The Goderich Star, 1924-07-31, Page 6A**
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THUSIIDAY„ JULY Slat Mk
Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Port Albert
A Historical Sketch of the Pioneer Spirits of this Congregation Who°
Laid Its Foundation Over Half a Century Ago, and of its Sons and
Daughters Who Have Been Rearing the Superstructure Ever Since -
In connection with the celebration of the completion of fifty-five years of congregational life of this church recently, a souvenir booklet was issued,
prepared by Rev. B. G. Cray, from which we now take the liberty of republishing th!.. following interesting matter;
Early History of St Andrew's Church
Fifty Years a Prcigress
When we hook tack over fifty years of history of St. An-
dielw's church, Port 'Aleert, we do so with mingled pride and.
thanksgiving. ' Let us pause to render thanks to the Giver of
all good gifts for all the blessings they contain. •
A brief review of early events is naturally seggested.
Unfortunately no accurate records are preserved to us but we
are indebted for what follows to a few of the pifneirs, prin-
cipally to Mr. James Quaid, our much beloved elder. The
history of the.church dates properly to 1873, but years pre-
vious, sturdy pioneers—God fearing men---tand women held
frequent 1-fleeting's in the old log houses and schoolhouses.
The early settlers experienced -in a full measure the hard-
ships and privations inseparable from backwoods life, but they
did not forget their early religious principles. The family
altar was set up in many homes and psalms of praises were
daily heard. Many ministers followed the blazed path to •
-bring comfort-aod cheer to tjte thitety,settlers in their homes.
With the growing families, there came a desire for the
larger fellowship "evhere two or three are met together.",
Rev. James SievreiglKof Goderich, made the first endeavour
to organize the ten Presbyterian -families into keongregation.
Rev. James Camelon, also of, Goclerich, and minister to the.
little flock at pluitle$ Hill in 1867, stirred up the people to
• • furtheeactiyity. He urged upon the people to game together, •
and build a union church, the title deeds to be placed in charge
of ope of the parent citurchesz
• , •'
Hearts Were stirred and hopes were cherished as the old. •
• settlers heard the challenge to rise end build,
Anglicans, Methodists : and Presbyterians together • -
• • • -•
. 'in an act of love and 'devotion to a larger cause. •
•
"Behold how good a thing it.b •- • 04 _
reeee —And hoW.bee6-ining •
• Together•such as brethren are •• • 'eeetee - •
In unity to drell.". „ • e • - '
,••'.' l'hey •soon gave tangible evidence that they understood -
-and .obeyed the call. Mr. Jetties .Younge Prisbyterian, and ••-
• Mr. George Caldwell, Angitean, agree dto -donate 'One-half •
••• acre: of theiradjoining firms. Following • the blaze and
• through the footless roads the heavy hemlock timber donated
by Mr,' Tho.mas.. Simpson was drawn by oxen • and . horses .
driven by Sandy. Young and John Quaid. Pine logs to-niake• •
sidings and shingles were donated by Mr. James Young. •-
• • :' Mr. James Crawford and his son operated the mill -welch . •
• turned out the lumber. Even the tavern -keeper ehared in the- , ••
tooci, work and his.Offer to hoard the men was readily accept -
2d Robert' Quaid.was•assisted by manyvolunteers in hewing •
• • ••• legs and preparing frames. -Thomas Glen, who hes been re-
ferred to IA, the joviat .Mrs. Young as'"Oor•Tain wha -bigs the • •
• kirks," received the Carpentry contract The actual ionstruc-
fibn 'commenced in euinmer of 186q." James Young and) his
• .• :son, Sand, ."teamed" together and lent great assistance.: - 'Are
ether Bennett was a willing -workee and* a splendid leader
• • :Wench of the lathe -work and plastering was done by Mr. Joseph • ,
• Dtill?eale th Indefatiguable wcorker. esHis-interests extended be-
yond the actual -building when he organized a tinaece
Paign_Many t„yho could not assist on the. building gave gen-.
• erotiele of their means Peter Green hewed the timber given - •
• by Mr. Dunbar for the present •driving shed. • After •patient • .
,perseverance. and weeks of toil they were glad to have at last_ .
• a permanent. place for the worship .of God. John Bennett,
Sr., is the only living member of the original truSteese•tehile
• , none survives of the *St building committee which was com-
posed of -Jamee-YOung,..ArthureBennett, John McMillan and. •
-.:.eRobert Quaid. • • • • • .
• It was finally agreed to call the new ,church St. Andrew's •
..and to ally it with the Kirk of Scotland. However. on Sep'•••
temper 2th,Ike?. application was made to the Presbytery of
•• elleiron of • the - Celeide-Presbytetten cliurch to receree supply
. from the latter church.
• • "Atter heather all the facts of the case, it was unallimous-
• • • •Iy deckled w granf the prayer of petition of Ash -tied and tri
• give :to thein end Port Albert what sqpply was- needed."
