $2,000. Hoping that this would soon be paid, the plucky congregation last year threw themselves off the Mission Fund and are now striving to pay their pastor a small but reasonable salary. This they find impossible while paying interest on the above sum. Hence the present appeal. Fur- thermore, they possess no parsonage and cannot hope to secure one until the above debt is paid. We feel confident under the circumstances that you will extend to them your sympathy and help in this hour of need." "I've heard mother tell about this and how Reverend Salton did such a wonderful work in reducing the debt. He was overjoyed when they were able to raise the required amount and what a relief to the people!", says Mrs. Feagan in her report. ZION AND STURDY CHURCHES Also in the year 1885, the Zion Church at Taylor's Corner joined the Goderich circuit. In 1887 the salary of the minister was $500 from Victoria Street, $84• from Zion and $80 from Sturdy's (one of the 10 M.E. appointments remaining in the Goderich circuit since .1860). A further note regar- ding the Sturdy Church which Mrs. Feagan found in her•research said, "To the Quarterly Board of Victoria Street Chur- ch...The old Sturdy Church, Township of Goderich, being unfit for public service was sold by public auction on October 9, 1889 for $101. The lot was not sold and' the only remaining trustees James and Joseph Whitely decided not to sell the same but give Nixon Sturdy possession --he to give the same or some suitable lot for the erection of a church if ever needed. The proceeds of the auction sale were used as follows--actioneer-$5, printer's bill -$1, church organ for Zion Church at Taylor's Corner -$30, carpet for Zion Church` $5, chairs -$3.75, choir platform and repairs for church shed -$6.75. The balance of $49.50 was paid on the minister's salary Zion appointment. B. L. Hutton, pastor." Zion and Sturdy's amalgamated in the year 1889 and this appointment remained on the Victoria Street circuit until 1911 when at the London Conference, Zion Church was made part of the Benmiller circuit. In 1890, a motion was resolved that "in the opinion of this board, club swinging or any other amusement not in the keeping with the sacredness of thisoHouse of God, should not be practised in the schoolroom of this church." Also in that year, notes show that William Henning paid' $12 pew rent in January and Mr. and Mrs. James Rusk were caretakers at $75 for the year. An organ, jot to,( cost more than $120, was put in the church in 1895. Miss Colwell was organist at this time and her salary was $35 for the year. Marianna Wood of Toronto (right) chats with Mary Moore who has worked as a hostess in the Huron Historic Gaol in Goderich for three years now. Mary was on hand to answer questions and help about 70 members of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canads who toured the jail among other historical landmarks in the county last Wednesday. (Photo by Joanne Walters) Mention Community Groups and Organizbations Li)ok how Canada Works work for us. Rescue unit formed by Canada Works project. Our children on tra of nature. i ew johs. Anil a better place to live. Canada Works, a Federal Government job creation program, has done it before and Canada Works can do it again. Get your group to agree on a project you can all support. Most importantly, it must make°use of and improve the skills of unemployed people in your area, create at least 3 new jobs, and make for commu- nity_benefits that last. Complete your application carefully and on tirrie. If your idea is good enough, Canada Works may be able to contribute to the necessary funding. To apply, just go to your closest Canada Manpower Centre/Canada Employment Centre or Job Creation Branch Office. Pick up the application form and the "Guide to Applicants" Canada Works is for your com- munity. Your province. Your country. For al I of us. So let's get working on some new ideas. 1 lilturc loops in job training class. . Employment and Emploi et Immigration Canada Immigration Canada Bud Cullen, Minister Bud Cullen, Ministre GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1978—PAGE 9A PARSONAGE BUILT A special board meeting was called in June of 1898. The object of this meeting was to discuss the advisability of purchasing part of Mr. Humber's lot $ext to the church property for the purpose of building a parsonage. It was moved by Thomas Warrener and seconded by George Church that Elliott, Million and Dancey with the Reverend William Godwin be a committee with power to purchase the ground necessary from Mr. Humber. The amount to be paid for the land was not to exceed $100 and the committee reported in August that they had purchased 46 feet of frontage next to the church property for $100 payable November 1. The parsonage was built and the Reverend S. J. Allin was the first minister to live in it in 1899. Many changes have taken place in the church building since 1900, In 1914, during the pastorate of the Reverend J. E. Ford, the church and parsonage were freed from debt. And with the Larger union embracing Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches in 1925, Victoria Street Church became a part of the United Church of Canada. Mrs. Feagan says in her repoi-t, "With no record to say when the M. E. classes were discontinued in the school` house at Union, I suggest' that this was before the building of the Presbyterian Church there in 1875. I do know that the Swaffield family, though a part of 'the congregation here (at Victoria Street), also attended Union Church and took an active in- terest in the work there. A year after the forming of the United Church, the church at Union decided to become affiliated with Victoria Street Church and they remained on the Turn to page 10A • (oz) n,_ GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES TO 9%% Bruce Erskine 86 North St. 524-9555 GOOD NEWS! -, SHIRAL'S BOOK EXCHANGE. 1�u We Buy -Sell - or Exchange your *PAPERBACK NOVELS *HARDCOVER BOOKS *COMIC BOOKS AND SOME MAGAZINES DEPARTMENT STORES ALBERT STREET, CLINTON Start - of - Summer 1 New! CHILDREN'S SIZES 4-18 JOGGING SHORTS $4,57 AND $4.97 EA. Perfect for the Cottage or Campsite... TOWELS 16" x i4", Bold Print or Solid Colours. Reg. 97` ea. 2/$1.50 Tam-O-Shanter CHILDREN'S T-SHIRTS Sizes 7;18; 50% Fortrel•Polyester, 50% Cotton -Huge Assortment at $3.' $4 37 • Ladies° Various Sizes SHORTS In a wide Variety of Pastel Colours $397 i Ea. 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