|
|
||
|
|
|
Ellis Church Enduring and Everlasting 1861-1987 u 126 years |
This book has been published by The Ellis Church Board of Trustees. Puslinch Post Office
|
A Season for Everything Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15, 22 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that man should fear before Him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been, and God requireth that which is past. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for
who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? |
Table of Contents |
||
1. |
|
|
2. |
||
|
a. |
|
|
b. |
|
|
c. |
|
|
d. |
|
|
e. |
|
3. |
||
|
a. |
|
|
b. |
|
|
c. |
|
|
d. |
|
|
e. |
|
4. |
||
|
a. |
|
|
b. |
|
|
c. |
|
|
d. |
|
|
e. |
|
|
f. |
|
|
g. |
|
5. |
||
|
a. |
|
|
b. |
|
|
c. |
|
|
d. |
|
|
e. |
|
|
f. |
|
|
g. |
|
6. |
||
|
a. |
|
|
b. |
|
7. |
||
|
a. |
|
|
b. |
|
8. |
Ellis Church: The Future Years |
A Psalm of Praise Psalm 100 |
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves: We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations. u |
The
history of Ellis Church is perhaps best exemplified
in Psalm 100 of the HOLY BIBLE. This
one hundred and twenty-six-year old stone Church has endured and lasted
through years of service to the As one enters the gates of the churchyard, the serenity and simple beauty of Ellis Church welcome the visitor, whoever it may be: local resident, special guest, supportive friend, descendant, historian, or passer-by. The visitor who makes his way through the pioneer-hewn doors is left to reflect upon the humility, faith, and love of our Christian forefathers. Ellis Church, although small in design, is rich in history and has served as an inspiration and place of worship to many people. Ellis Church Enduring and Everlasting; Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. |
|
THE To love we would the task resign, And from oblivion wrest Scenes of the old concession line, When first by traffic prest. by Thomas Laidlaw, 1891. The Pioneer Poet of |
Ellis Church is located on the south side of the old Accommodation
or “Given” Road in The road was built for convenience during the pioneering
years. In those early years the road allowances
of the Second and Third Concessions were hilly and rough. An alternate road was opened running east
and west over level land between the front and rear lots of the Second
Concession. As the “Given” Road winds
its way east from Hespeler, “And a scene yet lingers... a beautiful day in summer, with a blue sky bending above the concessions, and on this day, it is the Sabbath, there is that peculiar and absorbing repose, that intensified sweetness which we ever associate with the day of rest.” Thomas Laidlaw, 1892. |
|
A day of rest, no grating note Disturbs this brooding spell, No voice, save nature’s blending with The tinkling cattle-bell; The weary prize, this precious gift- A holy Sabbath calm, The reverend woods their voices lift And sing their hymn and psalm. Thomas Laidlaw, 1892. |
Earliest History of Indian Presence Early Surveys Church Lands Backwoods Trails and Footpaths Pioneer Settlement u |
Earliest History of The great number of Indian relics that have been found in From early pioneer accounts it is known that Native people mingled
with settlers often trading venison for milk,
potatoes, bread, etc. In April, 1946,
John Little, a “One day my Grandmother was getting water from a spring near a road. An Indian touched her on the shoulder and, without saying a word, led her to another spot nearby where there was a much better spring.” “Another time, my Grandmother was baking bread in the
kitchen. An Indian walked in, put a
loaf of bread under his arm and strolled out of the
house. The next day he returned with a
large cut of venison.” |
|
||
|
On the left: John Little, standing and Robert Reeve, sitting. (Circa 1920). The identity of the family was not confirmed at time of writing, 1987. |
|
Some one
hundred years later, the farmland where these meetings occurred was deeded to
