This summer’s exhibition at the Minto Heritage Gallery is a look into the cultural and social interweaving of a community by way of its many places of worship.
The Minto Heritage Association and several of the church members of Minto have assembled a host of photographs, illustrations, artifacts, and documents, to create an exhibit well worth a visit.
The heritage association has produced a map of Minto showing the locations of rural churches from the township’s past. In addition, they compiled information and pictures of the ten churches and would welcome further details and illustrations.
The group believes this is an opportunity to research and preserve that important aspect of Minto’s history.
Numerous congregations have set up displays.
The Zion Cotswold display features a 1923 autograph quilt.
Palmerston Evangelical Missionary’s exhibit includes the outdoor sign from the United Missionary Church at Brotherston, in Wallace Township, one of the churches, that merged to create P.E.M.
Knox Presbyterian, in Palmerston, has been served by four buildings since the congregation was formed in 1863 and they are all included.
Knox-Calvin Presbyterian in Harriston is an amalgamation of three congregations; Knox Presbyterian (Harriston), Guthrie Presbyterian (Harriston) and Calvin Presbyterian (Rothsay) and all three are represented.
Palmerston United Church began as a Methodist congregation and the current building dates to 1886, replacing an earlier one destroyed by fire the previous year. The church display includes plenty of photos and a set of scrapbooks, chronicling its’ history.
Harriston United Church is also in its second building, having replaced a smaller church with the current building in 1904. The display also offers pictures and artifacts.
The Minto Heritage Gallery is located upstairs at the Harriston library. Gallery hours are: Tuesday 7 to 9pm, Thursday and Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9pm, and Saturday 11am to 1pm.
