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140^th Anniversary

Guthrie Presbyterian Church, Alvinston

100^th Celebration of the

Laying of the Cornerstone

Sunday, May 25, 2014

3:00 p.m.

Worship Service

Historical Memories

Special Music

Reminiscing

Dinner & Fellowship 

Memories of Guthrie

Do you have any memories and/or photos of your time at Guthrie? The Anniversary Committee is hoping to gather these stories and pictures and feature them at their upcoming Anniversary in May. We’d also be interested in any memories which you’d like to share with us on this blog. You can send them to us at: guthrie.3256@hotmail.com

To get the ball rolling, here are a few of mine: 

Sunday School 

Memorizing things for Sunday School Class—the Books of the Old and New Testaments; the names of the Disciples; Catechism; the Lord’s Prayer etc. Did anyone else stress out about this? Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were relatively easy to remember, but some of those Old Testament names are hard to commit to memory, especially when you’re only seven or eight.  

Hearing the classic stories over and over again.  Jonah and the Whale; Moses being hidden as a baby; Samson and his hair; David and Goliath; the Fishes and the Loaves etc. I bet the images from those stories have stayed in your head all these years. I know they have in mine.  

Getting a little gold pin for each year of attendance.  

 

Singing children’s hymns before our class started. Two that linger in my memory are: “God Sees the Little Sparrow Fall” and “Jesus Bids Us Shine.” 

Ethel Annett being our Sunday School Teacher—one of her sayings was “The Devil Made Me Do It” which was from the Flip Wilson Show on television. When she went to Scotland on holiday, she brought back necklace pendants for the girls. Mine said, “Hope.”  I think others got ones that said, “Faith” and “Love.” I don’t think there were any boys in our class at the time.



 

Riding to Sunday School with the Ferguson family. Ralph and Dad took turns driving us. In an era before seatbelts, we’d all pile into one car and spend the entire trip debating the merits of Fords versus Pontiacs. 

Church Services 

Singing in the Junior Choir. Mary Gilroy was the Choir Leader and Organist; she was also our neighbour and talked my sister and me into joining. I cannot sing in tune so I wasn’t exactly an asset, but I’m sure we looked cute in our white gowns with the huge, red bows at our necks. 

 

The Junior Choir--Check Out the Size of Those Bows!

 

My grandmother allowing me to pass the collection plate. I felt very grown up until I dropped it. Talk about mortifying! The coins rolled down to the front of the church which, as you will recall, has a downward slope to it. The same thing happened when my sister dropped her bracelet. Not only did it roll to the front, but when it got there, it made a “Wobble, wobble, wobble” sound for what seemed like an excruciatingly long time.  

Wearing our Sunday best to church and getting a new outfit at Easter. This usually consisted of a new dress, coat, shoes, hat, white gloves and purse. My white straw hat made a re-appearance year after year. It must have been a favourite.  

 

Grandpa Maddock & Me in our Sunday Best

 

Speaking of Easter, Leonard McNeil singing, “The Old Rugged Cross” during the Easter service each year. 

How the sun would stream through the stained glass windows during church. It happened a lot and always felt like a sacred moment. Other times, I just sat perfectly still and counted the light bulbs in the ceiling. 

The era when we said “Forgive us our debts” instead of “Forgive us our trespasses.” 

Other Memories 

All those delicious church suppers including the homemade pie; also, how the Young People’s Society held a spaghetti supper in the late 1960’s. It seems quite innovative for the time. 

Getting a new Bible for my birthday—a cool one that had a zipper around it and a cross at the end of the zipper. 

Back in the 1960’s, my dad would stop sometimes at Three Maples Variety Store in Alvinston after church and buy a small brick of ice cream. We didn’t have a freezer back then so it was a real treat.  

The annual Christmas Bazaar—Evelyn Douglas’s delicious homemade soup; Nora McLean’s crocheted doilies; crafts made by Jean Lehrbass and others. The bake table was always divine! 

The era when women went to the church to work on quilts.

 

How sad I felt when they played "Amazing Grace" at Mary Gilroy's funeral which was held in the church.