the u “And from under that mossy bank there gushes a spring of pure water, where the deer slaked its thirst and the Indian had glassed his bronzed skin as he stooped to drink... Then the Indian disappeared from the concessions with his venison, yet ghost-like we saw him brushing the hoar-frost from the fallen leaves with his moccasins in the early dawn, gliding stealthily through the fragmentary woods away to the setting sun.” by Thomas
Laidlaw, 1892. |
Earliest History of Early
Surveys
In the late 1700’s United Empire Loyalists and Pennsylvania Dutch were moving from America into Upper Canada by way of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Settlement spread further with the influx of Scottish immigrants. It became necessary to survey lands hereabouts - an unknown wilderness of forest primeval - great pines and hardwoods. The first survey in Western Ontario was a line run in 1784 by
Augustus Jones from what is now called As the
western survey line passed within a few hundred yards on the west side of
Puslinch Lake, Augustus Jones, accompanied by his wife, was possibly the
first known European to have seen Puslinch Lake. Augustus Jones married the daughter of
Joseph Brant, Chief of the Six Nations Indian Reserve at |
EARLIEST HISTORY OF The Constitutional Act of 1791 passed by the British Parliament established
In the years 1828-1831, David Gibson was engaged by the government
to conduct the surveying of the roads and lots for what was to be called u |
THE
(poem by Malcolm McCormick, 1884.) AYE once again! O, silent, sylvan lake, I stand upon thy verdant wave-splashed shore; and cherished memories within me wake, As I recall the halcyon days of yore. How fair the morn when from yon easten hill Thy waters greeted first my wondering sight; Thy radiant beauty made my bosom thrill With the pulsations of a new delight. The western breeze upon the ripples played, That gaily sparkled on thy bosom fair; The island woods their graceful branches swayed, and scattered fragrance on the morning air... |
TO THE (poem by Donald McCaig, 1894.) DEAR POET of the You rove through youth’s bright glades and dells; And gather from each shady brake Life’s rare, sweet flowers - Heart Immortelles. Well, I have seen your “sylvan lake,” Where caught I gudgeons not a few, But found, alas! the finny take Like other friends, were spiny, too! I’ve paddled by your bullrush shore, That ne’er beyond its calfhood grew; ‘Twas only paddle then, not oar, A dug-out navy all we knew... |
Malcolm McCormick and Donald McCaig, sons of pioneering families, both grew up on farms in the Puslinch Lake area, and both went on to become noted educators and writers.
|
EARLIEST HISTORY OF Backwoods Trails and Footpaths It is believed that Records indicate that many pioneers during the 1830’s came into |
AS SLOW OUR SHIPAs slow our ship her foamy track Against the wind was cleaving, Her trembling pennant still look’d back To that dear isle ‘twas leaving So loth we part from all we love, From all the links that bind us; So turn our hearts, where’er we rove, To those we’ve left behind us! |
|
The following few notes by Mr. James Logan, in 1836, give us an
idea of how immigrants reached “TRAVEL AND EXPENSES”“It would be cheaper to go by from Greenock to Mr. Logan estimated the trip from “At u
|
EARLIEST
HISTORY OF
Pioneer SettlementEarly in the year 1831, Alexander Lamont with his wife and five
sons, left The Lamont homestead site was located on the south half of Lot 5,
Concession 2, Two of the Lamont sons, Peter and William were carpenters. Peter Lamont, also a millwright, was to be instrumental in the building of Ellis Church. |
The brief history of the Lamont family was repeated with slight
variations by many pioneer families who followed them to the From 1840 to 1860, the pioneer settlement was firmly established with the families of John Eagle, the McWilliams, William Ross, John Dickie, James McMaster, Thomas Fyfe, Neil Holm, Jacob Cober, and Elias Whitmer. It has often been remarked that when this |
VALUABLE FARMS FOR
