We were privileged today to be contacted by Sarah Wallace, Archivist with the Maritime Conference Archives of the United Church of Canada. Sarah has started placing brief histories of various churches, people, and events on the Conference website at:
Wesley United Church, East Port Medway. In doing so, she discovered our blog, and graciously forwarded us a “transcription from a Methodist paper, The Wesleyan, describing the dedication of the new church in 1904.” The following are some snippets from the article:
The Wesleyan, Vol. LIX, NO. 8. February 24, 1904
Sunday, Jan. 31st, 1904, was a red letter day with the Methodists of East Port Medway.
More than seventy years ago, as far as can be learned, a Methodist Church was erected in this place.
But the church had grown old, had passed beyond the repair stage, and was otherwise unsuited for longer use. A new church was sometimes talked about, but no steps were taken towards erection until the advent of Rev. J.W. Shepherdson.
A most eligible site was donated by Mr. Simeon Cohoon, situated at the convergence of four roads, and work was begun in earnest in the early 1903.
The people proved a willing people, and gave large services gratuitously, clearing and draining the land, cutting and preparing timber, hauling stones, &c.
The church was modelled after a plan prepared by the Messers Bocaber, of Lokan. The carpenter work was well and faithfully done by Mr. Hemmeon, of Berlin, the painting by Mr. Lemuel Cohoon.
The main building is 37 x 26 ft., 14 x 8 ft., and has a small but very convenient pastor’s vestry attached. The windows are stained glass, the ceiling of metal, obtained from the Messers. Peddlar Bros., Ottawa. The desk and communion rail of oak, reflect credit upon the workmanship of the contractor.
Sunday, Jan. 31st, appointed for the dedication of this neat and comfortable church, dawned most auspiciously. The weather and roads were perfect. The ice-bridge connection Port Medway with East Port afforded facilities for crossing the river seldom enjoyed.
By 9.30 the people began to arrive, some in sleighs, many on foot. Mill Village, Vogler’s Cove, Cherry Hill, Broad Cove, and even distant Bridgewater furnished their quota. At 10.00 when the services commenced, it seemed as though all available space was occupied, the pew accommodation being supplemented by chairs, benches, and boards.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. A. D. Morton, D.D., Chairman of the District, his subject being, “God’s presence in the sanctuary.” At the close of the sermon and after the offering was taken, the following trustees, Messers. Simeon Cohoon, Wolfe, Eli Dagley and Henry Morash came forward and presented the building for dedication – the dedication service being conducted by Dr. Morash and the pastor. At the close, the pastor made a financial statement and acknowledged gifts and contributions. Among the benefactors were Frank Davison, Esq., of Bridgewater, and Rev. John Phalen, of Berwick. The pulpit bible was donated by Mrs. Eldred Wolfe, the Hymn book by Mrs. J.W. Graham, of Mill Village. The pulpit chair was a gift from Mr. Fred Cohoon, who also gave the carpet for the pastor’s vestry. But where all did so well, it is impossible to particularize further.
Thus Methodism in East Port Medway enters upon a new, and, we trust, a prosperous era. This makes the fourth church dedicated within this District during the past twelve months.
This report would be incomplete without a reference to the hospitality extended by the people of East Port to all visitors, which was practically unbounded.
