HISTORY of HILLCREST & Its Predecessors Booklet Published 1997
Scroll Right to Read any or all of the 6 Topics: Authors, Introduction, Valleyfield,
Lower Montague, Broader Picture, Hillcrest's 1st 25 Years.
Scroll Right to Read any or all of the 6 Topics: Authors, Introduction, Valleyfield,
Lower Montague, Broader Picture, Hillcrest's 1st 25 Years.
Disclaimer: This is not a formal history; but information collected in a set of six historical binders housed in the Hillcrest chapel. The binders contained some conflicting information. Where possible such details were either not included or it was determined which were correct. The sections of this history are an enticing hint of 170 years of church life in this area.
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Clara Vander Aa lives in Valleyfield close to the site of the Valleyfield Prebyterian Church of 1884-1927. She grew up across the road from the Valleyfield United Church, presently Hillcrest United Church in Montague. She is the daughter of Angus and Alice Martin. Clara is very involved in the life and work of Hillcrest. She has been a member of nearly every committee and at the time of writing this history was chairperson of the 25th Anniversary Committee (and recently served on the 50th Anniversary Committee!) She's still going strong. Clara prepared the notes from which the booklet was written. Rev. Lloyd Burrows When this booklet was published in 1996 Lloyd was minister of both Hillcrest and Sturgeon United. Following his ordination in 1973, Lloyd served churches in Quebec: the New Carlisle Pastoral Charge; Nova Scotia: The Great Village Pastoral Charge, First United in Truro; and Prince Edward Island: the Montague Pastoral Charge. He grew up on a farm in Beaver Brook, Nova Scotia. Using Clara's notes, Lloyd wrote the text of the booklet, arranged it and added photographs. To Continue, Scroll to the top of this page and tap the tab INTRODUCTION |
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Introduction:
In June 1971 when the first section of the Valleyfield Church was travelling on the flatbed across the Valleyfield River at Sutherland's Hill, there were people praying that the bridge would give out and the section would crash into pieces in the river, bringing to an end a project which did not have their blessing. But there were even more people praying for the opposite, that it would make it, and beyond that, that the congregations would make it too, so that one strong congregation would result from the adventuresome move. It is not the place of this short history to make a judgement on the power of prayer, that is for theologians, but the years have shown that the building, in pieces, did survive the move, and survived it well. The congregations came together in a sixty five year old church building on a new site, and have indeed become one strong congregation offering forms of ministry and caring to its own members and others which they were not able to do alone. At one time, in the area now served by Hillcrest United Church, there were congregations in Commercial Cross, Union Road, Orwell, Valleyfield, Kilmuir, and both Presbyterian and Methodist in Lower Montague and Montague. Each of those closings have their own stories. This history focuses on Hillcrest. In the latter 1960's many farm families in Valleyfield were selling their farms and moving to Montague, or beyond. Many of the farm were sold to immigrants whose religeous affiliations were not with the UCC. It was becoming increasingly difficult for the congregation there to maintain its building, programs, and minister. In 1969 the Lower Montague United Church had closed and the congregations merged with that of Trinity United in Montague. The church building was too small for the resulting congregation. Many people now claim responsibility for coming up with the idea to close Trinity, moving the Valleyfield church to Montague and forming one wider congregation. There are motions recorded in the minutes of various committees and congregations; but they don't reflect the long process of discussions. As significant as the 1971 move of the building from Valleyfield to Montague was, it was merely another move in a long history of changes to church boundaries and buildings, divisions and amalgamations with the United Church and its predecesors in this area of Kings County. To continue reading, scroll to the top of this page and tap the tab VALLEYFIELD. |
The second frame church was built in 1855 and stood until 1927. It was a large church, seating 600 people. At the Service of Dedication Brown's Creek was renamed “Valleyfield”. The pews were numbered on the end, no doubt most paid for by families and sat in by those families only.
