Churches and Cemeteries
Unto the Hills
A Church History by Norma and Stuart Geggie
The Church Today
(contributions by Mrs. Joe Jamieson, Mrs. Ken Moncrieff, and Mrs. Lawrence Cross)
IN EVERY PLACE WHERE YOU FIND THE IMPRINT OF MEN’S FEET THERE AM I THE TALMUD.
If one were to glance at the names in the membership roll of the congregations of the three point charge today, one would be impressed that those same names appeared in the first census return, and in the earliest church records. These are, in fact, fifth and sixth generations of the original settlers, a record which speaks for itself of constancy and dedication.
The physical structure of the three existing churches has changed little over the decades.
The land on which the Alcove (Methodist) Church was built was donated by Mrs. Andrew Pritchard (Mary Edey), on the understanding that services would continue to be held, or at such time that they ceased, the property be reverted back to the Estate. Mrs. Pritchard also donated the materials and the church was built by volunteer labour. The foundation is of natural stone and limestone, and the original wooden structure, 26 x 38 feet, was later veneered with brick. The lobby and church interior is of wood with a painted finish, the original hardwood floor being now covered with tile. Two carpeted aisles lead to the raised platform which accommodates the pulpit, communion table and choir stand. The pulpit, pews and walls are original. Some twenty years ago a flood light was installed over the pulpit, the remaining lights being of an earlier date.
The Manse, situated across the side road from the church and facing the river, had served as the Methodist parsonage for a century, when it was sold in 1957. The proceeds of the sale were used towards the construction of a parlour adjoining the rear of the church. Again the labour was volunteered. The frame parlour has imitation brick siding, the interior is paneled, and the floor and ceiling tiled. A small furnished kitchen and bathroom are included. Table and chairs were donated by the Pritchard family in memory of their mother, Clara (Mrs. Joseph Pritchard). The sanctuary and parlour are heated by two oil space heaters, replacing the original pot-bellied wood stove.
The oldest of the existing churches is that of Rupert, built in 1882 as the Presbyterian Church, on land donated by James Nesbitt. The foundation is of natural stone, the church, adjoining parlour and lobby, are of red brick, handsomely offset with light brick outline of windows and doors. The cement walk and steps, and iron railing at the entrance are recent additions. The interior of the church and lobby are plastered, with wood painted paneling the height of the pews. The original soft wood floor is painted. The three rows of pews, separated by two carpeted aisles, lead up two steps to the choir and church parlour on the left, and on the right to a handsomely railed short stairway to the pulpit. The Communion table, on a dais in front of the pulpit, was donated by their family, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pritchard. In 1948 the ceiling was lowered by about six feet and tiled. The pews, pulpit and walls are original. Electricity was installed in the church in 1946, and two of the original coal oil lamps were wired and are now in use on the pulpit. Two flood lights illuminate the pulpit and choir, and the chancery is enhanced by six suspended ceiling lights. Among the furnishings of the tiled and plastered parlour is the piano from the Methodist Church. The beauty of this sanctuary, secluded in a most peaceful setting, is augmented by the many donations in remembrance of past members: stained glass windows, pulpit bible, Communion cloth, candlesticks, hymn books, Communion plates, and candelabra. The latter two were gifts from the Sunday school and U.C.W., to the memory of Mrs. Cedric Moore (Dora Hamilton), organist for many years. The new vestibule doors were donated by Amanda Craig in memory of her husband, Thomas Reilly, who was an Elder for fifty years. An oil heating system was installed in 1960 from the Estates of Samuel Gibson and Harry Gibson, replacing the three wood stoves.
In 1964 a Baldwin electric organ was donated by Kenneth Moncrieff in memory of his wife Lena (Pritchard), and the organ was sold to the Kazabazua United Church.
In 1904, from the ashes of its predecessor, rose St. Andrew’s in Wakefield, so that it sits on the original foundation (and bears a foundation stone dated 1871).
It was a sturdy brick structure, measuring 40 x 63 feet, with a steep sloping roof. Two heavy wooden doors facing the main road and the river, opened into a small vestibule. A stairway on either side led into the sanctuary with its Gothic windows, plastered walls, and pine flooring. The ceiling was covered with V-jointing, and through its cracks yellow hornets often emerged from their nesting place in the attic. It was not uncommon on a warm Sabbath morning to have several of these visitors hovering about, much to the consternation of some worshippers. The three rows of hardwood pews gave seating space for approximately two hundred and fifty. Facing the centre pews and raised several feet, lay the chancel, backed by paneling of oak. The choir loft to the left of the chancel held the reed organ and seats for at least twenty choristers. The vestry behind the chancel was used for Sunday school classes and as a dining room for serving afternoon teas and church suppers. A small room added to the rear of the church served as a kitchen for many years, but was later converted into a nursery room.
The first major change to the church building began in 1955. No longer could the vestry and two small cloakrooms off the main auditorium provide sufficient space for the growing numbers of children attending the Sunday Church School. With no adjacent property available for expansion, plans were made to excavate an area below the existing building. Tons of earth and rock were laboriously removed, and an area almost the size of the church was finally cleared and cemented. Kitchen facilities and a bathroom were installed, and oil furnaces replaced the old wood furnace. The Wakefield United Church Hall had been born!
The main body of the hall provided the much-needed room for Sunday school classes and a dining hall with a seating capacity of one hundred. Since then many community functions have been held here, and thousands of delicious dinners served by the women (and men!) of the congregation have graced its tables.
A Baldwin electric organ purchased in 1960, replaced the reed organ and is still in use today. It was dedicated to the memory of the members of the church who lost their lives in the service of their country.
Few additional changes were made until the winter of 1973-74. Through a grant received under a Local Initiative Program, a major renovation and redecorating plan was carried out. Ceiling tiles were placed over the V-jointing and the curving beams were restored to a natural wood finish to emphasize the architectural design of the high-vaulted ceiling. Between the windows on each side wall a framework matching the existing window design was placed. Each bore a scroll of an open bible on which a familiar Scripture Passage was beautifully inscribed by Mr. Harry Daugherty of Wakefield. A plain wooden cross was hung on the wall behind the altar. Indirect lighting enhances its beauty and makes it a focal point of the sanctuary. The narrow aisles, which scarcely afforded room for a father to escort his daughter to the altar, were widened by shortening the centre pews. Through “in memoriam” donations by many church members, wall-to-wall carpeting was laid, new lighting fixtures were installed, and memorial plaques were placed.
Meanwhile, other workmen had been busy in the Church Hall. Further excavating was done to make more kitchen space and a stairway was built to connect the hall with the vestry upstairs. The most significant addition to the hall was a large mural measuring 6 x 10 feet. This piece of art, illustrating the biblical story of “Peter Walking on the Water to Jesus”, was painted by a local artist, Mr. Gordon Wilson.
The congregation of St. Andrew's United has remained fairly constant over the years. In 1975 there were 182 registered members, representing one hundred and ten families. In latter years, the number of children attending Sunday Church School has declined, but the church has extended its outreach in various ways. The New Horizons programme has provided arts and crafts courses and recreation for senior citizens and a “drop-in centre” for different age groups.
It is evident that the church plays an important part in the life of the community. It represents love, fellowship and sacrifice. As the church stands in the midst of a changing society, may present and future generations hold her as dear as those who carved her walls.