The Subscriber offers for Sale his two farms in Puslinch, seven miles from Guelph, viz.: North half Lot No. 11, in 2nd Concession of said Township, containing 160 acres of land, of which there are 60 cleared and well fenced. There is a good Log house and Frame Barn on the lot, and a very valuable Orchard of nearly 150 trees, with Garden, &c. Also, the South half of Lot 10, in the 3rd Concession, containing 100 acres, about 45 of which are cleared; a never failing creek runs through this lot, which corners on the other one. Price for the Two Lots $6000, Two Thousand of which can remain until the end of 4 years, the balance to be paid previous to that time, in such manner as may be agreed to. For further particulars apply to C. P. P. HUTCHINSON |
VALUABLE FARM FOR
THE SUBSCRIBER WILL
OFFER FOR SALE Lot No. 7, 3rd Concession, Puslinch containing 100 acres of
good land, 60 acres cleared, the rest well-timbered. There is on the premises a good log house
and log barn and a never-failing well of water. It
is situated only 7 miles from The
|
“Most men are born poor, but no man, who has average capacities and tolerable luck, need remain so. And the farmer’s calling, though proffering no sudden leaps, no ready short cuts to opulence, is the surest of all ways, from poverty and want to, comfort and independence... Each year of his devotion to his homestead may find it more valuable, more attractive than the last, and leave it better still.” Horace Greeley (1811-1872) |
The History of the Ellis Family The Services at Ellis Church The Ellis Church Congregation |
“Upper Canada has a noble parentage, the remembrance of which its inhabitants may well cherish with respect, affection and pride.” Dr. Edgerton Ryerson 1803-1882 “THE FOUNDERS OF u |
And surely wisdom directed the settling of our concessions, so agreeably was it arranged. Strangers fitted into their places side by side, as if they had been specially prepared; adjusted themselves to the peculiarities of one another - for peculiarities there were, and it may be that by virtue of them a more perfect whole was the result. Social grades and distinctions had scarcely a place. Jack was as good as his master, if it could be said that a master was there, and worth was an appreciated quality. The sympathy of a common brotherhood was felt and practised. Of silver and gold they had none, yet of such as they had they were ready to give -a helping hand in the day of need was seldom wanting. If snow lingered long in the concessions, and the spring was cold and backward, and work pressing, in places where the plough was unequal to the task, a kindly neighbour was ever ready to assist. Or if through misfortune or otherwise, the little logging field lay on into summer untouched, a "bee" was suggested, and on the morning of the day ready handed men came in from the different lines with their sober-faced oxen, the chains rattling at their yokes, and they hitched on and the work was done up, and a kindly hand in harvest was ever given with a spontaneity which in later years is rarely witnessed; and ties more tender than the ties of friendship were formed. Thomas Laidlaw, 1892. |
u A BAD KICK---As Mr. Gracey, one of our bakers here (Hespeler) was on his way to Morriston with a load of bread on Friday last, an upset, while going through Mr. Robert Little’s farm, caused some detention which resulted in Mr. Gracey’s putting up and waiting at Mr. Little’s until after dinner. In taking his horses out of the stable to resume his journey, a colt in one of the stalls kicked ostensibly at one of Mr. Gracey’s horses, which had bitten it in passing. Unfortunately missing the horse, Mr. Gracey received the kick on the side of his head and face, knocking him senseless for a time and inflicting a painful wound near the corner of the eye. He was, of course, unable to pursue his journey, but Mr. Little took his place and drove his load to Morriston, and did everything in his power to alleviate the sufferings of the injured man, who, we are happy to ascertain is likely to be all right again in a few days.