From early days there were both Gaelic and English services there, with Gaelic from 10-11am and English beginning at 11 and going until whenever they happened to be over. All ministers until 1936 and the departure of A.C. Fraser held services in Gaelic as well as English. In 1886, at a cost of $750, the congregation built the wooden “tent”. This building, seating 1,000 people, was to fill the need for the annual July Gaelic services. It was used for that purpose for 23 years. When the “tent” was demolished in 1964 the hand-hewn timbers were so well put together that the bulldozers had trouble pulling it apart. The annual July Gaelic service was what became known as the “Long Communion”. It began on Thursday and continued until Monday. This tradition only came to an end in 1970. People from the whole area would travel to Valleyfield for the occasion, staying with family and friends back in the horse and buggy days. No doubt its importance and continuance had as much to do with social needs as spiritual. In 1886 at the July communion, 170 persons were received into the fellowship of the church. That number signifies the importance of this event in the life of the congregation. In 1887 the number was 139, and 60 in 1888, still a respectable number. The Valleyfield congregation spawned new congregations, with Dundas creating its own in 1859, Cardigan joining Georgetown in 1877, and Caledonia forming its own in 1888. Pious Presbyterians did not raise any money by bazaars, tea parties, socials or any other questionable means - voluntary givings only. In 1888 a formal request was made for the formation of a choir; but some objected to women singing in the choir as it was against scripture. Music grew in importance and in 1911 a Karn Organ was purchased for $425, a lot of money at that time. It was in 1909 that the building which presently rests at Hillcrest was built, with the opening service on December 26th. Valleyfield Presbyterian Church, as it was then, was built at the cost of $4,875, was reported to seat 400 with another 100 in the schoolroom, which is presently called the Chapel. Crowding closely together was necessary to get that many people into the church. In that same year the “tent” was moved to the same site as the new church, to be used to stable horses. The move was carried out by horses and capstan. In 1927 the old church located on the cemetary property was demolished, the windows going to the Belle River Church. 1925 brought a change which was not based on the new buildings, but on denominational affiliation. The United Church of Canada was formed when the Congregationalist, Methodist and two thirds of the Presbyterians in Canada united on June 10th. Church Union was preceded by much debate. In Valleyfield the vote was 139 in favor, 74 against. Soon after union, changes continued in the grouping of churches together within Pastoral Charges. In 1928 Valleyfield and Orwell Head joined into a Pastoral Charge. Belle River was added later. Then in 1968 Valleyfield, Montague/Lower Montague and Sturgeon became one Pastoral Charge. The most important date following that was May 16, 1971, the last service in the Valleyfield United Church before being moved to the present location and being renamed Hillcrest United Church. At a meeting on March 23, 1971 the name for the new church was discussed and voted on. The name “Montague-Valleyfield” passed. The next recorded meeting, on October 3, 1971 was called to discuss the opening services of “Hillcrest United Church ...”. Sometime, somehow between March and October the name changed to “Hillcrest”. In 1974, three years after the church building was moved to Montague, a stone cairn was built in Valleyfield on the site of the original log meeting house. Inscribed on it are the church buildings and dates from 1842 to 1971. It also includes this quote from Psalm 119.90 A in Gaelic and English: o linn gu lino tha d'fhirinn “Your faithfulness endures through all the ages” |
Valleyfield:
Prior to Church Union in 1925, The Church in Valleyfield was part of the Presbyterian Church of Canada. The Valleyfield road was first named Douses Road after the surveyor, and the first congregation was called Brown's Creek – taking in communities of Cardigan, Dundas, Georgetown, Orwell, Wood Islands, Caledonia, Union Road, Sparrow's Road, Victoria Cross, Lyndale, Upper Montague, Heatherdale, Kilmuir, Commercial Cross, Milltown, Grandview, Bellevue, Brooklyn, St. Mary's Road and Glen Martin. In 1840 Big William Martin built the first log cabin which hosted the first prayer meeting. Two years later the log “Meeting House” was built. In 1845 the first frame church was built on the site of the cairn in the Valleyfield Cemetary. It was enlarged later. The Rev. Alexander MacIntyre (1845-1849) was a very energetic preacher. He used his feet as well as hands, lungs and brains. Taking this into consideration, a good strong substantial pulpit was built, one that would not yield to the most zealous. In keeping with this foresight, a good strong substantial Bible was saught. He did not take kindly to disturbance or inattention. One gentleman caught staring at the ceiling was asked “How many rafters are there?” To continue reading about Valleyfield, move to the left.
