St. Andrew’s has seen substantial growth and change over the past quarter century. In a time of generally declining church membership, our congregation has held at around a hundred members. It is no coincidence that most of this period was during the ministry of William Fairley. Reverend Fairley and wife Rita gave tireless and devoted spiritual leadership to their church and community. Our session has grown from six elders in 1965 to eleven today, including three women, one of whom, Marlyn McGee, became Clerk of Session in 1988. Our budget allocation has grown from $1,250.00 in 1965 to $5,400 in 1988. Our Treasurer’s Report of 1988 shows expenditures of $60,000.00, nearly ten time the figure of 1964.
Many material changes have occurred during this period as well. Both the interior and exterior of the church have been refurbished and renovated. The manse, too, has been to a large extend updated. As of this Spring, a contract has been let for the building of a new manse on the adjoining lot, and plans are to sell the present manse.
Over the past several years many improvements and additions have been made to enhance the interior of the church, most of these as donations by members in memory of loved ones. These have included a public address system dedicated February 3, 1980, an oak Celtic cross fachioned by Donald MacMillan of Glenarm, to enhance the front of the sanctuary, dedicated on Easer Sunday, April 14, 1974, and circulating fans dedicated on November 28, 1982.
Improvements to the church building were climaxed in 1988 with the cleaning, re-mortaring, etc. of the brick and stone exterior, and painting the wooden trim. This was a major undertaking planned for by the Board of Managers and financed entirely by voluntary givings (with a small assist from the memorial account). As of December 31, 1988, the Restoration Fund had reached over $25,000.00. The congregation had done itself proud.
1988 was ‘a momentous year’ for St. Andrew’s. Not only was it to be the year for restoring and renewing the material edifice, as we are aware, but other changes were coming.
After nineteen years of outstanding leadership both in Glenarm and Fenelon Falls, Rev. Fairley announce his upcoming retirement, to take effect as of October, 1989. At the invitation of our Session, Mr. Fairley conducted the 124th Anniversary Service on October 9th. At this time, the congregation presented Rev. and Mrs. Fairley with a monetary gift.
Presentation was made by Wm. Bair who spoke of Mr. Fairley ‘standing tall amongst us and amongst the community as a whole.’
On Sunday, November 20th, a ‘Service of Thanksgiving’ was conducted by Rev. Dr. John McMurray to honour Mr. Fairley for his ministry and his years of service in the charge and in the surrounding area. Jim Nesbitt of Glenarm bespoke his praises: “You have never failed or faltered to support our faith. You will never depart from that special corner of our heart especially reserved for you.”
Ron Sharman, long-time elder of St. Andrew’s, told of Rev. Fairley as a superb visitor to people who were sick or shut in. Judge George Inrig said, “I know of no man who is a better Christian and no man who is a better Mason.”
To deal with the vacancy, a search committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. John McMurray was constituted to hear prospective candidates for the charge. At a Congregational meeting on Sunday, November 13th, the congregation unanimously voted to call Rev. Shirley Jeffery. Dr. John McMurray acted as interim moderator under her arrival early in February, 1989.
On Friday, February 17th at 8 p.m. in St. Andrew’s church, the Rev. Shirley Marie Jeffery, BA BD, was inducted as minister of the Glenarm-Fenelon Falls pastoral charge, her ministry to begin on Sunday, February 19th, 1989.