Mille Isles Presbyterian Church. A Short History
It is unclear exactly when the Mille Isles community of Argenteuil was first settled or established, but is believed it was opened originally by the French, then in the early part of the 19th century there was a considerable influx of settlers of Irish and Scottish descent, and for many years it was a logging and farming community. Churches of various Protestant dominations were established throughout the Argenteuil region, and in particular Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
The Presbyterian Church in Mille Isles was originally built in 1862 as a log building. Since that date it has existed on the present site, and has been maintained and improved, refurbished both inside and out with wood paneling, exterior siding and also re-roofed. An unusual feature of the church is that it is surrounded on three sides by the Protestant cemetery, which has headstones dating from the founding of the church. The cemetery is still in use today.
The community from the late 19th century until the mid 20th was pre-dominantly English speaking, supporting Churches of Protestant and Roman Catholic denominations, although from about 1970 onwards the community has become majority French speaking.
The number of permanent English speaking residents has declined steadily, although there remain a considerable number of summer residents who maintain property in the community.
Rev. John Irvine was the first recorded chaplain and minister of the Mille Isles Presbyterian Church. He settled in Mille Isles in 1863 and his pastorate of eighteen years continued until his resignation in 1880. For the next ten years or so the Church was supplied by theological students, but in the year 1889 Rev. S.F. McCusker, a minister from Scotland became pastor, and during his ministry he established a church on the border of Mille Isles called Knox Church of Cote St. Gabriel. Rev. McCusker was succeeded as minister in Mlle Isles by Rev. John Carter in 1893.
During the 20th century there have been various ministers of the Presbyterian faith resident in Mille Isles, but exact names and dates are not available. There was also a Manse in Mille Isles which was used by the ministers, and also by students from Presbyterian College in Montreal, who for many years were given summer appointments in Mille Isles.
In 1984 Rev. R.L. Inglis of Fabreville began conducting summer services and was later appointed Interim Moderator of the charge. He served until his death in 2009. The current Interim Moderator is Rev. L. Robinson.