Ministers of Erin United Church
Ministers of Erin United Church
Rev. Benjamin Sherlock
Rev. Sherlock served the Erin circuit for one year 1871-2. He and his wife (the former Martha Ward) and their three eldest children lived in the parsonage, which, it is believed, was a house on the Main Street directly across from the church.
He came out from Ireland in 1858, in response to a request from the Methodist church for ministers. He was ordained in 1862 and served fourteen charges before he retired in 1892. His greatest concern was an emphasis upon the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and of the believer. Throughout his life he did considerable writing. After retirement he lived in Toronto where he continued to write, and was for a time the acting-editor of the Christian Guardian.
He also published a book, "What Meaneth This? The Value of the Pentecostal Gift", (Toronto, Wm. Briggs, 1907).
Mr. Sherlock was the father of Mrs. A. 0. W. Foreman. He was born in 1832 and died in 1909.
He came out from Ireland in 1858, in response to a request from the Methodist church for ministers. He was ordained in 1862 and served fourteen charges before he retired in 1892. His greatest concern was an emphasis upon the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and of the believer. Throughout his life he did considerable writing. After retirement he lived in Toronto where he continued to write, and was for a time the acting-editor of the Christian Guardian.
He also published a book, "What Meaneth This? The Value of the Pentecostal Gift", (Toronto, Wm. Briggs, 1907).
Mr. Sherlock was the father of Mrs. A. 0. W. Foreman. He was born in 1832 and died in 1909.
Rev. Melvin Smith
Rev. Smith was minister of Erin Methodist Church for four years, 1914-1918. He and his wife Rebecca had two children, a daughter and a son who also was a minister, Rev. Rosco Smith. After his wife died, Melvin Smith married Lulu May Williamson and they lived in Fergus until the time of his death on Dec. 4, 1944, at the age of 82 years. He was born in 1862.
Rev. E.R. Hall
Rev. Hall was the first minister to serve Erin United Church after union.
He stayed three years from 1925 to 1928.
He stayed three years from 1925 to 1928.
Rev. Charles J.P.Joliffe
Rev. Jolliffe was born in Paisley, Ontario in 1876, At nineteen he left the farm to attend the University of Toronto, where he graduated in 1904. He was a missionary in West China for over 30 years. In 1906 he was one of 24 Methodist missionaries to go to the far east. He worked chiefly in Szechwan province, and was decorated by the Chinese government for his Red Cross work during the Civil War in 1919 and 1920. He built schools and churches, and a hospital at both Jenshow and Luchow.
He was minister of Erin United Church for two years while home on leave, and he and his wife Gertrude returned to Chungking, West China in 1930. He left China in 1937.
Mr. Jolliffe also served in Hamilton and Glen Williams before his retirement in 1945. He died in 1965. Rev. and Mrs. Jolliffe had five children, Edward, Sadie, Orlando, Paul and Frances. They all attended school in Erin, except Edward, in the two years they lived in Erin.
He was minister of Erin United Church for two years while home on leave, and he and his wife Gertrude returned to Chungking, West China in 1930. He left China in 1937.
Mr. Jolliffe also served in Hamilton and Glen Williams before his retirement in 1945. He died in 1965. Rev. and Mrs. Jolliffe had five children, Edward, Sadie, Orlando, Paul and Frances. They all attended school in Erin, except Edward, in the two years they lived in Erin.
Rev. A.O.W.Foreman
Rev. Foreman was ordained in 1908. He graduated from Victoria College, and was married to Louise Sherlock in the same year. At university he was active in various organizations, and was "Senior Stick" of his year. Throughout his life he had many interests, perhaps the most remembered was his love of gardening, and how to live the Christian life in the midst of everyday happenings. He often preached on putting first things first.
Mr. and Mrs. Foreman were both firm in their interest in the temperance movement. They were gracious hosts to innumerable visiting missionaries, preachers and speakers, and were faithful students of the Bible. They both came from Methodist backgrounds and were influenced by the life and writings of John Wesley.
Mr. Foreman served in nine charges, and after retirement in one charge and as assistant in one other church. He often quoted John Welsey's rule: "Do all the good you can, In all the ways you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."
He was born in 1877 and died in 1961.
Mr. and Mrs. Foreman were both firm in their interest in the temperance movement. They were gracious hosts to innumerable visiting missionaries, preachers and speakers, and were faithful students of the Bible. They both came from Methodist backgrounds and were influenced by the life and writings of John Wesley.