My grandmother taking me to see Marilyn and Jack Dolbear's wedding. Marilyn was my Sunday School teacher. I think I was in Grade One at the time. I remember there was a solar eclipse that day. My grandmother wouldn't let me look at it in case I went blind.  

Well, you get the idea. As I reflect on my memories, the thing that strikes me is how much Guthrie is, and always has been, a community; some have likened it to a family. And while not all of my childhood memories of Guthrie are spiritual ones, I am happy to say that my values are Sunday School values. A big thank you to Ethel, Marilyn and all those dedicated teachers who taught us over the years!

100th Anniversary of the Laying of the Cornerstone

This year marks the 100^th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of Guthrie’s current church building. On Sunday, May 25^th at 3:00 p.m., the members of Guthrie will be celebrating this event, as well as 140 years as a community of faith, with a special service and meal. Everyone is welcome to join us in this celebration so be sure to mark the date on your calendars! 

Here’s an excerpt about the laying of the cornerstone from Helen Armstrong’s book 100 Years in the life of Guthrie Presbyterian Church, Alvinston: 

"The Corner Stone of the New Presbyterian Church was laid on Wednesday, July 1, 1914, when a very impressive service was conducted and supper served in the new sheds.  

 

Long before the laying of the corner-stone had arrived, many citizens and out-of-town visitors had gathered for the purpose of witnessing the afternoon’s proceedings. 



Rev. R.G. McKay and his son Alex at a wedding on the
A.T. Morrison farm which was later owned by
Mrs. William Lehrbass. Circa 1919.

At 3:00 p.m., the pastor Rev. R.G. McKay announced that the hour had arrived to commence the ceremony which was opened by singing The One Hundredth Psalm, followed by a prayer by Rev. N.A. Campbell of Inwood.  

Hymn, Oh Jesus, our chief Corner-stone, was then sung and Rev. Easson of Napier read the Scripture Lesson, which was taken from 1^st Corinthians, 1-10. 

Rev. R.G. McKay then read a history of the church, giving the names of the different ministers and the length of their incumbency.  

Hymn Christ is made the sure foundation followed by the dedication prayer by Rev. McKay. 

 

Mr. Ed. Reader, Chairman of the Building Committee, then handed the trowel to Mr. P.A. McDiarmid, senior member of the session, who declared the stone well and truly laid, with fervent good wishes and a benediction upon the work. 

Addresses were then given by the resident ministers, Rev. Pherril  and Rev. Brittain; also, Rev. Forester, Campbell and Weir. Dr. J.B. Martyn, M.P.P. of East Lambton, gave a few congratulatory remarks. 

The hymn How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord was then sung and the benediction pronounced by Rev. N.A. Campbell. After this, over five hundred and twenty five people partook of the supper which was served by the women of the congregation. It was patronized by people of all denominations. The receipts of the supper amounted to over $130."

 

Cornerstone Postcard Photos Courtesy of Allan McNeil.

Rev. S. G. Livingston

Rev. S.G. Livingston



Rev. S.G. Livingston of Burns Church and Moore Line was called as Minister to Guthrie Presbyterian Church in 1901 and stayed for two years. During his ministry, the following elders were added to the Session: Alex McPhail, Neil A. Leitch and Archie L. Walker.

Sunday School in the 1950's

Helen Armstrong's Sunday School Class circa 1950-1953

 

From Left to Right: 

 

John Archie McLachlan

Donald Sutherland

Evelyn Patterson

Doug McCaw

Alex Ferguson

Elaine McCarter

Verne McLean
Claire (Skip) McCallum


Helen Armstrong's Sunday School Class circa 1950-1953

From Left to Right:

Keith Campbell

Neil McTaggart

Jean McTaggart

Alex Ferguson

Joyce Webster

Grant McCallum

Clare (Skip) McCallum

Verne McLean

Guthrie Sunday School Picnic

From Left to Right:

Jimmy Pavey
Grant McCallum
Clare (Skip) McCallum
Verne McLean

The Burns Supper

This January marks the 82^nd Anniversary of Guthrie Presbyterian Church’s annual Burns Supper; a celebration of the life and poetry of Scottish poet Robert Burns that is held around the time of his birthday. Born the son of a poor ploughman on January 25, 1759, Burns has been revered by Scots the world over as a symbol of their beloved country.

