History to 1989
More History to 1989
Originally, there was a basement stairway inside in the west corner later, this was covered over and an outside stairway put in under the window next to the driveway. At that time there was a large wooden platform outside of the front entrance, with continuous steps on three sides. This shows up in numerous school class pictures, as the different levels made a good setting for this, also, it was convenient, as the school at that time was just on the other side of the Presbyterian Church.
Immediately after union the platform was removed and the new entrance and vestibule was built, enlarging the interior of the church, with the basement stairway inside, where it now is. Heating systems and chimneys have undergone a number of changes. Originally, there were two chimneys and two wood stoves, with their lines of stove pipes connecting them to the chimneys. After the basement came into use a furnace was installed, and a new chimney built on the outside of the wall.
After union, a chimney was built inside the wall, and a new furnace put at that end of the basement where it now is. In 1950, oil replaced wood as fuel in a forced air furnace, and in 1983 a gas furnace was installed.
At the time of union, a new church was built in Hillsburgh, with Erin, Hillsburgh and Coningsby forming the circuit, dropping Ballinafad. At least, from the year 1937, summer services have been combined with the Presbyterians, so each minister would have four weeks holidays.
The depression occurred during the years Reverend Foreman was in Erin 1930-35. His daughter Phyllis Moorhouse said that there was one thing that stood out in her mind from that time, and that was the way in which the church initiated the shipping of carloads of vegetables and clothing to Western Canada, stricken with drought and with negligible crops and low prices.
The roads were not ploughed in the winter, then, and Mr. Foreman would go by horse and cutter to the outside appointments when the snow and ice dictated.
One snowy Sunday in winter he turned over in his 1926 Chevrolet sedan on the Coningsby hill, on the way home from church service, and landed upside down on the roof. As related by his son Sherlock, he had only a few superficial scratches and bruises, despite the lack of seat belts. The car required a new roof. At the end of June, 1938, services were discontinued at Coningsby. The members continued their support at Erin and Hills burgh. Coningsby Church was later turned into a mortuary. Memorial services are held every two years in the cemetery.
Reverend T. J. Rees came in 1941 for a five year period. There were then 85 families in the congregation. After many discussions for and against remodelling the Sunday School rooms, in 1944, Mr. George Griffin moved that they go ahead and excavate the basement to enlarge the Sunday School, providing Mr. Rees supervised it. Work was begun with pick and shovel, and a slush scraper used to pull the gravel up and out, where it was spread over the ground in the horse shed at the back. Mr. Rees worked along with the men, and they discovered the foundation was only two feet down. They had to put a cement wall under it. Mr. Rees said he would get out of bed at 2 a.m. and go down to see if the wall was still standing. There was only 8 feet around the furnace, and they took it back about 40 feet, making a nice size kitchen. The cement stairway out of the kitchen was built at that time, and opened into the shed.
Immediately after union the platform was removed and the new entrance and vestibule was built, enlarging the interior of the church, with the basement stairway inside, where it now is. Heating systems and chimneys have undergone a number of changes. Originally, there were two chimneys and two wood stoves, with their lines of stove pipes connecting them to the chimneys. After the basement came into use a furnace was installed, and a new chimney built on the outside of the wall.
After union, a chimney was built inside the wall, and a new furnace put at that end of the basement where it now is. In 1950, oil replaced wood as fuel in a forced air furnace, and in 1983 a gas furnace was installed.
At the time of union, a new church was built in Hillsburgh, with Erin, Hillsburgh and Coningsby forming the circuit, dropping Ballinafad. At least, from the year 1937, summer services have been combined with the Presbyterians, so each minister would have four weeks holidays.
The depression occurred during the years Reverend Foreman was in Erin 1930-35. His daughter Phyllis Moorhouse said that there was one thing that stood out in her mind from that time, and that was the way in which the church initiated the shipping of carloads of vegetables and clothing to Western Canada, stricken with drought and with negligible crops and low prices.
The roads were not ploughed in the winter, then, and Mr. Foreman would go by horse and cutter to the outside appointments when the snow and ice dictated.
One snowy Sunday in winter he turned over in his 1926 Chevrolet sedan on the Coningsby hill, on the way home from church service, and landed upside down on the roof. As related by his son Sherlock, he had only a few superficial scratches and bruises, despite the lack of seat belts. The car required a new roof. At the end of June, 1938, services were discontinued at Coningsby. The members continued their support at Erin and Hills burgh. Coningsby Church was later turned into a mortuary. Memorial services are held every two years in the cemetery.