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Montague:
Early in Montague's history there were both Presbyterian and Methodist Churches. Land was offered free to any protestant denomination who would build a church. It was obviously an offer that people of Scot descent could not ignore. In 1874 Alexander MacFarlane agreed to build a church according to plans, including a spire, submitted for a cost of $1,400. Opening services held on September 24, 1876. This church served forty five families in Montague and twenty five from Cardigan. In 1876 a large shed was built at the rear of the church to accommodate the horses and wagons as well as store coal and coal oil for lights and heat. The Rev. John MacKinnon, who was minister from 1877-1884, lived in the manse in Georgetown. Considering travelling conditions at the time, his Sunday schedule was rigorous. Sunday morning he preached in either Georgetown or Montague. Then he went to Cardigan for two services in the afternoon (one in Gaelic). Sunday evening he preached in either Georgetown or Montague (the opposite of his morning location). Occasionally he preached in Lower Montague instead of Cardigan in the afternoon. In 1881 Georgetown and Montague united into one charge and Cardigan joined with Dundas. In 1886 evangelical worship was held in Montague in a tent. For over two weeks this tent was filled twice a day during the week and three times on Sunday. The report declares that those in attendance were all protestants. About 1890 the Presbyterian Church in Montague, in reponse to congregational growth, added an East wing, formed a choir, and purchased an organ. Instrumental music was a very contentious issue at the time, but Montague was the first among churches in the area to install a “Kist o'Whistles”. This did not meet with much opposition. The congregation also adopted the Hymnal, as only the Psalms had ever been sung previously. With the formation of the United Church of Canada nationwide, the debate in Montague about the wisdom of such a union was fierce and led to a major split. Those not wishing to join moved to the former Methodist Church, St. Andrew's, and remained part of the Presbyterian Church of Canada. The United Church congregation took over the former Presbyterian Church and became known as Trinity United Church. The congregation continued there until 1971 and the forming of Hillcrest. The building was then leased to the Golden Age Senior Citizen's Club who sub-leased it to various groups from time to time, including the Boys and Girls Club and the Senior Hospital Auxilary for a Used Clothing Depot. When the Senior's Club decided to stop leasing, the building, in need of extensive repairs, was demolished in 1995 and the lot sold. In 1949 a Men's Association was formed through the efforts of the Rev. A.D MacKenzie. Its main purpose was to foster and sustain good will and fellowship among the men of the church. Supper meetings were held monthly from September until May. The first big project was the planning and building of a church hall in 1952-53. Funds were raised by concerts and cake sales. Lumber and labor was donated by the men of the church with Danny MacDonald being the head carpenter. This group won awards for being the most active men's club on the Island. Activities included: public speaking contests, pot luck suppers, ice cream and cake socials, chowder night, baked beans and brown bread supper, variety night, cake and pie auctions and minstrel shows. It was perhaps rare to have a group of men so adept at preparing such a great variety of food as reflected in the above list; unless of course they were just brokers for the occasions. The women of the congregation served nobly and well through two groups, the Women's Missionary Society and the Ladies Aid. In 1962 they amalgamated to become the United Church Women. The WMS was responsible for providing spiritual guidance to the Mission Band (little tots) and the Canadian Girls in Training. They held Mission Service twice a year in the church. Most of their meetings were held in homes. During the Second World War one of their projects was knitting for the soldiers. The Ladies Aid was the money making group. They had bazaars and suppers too, and things were not too convenient back then. Many of their suppers were at the old Yeo Theatre (later Tudor Hall) in the schoolroom section of the building. They brought all of the dishes and silverware and food, then took the dishes home to wash. When the A.D. MacKenzie Hall was built, a kitchen was included as well as bathroom facilities. This did double duty as both Sunday School and space for other events such as suppers. In 1962 the Pastoral Charge (Montague and Lower Montague) purchased land from Vera MacDonald for the nominal cost of $5. This land on Hillcrest Avenue in Montague was used as the site of the new manse to replace the old one on Main Street South. To continue reading, scroll to the top of this page and tap the tab LOWER MONTAGUE. |