|
A PSALM OF TRUST
Psalm 23The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. |
THE PIONEERING YEARS
The
|
There is a book, who runs may read, which heavenly truth imparts: And all the lore its scholars need, - pure eyes and Christian hearts. The works of God, above, below, within us and around. Are pages in that book, to show how God Himself is found. by John Keble, 1792-1866. |
Jesus saith unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” |
St. Matthew 22: 37-40. |
The uniqueness of the |
“Brace up!” We like that slang phrase. We like it because there’s lots of soul in it. You never knew a mean, stingy, shrivel-souled man to walk up to a discouraged or afflicted neighbour and slap him on the shoulder and tell him to “brace up!” It is the big-hearted, open-handed, whole-souled fellow that comes along when you are cast down and squares off in front of you and tells you, “that won’t do, old fellow- brace up!” It is he that tells you a good story and makes you laugh in spite of yourself; that lifts the curtain that darkens your soul and tells you to look out and see the light. It is he that reminds you that there never was a brilliant sunset without clouds. He may not tell you in just so many words, but he will make you “brace up” and see the silver lining for yourself. January 25th 1879. |
Not only did the pioneer families work together, but they worshipped together as well --- Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, and those of other religious persuasion. Community inter-denominational services were first held in the original S.S.# 11 School House, built in 1845, on the south-west corner of the farm owned by John Dickie. It was located at the bend in the road, right at the roadside. There was no schoolyard surrounding this sturdy building. The school was built of logs and had a cottage-type roof. The corner men chosen to build the school were: Neil Holm, William Lamont, Andrew Eanfoot, and Edward Ellis. The building, measuring about 36 x 40 feet, had one room. A door opened toward the “Given” Road and there was one window on each of the four walls. The windows had shutters. The school was heated by a large stove. The wood for the stove was supplied by the pupils, each pupil bringing half a cord during the school year. Furnishings in the school were quite simple in construction. The pupils sat on blocks sawed from logs. Later they had two long, sloping desks along each side of the room. For each of these desks there was a long seat. Later these desks were sawed in two. The equipment for the school consisted of one blackboard and three maps. |
“ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL STUDENT.---During the
last fifteen or twenty years, it is well known that rural Puslinch has not
been lacking in furnishing the country with literary talent. On this occasion it affords us great
pleasure to chronicle the success of Mr. Thos. Lamont, a resident of the
vicinity of
|
When the School was first organized, the teacher boarded at the homes of pupils. The first teacher was Mr. Rosebrook. Other teachers in the old log school house were: Mr. Lanington, Mr. John Kinston, Mr. Cornelius Carr, Mr. Alexander McGregor, Mr. Patrick Donahue, Mr. Alex Frazer (teaching for nine years), Mr. John Munroe, Mr. Renney, Mr. Mewart, Mr. Collins, and Mr. R. H. Knowles. The school turned out many clever people as the following roll call indicates. TEACHERS |
|||
Mr. Tom Lamont |
Mr. Christopher
Collins |
Mr. Jack Barret |
|
Miss Kate
Collins |
Mr. Tom Barret |
Miss Ellen
Collins |
|
Mr. Jim Ellis |
Miss Martha
Heritage |
Mr. David Eagle |
|
Mr. Tom Collins |
Mr. Will Dickie |
Mr. George
Collins |
|
|
|||
LAWYER |
MINISTER |
||
Mr. Tom Dickie |
Rev. James Little (Presbyterian) |
||
INVENTOR The name of Mr. Robert Barret, son of
Mr. Charles Barret of Puslinch, Ont., appears on a
list of inventors in the State of
|
|||
The children of the early pioneer families attended classes in the
little log school house until 1865 when the building was dismantled and the
logs were sold in Hespeler. During its
existence, the log school house was also a meeting place for the public. Mr. George Duncan, a lay preacher,
conducted religious worship sessions at the school. Other lay preachers included: George
Copeland, David Rife, and William Ellis.
