It was a long journey for Mary McGibbon from her grandparents farm, in Flamborough Township to Knox Presbyterian Church in Burlington, Ontario. Not in miles but in personal history. Mary’s story really starts, in England, with her paternal grandfather James Harris.
The story goes, during World War I, while James was serving in the army, his wife Alice, “took- off” with another man, leaving her three children behind. They were taken in by an elderly aunt who could not manage their care. One day their father, James, took his children to a “big house” in London, signed them in and was never seen again. Mary’s father, also James (Jim) Harris, was a Barnardo’s Home Boy and was shipped to Canada when he was 13 along with a sister, 15, and a brother, 11. Jim was sent to work for a man and his spinster sister on a Flamborough farm. The other two were sent to nearby farms. The first Christmas Jim was excluded from Christmas festivities, but when he woke up, in his attic room, there was a stocking with an orange in the toe – something he never forgot. Meanwhile, his younger brother was housed in a barn loft and was not fed if he didn’t do a man’s work every day. (Fortunately, their sister married well.)
Mary’s father, Jim, served in the Royal Canadian Engineers, during World War II, as a result Mary did not meet him until she was four years old. While he was overseas, Mary and her mother, (also) Alice lived with Alice’s parents, on their market farm, in Flamborough.
Mary’s first Sunday school experience occurred when she was very, very young, thanks to Mrs. Roy Crooker. “I remember Mrs. Crooker – I never knew her first name – taking me to Sunday school at Millgrove United Church. I was dressed in my little hat, coat and gloves. I also recall the little colored pamphlets we were given.”
When Jim was demobbed from the army, the Harrises “saved, saved and saved” until they were able to buy a Halliday pre-fab house. It was erected, with help from friends, on Richmond Rd., in Burlington. Mary’s parents lived in that home until they died. It still stands and is now occupied by a McMaster professor.
Mary’s parents lived in the Richmond Rd. house until they died. It still stands and is now occupied by a McMaster professor.
Mary, a retired teacher, spent most of her career with the Burlington School Board (now Halton Board) where she met John McGibbon, then a vice-principal. Not only did John woo Mary, but he introduced her to Knox Presbyterian. “John had attended a Presbyterian church from the time he could wobble on his two little feet and since then he has been involved in every committee Knox ever had there,” comments Mary.
Apparently there were great “gasps” and much curiosity when John turned up, one Sunday, with a unknown lady. They married, in Knox, in 1982. At first, Mary resisted church involvement as her board job, as resource teacher, kept her busy on weekends. Then some 25 years ago, she agreed to teach Sunday school. Knox finally had her in its clutches and she became a dedicated member of the Presbyterian fold. Currently, Mary is President of the Ladies Aid and a member of a quilting circle that plans to produce a book about Knox and recipes, called Over the Quilt Frame. Also, in the past 12 years, the group has sewn and given over 50 quilts to Crieff Hills Community (a Presbyterian retreat centre), another 30 to the VON for new mothers, 35 to Joseph Brant Hospital and donated several others for bazaar raffles.
Mary also helps organize, monthly, Pot Luck lunches at Knox. These feature a wonderful pianist Gwen Gayfer who entertains and leads sing-songs. (Gwen grew up in the manse next door to the church.) Proceeds go towards various mission projects. The ladies also organize special fellowship events after Sunday service. These include a July ice-cream extravaganza, featuring stations with assorted toppings, and an August corn roast. And for the Christmas bazaar, last year, 120 meat pies were baked and sold along with dozens of home-made fruit pies.
“We hold most social events, at mid-day, in order to accommodate our seniors who are not always comfortable out at night,” Mary says.
Knox a vigorous, busy congregation has been without a minister for three years. Their last minister died, suddenly, leaving a young family. The congregation was shattered. Knox is hoping, before the summer, the vacant pulpit will finally have a new minister.
Mary admits she‘s more an organizer than a food purveyor, except for meat pies and coleslaw. Knox habitually served store-bought coleslaw at big church suppers. One time it wasn’t available, so Mary said she would “give it a crack.” She improvised a no-fuss method and ever since Mary has been the Coleslaw Queen of Knox Presbyterian.
COLESLAW FOR ONE HUNDRED
At least four big green cabbages
5 lb bag of carrots
Sweet vidalia onion to taste (one large onion usually suffices)
I (or 2) bunch of celery
6 bottles of Our Compliments coleslaw dressing
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Find a giant kettle.
Shred cabbages and carrots with a food processor.
Chop onion and celery finely.
Add dressing one bottle at a time until the consistency seems right. (*Never put the dressing on until ten minutes before serving.)