Given the Scottish roots of the Presbyterian Church, not to mention areas such as Brooke-Alvinston, Burns’ humble rural beginnings, and his concern with the human condition, it is no wonder that churches like Guthrie have embraced him as one of their own.

As Mary Ellen Brown at Indiana University writes, "Burns’ utopian cry remains as elusive and appropriate today as when he wrote it:  
 

                            That Man to Man the warld o’er,

                            Shall brothers be for a’ that. "

Although there appears to be little recorded history pertaining to the early suppers held at Guthrie, one oral account from an “old timer” involves her older brother entertaining the crowd with a lively rendition of “the Wiggle-Waggle of the Kilt.” 

 

 

In 1966, the cover of a programme read, “Here’s hoping that Thistle be the Best Burns Supper You Ever Attended!" The cost for that dinner is said to have been $1.50. 

 

Angus McLean, a local newspaper publisher, was very active in planning these dinners. In 1967, he and his wife Mary invited well-known entertainer Andrew Murdison (Auld Sandy) of Barrie to be the guest speaker.  

 

Knowing it would be a big evening, the Town Hall (located over the Post Office) was booked.

 

 

Food for the dinner was carried down the street and up the stairs. Winnie Tait addressed the Haggis ; Scottish singers and dancers made a full evening of entertainment. Mr. Murdison sent back a beautiful card and poem he wrote as thanks for the visit.  

Over the years, those people addressing the Haggis included Norm Humphrey, Robert Cochrane and Tom Rankin. Guest speakers ranged from a Member of Parliament from Nova Scotia to neighbouring ministers to Guthrie’s own members.

 

From the Left: Alda & Dr. Jim McKenzie; Ralph & Dolores Ferguson

 

Remember the Campbell Brothers as our pipers? They are now well-known musicians in the band The Mudmen. Charlie Eliot, Tim Zavitz, our own Meghan McLean and Glencoe’s Don Webster have also done their turns.  

 

Making the Haggis takes time. When most farmers had cattle, they would save the hearts and tongues; now they are harder to come by. However, between the McLachlans, the McKellars and McLeans, the savoury pots of haggis are prepared and steamed to perfection with the traditional lamb being replaced by beef. 

 

At the supper, children dressed in Scottish caps and aprons follow the piper with their plates of Haggis and spoons. The meal includes “neeps and tathers” (turnips and potatoes), scones and biscuits plus ham, salad and homemade pies. The room is filled to capacity; at least 130 people attend and Scottish jokes are mixed with fine entertainment. The kitchen helpers work hard to keep the food coming and the room is decorated with Scottish blankets, pictures, dolls and banners.  

Burns once wrote that, “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.”  In other words, things often go wrong in life. Certainly, this has been the case of Guthrie’s Burns Supper. With January falling in the middle of Canada’s winter, weather can play a crucial role in the hosting of this event. One year, when the Hydro failed due to bad weather, the organizers rushed home to get old oil lamps for the tables. The end result was beautiful and made for an evening that lingers in everyone’s memory.  

No doubt Burns would have approved of this impromptu moment as well as the eighty-two year old tradition which is held in his name. It is this kind of resilience and fellowship that has helped define the Guthrie Congregation and allowed it to flourish to this very day.

Credit: Information about the Burns Supper and Copies of Programmes were provided by Dolores Ferguson.

Flora Turner's Sunday School Class 1909

This is a photo of Flora Turner's Sunday School Class at Guthrie Presbyterian Church. It was taken at Hadden's Art Studio in November 1909.

On the back of the photograph, the names are identified as follows:

Front Row: Lily Smith, Flora Belle McNeil, Mary Livingston and Ethel Merner.

Back Row: Eva Huston, Mary Bell Johnston, Joanne McDerment, Kathleen McDougal and Eva Parker.

Presumably, the adult on the left in the back row is Flora Turner.