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Early Settlement Villages Churches 1842 Government Highways 1850 Council Hotel Licences Officials  |
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Links: St Marys Ontario Churches and Stratford Ontario Churches in the 19th Century. |
Downie Churches
Downie, with a population of nearly 3,000 souls, has fewer churches than any other municipality in this county, there being only three. Of these two are Presbyterian and one Methodist. This does not imply, however, a disregard for religious observance. On the contrary, no citizens could be more punctual in discharging their sacred obligations.
Stratford and St. Marys, adjoining this municipality, are centres where a large number attend divine worship every Sabbath day.
Avonbank Presbyterian Church
To an excellent pamphlet published by Avonbank Presbyterian Church we are indebted for many facts in connection with the congregation itself, as well as throwing much light on the early settlement of Downie in this section. Up to 1842 this whole district was a wilderness, when John Murray located at that point where is now Avonton. Scarcely a tree had been cut where St. Marys is now built. Subsequent to Mr. Murray came Adam Oliver, who penetrated about five miles deeper into the woods, still following the Avon. These two being at that time alone in this vast wilderness were considered near neighbours. In 1843 and 1844 came John and Neil Stephenson, William Rodgers, James Gillies, David Muir, the Elliotts, and Thomas Brooks. As their names indicate, these pioneers were Scotch, and Presbyterian services were at once held, in 1843 and 1844, at Mr. Kennedy's house, on the River Thames. Meantime Mr. James Gillies organized a Sabbath school, which he conducted in his own shanty, until those attending had out-grown his means of accommodation, when it was removed to that of Mr. Brooks. In 1845 a congregation was organized, upon a petition signed by 104 persons residing in Blanshard, Downie, and Fullerton. Hitherto ministerial work had been done by Rev. Mr. Skinner, who was first Presbyterian minister in this district. The prayer of this petition being granted by London Presbytery, Rev. Mr. McKenzie preached in Blanshard on February 24th, 1845, a few miles east of St. Marys, at morning services, and in that village during afternoon. On the day following elders were elected, viz., William McGregor, James Muir, Duncan McVannel, and James Swan. This was the first kirk session ever elected in Blanshard, Fullarton, St. Marys, or Downie. In 1847 their first communion was dispensed in Mr. Adam Oliver's log barn, Rev. Mr. Skinner officiating. Later on in that year a log church was erected on the site where the present edifice now stands, the land being a gift from the Canada Company. For nearly a year this structure stood roofless and bare, there being no funds to complete it. When at last it was made habitable a great storm passed over this section in 1852, "tirling the kirks" leaving four roofless walls to denote where this one had been. This old roof was again gathered together, and laid on the logs in a horizontal position, which, on wet days, was not conducive to the comfort of the humble worshippers beneath it. These disasters did not deter them from regular attendance. On Sabbath mornings they came long distances through the woods, the ladies barefooted, and the gentlemen in their shirt sleeves. At their first communion, a lady, with her husband and several other lady friends, walked from near St. Marys, all barefooted, five miles to the place of meeting. Wine for this occasion was procured in London, where William McGregor and John Weir walked to obtain it, a distance of 30 miles. During 1852 Rev. Dr. Proudfoot, who had been inducted a few years previous, resigned his charge, and was succeeded by Dr. Caven, now principal of Knox College. Toronto. Meantime St. Marys was rapidly growing in population, and in 1856 was found to have ample field for a minister without other stations. In August of that year St. Marys was set apart from Avonbank, and became a separate charge under Rev. Mr. Caven. Subsequently a union was formed between Avonbank and Motherwell, when a call was extended to Rev. Robert Hamilton. This call promised a stipend of $500 per annum. Dr. Hamilton, then a young man, accepted, and on June 30th, 1858, was inducted into that charge, where he successfully laboured for a period of over 40 years. In 1860 this old pioneer church was replaced by a brick building, which, in turn was, in 1890, replaced by the present brick edifice, erected at a cost of between $4,000 and $5,000 Members attending this church are now 110. In 1857 Avonton congregation, which, till this period, formed a part of that of Avonbank, was set apart as a separate organization, and a small frame church erected. Under the ministrations of Rev. Mr. Doak, who was its first pastor, this church continued to prosper, and an addition to the original frame structure was made. Services were conducted in this building for several years, until an increased number on its roll of members rendered a more commodious building necessary to meet the wants of the congregation. In 1894 the present brick edifice was built at a cost of $8,000. This congregation is still in a flourishing condition under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Graham, having a total of 214 members. There is also a good Sabbath school in connection, where an average of 95 pupils meet for religious instruction, under the superintendence of Mr. Frank Bell. A bible class with about 20 young people is conducted by the minister.
Harmony Methodist Church
The Methodist Church at Harmony, situate on lot 1, con. 7, Downie, was founded at an early date by J. H. Dunsmore, John Libbins, Charles Lupton, sr., Robert Timmins and James Dunsmore. A Methodist missionary named Cleghorn, while on a journey from Shakespeare to West Zorra lost his way in the woods, and, in the course of his wanderings, reached a settler's house, where he remained for a time. Services were held, and the surrounding backwoodsmen, manifesting an interest in these religious exercises, decided to form a congregation to be known as "Harmony." The little society continued to hold worship weekly in private houses, and afterwards in a school building, until 1864, when a frame building was erected. Its first stationed minister was John S. Fisher. This church is still progressive, and, under the present pastorate of Rev. W. M. Pomeroy, interest in the work is still being maintained.
