1925 to 1964

100thbookletIn 1925, St. Andrew’s Church, Fenelon Falls voted to remain with the continuing Presbyterian Church in Canada, however, 33 members, including two elders removed to the United Church.

At the same time, St. Johns Church, Bury’s Green (Somerville), became part of the United Church of Canada.

In 1926 the Rosedale church was attached to the Fenelon Falls charge.  This arrangement continued for a few years, then the Rosedale church was closed and the congregation of Rosedale worshipped with St. Andrew’s until the re-opening of the Rosedale church as a part of the Bobcaygeon charge in 1939.

In 1938 conversations took place between St. Andrew’s Church, Fenelon Falls, and Knox Church Glenarm, which resulted in the two churches being linked together as one pastoral charge.  This association begun at that time and has continued to the present.

The twenty-five years following 1925 saw a series of comparatively short pastorates.  During that period the church was ministered to by the following:  Rev. E.A.K. Grant, Rev. J.B. Snider, Rev. Agnew Johnston, Rev. R. Russell, Rev. L.M. Sharp, Rev. M.E. Burch, and Rev. Horace Kaye.  Rev. M.V. Putnam, after having served as student supply since 1948, was inducted in May, 1951, and served from a year and a half before removing to Listowel.  Rev. Walter Jackson came to the charge in August 1953, and served until August 1959, when he accepted a call to Waterdown.  The present minister, Rev. E. Grant MacDonald was inducted June 17th, 1960.

A Hallman Electric Organ was installed in the church in 1951, and dedicated on August 5th of that year, “To the Glory of God, and in memory of those who have served Christ, and have been called to their eternal rest.”

An extensive program of building renovations began in 1957 with the installation of oil heating in the manse.  In 1958, the church sanctuary was renovated at a cost of $1,468.80.  This work included new ceiling and walls and the re-finishing of all woodwork.  In 1959 major renovations took place in the manse.  The old kitchen shell and shed were torn down, and a new extension built across the back of the manse which provided a study and doubled the size of the kitchen.  The house was re-finished throughout.  At the same time a new garage was built.  During 1961 and 1962 the basement of the Church was completely renovated.  The work included new cement floor overlaid with tile, pre-finished plywood walls and partitions, better use of the available space, and a new modern kitchen installed.  During these renovations, new oil furnaces were installed to heat the church and the basement separately, also added were plumbing and a wash-room.  Much of the work on these renovation projects was done by voluntary labor.  In 1963 the old shed behind the church was torn down and the grounds were landscaped and a parking lot provided at the rear of the church.

During the period of renovations the board functioned under the leadership of the following chairmen:  R. Sharman, 1954-1959; W. Bain, 1959-1960, Dr. George Johnstone 1960-1961; George Lee 1961; W. Fairfield 1962-1963; and W. Murchison 1963-1964.  The present chairman is C.R. Kerr.