Chronicles of the Creemore Kirk, Part 2
Last month we began the story of the first Presbyterians in Creemore and in the surrounding hills. This history was written by the Presbyterian minister in Creemore in 1913 and was published in The Creemore Star, Dec. 18, 1913.
It starts by naming the sturdy Irish Canadian, Isaac Woods, as the first Presbyterian in 1845, and goes on to show the growth of the church until 1863. This particular year might be called the beginning of the Mission of the Queen’s Students which lasted six years. It was the immediatedawn of a new era. A new field of operations was planned. One Sabbath the missionary had Purple Hill (Creemore) and Osprey (Maple Valley.) The next he officiated at Sunnidale Corners and New Lowell. Later, Bonnytown (Airlie) was added in place of Sunnidale.
Here, some of the local young men, such as John Mackay and Robert Woods began their work for the church. They were commissioned by their parents to act as guides through the bush to the young student- teachers. They found it to be a pleasant task, as their clerical friends were capital fellows and good riders.
Mr. McLennan was the first student and remained three months. Mr. McQuarrie filled out the rest of the term. Mr. F. Mullen, an Irishman, was the third and served two full terms. He was a good singer and started a class in the study of notes. But some of the old boys tell us they learned better how to court their sweethearts than sing do, mi, so.
The great event, however, was the building of the church. We have here the deed which informs us that on the 28th September, 1863, the following trustees acted for the congregation: Robert Porter, James Farr and Thos. Steele. The site was secured from Alex McArthur. The spot can still be seen, almost across the road from the old Wood homestead and where a few graves also give testimony to make the place certain. (Note by HB: this was Lot 4, Concession 4 Nottawasaga, approximately two kilometres beyond the cemetery.)
Two things went hand in hand. The building was being erected and the monies raised. As to the former, the contract was let to William Mathers and Ed Matchett. The edifice was in every way a credible one. It was 30 by 40, the lumber hauled by members from Avening and the siding hand-planed. When opened the seats consisted of planks, but every one says that “the pulpit was a dandy.” George Carruthers, a wheelwright, did the work, took it up the hill and made a present.
As to the money, it was pretty scarce. The average contribution was three shillings and four pence. To raise this, some went as far as Cookstown to earn it in the harvest field.
Hence, it was no ordinary venture to build a church which was sold 14 years after to the Orangemen for $400.
However, the building never possessed debt and the feelings of the people can be imagined by a remark still reported. Old Daddy Woods, as he took minister and elders into his house after the dedications said, “Well, I have lived to see what I longed for, a church on Purple Hill.”
After the above mentioned missionaries, the following are added: JR Thompson, who is spoken of as being lame but a great horseman and a clever speaker. George A Youmans is referred to as being a fine little fellow, and James Carmichael who died in
Havelock. The first of these two boarded at the home of Alex MacArthur and the last with William Mackay Sr. who also entertained Rev. Duncan McDonald from the time of his induction to the completing of the manse. These young men are all highly spoken about. They not only won the affection of the people, but attracted a lively interest in Queen’s College, their Alma Mater.
Some amusing stories, however, are told about them. We might give one. It concerned a student who was pretty green in the bush. No doubt he had heard dreadful stories of pioneer life and expected to get a taste of it on Purple Hill. The story is that he was visiting his parishioners shortly after his arrival. He called at a home where the family was large, and all were clad in good old homespun. It happened that the young ladies had just returned from hunting the cows in the woods and the burrs were good and thick on their woollen dresses. The young preacher had a large bump of caution and kept at a safe distance away. For afterwards he confessed his greenness by stating that he took the burrs to be a healthy breed of lice. The joke was clearly on himself.
Helen Blackburn is a retired teacher, avid gardener and a long-time contributor to The Creemore Echo. She writes about local history.
Photo: Creemore’s first Presbyterian Church, located on the Fourth Line south of Creemore.
