Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo Gloria is a Latin term meaning Glory to God Alone. It has been used by musicians such as Johann Sebatian Bach to signify that one’s work is produced for the sake of praising God. Although there have been many examples of this throughout Guthrie’s history, two that come immediately to mind because of their shared love of music are Rev. Douglas Robinson and organist Mary Gilroy.  



Rev. Douglas Robinson and his wife Linda

Rev. Robinson came to Guthrie from Manitoba and was inducted on April 29, 1982. Mary Gilroy was the organist and choir leader for a period of forty-two years, including the seven year period in which Rev. Robinson was at Guthrie.  



Fred Whitbourn presents a crystal bowl to Mary Gilroy for
her work as organist and choir leader

 As her daughter Sharon Gilroy-Campbell recalls, “Mom spent a lot of time at the piano which I now have." Sharon goes on to say, “The church; her friends there--including the hours on the phone with them; choir practice on Thursday night; all she did there was a great social outing for her--something she missed being a stay-at-home mom.  

Mary Making Her Mouse Brooms

"She thought very highly of her devoted choir members.  It was a very impressive choir I think for such a small town church.  The Douglas brothers....Arnold singing tenor and Ray the base notes.  The annual craft sale was right up her alley and she would pick up material deals year round to make her highly sought after mouse brooms etc.  Orders for them continued throughout the year.”



Mary Gilroy passed away in April, 1989. When asked about his memories of Guthrie, Rev. Robinson wrote, “One of my most poignant memories of Guthrie Presbyterian Church was when Mary Gilroy played the organ at the church for the very last time.  She used an organ registration and played a piece that made for an extraordinarily moving experience; it was truly her "swan song.”  

Years earlier, Mary recruited my sister Norma and me to sing in the Junior Choir; undoubtedly, others from this time period recall her persuasive abilities in that regard.   

Norma recalls that the church was packed for her funeral and stated, “As you looked at the faces of the people in the crowd, you could see the impact that she’d had on their lives.” I remember how sad I felt when they played Amazing Grace at her funeral; to this day, that song evokes memories of her. Perhaps Johann Bach said it best, “Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with his gracious presence.”  



Current Organist and Choir Leader Peggy Lehrbass

The church was packed again for today’s anniversary celebration. If Mary was there looking down at the congregation, I would like to think she would have approved of the moment in the worship service where previous choir members were invited to join the current choir and Musical Director Peggy Lehrbass in a very moving rendition of Amazing Grace. During the last two verses, the congregation was asked to join in. Bravo, Peggy for thinking of that! It was an indescribable experience—a sacred moment that gave me goose bumps and I suspect that mine were not the only teary eyes in God’s house this afternoon.  

It made me realize what an impact Guthrie has had on all of our lives.  

As he reflected back upon that earlier era, Rev.  Robinson remembered other Guthrie members, their work and the impact that they had on him, his family and the church.  



Jonathan and Jessica Robinson

In his words, “Alvinston was a great spot for our children, with some twelve children on Church Street at the time.  Marilyn Dolbear, Ann Redick and Fred Whitbourn of the Sunday School made a big impression on Jessica and Jonathan.  Our children would sit with Marilyn during church; as a family, we were invited to Ann and Bob's pool, and enjoyed times over there.  When we were Anglicans for a year in London, Ontario, after leaving Alvinston, the Sunday School teachers there couldn't quite get over how much Jessica seemed to know about the Christian faith.  She had great Sunday School teachers in Alvinston!" 

Phil Clements

"Phil Clements was amazingly helpful whenever there was some appliance repair to be done at the manse.  Phil also introduced me to computers with those 5 1/2 inch floppy disks.  He bought back a computer he sold me after it ceased to work." 





Florence Smith

"My wife, Linda, recalls the singular and strategic efforts of Florence Smith to have flowers in the church each Sunday."   

"One person I particularly appreciated visiting, during my time in Alvinston, was Margaret MacKellar (mother of Alex), who lived in Twilight Haven—now known as Meadowview.  Margaret read a couple of newspapers daily, had several pictures of her family in her room; and remained remarkably well-connected.  One year, we arrived back home from holidays (to the manse in Alvinston) a day or so after she died; I was glad to be able to conduct a funeral service for her, and celebrate her life.” 

The congregation was saddened when Rev. Robinson, his wife Linda, their children Jessica and Jonathan, and Linda’s mother Mrs. Viola Green left Guthrie in 1989, but remember his contributions to the Guthrie congregation during his years with them. Of his many gifts, his love of music stands out in our memories. 

When he sent an update recently, Doug wrote that Linda is "interim moderator" for two local Presbyterian "summer" congregations, and does supply preaching within the Presbytery of Montreal and at Morin Heights United Church. 

Jessica lives in London, England, and is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Greenwich in Event Planning.    

Jonathan is married to Beth Neelin; their first child, Nora, was born in 2013, and was baptized at MRMP Church later that year.  Jonathan works with the company, Intelerad, which deals with software relating to medical scans of various sorts and the storage of patient files in digital form. 

As for Rev. Robinson, he is minister of Margaret Rodger Memorial Presbyterian Church in Lachute, Québec.  It is nice to know that his love of music shines on. Since last September, he has been involved in a part-time diploma/degree programme in choral conducting at l'Université de Sherbrooke-Longueuil campus. 

Soli Deo Gloria, indeed! Whatever role people have played throughout Guthrie’s history—whether it be as a minister, an organist or someone washing up after a church supper, it has surely been to the glory of God.