Mr. Foreman served in nine charges, and after retirement in one charge and as assistant in one other church. He often quoted John Welsey's rule: "Do all the good you can, In all the ways you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."
He was born in 1877 and died in 1961.
Rev. T.J.Rees
Joseph Rees was working his way through college as a student minister in Saskatchewan. In 1926 he held services in the little country school of Austinville. There he met Ella McMillan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McMillan of Hills burgh, who was teaching school there. Ella played the organ for the hymns. They were married in 1927.
For fourteen years Mr. Rees served other Saskatchewan Mission Fields. He graduated from St. Andrew College in Saskatchewan, in 1939, and was ordained the same year.
They came to Erin United Church in 1941, and on leaving Erin in 1946, served in Elora for a number of years, and a four point charge at Holstein.
After his retirement in 1971, he served as supply minister in a number of churches. They are living in Mount Forest, and have two sons, Roland and Joe.
For fourteen years Mr. Rees served other Saskatchewan Mission Fields. He graduated from St. Andrew College in Saskatchewan, in 1939, and was ordained the same year.
They came to Erin United Church in 1941, and on leaving Erin in 1946, served in Elora for a number of years, and a four point charge at Holstein.
After his retirement in 1971, he served as supply minister in a number of churches. They are living in Mount Forest, and have two sons, Roland and Joe.
Rev. S.W.Pattison
Rev. S.W.Pattison
1946-1948
1946-1948
Rev. Ellis D.Snelgrove
Rev. Snelgrove was born in Camborne, Ontario, and began his ministry at Wilberforce Mission Field in 1925, and Lakehurst Mission Field in 1926. While attending Victoria College, University of Toronto, he served summer mission fields in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
He was ordained in 1934, and served in Middleville, Queensboro, Warsaw, Grafton, Sydenharn, Erin and Carnbray.
He retired from the ministry in 1969, and with his wife Pauline, lived in their horne "Here-At-Last", overlooking Rice Lake at Gore's Landing.
Ellis died July 19, 1977, and Pauline died May 6, 1987.
He was ordained in 1934, and served in Middleville, Queensboro, Warsaw, Grafton, Sydenharn, Erin and Carnbray.
He retired from the ministry in 1969, and with his wife Pauline, lived in their horne "Here-At-Last", overlooking Rice Lake at Gore's Landing.
Ellis died July 19, 1977, and Pauline died May 6, 1987.
Rev. R.C.Norman
Rev. R.C.Norman
1954-1956
1954-1956
Rev. George W.Howse
Rev. Howse was a native of Newfoundland. He received his college education at Dalhousie University. Prior to his graduation from Pine Hill Divinity Hall, Halifax, he spent four years as a Marine Missionary in Newfoundland as a student minister. In 1953 he was ordained, and before corning to Erin, served pastorates at Grace United Church, Hamilton, and St. Mark's United Church in Montreal.
Mr. Howse died in Paris, Ontario, December 29, 1980, at the age of 62. He had served for 26 years before retiring in 1979.
Mr. and Mrs. Howse had one daughter, Jill.
Mr. Howse died in Paris, Ontario, December 29, 1980, at the age of 62. He had served for 26 years before retiring in 1979.
Mr. and Mrs. Howse had one daughter, Jill.
Rev. Jack W.Gillap
Rev. Gillap was born in Dunnville, Ontario in 1920, and received his early schooling there and in St. Catherines. He went overseas in 1939 with the Royal Canadian Artillery in World War II. He received a commission in England in 1943, then served as a Lieutenant in Italy and north-west Europe until the end of the war.
Mr. Gillap worked for a consulting engineering company in Toronto and was married to Elizabeth (Betty) Erskine in 1949. They have three children, David, Dorothy and Joanne.
He entered university in the late 1950's to study for the ministry and received his B.A. from Victoria University, and a B.D. from Emmanuel College. He was ordained in May 1968, and having served as a student in the Toronto-Brampton area, he then went to Larder Lake Pastoral charge, and from there to Erin-Hillsburgh charge, serving from 1971 to the end of 1977.
The next years prior to his retirement in 1985, he combined his associate ministry at Trinity United Church, Guelph, with a Hospital Chaplaincy at Guelph General Hospital.
Mr. Gillap worked for a consulting engineering company in Toronto and was married to Elizabeth (Betty) Erskine in 1949. They have three children, David, Dorothy and Joanne.
He entered university in the late 1950's to study for the ministry and received his B.A. from Victoria University, and a B.D. from Emmanuel College. He was ordained in May 1968, and having served as a student in the Toronto-Brampton area, he then went to Larder Lake Pastoral charge, and from there to Erin-Hillsburgh charge, serving from 1971 to the end of 1977.