• (Siened) • Geste-,e Brown. Moderater.
• All was ready for the opening setvice. RLN. Jamee
Sieereight, the builder of churches, preached. The text- is for-
e gotten, but there was gladness and joy in the service which
lineered lone in the neemories of those who participated. •'On
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OP,"
"10010•061001di
• ST. ANDREWS PRESSYTERIAN CHLMOIH
•
PQRT ALBERT
bright as the promises of God. • Let- the past achievemeets
spur us on. May neither pride, nor fear, nor difficulties nor
worldinese nor indifference, stand in the way of rendering' an
even more noble service in the years ahead.
. • "Let es like them,•
. Rise up and follow Thee," •
li
333. •
• • • -• • •,-
. . monitv _evening- an old fashioned tea -meeting- was:held-in-thee
Ore
ll • •• -church. Visiting clergymen brought grfetings and the
'Smith's Hill choir assisted in the programme. Mrs. Bennett
and Mrs. Caldwell were the genial hostesses.
The church was ',Wilt tut the people felt their inability to
• • call a regularly eettled pastor until four years later. • Rev. Ler.
llre; ef Goderieh, gave oversight -and conducted the first com-
munion. •
Sereices were .held regularly by Anglican and Presbyter-
ians... These simile but, impressive. There was no or -
eon but:it• was never miseed. There Was' a reverent worst -00,o;
and aboun flee trust met hielt•hrop.o.e: ht the "inielny ittreec." •
eleQ•trge Caldwell. the preeentor, is recalled asaenandof modest.
bearing, who under the kindly help of Mrs. John Bennett Ines._ .
tered•-the noteseand became wellacquainied•with the old psalm
tunese Thechurch beanie the real eentre ni ciimmunity life.. '
The peeepla %tele, loyal and kilt to their •nithisters. • Speeial
mention- ADAM be made Of the faithful diligence; of the two
elders. Mr. John Bennett and Mr. James Quaid.
Mr. Peter Green and Mrs. a Burrows are reealled as
faithful attendants at the little ehureh. Mts. Green. now $8
cats of age, is living at Sheppardton, though confined to her
home through a serious accident.
To these worth'Y men and women we owe a lasting grati-
tudefor material and spiritual blessings that we today enjoy.
The past fifty years have been filled with worthy labor for
home and the broatt.land in which we live. The future -is
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0 •
The First 'S'ettled Pastor
I •
• Rev. A. Y. Hartley received the Mee call, in November,
1873, and was inducted at Ming -anion Presbyterrtn ehtfich On
eDeceniber 3rd, 1873-: De tire addressed the people and Mr.
Young, clerk of Presbytery, the minister. -Mr. Donley preech-
- • ed from 1 Thess°. 5 f12, 13, "And we beseech you brethren to
know them which labor.arnong you and are •over you ni the
Lord and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly •for
• their work's sake, and be at peace among yourselveS."
In the sante Month, Mr. Hertleyxonducted his fist 'corn:-
• munion at Port Albert church. Robert Davis and David Mc- •
!twain, of Dungannon, assisting. Jbhn Bennett, James Quaid -
and Julius Weise were later appointed. - '
•
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tO
s. _The-Fiist Conununion
. At Port Albert and *within theChurch there on the.30th
day of August, 1872, the following :parties intimated their
purpose of communicating at the Lord's Table to -morrow when
•
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• the ordinaftce of the Lord's Supper was to be dispensed by
Rev. le. Ure, of Goderich:
John Bennett, Arthur Bennett, Catherine Bennett,
• Margaret Murray, Alexander -McKay, Mrs. Alex Mc-
• Kay, Robert Quaid, Thomas -Wilson, Agnes Wilson, •
• Mrs, Caldwell, Francis Wjlson; Mrs. Hawkins, An-
drew Quaid, Mrs. Andrew Quaid, James Young and
• John McMillan.
• The Session
_
• • • • The coneragetion record with gratitude, the long and de- .
•: voted services rendered by the session. Two of the 'original
e• elders are still in the Port Albert congregation, naniely, John •
• •Ire-ligieff;-Sie'aed James Quaid., Through failing- health in re•- • '
. cent years epth have been confined to their homes Surely •
none deserve better Mai such men our tribute of respect •
• John Benuett, Sr., is Of Scotch birth, coming with his
parents in 1843, settling 'on the, div:sion line, Ashlield. Mr:
Bennett is the only surviving trustee, and one of the first elders
• -. and the first Sunday.Scieeeesuperintendent• •On every under-
taking, during thee early years, his support was readily and
freely.givees. He loved the Cotirts'ef Zion•and wai never abe
sent .when his health woule perneit, and in the courts ol the
, • church, he ?Ales highly ce.C.Z.r."...2. al -O. Presbyter.
• - • -
James- Queid, ordained 187e, another early. pioneer; is a
men..of humble disposition, courteous •and kindly, sand ,.always
• ..thoughtful of the best •interestes, of church and Cernititinity.