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Lower Montague:
The churches of the Methodist and Presbyterian and then later the Union and United Church denominations were the churches of Lower Montague throughout the years. The Methodist were first with Francis Meterall, A Bible Christian missionary, arriving in the “Three Rivers Settlement” in 1832 and taking up an appointment in Lower Montague. A great revival was experienced in 1843 with about 100 persons from Sturgeon and Lower Montague professing conversion. Association between the Methodist churches of Lower Montague and Montague appear to have started about 1877. There was also a Presbyterian Church in Lower Montague. In 1920 the Presbyterians and Methodists of Lower Montague requested permission to demolish their two buildings and build a Union Church for the use of both denominations. That actually did not happen. Instead the Prebyterian Church was sold to a Mr. Rielly and moved to Montague to be used as a dwelling. The Methodist Church was then renovated. A choir room and vestry were added. Architects for the renovation were Chappell and Hunter of Charlottetown, and the renovation cost $4,535.35. The application to the PEI Legislature for incorporation of the two churches was made in 1921, making it in 1922, when it was dedicated, the first church of its kind on the Island. This union movement was part of a wider movement with many Union churches being formed prior to the union which resulted in The United Church of Canada in 1925. The Lower Montague Union Church seated 500. Trustees from the Presbyterians were George Wright, Benjamin Wright and S.B Aitken; from the Methodists, Mont Annear, Thomas Taylor and G.A. Poole. In 1922 at the first Annual Meeting it was agreed to pay the secretary $25 per year, and the janitor $1 for Sundays when a fire was needed, and 50 cents for other Sundays. In 1925 this church became a part of the Montague Pastoral Charge of the United Church of Canada. In 1932 the church was repainted at a cost of $125.92. An organ was purchased in 1943 using some of the money from the legacy of the late Otto Poole. The organ was electrified in the 1960's. Organists were Agnes Annear, Helen (Martin) Annear, and Alice Annear Ross. As a part of a Presbytery wide project to realign pastoral charge boundaries, the Lower Montague congregation merged with Trinity Congregation in Montague in 1968. The pews, communition table, and hymn books went to various churches. The building was sold and converted into a dwelling place, at time of this writing occupied by Mrs. Alice Ross. Church groups active in Lower Montague throughout the years included: Women's Missionary Society, Ladies Aid, “The Sterling Young Peoples”, Mission Band and Sunday School. After the church closed in 1968, Sunday School classes were held at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Taylor for several years. To continue reading, scroll the top of this page and tap the tab BROADER PICTURE. |
The Broader Picture:
In 1836 Chief Justice Jarvis requested of the Deputy Sheriff that the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, an Anglican clergyman then stationed in Milton, be allowed to use the Georgetown Court House, for his services. Rev. MacAulay, a Presbyterian minister, demanded equal rights, resulting in conflicts over who would have access to the court house at what time. In hopes of ending the ill will, Governor Fitzroy granted to the Rev. MacAulay lots on which to erect a church. However, shortly thereafter MacAulay left the ministry to become a politician. The records state, “He seemed to have been a pugnacious, domineering man more suited for the hurly burly of politics than to the ministry of the gospel.”
In 1850 the congregation appears to have separated, with a Mr. Bethune being the preacher at Murray Harbour. Then in 1856 a Rev. Andrew Lochead was settled at Georgetown. During his ministry the first church was built in Cardigan, probably by volunteer labor.
In 1861 Lower Montague was included in the Georgetown ministry and during the years that the Rev. Peter Melville preached, Montague and Cardigan were also included, the only church in Montague at that time being Methodist.
In 1877 the Cardigan congregation, formerly under the jurisdiction of the Valleyfield congregation, joined with Georgetown.
Central Kings:
In 1845 the first church was constructed in Albion Cross, then nine years later the Bridgetown Methodists were founded.