Visiting Methodist ministers were Reverend David Savage and Reverend
M. Ferguson. The influence of these
men and neighbourly good will, so strongly established in the daily work of
the community, encouraged the emergence of a Recalling the parish churches of their homelands most probably led
the pioneer families to contemplate the building of a permanent church for
the On May 16th 1859, a Memorial Agreement was given by Edward and
Mary Ellis (south half, Lot 9, Concession 2) to “the Trustees of the Sterling
Congregation of the |
IN MEMORIAL, MAY 16th 1859.Registered Deed Edward Ellis of Township of Puslinch, County of Wellington, Province
of Canada, first part, Mary Ellis, his wife of said party first part, of the
second part, and George Sterling gr., Edward Ellis, James Eagle, Thomas Ellis
and Peter Lamont of Township, County and Province aforesaid and William Ellis
and Jos. Copeland of the Township of Waterloo, County of Waterloo of the
third part. Trustees of the Sterling Congregation of
the Wherein as reciting as therein is recited the said party of the first part for consideration therein mentioned did give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, assign, transfer, release, enfeoff, convey, confirm unto said parties of the third part their successors, assigns, all that certain parcel or tract of land situate in the Township of Puslinch, County of Wellington and Province of Canada containing by admeasurement one acre be the same more or less being composed of the Northwest angle of the South half of Lot No. 9, in the Second Concession of Township of Puslinch and which said parcel and tract of land is butted and bounded as may be otherwise known as follows that is to say - COMMENCING at the northeast angle of said Lot; THENCE North 77° East 8½ rods; THEN South 16° 28' E 17 rods; THEN South 70° West 8½ rods; THEN North 16° 28' W 17 rods to place of beginning. |
To have and to hold the said above granted premises, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof to the said parties of the Third Part, their successors and assigns to them and their own use forever to, for and upon the trusts, uses and conditions and purposes of the said indenture mentioned and by the same indenture it is witnessed that the said Mary Ellis, the wife of the said party of the First part of the second part, for and in consideration of Five Shillings to her in hand paid by the said parties of the Third part, both remised, released and forever relinquished her dower in the said premises unto them the said parties of the third part, their successors and assigns, which indenture is witnessed by Samuel C. Philp of the Town of Berlin, in the County of Waterloo, Clergyman, and Mary Master of the Township of Puslinch, in the County of Wellington, widow. |
And this memorial thereof is hereby required to be registered by him the said Grantor therein named. Witness my hand and seal the 16th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1859. Inst# M33012
Quit Claim Deed (Pt. Lot 9 Concession 2, 1 acre) granted to Robt. Reeve surviving Trustee of
Ellis Church from the Trustee Board of the Congregation of the Inst# M33013
Grant given from Robt. Reeve,
sole surviving Community Trustee to Robt. Reeve, Herbert Eltherington, and Lloyd Frank as holding
Trustees of Ellis Community Pioneer Chapel, dated April 19, 1963. Registered at Note: Albert Gamble elected to succeed Herb Eltherington (1964) Tom McMaster elected to succeed Robert Reeve (1972) Richard Frank elected on resignation of Loyd Frank (1979) |
“All was speed and bustle now, Hurry sat on ev’ry brow; Naught was heard upon the breeze But the sound of falling trees; Rough logs over streams were laid, Cabins built, and pathways made; Little openings here and there, Patches to the sun laid bare, Growing larger ev’ry day; Time sped merrily away. Troubles we had not a few, For the work was strange and new; Mishaps neither few nor small, Yet we rose above them all.” by Alexander McLachlan, 1818-1896. |
THE PIONEERING YEARS
Edward and Thomas Ellis came to the The brothers faced the worthy toil common to the life of any pioneer in a timbered country. Their farms were cleared and rendered productive. Both brothers gained a reputation as ingenious mechanics and carpenters. Their buildings and farmlands were said to be amongst the best for those early times. |
|
||
|
Later owners were William Ross (1873-1946), and George & Winnie Lambert (1946-1956). The home was situated at the site of Service Centre W1. |
|
|
||
|
The homestead of Thomas and Sarah Ellis was located on the north side of the Given Road, just east of Ellis Church. Thomas Ellis resided here from 1839-1906. |
|
|
OF THE MYSTERY OF LIFE“Take the Art of Building - the strongest - proudest - most enduring of the arts of man, that of which the produce is in the surest manner accumulative, and need not perish, or be replaced; but if once well done will stand more strongly than the unbalanced rocks - more prevalently than the crumbling hills. The art which is associated with all civic pride and sacred principle; with which men record their power - satisfy their enthusiasm - make sure their defence - define and make dear their habitation......” by John Ruskin, 1819. |
The
family history for Edward and Thomas Ellis indicates that their grandfather,
Henry Ellis, was by birth a Welshman.
