 |
||
My Lord Bishop, Reverend Clergy, Mayor and Mrs. Rose, Invited guests and fellow members of St. Andrew's congregation, I want to thank the committee for asking me to do this, as it has given me the opportunity to learn many interesting and wonderful facts and anecdotes about St. Andrew's Church. We are always told that the church exists not in the building in which it is housed but in the hearts and minds of the people who go there to worship. We are St. Andrew's church, you and l and the people who have worshiped here for 75 years. While I was doing research for tonight I recognized that the reason we celebrate tonight is because God has bestowed on us many qualities, not the least of which is a strong stubbornness. and a dedication to our Christian heritage, as passed to us from our for bearers.
St. Andrew's Church was erected in 1921.1 was told the main carpenters were two men from Twillingate - Mr. Freeman and Mr. Sid Rose. Mr. Frank White was a carpenter who was involved in the finishing off of the interior. Prior to this, the services were held at the Albert Hall. On January 21 of 1921 the Church of England people called a meeting and two committees were set up, the Ladies Sewing Circle (about 20 in number) chaired by Mrs. Dorman Miles, and the Men's Committee (about 14). The women sewed and the men collected. In August of the same year construction began, based on a design by a Rev. W. Bugden. 5 months later, on December 11, the church was opened for divine worship - the total cost being $2700. It was noted that the outstanding debt at that time was $650.00.
At this particular time Bishop's Falls was under the Parish of Botwood, and the rector there was Rev. W. K. Pitcher. I am told he was an elderly man, and was in this position temporarily. Bishop White made a visit to the Parish in 1923, and in his notes he commented that he went to see the new church in Bishop's Falls. It was 52' long by 24' wide, with 12' posts and a 54' tower, His impression was that the tower and spire seemed out of proportion to the size of the building but he figured when the trees - fir, spruce, pine, and birch surrounding grew to full height it would be alright! He also made the comment, "I am not in love with the apses for small churches, but I do love to see a well timbered church!"
Three years later, St. Andrew's was consecrated, and it was a great day in the life of the congregation. Bishop White was back again and Rev. Pitcher (still temporary) was there! In his visitation report, the bishop had this to say,"The choir robed at Mrs. Colbourne's, and there was a crowded congregation for an inspiring service. The church is a fine building, lit with electricity, and finished inside with natural finish Cyprus, which is most effective. It was beautifully decorated with flowers, pine branches, and the gay berries of the joint wood tree. A large arch was erected here and lit with electric lights. the community spirit here seems to be much alive, as the church is flanked on its western end by a large recreation ground in the process of making. A large amount of the hard work of clearing is being and has been done by gangs of men, who, after hours, work a week at a time. The surface is now leveled off and only awaits turfing. The juxtaposition of these two the playground and the church exemplifies the truth that a sound mind requires a sound body."
In 1930, the oldest member of our congregation today, Mrs. Leah Coffin and her husband James moved to Bishop's Falls. She recalls the names of the early families in our congregation. They included as already mentioned, the Colbournes, Ed and Fred, Mr. Dorman Miles and his wife Madge, the organist for many years, a family of Kennedy's who moved down from the depot, and the Scotts who came from up the line. Later, the Alcocks from Badger, the Seymours and the Lingards, the Legges, the Peddles, the Drovers and others joined the congregation.)
Mrs. Coffin remembers quite vividly the day that Bishop's Falls heard the first sound of St. Andrew's Church bell, on March 15, 1931, it was the day it was tolled for her daughter, Mabel Coffin at her funeral.
In 1940 St. Andrew's Congregation came under the parish of Grand Falls. In those days the minister would come down once a month on the A.N.D. train..He'd come down on one day and go back the next day. Everyone took a turn putting him up for the night. Also the church was heated by a wood stove. Joe Seymour remembers as a boy, his father rooting him out of bed early in the morning and sending him over to the church with the kindling to get the place heated up for the service. Everyone seemed to have a role to play in the life of St. Andrew's. Two very active members at this time were Mr. and Mrs. Billy Alcock. .She played the organ, and headed up the Anglican women's Guild. The main focus then was to get a Sunday school built for the use of the congregation. Every month there was an activity planned by the women. They would meet in each others homes and organize activities including garden parties, teas and card games. The card games were the best organized in Bishop's falls. There would be no rackets like at some of the others! Everyone brought a grocery item for the grocery box. The card games would end before Lent. Nothing of a social nature went on in Lent but on Easter Monday there was always a supper followed by a big game of cards. I've heard Mrs..Granter comment on the teas they held back then. She said Mr. Alcock would not allow anything only the best linen and china at their afternoon teas. Billy Alcock was a leader in getting the Sunday School completed. Carpenters were hired to frame it up and put the roof on, but the rest was done by the men of the congregation - free labour.