Downie, with a population of nearly 3,000 souls, has fewer churches than any other municipality in this county, there being only three. Of these two are Presbyterian and one Methodist. This does not imply, however, a disregard for religious observance. On the contrary, no citizens could be more punctual in discharging their sacred obligations.
Stratford and St. Marys, adjoining this municipality, are centres where a large number attend divine worship every Sabbath day.
Avonbank Presbyterian Church
To an excellent pamphlet published by Avonbank Presbyterian Church we are indebted for many facts in connection with the congregation itself, as well as throwing much light on the early settlement of Downie in this section. Up to 1842 this whole district was a wilderness, when John Murray located at that point where is now Avonton. Scarcely a tree had been cut where St. Marys is now built. Subsequent to Mr. Murray came Adam Oliver, who penetrated about five miles deeper into the woods, still following the Avon. These two being at that time alone in this vast wilderness were considered near neighbours. In 1843 and 1844 came John and Neil Stephenson, William Rodgers, James Gillies, David Muir, the Elliotts, and Thomas Brooks. As their names indicate, these pioneers were Scotch, and Presbyterian services were at once held, in 1843 and 1844, at Mr. Kennedy's house, on the River Thames. Meantime Mr. James Gillies organized a Sabbath school, which he conducted in his own shanty, until those attending had out-grown his means of accommodation, when it was removed to that of Mr. Brooks. In 1845 a congregation was organized, upon a petition signed by 104 persons residing in Blanshard, Downie, and Fullerton. Hitherto ministerial work had been done by Rev. Mr. Skinner, who was first Presbyterian minister in this district. The prayer of this petition being granted by London Presbytery, Rev. Mr. McKenzie preached in Blanshard on February 24th, 1845, a few miles east of St. Marys, at morning services, and in that village during afternoon. On the day following elders were elected, viz., William McGregor, James Muir, Duncan McVannel, and James Swan. This was the first kirk session ever elected in Blanshard, Fullarton, St. Marys, or Downie. In 1847 their first communion was dispensed in Mr. Adam Oliver's log barn, Rev. Mr. Skinner officiating. Later on in that year a log church was erected on the site where the present edifice now stands, the land being a gift from the Canada Company. For nearly a year this structure stood roofless and bare, there being no funds to complete it. When at last it was made habitable a great storm passed over this section in 1852, "tirling the kirks" leaving four roofless walls to denote where this one had been. This old roof was again gathered together, and laid on the logs in a horizontal position, which, on wet days, was not conducive to the comfort of the humble worshippers beneath it. These disasters did not deter them from regular attendance. On Sabbath mornings they came long distances through the woods, the ladies barefooted, and the gentlemen in their shirt sleeves. At their first communion, a lady, with her husband and several other lady friends, walked from near St. Marys, all barefooted, five miles to the place of meeting. Wine for this occasion was procured in London, where William McGregor and John Weir walked to obtain it, a distance of 30 miles. During 1852 Rev. Dr. Proudfoot, who had been inducted a few years previous, resigned his charge, and was succeeded by Dr. Caven, now principal of Knox College. Toronto. Meantime St. Marys was rapidly growing in population, and in 1856 was found to have ample field for a minister without other stations. In August of that year St. Marys was set apart from Avonbank, and became a separate charge under Rev. Mr. Caven. Subsequently a union was formed between Avonbank and Motherwell, when a call was extended to Rev. Robert Hamilton. This call promised a stipend of $500 per annum. Dr. Hamilton, then a young man, accepted, and on June 30th, 1858, was inducted into that charge, where he successfully laboured for a period of over 40 years. In 1860 this old pioneer church was replaced by a brick building, which, in turn was, in 1890, replaced by the present brick edifice, erected at a cost of between $4,000 and $5,000 Members attending this church are now 110. In 1857 Avonton congregation, which, till this period, formed a part of that of Avonbank, was set apart as a separate organization, and a small frame church erected. Under the ministrations of Rev. Mr. Doak, who was its first pastor, this church continued to prosper, and an addition to the original frame structure was made. Services were conducted in this building for several years, until an increased number on its roll of members rendered a more commodious building necessary to meet the wants of the congregation. In 1894 the present brick edifice was built at a cost of $8,000. This congregation is still in a flourishing condition under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Graham, having a total of 214 members. There is also a good Sabbath school in connection, where an average of 95 pupils meet for religious instruction, under the superintendence of Mr. Frank Bell. A bible class with about 20 young people is conducted by the minister.
Harmony Methodist Church
The Methodist Church at Harmony, situate on lot 1, con. 7, Downie, was founded at an early date by J. H. Dunsmore, John Libbins, Charles Lupton, sr., Robert Timmins and James Dunsmore. A Methodist missionary named Cleghorn, while on a journey from Shakespeare to West Zorra lost his way in the woods, and, in the course of his wanderings, reached a settler's house, where he remained for a time. Services were held, and the surrounding backwoodsmen, manifesting an interest in these religious exercises, decided to form a congregation to be known as "Harmony." The little society continued to hold worship weekly in private houses, and afterwards in a school building, until 1864, when a frame building was erected. Its first stationed minister was John S. Fisher. This church is still progressive, and, under the present pastorate of Rev. W. M. Pomeroy, interest in the work is still being maintained.
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