Reverend T. J. Rees came in 1941 for a five year period. There were then 85 families in the congregation. After many discussions for and against remodelling the Sunday School rooms, in 1944, Mr. George Griffin moved that they go ahead and excavate the basement to enlarge the Sunday School, providing Mr. Rees supervised it. Work was begun with pick and shovel, and a slush scraper used to pull the gravel up and out, where it was spread over the ground in the horse shed at the back. Mr. Rees worked along with the men, and they discovered the foundation was only two feet down. They had to put a cement wall under it. Mr. Rees said he would get out of bed at 2 a.m. and go down to see if the wall was still standing. There was only 8 feet around the furnace, and they took it back about 40 feet, making a nice size kitchen. The cement stairway out of the kitchen was built at that time, and opened into the shed.
That same year new work was done on the choir loft. Howard McArthur assisting with the carpenter work there. New pews and book racks were also installed. Before the basement was enlarged, the annual fowl suppers, which always occurred on the Wednesday following the Anniversary Service in November, were held in the town hall beside the church. There was always a concert after the supper, and the hall would be packed. With the enlarging of the basement, the suppers were held there, with the concert in the hall. Sometimes the program would have to be re-produced in the church to accommodate all the people. Anniversary services were held both morning and evening, with a full house at both services.
There were two senior elders in the 1940's- George Griffin and Allan Baxter. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin always walked to church, living on Main Street. Mr. Rees said, one Sunday morning after an ice storm, the streets were sheets of ice, he went up to Griffin's house and said "I hate to do this, but I think it better if you didn't come to church today". George Griffin retorted, "Who are you to tell us to stay away from the house of the Lord"! They walked to church with socks over their shoes.
There were two senior elders in the 1940's- George Griffin and Allan Baxter. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin always walked to church, living on Main Street. Mr. Rees said, one Sunday morning after an ice storm, the streets were sheets of ice, he went up to Griffin's house and said "I hate to do this, but I think it better if you didn't come to church today". George Griffin retorted, "Who are you to tell us to stay away from the house of the Lord"! They walked to church with socks over their shoes.
In 1956 Reverend E. D. Snelgrove came, and for ten years he and Mrs. Snelgrove worked together for the church and community, organizing Mission Band, Couples Club, and many events within the church. When Mr. Snelgrove was sick, Mrs. Snelgrove took the services. Living in the old manse by the Busholme Inn, Mrs. Snelgrove said that more than once they had to drive drunks home at night. Sometimes it got rather noisy through the night. With the passing of the horse and buggy, sleigh and cutter, the old church shed at the rear had served its purpose, and was torn down. A new kitchen, washrooms, and Christian Education room were built in its place, with one specification, that there was to be no smoking in the new hall. A furnace was installed, and water piped in to the kitchen and washrooms.
The Christian Education Wing was dedicated in 1957.
A new Hammond organ was purchased and dedicated to the Glory of God in 1959, in memory of the members of the
congregation who gave their lives for their country in World Wars I and II. New carpets were laid in the church and choir
loft in 1961. Rev. Snelgrove was honoured by the church members in 1959, on his twenty-fifth anniversary as an ordained minister, and was presented with a briefcase from Erin and Hillsburgh congregations. The initials E.D.S. were tooled by Arthur Brecken, who remarked at the presentation, they also stood for Earnest Diligent Service.
A new Hammond organ was purchased and dedicated to the Glory of God in 1959, in memory of the members of the
congregation who gave their lives for their country in World Wars I and II. New carpets were laid in the church and choir
loft in 1961. Rev. Snelgrove was honoured by the church members in 1959, on his twenty-fifth anniversary as an ordained minister, and was presented with a briefcase from Erin and Hillsburgh congregations. The initials E.D.S. were tooled by Arthur Brecken, who remarked at the presentation, they also stood for Earnest Diligent Service.
When Mr. Snelgrove left Erin in 1966, he presented a picture as a parting gift to the Sunday School, which was framed by John Trimble. It enclosed the pictures of three persons, who in their youth attended Sunday School and Erin Methodist Church, and later volunteered total service to the work of the church. Reverend R. J. McCarten was ordained as a minister in 1915; Mrs. Vida Brecken as a deaconess in 1904; and Reverend George Trimble ordained as a minister in 1923. This picture represents the courageous commitment of these Erin people to God's work, and will serve as a challenge to the youth in today's Sunday School. In 1962, a 21 melodic mass chime and record broadcaster, was dedicated to the Glory of God by Mrs. Pearl Bingham, in memory of her husband Fred, sister Bessie and brother Edgar.