Mrs. Coffin also related to me a story about the time one of her children was Christened. .Dicky Woods had the only taxi in town and she had to go to the station to phone him and book the taxi. Mr. Woods wanted to know if they went to the same church as Annie Lingard because he had been booked to bring her there too. Both families got picked up, and Annie also had a child to be Christened the same day. When the minister asked the name of the children, they had both picked out he name Bill, unbeknownst to each other.
1951 was another Red Letter day in the life of St. Andrew's Church. The congregation had reached its 25th anniversary. Right Reverend Bishop Abraham was present, and the presiding rector was Rev. Bishop. His assistant was Rev..Sheppard. The church was painted inside and out and a welcome sign was erected and flags were flying. As an act of thanksgiving to god for the many blessings bestowed upon the church, an electric organ was presented by the members of St .Andrew's Guild under the capable leadership of Mrs. Alcock, and was dedicated at the service. Nine girls and eight boys were also confirmed at the same time, The Bishop mentions in his visitation report that he and his party and some guests, enjoyed a delightful social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alcock afterward. I'm sure the fine linen and china were out for that gathering.
In the early fifties the Sunday school was finally completed. I'm sure there was greatrejoicing on the day it opened. Down through the years that little hall served the church and the community well. It was the home of many great sales of work, teas, and other social gatherings. In my time I know it was the community hall for Well Baby Clinic, the Tops group, the Weight Watchers, Alcoholics Anonymous, bridal showers and so on.. It had a hardwood floor, and remember well the vestry meeting when we made the decision to cover the floor with vinyl. Mr. Prince and Mr. Granter were adamant in their feeling that it was a major mistake to do so and sure enough after the shine had worn off and the nicks started to appear most of us had to eat our words.
In 1979, we formed half of the Parish of Windsor - Bishop's Falls. I remember well the fears of the first parish council as we left the shadow of Holy Trinity and ventured on our own . But our fears were unfounded and with the arrival of our Rector Rev. Boyd Morgan, we looked forward to a period of growth and optimism. Mr. Morgan, with his gift of music, began a children's choir and with his emphasis on youth began to draw younger families to the congregation. I remember his saying, if we have the children involved, the parents will be here too. We had an active Junior Achievers under the leadership of Linda Temple and an active Sunday School with Ray Hynes as superintendent. Roy would bring his guitar to the family services we had. My son would come home from Sunday School back then talking about Ester Hynes. We couldn't figure out who Ester Hynes was, until we realized he was trying to say Mister Hynes. It was in this period that the book of Alternative Services was being conceived and discussed.
When Rev. Green came here from Bonavista in 1984, he had just finished overseeing the construction of a new church there. He must certainly enjoy a challenge, because shortly after arriving in our parish, structural changes were taking place everywhere. After completing a new hall in Windsor, under his guidance we began the task of updating our building here at st. Andrew's. In 1989 we started with new pews and in 1992 we ended with the facility we have today. One I am sure we are all proud of and one that blends the old with the new. As we take the time to mark this occasion tonight, let us reflect on our accomplishments and thank god for the guidance we've had. We are only small in accomplished much. As I said at the beginning, we at Andrew's Church, not the building, or the grounds but the people who worship here. We all have our strengths and weaknesses but as we have done in the past we still do today. We tend to build on our strengths and overlook and forgive each other's weaknesses. Rev. Green always had a great sermon on All Saints Day in which he would describe the host of saints that had lived before us. He always reminded us that included amongst those saints were the former members of our congregation. As Anglicans we believe in the Communion of Saints and as an Anglican I have a strong belief that they are marking this occasion with us. So is a spirit of thanksgiving I say, "Here's to us all - Happy 75th!
Margie Prince