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.  

You're Invited!

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.