Reverend Jack Gillap accepted a call in 1971, and stayed over six years. At this time there was a trend for United Church ministers to purchase their own homes, with special allowances made in salary. The Gillaps were in favour of this, but could not find a house in Erin, so purchased a home in Guelph, and the manse was sold.
This was at the height of the ecumenical movement in Canada, and a great deal of time was spent in exploring and working together in unity with the other denominations, particularly with the Anglicans, Presbyterians and Disciples.
Joint memorial services were held in the High School auditorium, and ministerial meetings were held in Guelph, Erin and Hillsburgh, when all churches attended. For a couple of years in the winter, an evening service was held one night a month in one of the churches. Mr. Gillap had his office at the back of the Christian Education room, with drapes pulled across for privacy. This space was needed for the Sunday School, so in 1974 work was started to build an office. Magills donated the land, and the room was to be 15' x 16', so the maple trees on Magill's property wouldn't be damaged.
When the ground was dug out, they found there was no retaining wall on the church. It was thundering that night and looked like rain. If it rained the dirt would all wash out. Mr. Gillap said he couldn't sleep all night, but he said God must have been with them, because it didn't rain and all was well.
Wally McLeod, with help from church members, did the work on the building.
The stained glass windows in the sanctuary and the vestibule were donated by Pearl Bingham, and dedicated to the memory of her husband Fred, sister Bessie and brother Edgar. It should be noted here that through the years, many other furnishings have been given as memorials or gifts to enhance the appearance or functioning of the church, but space does not permit listing them all, and rather than risk missing to mention one or two, it is best to just say that each one is a deeply appreciated contribution to the church.
Hillsburgh United Church closed its doors in 1978, and some of its members came to Erin. Two pulpit chairs came to the
Erin Church. Reverend Jim MacKay said it was a sad moment when on Friday January 19, 1979, the church was vandalized. The three pianos were wrecked, books in Mr. MacKay's study were strewn about and the desk overturned. The potted ferns were
thrown around, and the music recorder tossed down the steps. For restitution, the two boys were sentenced to work around
the church on Saturdays. They pasted the United Church Creed in the back of the hymn books, with Bob Oliver as overseer, did some painting around the church, and dug and cleaned up the flower beds and planted them, supervised by Jean Robinson.
Mr. MacKay was forced to retire at the end of December 1979, due to ill health, and Reverend Ken Jackson of Brampton occupied the pulpit until Reverend Neill McRae could come from B. C. in July.
The church helped support the boat people, which was a community effort in Erin, and for many years have sponsored Vacation Bible school jointly with the other churches.
A coffee hour was held in the winter months after church, beginning in 1981, and by 1984 was reinstated to the first Sunday of every month all year, giving newcomers a chance to get acquainted.
This was at the height of the ecumenical movement in Canada, and a great deal of time was spent in exploring and working together in unity with the other denominations, particularly with the Anglicans, Presbyterians and Disciples.
Joint memorial services were held in the High School auditorium, and ministerial meetings were held in Guelph, Erin and Hillsburgh, when all churches attended. For a couple of years in the winter, an evening service was held one night a month in one of the churches. Mr. Gillap had his office at the back of the Christian Education room, with drapes pulled across for privacy. This space was needed for the Sunday School, so in 1974 work was started to build an office. Magills donated the land, and the room was to be 15' x 16', so the maple trees on Magill's property wouldn't be damaged.
When the ground was dug out, they found there was no retaining wall on the church. It was thundering that night and looked like rain. If it rained the dirt would all wash out. Mr. Gillap said he couldn't sleep all night, but he said God must have been with them, because it didn't rain and all was well.
Wally McLeod, with help from church members, did the work on the building.
The stained glass windows in the sanctuary and the vestibule were donated by Pearl Bingham, and dedicated to the memory of her husband Fred, sister Bessie and brother Edgar. It should be noted here that through the years, many other furnishings have been given as memorials or gifts to enhance the appearance or functioning of the church, but space does not permit listing them all, and rather than risk missing to mention one or two, it is best to just say that each one is a deeply appreciated contribution to the church.
Hillsburgh United Church closed its doors in 1978, and some of its members came to Erin. Two pulpit chairs came to the
Erin Church. Reverend Jim MacKay said it was a sad moment when on Friday January 19, 1979, the church was vandalized. The three pianos were wrecked, books in Mr. MacKay's study were strewn about and the desk overturned. The potted ferns were
thrown around, and the music recorder tossed down the steps. For restitution, the two boys were sentenced to work around
the church on Saturdays. They pasted the United Church Creed in the back of the hymn books, with Bob Oliver as overseer, did some painting around the church, and dug and cleaned up the flower beds and planted them, supervised by Jean Robinson.
