The Congregation of Fenelon Falls first appears in the statistical report of the Canada Presbyterian Church as a regular pastoral charge in 1867. The report is as follows:
“Families 32, Communicants 23, Added by certificates 8, Added by examination 15, Removed 0, Baptisms 4, Elders 3, Office bearers 3, Sittings in the Church 240, Sommerville 100.”
The Pastoral Charge as erected in 1867 contained Fenelon Falls and the congregation of Somerville (Bury’s Green). For several years the two congregations were under one Session, and statistics were reported jointly.
Events moved quickly during the years from 1867 to 1870, testifying to the vigor of the young church. Early in 1867 property was purchased for a church. The record is as follows: “Indenture dated Feb. 7, 1867, conveying real property, (Lot No. 3 Frances Street South side, to west of Colborne Street) as laid down on plan made by Mr. Michael Deane, Prov. Land Surveyor, from Thomas Sutherland Stayner and Mary Caroline Stayner of the City of Toronto to Mr. Peter McNevan, Representative Trustee of the above named congregation, for the sum of one dollar, legal tender of the country. Above indenture No. 10752 registered at 1:15 p.m., 30th, March 1867, in Book No. 1. H. Dunford. Reg.
Congregational records do not indicate whether a building existed on the property at the time of purchase, nor do they give any information concerning the building of a church on it. However there is evidence that the congregation was quickly settled in a church building, for a motion appears on the books in May 1873. “To have the church (exterior) painted, windows repaired, and put a cover of cotton on the pulpit.” Older members of the congregation can well remember the old church. After it ceased to be used as a church it was made over for residential use, and later was used by the Canadian Legion. The building was finally torn down in 1962 to make way for the store of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.
Trustees at the time of the purchase of the property for the church were : Peter McNevan, Farmer; John Swanton, Farmer; George Keith, Blacksmith; Archibald Mitchell, Farmer; Jas. Kennedy, Carpenter; Robert McNevan, Farmer; and Thomas Lockhart, Farmer.
After the acquiring of church property the next big step forward in the life of the congregation was the obtaining of a regular minister. Records show that the Rev. William Lockhead began his ministry in Fenelon Falls on March 2nd, 1867. However, it would appear that he was not immediately inductd.
On February 22nd, 1869, a special meeting of the congregation was held to plan for the purchase of land and building of a manse, and to make preparations for the induction of Rev. William Lockhead.
A manse building committee was appointed consisting of Messers. Jas. Kennedy, G. Keith, Jas. Fitzgerald, S. Swanton, D. Willocks and Thos. Lockhart. Jas. Fitzgerald, Treasurer. For undisclosed reasons the original committee later resigned, and on August 19th, 1870 a new committee consisting of Messers. John Chambers, Jas. Dickson, S. Swanton, R. McNevan, Jas. Fitzgerald, and Thos. Lockhart was appointed and authorized to borrow funds to complete the manse. The same minute notes also the purchase of property on which to build the manse. The manse was completed and occupied early in 1871.
Such rapid progress in so short a space of time must have meant sacrificial giving on the part of the congregation. Perhaps they undertook a little more than they were able to handle, for in 1873 we detect a note of financial strain in the declaration which was made by the congregation to the effect that they found it impossible to contribute $6.00 per family to support of minister.
During the early years of the congregation winds of change were sweeping through the church, and in many congregations causing bitter controversy, and in some cases division. The “Battle of the Organ” was being fought in many quarters. This controversial issue came up in the Fenelon Falls congregation in March, 1872, but seems to have been settled amicably. In 1872 a motion was passed that “Instrumental music is unscriptural and unnecessary in the Public Worship of God.” But only five years later the congregation passed a motion allowing “use of hymn-book, organ, and also standing while singing”. At the same time Mr. F. McDougall was appointed to conduct singing. The first mention of a choir occurs in the minutes of a congregational meeting on February 18, 1876, when the formation of a choir was discussed and also the matter of having evening services. In 1880 it is reported that the choir raised $161.25 by socials and an excursion to Toronto.
Another issue which came before the congregation in its early years was the proposed union of the various branches of the Presbyterian Church—the union out of which The Presbyterian Church of Canada came into being in 1875. At a meeting held in the church in Fenelon Falls on March 18, 1874, to discuss the Basis of Union, a resolution was passed as follows: “The Congregation of the Canada Presbyterian Church at Fenelon Falls approve the Basis of Union simpliciter”.
The union of 1875 resulted in the re-organization of Presbyteries. At that time Fenelon Falls was placed in the Presbytery of Peterborough. Two years later the congregation petitioned to be transferred to the Presbytery of Lindsay.