He was a descendant of the Earl of Strambeau,
whose family crest displayed a castle and two swords. In 1767, Henry Ellis left Henry
Ellis and family emigrated to the David Ellis and wife, Margaret, originally settled in Edward and Thomas Ellis were the sons of David and Margaret Ellis. |
“An axe is heard in the woods and in the direction of the echo we come to an acre or two of clearance. The good woman is out helping her worthy husband to burn brush, and gather up chips, and roll logs, or something else, in a way we who recognize the dignity of labour know how to appreciate. Woman, gentle and loving - she was so true and heroic, and so ingenious in her resources, making the most of everything. and where it was so much needed, and so sympathetic, easing the restless pillow and soothing the fevered brow and making glad with the sunshine of her presence and never thought she was doing anything.” Thomas Laidlaw, 1892. |
In 1841, Edward Ellis and Mary McMaster were married. Their niece, Hannah Ellis (daughter of
William Ellis, In the same year, 1841, Thomas Ellis and Sarah Kitchen were married. They were the parents of seven children - David, John W., Dorothy, Edward, Margaret, Nathan and James. In later years, the sons of Sarah and Thomas distinguished themselves as scholars, farmers, and military men. Travel and adventure appealed to these young men. |
LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS Mr. Edward Ellis, son of Squire Ellis, Puslinch, accompanied the
first expedition to Fort Garry, and remained in the service until last
spring, when he became connected with the boundary Survey Commission. He writes that the detachment of the
expedition to which he belongs is now stationed at
|
FOR THE
NORTH WEST
Owing to the high estimation in which Mr. James H. Ellis was held
by his numerous friends in this vicinity, much regret is felt at his
departure for the
|
Thomas Ellis was a public spirited man who kept abreast of the
times. Intelligent and well read, he
made himself conversant with all current affairs. At the first municipal election ever held
in |
Edward Ellis did not seek a political or public life but remained
close to the land, farming and assisting in the construction
of buildings in the community. He
resided on his farm in Edward Ellis was known as a man of great general intelligence and of a most philanthropic disposition, ever ready to administer a good turn when he knew it to be necessary. “We are bound to say that few men endeared themselves more to all acquaintances than did Mr. Ellis - a gentle and consistent Christian.” Throughout his adult life, Edward Ellis was always a staunch
member of the An interesting observation about Edward and Thomas Ellis is that
both men followed in the footsteps of their father, David Ellis. Thomas, like his father, was a
magistrate. Edward leaned toward the
religious calling of his preacher father.
The one acre of land given freely to the |
EDWARD AND MARY ELLIS IN MEMORIAM |
||
|
“The Hour Glass” |
|
A century all but ends, a bell tolls low and deep, The sand of time sinks far within the glass A few more grains, To trickle, then the dawn of a new era Breaks. Shall we still sleep, still slumber on serene, Unmindful of the call. Or shall we rise, renewed in heart and soul To struggle and to strive afresh to win the prize, or gain the covet goal? Be mindful of the past, of one whose name Lives on amid the glory of his work. His race is run, to him the victor's crown A great achievement stands memorial to that fame. The fame of doing well, and passing on The deed well done to others then unborn, But heirs to-day of one rich heritage, A heritage of gold wherein mankind stand free, Untrammelled by the chains That once did bind our race to wheels of servitude. by Albert William Drummond, 1924. |