Dundas separated from the Valleyfield congregation in 1859. In 1862 the Rev. Allan MacLean was inducted into ministry at Dundas and remained there for fifteen years.
In 1898 Annandale Presbyterian united with Dundas to become Dundas Presbyterian Church. Then in the year of Church Union, Bridgetown Methodist and Dundas Presbyterian Churches joined to become Dundas United Church.
In 1965 Dundas United and St. David's United, Georgetown amalgamated to form the Central Kings Pastoral Charge.
Kilmuir:
Kilmuir, also referred to as the Whim Road Cross, had their first services in 1875. Then in 1888 the Valleyfield congregation purchased the building in Kilmuir at a cost of $138 and organized the first and largest Sunday School of the Valleyfield congregation. Prayer meetings were held in Kilmuir on the first and third Sundays of each month at 3pm. 1950 saw the celebration of the75th Anniversary of the congregation. In 1965, since worship services were no longer being held there, the congregation returned the building to the community. It became the Kilmuir Hall.
Unions Prior to 1925:
METHODIST
1884 The Methodist Episcopal Church and one other church formed the Methodist Church in Canada.
1874 Five branches of the Methodist Church joined to form one of two which then merged in 1884.
SUMMARY
There were 15 different groups which joined between 1817 and 1925 to form the United Church of Canada. Eight of those were Methodist, six were Presbyterians and the fifteenth was the Congregational Church.
To continue reading, scroll to the top of this page
and tap the tab HILLCREST'S FIRST 25 YEARS.
In 1836 Chief Justice Jarvis requested of the Deputy Sheriff that the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, an Anglican clergyman then stationed in Milton, be allowed to use the Georgetown Court House, for his services. Rev. MacAulay, a Presbyterian minister, demanded equal rights, resulting in conflicts over who would have access to the court house at what time. In hopes of ending the ill will, Governor Fitzroy granted to the Rev. MacAulay lots on which to erect a church. However, shortly thereafter MacAulay left the ministry to become a politician. The records state, “He seemed to have been a pugnacious, domineering man more suited for the hurly burly of politics than to the ministry of the gospel.”
In 1850 the congregation appears to have separated, with a Mr. Bethune being the preacher at Murray Harbour. Then in 1856 a Rev. Andrew Lochead was settled at Georgetown. During his ministry the first church was built in Cardigan, probably by volunteer labor.
In 1861 Lower Montague was included in the Georgetown ministry and during the years that the Rev. Peter Melville preached, Montague and Cardigan were also included, the only church in Montague at that time being Methodist.
In 1877 the Cardigan congregation, formerly under the jurisdiction of the Valleyfield congregation, joined with Georgetown.
Central Kings:
In 1845 the first church was constructed in Albion Cross, then nine years later the Bridgetown Methodists were founded.
Dundas separated from the Valleyfield congregation in 1859. In 1862 the Rev. Allan MacLean was inducted into ministry at Dundas and remained there for fifteen years.
In 1898 Annandale Presbyterian united with Dundas to become Dundas Presbyterian Church. Then in the year of Church Union, Bridgetown Methodist and Dundas Presbyterian Churches joined to become Dundas United Church.
In 1965 Dundas United and St. David's United, Georgetown amalgamated to form the Central Kings Pastoral Charge.
Kilmuir:
Kilmuir, also referred to as the Whim Road Cross, had their first services in 1875. Then in 1888 the Valleyfield congregation purchased the building in Kilmuir at a cost of $138 and organized the first and largest Sunday School of the Valleyfield congregation. Prayer meetings were held in Kilmuir on the first and third Sundays of each month at 3pm. 1950 saw the celebration of the75th Anniversary of the congregation. In 1965, since worship services were no longer being held there, the congregation returned the building to the community. It became the Kilmuir Hall.
Unions Prior to 1925:
METHODIST
1884 The Methodist Episcopal Church and one other church formed the Methodist Church in Canada.
1874 Five branches of the Methodist Church joined to form one of two which then merged in 1884.
- 1854 The Eastern Canadian Conference and the Western Canadian Conference of the Methodist Church joined to form one of the five who joined in 1874
- 1847 The Ryersons and the Wesleyans of the Methodist Church joined to form one of the five groups which joined in 1874
- 1875 Four Wings of the Presbyterian Church formed the Presbyterian Church of Canada.