'The Sunday School was his special -care during thirty yeaxs.
Recently Mr.. Quaid teeigned,, the eecretaryship of •the local
••. Bible Society. a positionwhiCh he held for .close on to _half a
Century. . • •-7,, • ..• ••••• • • •
• Mr. Angus Gordon, Clerk ofSession, a• inn of retiring
disposition, but possessing a sterling character and always
faithful and diligent in the office of elder -,,He succeeded Mr.
Quaid th the superintendency of the Sunday School and carried •
on faithfully for ten years. President of the Bible Societye
Mr. David Johnston, ordained in 1895, is the careful and
painstaking treasurer of the congregation for nearly thirty
years: He is regular in his attendance both at Divine worship
and in his duties of office. • :
.Mt. Thomas Dickson, more recently added, ordained 'in
,
1920, is a man of upright life and exemplary character, loyal-
ty devoted to his church and pastor.
41•••• V
• Thee.924, Annual Report is an evidence of Progress being
• made- in the copgregation: Number on Roll, 65:. Number
of Families, 3-4. Current Expenses, $530.00. Mission
Schemes, $139.46. • - •
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Amt. ••••••••••••
.. zee.: • e •
ee-eteeee
' • * iptoe
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g.
irt
• • A LAME GROUP OF ST. ANDREWS CONGREGATION,
• r
Lower row, left to right : Mrs. Geo. Johnson, Miss Nellie Web-
ster, Miss Elia MeMillan, Mrs. Geo. Ashton and son Harold. Mrs.
Thos. -Dickson. Marjorie McKenzie, Mr. James Crawford and grand -
sot% Freddie, Mrs. Itobt. Buchanan, - Mr. and gitrs. Alex. Young and
grandaughter Annie, Mr. and Mrs. James Quaid. Miss Matilda Quaid,
Mrs, Wm. Johnson, Mrs. Donald MeKenzie and grandchildren. Kath-
,, leco and Donald, Mrs. Chas. Crawford and son name, Mi.. Rd. Mc-
. Whinney. • • •
Second llow. left to right: MrAnd Mrs. Earl McDOnald. Miss
In the toregtound are seen nine II -tempers who worship-
ped in the Church the e ear it was built; Mr. Jas. Crawford,
Mrs. Buchannan (nee I3essie liaeden.) Mrs. Alex Yoeng, (nee.
• Miss M. A. Mathewson.) Mr. Alex Young, Mr. James Quaid,
Mrs. Quaid (nee Mies M. A. Dougherty,) Miss Matilda Quaid.
Mrs. Wnr. Johnston (nee Miss Bessie Simpone) Mrs. Angus
Gordon (nee Miss Mary Dunbar.)
To the top right are seen the present Board of Managers:
Richard McWhinnee. George Ashton, John Be.nnett, jr.. James
Johnston; John Quaid, Secretary.
Among the little people seen are a number win represent
the third and fourth generation of numbers at present on the
Church Roll. Mr. John Bennett, sr., is represented by three
grandchildren. Hugh Bennett, Stanley lia2elen. Mrs. Elsie Mc -
•
1
IN WHICH 25 FAMILIES ARE REPRESENTED •
Grace McKenzie, Miss Jean Babb, Jean Lednor, Miss Mary McKenzie,
Mts. Jas. Johnson, Mrs. John Quaid, Mrs. John McKenzie,. Mrs. WM.
Crawford, Mrs. Angus Gordon Mr. Gordon, Etta Quaid, Mrs. Jas. Mc.
K:T.gle and son Roderick. Mr:James Johnson, Mr. John Bennett, Jr.,
and son Hugh, Mr. John McKenzie, Mr. Geo. Ashton, 'Mr. Richard Mc-
Whinney,
. Top Row, left to right: Messrs. Stanley Hayden; William. Craw-
ford, ( barles Crawford, William Johnson. 'John Quaid and Mr. Bruce
Gray, Pastor. .
Kenzie. by Robert Hayden and Kathleen and Donald McKen-
zk., children .of M. and Mrs. John McKenzie, great grand-
children. e •
Mr. and Mrs. •Jailles Quaid are here pictured with three
grandchildren,. Etta Quaid, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John
Quad.• Marjorie and Roderick McKenzie; children of Mr. and
Mrs. James -McKenzie. Mrs. Donald McKenzie is honored •
also in her four grandehildren, •
Mr. James Crawford,. a son of the late James ferawford
• and•Mrs. Catherine McGregor Crawfwd now residing at Nee-
pawa. Man., and early,coratected with Port Albert, ishere seen'
with his grandchildren, Freddie and Horace, sons of Mr. and
Mrs. Chas. Crawford, also litta Quaid.
In the rear of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Young,is seen their
granddauhter, Annie, daughter of Mr. and^ Mr. Thos. Young. •
• Tr.!:
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