The next years prior to his retirement in 1985, he combined his associate ministry at Trinity United Church, Guelph, with a Hospital Chaplaincy at Guelph General Hospital.
Rev. James MacKay
Rev. Mackay was born and raised on a farm at Harrington West, Ontario, ten miles from Stratford. He attended Waterloo Lutheran University, and graduated from the Union Theological College (United Church), at the University of British Columbia in 1966, and then was settled at Kinistino, Saskatchewan. Mr. Mackay and his wife, Eva, then returned to Ontario, and after serving various pastorates, they retired from Erin in 1980.
They are now living in Brantford.
They are now living in Brantford.
Rev. Ken Jackson
After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree, Ken Jackson realized he wanted to pursue a career in the ministry. He then took his theological training and a Divinity degree at the University of Winnipeg. He was ordained in 1970.
He took his first pastoral charge in the Red Lake District of Ontario. There he had several churches to look after. He was on a circuit that took him to three small mining towns. From there he went to Brownsville United Church, a rural community near Tillsonburg, Ontario, St. Paul's United Church, Brampton and Trinity United Church, Acton.
Reverend Jackson and his wife Maureen moved in 1988 to Mount Hope, near Hamilton.
He took his first pastoral charge in the Red Lake District of Ontario. There he had several churches to look after. He was on a circuit that took him to three small mining towns. From there he went to Brownsville United Church, a rural community near Tillsonburg, Ontario, St. Paul's United Church, Brampton and Trinity United Church, Acton.
Reverend Jackson and his wife Maureen moved in 1988 to Mount Hope, near Hamilton.
Rev. Neill McRae
Rev. McRae, as a newly ordained graduate from Emmanuel College, went to Fort St. James, B.C. to serve as a minister-counsellor. His home church is Timothy Eaton Memorial in Toronto. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1965, and for nine years worked in the personnel and labour relations field. He also holds a graduate diploma from Carleton University in Ottawa.
At Fort St. James he was a voluntary probation worker, a job counsellor, counsellor for alcoholism, drug abuse, vandalism and tension between whites, native people and recent immigrants. He worked part time for the church, and part time for the community.
Neill and his wife, Mary, came to Erin in 1980 from the frontier town of Fort St. James. They have three sons and a daughter, and are now living at Desboro, Ontario. Besides farming, Neill is employed as Vice-president of Human Resources at the Gray Bruce Regional Health Centre, and is also doing some supply preaching.
At Fort St. James he was a voluntary probation worker, a job counsellor, counsellor for alcoholism, drug abuse, vandalism and tension between whites, native people and recent immigrants. He worked part time for the church, and part time for the community.
Neill and his wife, Mary, came to Erin in 1980 from the frontier town of Fort St. James. They have three sons and a daughter, and are now living at Desboro, Ontario. Besides farming, Neill is employed as Vice-president of Human Resources at the Gray Bruce Regional Health Centre, and is also doing some supply preaching.
Rev. W.C.Tupling
Rev. Tupling was born in Toronto in 1921, and grew up in the village of Honeywood. In 1939 he entered Toronto Normal School, subsequently serving as an elementary school teacher until January 1942 when he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was discharged from service October 10, 1945, and registered immediately as a student in Toronto Victoria University, where he received his B.A. in 1948, and his Bachelor of Divinity in 1951. He was ordained that year by the United Church in Toronto.
Mr. Tupling first went to western Canada, where he served in two Saskatchewan towns, Climax and Lunsden. He also served six charges in Ontario, and Immanuel Methodist in Waltham, Massachusetts, before coming to Erin for four years, where he retired in 1986. He and his wife Eileen are now residing in Orangeville.
Mr. Tupling first went to western Canada, where he served in two Saskatchewan towns, Climax and Lunsden. He also served six charges in Ontario, and Immanuel Methodist in Waltham, Massachusetts, before coming to Erin for four years, where he retired in 1986. He and his wife Eileen are now residing in Orangeville.