- 1840 The United Synod of Upper Canada and “The Kirk” of the Presbyterian Church joined to form one of the four who joined in 1875.
- 1817 The Burgers and the Anti Burgers of the Presbyterian Church joined to form one of the four groups who joined in 1840
SUMMARY
There were 15 different groups which joined between 1817 and 1925 to form the United Church of Canada. Eight of those were Methodist, six were Presbyterians and the fifteenth was the Congregational Church.
To continue reading, scroll to the top of this page
and tap the tab HILLCREST'S FIRST 25 YEARS.
Hillcrest United – The First 25 Years:
The story of the first 25 years is an account of this congregation going from strength to strength. Not only was it an act of vision and faithfulness to move the church from Valleyfield to Montague, it was also a financial cost. But the project proceeded under the assumption that the three congregations of Lower Montague, Montague and Valleyfield would pull together, pay the bills and become one. They certainly did.
It cost $100,000 to move the church in 1971. In 1984 a $204,000 addition was built along 20 of the 50 foot north wall. A primary purpose was to add space for Sunday School classrooms. It also permitted the addition of more general meeting places, a larger choir room and choir loft, and a larger minister's study. Then in 1991, in preparation for the arrival of a second minister, the addition was extended along the remainder of the north wall.
Over the decade from 1986 to 1996 more than $180,000 was spent on repairs and upgrades. During the same time, $50,000 worth of stained glass windows, choir gowns worth $10,000 and a new organ valued at $40,000 were also added. That was not at the expense of programming. In fact Hillcrest had programs of Worship, Christian Education and Pastoral Care which were exceptional within PEI's United Churches, which in turn tended to be exceptional within our country.
During this period, the Christian Education Program required the leadership of more than 100 people in Sunday School, mid-week youth groups and social and study programs for adults. The adult study program involved over 100 people in that decade, with a core of 25 taking many different programs year after year. The Sunday School continued through Senior High.
Worship was ably assisted by choirs which combined numbered 60-70 singers. They were excited to receive new blue choir gowns in 1995 and even more excited for the 25th Anniversary project to include the purchase of a new Rogers 805 electronic organ.
The Pastoral Care program included a card ministry by the UCW to those in hospital, a tape ministry to allow shut-ins to hear worship services, and a visitation program, which was started by Rev. Ron Vincent in 1984. Sick and shut-ins were visited, with each visitor having 3-4 people on their list. After Rev. Paul Vavasour left in 1992, the numbers of visitors were expanded, as were their responsibilities. Some became hospital visitors for both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown and the Kings County Memorial Hospital in Montague, each visited both hospitals weekly. Others became bereavement visitors. Visitation continued to the sick and shut-ins, carried out with compassion and great caring and concern for people in times of difficulty.
Hillcrest United, like Jerusalem in the Holy Land, was 'builded upon a hill'. Thus being closer to the heavens than other structures in Montague the Beautiful, it is no surprise that on February 15, 1991 at 7:30 pm the steeple was struck by lightning. The Rev. Paul Vavasour was in his office at the other corner of the building and didn't even know that it was hit. The ornamental ball on top of the steeple which had been turned by Lorne Wigginton in 1971 was split in half. Many shingles were also blown off. The ball was repaired and is on display in the Church Office. Whereas for over 20 years it was sat upon by seagulls, now it is only occasionally sat upon by people discussing the weather, and life and such things with the church administrative assistant.
When the church was moved in 1971 there was one stained glass window “Light of the World”. See Stained Glass Windows for more information.
