ARTHUR – A large group of worshippers was in attendance last Sunday as St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church celebrated its 150th birthday.
A special service included several dignitaries, including Perth-Wellington MP John Nater and MPP Matthew Rae, Wellington North councillor Penny Renken and Wellington- Halton Hills MPP and Speaker of the Legislature Ted Arnott.
Clerk of Session Chris McIntosh opened the service by describing the church’s 150 years of history.
Originally, there were two separate Presbyterian congregations in Arthur. They joined together in 1874 to form St. Andrews Arthur.
According to McIntosh, the newly formed congregation worshipped in a long, narrow brick building on Tucker Street where the present-day manse is located.
In 1899, the current church building on Frederick Street was built for a total of just under $10,000. To put this amount into perspective, McIntosh explained the church recently repaired its stained-glass windows for $60,000.
“The original building had gas lighting and a dirt floor in the basement,” said McIntosh.
He went on to describe some of the many changes and upgrades the church has undergone over the last 150 years, plus the fact that the number of members has fluctuated from as few as 36 to as many as 336.
“Since 1889, we are one of a two-point charge with our sister church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church in Gordonville. Counting from back in the 1850s, there have been just under 30 ministers who have served in this charge,” McIntosh said.
Reverend David Choi welcomed everyone and introduced guest speaker Reverend Dr. Charlene Fair Wilson.
Presently a pastor in Sault Ste Marie, Wilson was born and raised in West Luther and attended both Arthur Public School and High School. Arthur Presbyterian Church was her home church.
Wilson shared many memories of Arthur as well as a message entitled “There is no law against such things” with the congregation.
Music was provided by the Holstein Musical Belles, directed by Sharon Machina.
Renken expressed best wishes to the church from the township of Wellington North.
“I’m sure the people who started this church 150 years ago couldn’t imagine what the church looks like today, with the beautiful building you have and the technology,” she said.
The St. Andrew’s church bulletin acknowledged a donation of $750 from the township of Wellington North’s Community Development Fund towards the anniversary celebration.
Rae described the anniversary as a “momentous milestone” and went on to thank the church for helping to “build Arthur, the province and Canada.”
Rae also acknowledged Ted Arnott, who was raised in Arthur, describing him as “no stranger to anyone in this room.” He went on to call Arnott “a great voice for Arthur, Wellington County and Queens Park”.
Nater called the anniversary “a remarkable milestone.
“When you think about it, 150 years means that you became a church community in the time of Queen Victoria’s reign and you are now under the reign of her great, great, great grandson, King Charles III.
“The time of this church has touched the tenures of 23 prime ministers, and you enveloped the history of our country through two world wars, the Great Depression and countless conflicts at home and abroad.
“But one thing that is consistent is your fellowship as a community and as a church.”
Following the service, a luncheon was held for all those in attendance.