Vida May Overland
Vida Overland was born to Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Overland in 1882, in Erin Ontario. She went to Toronto to take a Deaconess course, which was a brave thing for a girl to do in those days. The students taking courses at the University of Toronto and Trinity College were all girls. One of the teachers was Ralph Brecken, who taught religious knowledge plus other subject such as Greek and Hebrew. He sometimes invited the girls over to his house for tea. Vida was invited with the other girls, and she saw that Mr. Brecken had two sons. Once, upon leaving, she left her umbrella, and Edgerton Ryerson Moro Brecken returned it. He was named after Dr. Ryerson who created the funds to start Ryerson Technical School in Toronto. Eventually, Vida and Edgerton were married on Sept. 1, 1908, and had purchased their tickets to Vancouver on the C.P.R. and on the ship to Shanghai, China. Rev. Edgerton Brecken taught at the Methodist University in Chengtu, Szeckwan. They returned to Canada in 1915, directly to Erin, and went back in 1916. In the meantime they were presented with a son Arthur while in Erin. In 1924, they again returned to Erin, and Grace was born. They served for 18 years in the foreign mission field in West China. Vida passed away February 11, 1953, in the house on 170 Main Street in Erin, where she was born, and where she had resided since 1954.
Rev. R.J.McCarten
Rev. McCarten was ordained as a Methodist Church minister in 1915. He had attended Erin Methodist Church and Sunday School and later, he volunteered to give total service to the work of the church.
Rev. Dr. George Trimble
George Trimble was born in the year 1894 in the village of Erin, Ontario. He was the youngest son of George Trimble and his wife, the former Maria Longstreet. After the death of his father, when he was only three years old, his mother provided for her family by weaving cloth and cleaning churches in the village. While his mother was cleaning, he would put a stool behind the pulpit and pretend to preach to the congregation of one - his mother who also taught Sunday School. George also attended the Methodist Sunday School and as many others in the village as he could. His only desire was to be a minister.
After completing his education in Erin, he attended teachers college and taught school for three years. He then studied for the ministry, and worked in Methodist and Presbyterian churches in the western provinces.
He served congregations in Delhi, Ontario, Westdale United Church in Hamilton, and Wesley Street United Church in London, Ontario. He served the congregation at Fairlawn United Church in Toronto from 1942 until his retirement.
George and his wife Lottie returned to Hamilton to live until his death on January 21, 1967. His only son, Reverend Robert G. Trimble, followed in his father's footsteps, and has been the senior minister of Islington United Church for several years.
His wife Lottie died at the home of their son in Islington, Ontario on July 18, 1988.
After completing his education in Erin, he attended teachers college and taught school for three years. He then studied for the ministry, and worked in Methodist and Presbyterian churches in the western provinces.
He served congregations in Delhi, Ontario, Westdale United Church in Hamilton, and Wesley Street United Church in London, Ontario. He served the congregation at Fairlawn United Church in Toronto from 1942 until his retirement.
George and his wife Lottie returned to Hamilton to live until his death on January 21, 1967. His only son, Reverend Robert G. Trimble, followed in his father's footsteps, and has been the senior minister of Islington United Church for several years.
His wife Lottie died at the home of their son in Islington, Ontario on July 18, 1988.
Irwin Paul Clarkson
Paul Clarkson, a candidate for the ministry from Erin United Church, was born May 26, 1963. He came from a farm in Mayfield to live in the Caledon area, in 1983, and joined Erin United Church. His tenor voice was a great support to the choir. He initiated and led a Youth Group, was a member of the Official Board, a Presbytery representative, a delegate to Toronto Conference and to the 31st General Council.
After completing Secondary School, Paul dairy farmed for two years. He led in worship several times at Erin United Church. He initiated and led Youth Council for Presbytery Youth Group leaders in Dufferin-Peel Presbytery, and was a student placement with the chaplain at Quinte Detention centre at Napanee, Ontario, in 1987-88.
Paul has his B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Guelph, and is presently in his 2nd year of the 3-year Divinity program at Queen's Theological College,
Kingston.
His wife Donalee, who is a qualified Child Care and Special Needs Worker, works at Pembroke Street Day care in Kingston.
In the summer of 1988, Paul interned at Gethsemane and Arva United Churches in London, Ontario.
After completing Secondary School, Paul dairy farmed for two years. He led in worship several times at Erin United Church. He initiated and led Youth Council for Presbytery Youth Group leaders in Dufferin-Peel Presbytery, and was a student placement with the chaplain at Quinte Detention centre at Napanee, Ontario, in 1987-88.
Paul has his B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Guelph, and is presently in his 2nd year of the 3-year Divinity program at Queen's Theological College,
Kingston.
His wife Donalee, who is a qualified Child Care and Special Needs Worker, works at Pembroke Street Day care in Kingston.
In the summer of 1988, Paul interned at Gethsemane and Arva United Churches in London, Ontario.