Between 1971 and 1996, Hillcrest United was served by four ministers. The Rev. David Shaffelburg was the minister who encouraged and oversaw the move and helped the congregation to begin uniting as one. Dave & his wife Marjorie and their children Heather, Paul, Michael and Ann were here from 1969-1972. They were followed for four years by the Rev. William C. Amey and his wife Etna. The Rev. Ron Vincent served the congregation for nine years. He and Pat and their girls, Jennifer and Joanne lived in Montague from 1977-1986. It was during that time that the large addition on the North side was completed. Ron was followed by Rev. Lloyd Burrows, the third time he followed Ron to a Mission Field or Pastoral Charge. Lloyd served for ten and a half years. For a few years Lloyd and Sharon's children Joel and Andrea were with them. During that time, the Rev. Paul Vavasour served in team with Lloyd. Paul and Barbara were here for two years from 1990-1992.
Having a team had been considered as an option by many in the congregation for quite some time. There were more families than had been the case before the amalgamations of the 1960's and 70's. With the church becoming only one of many options for involvement in the community, and many groups vying for volunteer leadership, the needs for ministry were increasing rather than decreasing. So once debt was paid off for the 1984 addition, the move was made. In the Team Ministry, Paul took the major responsibility for pastoral care, Lloyd for Christian education. An attempt was made to share the other duties equally.
The team came to an end when Paul returned to his first love, Chaplaincy Work, and departed to Toronto for further studies in the field. After a year's search, the Rev. Dr. Robert Mumford agreed to come as a retired supply and work part time. He was not able to come for a full year, and before he arrived became ill and had to withdraw. He and his wife Colleen later moved to PEI, but he died on September 22, 1996.
Other staff 1971 – 1996:
Organists - Irene Fraser, Pat Vincent, Anne White, [Donald Fraser – 4 months in 1991]
Accompanists - Nancy Mellow, Lenore Andrew
Janitors - Lloyd Collings (The Old Man), Boyd & Gloria Shaw, Harold & Carol Hicken
Student Minister – Jeff Chant in the summer of 1994
Significant Sanctuary Events:
First Wedding: Russell and Mary Nicholson – January 29, 1972
First Funeral: Agnes Stewart – November 17, 1971
First Baptisms: December 12, 1971
Stephen MacDonald – son of Gordon and Mary (MacKinnon) MacDonald
Lana Arlene Hewitt – daughter of Robert and Sandra (MacPherson) Hewitt
Harold David MacLean – son of Harold and Sandra (Stewart) MacLean
Andrew Howell – son of Ross and Anne Marie Howell
A Very Special Volunteer:
Bell Ringer: For many years prior to moving the church, Angus Martin rang the bell at Valleyfield United Church. He continued to do that at Hillcrest as long as his health permitted
To read about Hillcrest United Church 1997 to 2021
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The story of the first 25 years is an account of this congregation going from strength to strength. Not only was it an act of vision and faithfulness to move the church from Valleyfield to Montague, it was also a financial cost. But the project proceeded under the assumption that the three congregations of Lower Montague, Montague and Valleyfield would pull together, pay the bills and become one. They certainly did.
It cost $100,000 to move the church in 1971. In 1984 a $204,000 addition was built along 20 of the 50 foot north wall. A primary purpose was to add space for Sunday School classrooms. It also permitted the addition of more general meeting places, a larger choir room and choir loft, and a larger minister's study. Then in 1991, in preparation for the arrival of a second minister, the addition was extended along the remainder of the north wall.
Over the decade from 1986 to 1996 more than $180,000 was spent on repairs and upgrades. During the same time, $50,000 worth of stained glass windows, choir gowns worth $10,000 and a new organ valued at $40,000 were also added. That was not at the expense of programming. In fact Hillcrest had programs of Worship, Christian Education and Pastoral Care which were exceptional within PEI's United Churches, which in turn tended to be exceptional within our country.
During this period, the Christian Education Program required the leadership of more than 100 people in Sunday School, mid-week youth groups and social and study programs for adults. The adult study program involved over 100 people in that decade, with a core of 25 taking many different programs year after year. The Sunday School continued through Senior High.
Worship was ably assisted by choirs which combined numbered 60-70 singers. They were excited to receive new blue choir gowns in 1995 and even more excited for the 25th Anniversary project to include the purchase of a new Rogers 805 electronic organ.