Mr. MacKay was forced to retire at the end of December 1979, due to ill health, and Reverend Ken Jackson of Brampton occupied the pulpit until Reverend Neill McRae could come from B. C. in July.
The church helped support the boat people, which was a community effort in Erin, and for many years have sponsored Vacation Bible school jointly with the other churches.
A coffee hour was held in the winter months after church, beginning in 1981, and by 1984 was reinstated to the first Sunday of every month all year, giving newcomers a chance to get acquainted.
An alley and bake sale was organized in 1981, and it has become an annual event. People donate their white elephants, and perhaps find something useful in exchange. For many years the U.C.W. ran a food booth at Erin Fair. At the end of October in 1980, the booth was burned to a total loss, but before the fair came around again, Wallace McLeod re-built it with the assistance of Gordon Fines. Others helped with the painting. In 1983 the official board took over the management of the food booth. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pies, coffee, tea and soft drinks are offered for sale. Of course, the women still bake the pies.
Reverend Wm. Tupling accepted a call in 1982, and stayed until his retirement in 1986. That year, 1982, a new roof was put on the church. By this time there was a need for professional secretarial service, which up to now was done on a voluntary basis. Leslie Young was hired for a few hours each week, and has continued this service to the present time.
A birthday party was held in the church in 1983 to celebrate George Davis' 100th birthday. He continued to come to services for another year, riding down the street on his tricycle. Mrs. Tupling said there were eight couples who were members of the church all at one time, who had celebrated 60 years of marriage, and were living in their own homes taking care of each other. They were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fudge, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harper. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lane, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. M. Leitch, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Leitch, Mr. and Mrs. Jack McMaster, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Maveal, and Mr. and Mrs. John Clarke.
A birthday party was held in the church in 1983 to celebrate George Davis' 100th birthday. He continued to come to services for another year, riding down the street on his tricycle. Mrs. Tupling said there were eight couples who were members of the church all at one time, who had celebrated 60 years of marriage, and were living in their own homes taking care of each other. They were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fudge, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Harper. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lane, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. M. Leitch, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Leitch, Mr. and Mrs. Jack McMaster, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Maveal, and Mr. and Mrs. John Clarke.
Early one December, Mrs. Tupling said, a group of children were baptized, including a very shy two year old hoy. His parents brought him to the Christmas Eve service shortly after, when the church was well filled with people. Just as the ushers had picked up the offering plates to pass around, the wee lad tore down the aisle, placed a $20.00 hill on the plate, then flew hack to his parents, he couldn't wait until the plate came around.
Up until this time, services had always been at 11 a.m., hut as some preferred an earlier service so they would have a longer afternoon, this was changed to 10:30 on a temporary basis for four months. It proved satisfactory, so continued, with the Sunday School children in church until the minister gives the children's story, then they go to their classes. A crowded feeling began to arise, with the choir, a children's class and the secretary all using the same room. In 1983 a four room addition was built over the Christian Education part, to he used as a nursery and pre-school facility. Wallace McLeod was the main carpenter with volunteerhelp. The new addition was dedicated in October 1983.
To keep in line with fire regulations, a cement block wall was built around the gas furnace in the basement. The back extension has electric heating. In 1986, Rev. Jeff Davison came to Erin United in time to celebrate ten years of Christian ministry in Canada. The church is thriving under his leadership. There were 240 families under pastoral care in 1987, with a membership of 283.
Erin United has never been a mission church. It has always stood on its own feet, which astounded Peel Presbytery at the time it was shifted from Guelph to Peel. Despite set backs and conflicts within its walls, Erin United Church has stood firm, and with the help of God, will continue its Christian Ministry for the good of all humanity for years to come.
To keep in line with fire regulations, a cement block wall was built around the gas furnace in the basement. The back extension has electric heating. In 1986, Rev. Jeff Davison came to Erin United in time to celebrate ten years of Christian ministry in Canada. The church is thriving under his leadership. There were 240 families under pastoral care in 1987, with a membership of 283.
Erin United has never been a mission church. It has always stood on its own feet, which astounded Peel Presbytery at the time it was shifted from Guelph to Peel. Despite set backs and conflicts within its walls, Erin United Church has stood firm, and with the help of God, will continue its Christian Ministry for the good of all humanity for years to come.
