People pressed by the method of uniting churches

This month’s contribution to our local history continues describing the events at the Methodist church up until 1930 and also about “Church Union” which had a devastating effect on many communities. To continue:
Even with such a busy congregation they still made time for young people. One group was called the Sunshine Class which followed the plans set out for the Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT). With the group’s leader they visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers of Websterville, taking along goodies to eat. While there “they did the Saturday cleaning and everything they could do to make it comfortable for Mrs. Rogers who was very ill.”
Sunday School Christmas Concerts were common for many years. In 1909 the Methodist children put on a special one called Foxy Santa. It was not just a dialogue but a “series of joyous songs interspersed with humerous scenes in which our time honoured friend, Santa, delights the hearts of children.”
For the slightly older young there was an oration contest. Those taking part were Beatrice Akitt, Eva Agar, Dora and Beatrice Helmkay and Dolly Mackay. The collection that evening amounted to $18.30 and was sent to Borden camp for a piano.
Another activity for young people was debating. One debate “was a friendly arrangement between the Young People of the Anglican and Methodist bodies.” One particular topic was, “That in the best interest of Good Government Politics should be abolished.” The rules of formal debate were followed. The judges, after careful consideration, decided the affirmative team from the Methodists was the winner. Special praise was given to the speakers for the efforts they had put into research.
As with any group endeavour there were humorous events that took place. In the spring of 1906 the flood waters, as they always did at that time in the spring, came raging down Ten Hill and straight down Mill Street. It so happened that the flood was at its worst on a Sunday. It was impossible for the ladies to get to church without getting their feet wet so the service was held in the Presbyterian church.
The fanciest hats one could imagine were worn by the women until new fashion swept in after World War I. But before that this comment from 1910 provides a wry observation. “The ladies of the Methodist Church choir introduced an innovation on Sunday by appearing without their hats. The effect was rather pleasing. If the ladies of the congregation had done this some time ago there would have not so much necessity in raising the floor of the church.”
Church Union in Canada, and most particularly in Southern Ontario, was a movement that tore apart many towns and villages and in families, alienated members, sometimes forever. Fortunately in Creemore this did not happen.
For such a controversial subject very little appeared in the Creemore Star to indicate there was a problem.
The unions of various branches of the churches was not a new idea.  Prior to 1900 several branches of the Methodists became one and each of the two branches of the Baptists and Presbyterians united. Early in the twentieth century discussions to unite the Methodists, Presbyterians and the Congregationalists began circulating. In Canada’s western provinces a few other churches such as the Lutherans showed an interest.
It appears that the editor of the Creemore Star has written little about the union. However there was a report in 1915 regarding a vote that was held in all Presbyterian churches. Locally 65 voted for union and 173 were against. These numbers were compiled from Creemore, Dunedin and East Nottawasaga churches. In Collingwood 160 voted for union and 84 were against. The Duntroon, Nottawa and West Nottawasaga churches voted 105 for union and 44 against. By 1924, when the final vote was taken, all of these churches decided to remain Presbyterian and have remained so to this day. Locally nothing was mentioned about the views of the Methodists. One might assume they were in favour of the union from the start.
The arguments on both sides were reasonable but often contradictory. For example, it was argued that people who work together and aid each other in need not go separate ways on Sunday. On the other hand it was stated that John Knox, (founder of the Presbyterians) appealed for spiritual liberty. In foreign missions the people supporting union felt that the people in foreign countries found the different denominations confusing. But Canadians opposing union felt that the missionaries were not preaching denominations but Christ.
Overriding these debates was the fact that small individual churches were experiencing financial problems. Union with another church would make them more financially secure, more vibrant, more spiritual. Those who didn’t want to unite probably hated to abandon the church they had attended for years, to leave the strained glass windows donated by their parents and other gifts such as communion service.
The die was cast. In January 1925 Creemore’s Methodist Church became the United Church. A formal inaugural service was held in June 1925. Creemore’s Presbyterian church, Dunedin’s and East Nottawasaga’s remained staunchly loyal to their past. In spite of the 1915 vote in favour of union the Collingwood, Duntroon, Nottawa and West Nottawasaga Presbyterian churches retained their old identity after the 1924 vote.
An unhappy story of a fractured community caused by the Church Union vote is illustrated by what happened in the Maple Valley Presbyterian church. The church, now closed, sits at the side of the road east of Badjeros. At the time of the 1924 vote many were in favour of joining the Methodist church at Badjeros. But a group of Presbyterians were very unhappy and decided to stay together meeting at the Maple Valley community hall. The discord “was terrible, just a terrible thing,” remarked Alex Priddle as he recalled anger in the community. A second ballot was arranged and the Presbyterians made every effort to swing the vote in their favour. An elderly woman, about ninety, who had pneumonia was well wrapped in blankets and taken by team and sleigh to vote. Another man, a church member, came from Toronto. When the votes were counted the Presbyterians had won by one vote and were allowed to keep their church. But the split in the community and in families remained for years and years.