About eighty adults and children, present and former members, assembled for worship services in the afternoon of October 19, 2008 at the church on the hill to celebrate 175 years of Christian witness.
The anniversary committee of five members, Irene Legassic, Barbara Ross, Steve Venable, Paul Robinson and Rev. Ron Mahabir, planned a special service to be followed by dinner for all.
Rev. Barney Grace of Beaverton, Ont., popular past minister, was the guest speaker who reminded all how we are “the salt of the earth”. He called on members to continue to transform lives so that in the end society and the world can be changed to become God’s Kingdom. The choir sang appropriately “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. Sunday supply speakers, Steve Venable and Bob Jensen, participated in the worship service.
Among the guests were Rev. Dr. John Vissers, Moderator of the Montreal Presbytery and Rev. Alice McAlpine, minister of St. Andrew’s United Church in Chateauguay, Que. Some past members who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Kilgour of Etobicoke, Ont. and Mrs. Brenda Patterson of Smiths Falls, Ont., wife of former minister Rev. Jim Patterson. Also among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Heughan of Sutton, Que. Mrs. Heughan is the granddaughter of Rev. John Anderson who served St. Edward’s for forty years.
Some comments from church officials follow:
“It was wonderful to welcome so many friends from the past on this special day. Their warmth and affection expressed are gratifying.” Irene Legassic, clerk of session
“175 years is quite a milestone for the church on the hill. All those present expressed their joy and warm fellowship on this day.” Steve Venable, elder and Liliane
Paul Robinson wrote of how many guests were amazed at how a small church has remained vibrant and given faithful witness for so many years.
“Gratitude to God and to one and all for the church on the hill.” Bob and Ann Jensen
At one point in the service a history of St. Edward’s was presented in verse by Rev. Ron Mahabir, Interim Moderator. Here are some samples:
Six ministers came after Roach
When cars were not invented
They went about with horse and cart
And all seemed quite contented
In time a stately manse was built
In eighteen thirty-nine
A Church Hall followed in its wake
In nineteen forty-nine
St. Edward’s came a long, long way
It’s doors are always open
We kept the faith through thick and thin
For here God’s word is spoken