The Pastoral Care program included a card ministry by the UCW to those in hospital, a tape ministry to allow shut-ins to hear worship services, and a visitation program, which was started by Rev. Ron Vincent in 1984. Sick and shut-ins were visited, with each visitor having 3-4 people on their list. After Rev. Paul Vavasour left in 1992, the numbers of visitors were expanded, as were their responsibilities. Some became hospital visitors for both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown and the Kings County Memorial Hospital in Montague, each visited both hospitals weekly. Others became bereavement visitors. Visitation continued to the sick and shut-ins, carried out with compassion and great caring and concern for people in times of difficulty.
Hillcrest United, like Jerusalem in the Holy Land, was 'builded upon a hill'. Thus being closer to the heavens than other structures in Montague the Beautiful, it is no surprise that on February 15, 1991 at 7:30 pm the steeple was struck by lightning. The Rev. Paul Vavasour was in his office at the other corner of the building and didn't even know that it was hit. The ornamental ball on top of the steeple which had been turned by Lorne Wigginton in 1971 was split in half. Many shingles were also blown off. The ball was repaired and is on display in the Church Office. Whereas for over 20 years it was sat upon by seagulls, now it is only occasionally sat upon by people discussing the weather, and life and such things with the church administrative assistant.
When the church was moved in 1971 there was one stained glass window “Light of the World”. See Stained Glass Windows for more information.
Between 1971 and 1996, Hillcrest United was served by four ministers. The Rev. David Shaffelburg was the minister who encouraged and oversaw the move and helped the congregation to begin uniting as one. Dave & his wife Marjorie and their children Heather, Paul, Michael and Ann were here from 1969-1972. They were followed for four years by the Rev. William C. Amey and his wife Etna. The Rev. Ron Vincent served the congregation for nine years. He and Pat and their girls, Jennifer and Joanne lived in Montague from 1977-1986. It was during that time that the large addition on the North side was completed. Ron was followed by Rev. Lloyd Burrows, the third time he followed Ron to a Mission Field or Pastoral Charge. Lloyd served for ten and a half years. For a few years Lloyd and Sharon's children Joel and Andrea were with them. During that time, the Rev. Paul Vavasour served in team with Lloyd. Paul and Barbara were here for two years from 1990-1992.
Having a team had been considered as an option by many in the congregation for quite some time. There were more families than had been the case before the amalgamations of the 1960's and 70's. With the church becoming only one of many options for involvement in the community, and many groups vying for volunteer leadership, the needs for ministry were increasing rather than decreasing. So once debt was paid off for the 1984 addition, the move was made. In the Team Ministry, Paul took the major responsibility for pastoral care, Lloyd for Christian education. An attempt was made to share the other duties equally.
The team came to an end when Paul returned to his first love, Chaplaincy Work, and departed to Toronto for further studies in the field. After a year's search, the Rev. Dr. Robert Mumford agreed to come as a retired supply and work part time. He was not able to come for a full year, and before he arrived became ill and had to withdraw. He and his wife Colleen later moved to PEI, but he died on September 22, 1996.
Other staff 1971 – 1996:
Organists - Irene Fraser, Pat Vincent, Anne White, [Donald Fraser – 4 months in 1991]
Accompanists - Nancy Mellow, Lenore Andrew
Janitors - Lloyd Collings (The Old Man), Boyd & Gloria Shaw, Harold & Carol Hicken
Student Minister – Jeff Chant in the summer of 1994
Significant Sanctuary Events:
First Wedding: Russell and Mary Nicholson – January 29, 1972
First Funeral: Agnes Stewart – November 17, 1971
First Baptisms: December 12, 1971
Stephen MacDonald – son of Gordon and Mary (MacKinnon) MacDonald
Lana Arlene Hewitt – daughter of Robert and Sandra (MacPherson) Hewitt
Harold David MacLean – son of Harold and Sandra (Stewart) MacLean
Andrew Howell – son of Ross and Anne Marie Howell
A Very Special Volunteer:
Bell Ringer: For many years prior to moving the church, Angus Martin rang the bell at Valleyfield United Church. He continued to do that at Hillcrest as long as his health permitted
To read about Hillcrest United Church 1997 to 2021
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