THE PIONEERING YEARS The 1859-1861 Ellis Church was built by the men of pioneer families as a community effort. Skilled carpenters working on the construction of the Church included Edward and Thomas Ellis and Peter Lamont. Much of the building material was supplied from surrounding fields and forests and transported by the neighbours from nearby farms. Free-will donations from members of the community helped to meet expenses for building materials purchased. The actual building of the Church was accomplished during community gatherings known as “work bees”. Work bees were to become a tradition in the history of Ellis Church. Two foot thick random-faced fieldstone walls supported the four by four inch pine rafters of the split cedar shingled roof. The flooring was two inch thick pine planking and the ceiling rose to approximately seventeen feet. The Gothic, pointed-top windows and sashes were made by Edward Ellis. The window sashes sat practically flush with the outside window frames allowing for deep interior sills. Six large windows, on three sides, faced north, east, and west along with a smaller Gothic window over the north entrance. Unpainted pine wainscotting with plastered natural white walls completed the simple structure which would later stand the test of time with its sturdiness. |
The approximate dimensions of Ellis Church are forty feet by thirty feet. The interior furnishings are best to be considered as shown in the original layout scheme illustrated by Loyd Frank (1963). |
||
|
|
|
|
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen |
THE PIONEERING YEARS
From early times, the Lord’s Prayer has been a part of the worship services in Christian churches. The Prayer is found in St. Matthew 6:9-13 where it appears as part of the Sermon on the Mount. According to the New Testament, Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to His followers as the example of what a prayer should be. The first interdenominational service at Ellis Church was held in
the year 1861, joining differing faiths in one community place of
worship. With the passage of time, the
date of the first service and the name of the minister officiating have been
lost to history. However, it is known that Ellis
Church was actually under the jurisdiction of the |
METHODIST
NEW CONNEXION CONFERENCE
The annual conference of this body will meet at Hespeler on
Wednesday, the 22nd May, and remain in session until the 29th. Programmes of the proceedings of the
Conference have been issued. On the
evening of the 24th the Conference Tea Meeting will be held, when addresses
will be given by Rev. Dr. Crocker, D.D., Rev. G. Jackson and Robt. Wilkes, Esq., Wednesday May 8th 1872. |
THE MINISTERIAL CIRCUIT
1857-1886
Small
community churches such as Ellis Church did not support a full-time
minister. Instead, a minister or an
assistant-in-training travelled a circuit of churches each Sunday. The Methodist Society Year Books (Archives
of |
Guelph
District Puslinch Branch of
|
||
1857-1865 |
Ministers |
Assistants |
|
|
|
1857 |
Luther C. Rice |
Alex Sutherland |
|
|
|
1858-1860 |
Samuel C. Philp |
Samuel Philp Jr. David Kennedy David Chalmers |
|
|
|
1861-1863 |
Richard L. Tucker |
Elias W. Fraser John Hyndman John H. Keppel |
|
|
|
1864-1865 |
William Savage |
John Armstrong George W. Brown |
|
Preston
English
|
||
1866-1867 |
Ministers |
Assistants |
|
|
|
1866 |
Aaron D. Miller |
|
1867 |
John Smiley |
|
|
|
||
1868-1873 |
Ministers |
Assistants |
|
|
|
1868-1870 |
Thomas A. Ferguson |
John Scott B.A. Isaac Lovell James T. Metcalf |
|
|
|
1871-1872 |
Thomas Stobbs |
William Mills Jabez Edmonds |
|
|
|
1873 |
Christopher Cookman |
William Bough |
|
PRESENTATION --- On the evening of Tuesday, the 4th, a party, consisting of the teachers and pupils of the Ellis Church, Union Sabbath School, assembled at the house of Mr. Robert Little, the Superintendent, and presented him with a copy of Kitto’s History of the Bible, Life and Times of the Rev. Dr. Burns, and a book entitled The Dynasty of David. The presentation was accompanied by an address, to which Mr. Little, although taken altogether by surprise, responded very appropriately. The visitors, after a warm reception, and experiencing the usual hospitality on such occasions, dispersed, well pleased with the evening's entertainment. February 6th 1873. |
|
The
|
||
1874-1879 |
Ministers |
Assistants |
|
|
|
1874 |
William Henderson |
William Williams |
|
|
|
1875-1877 |
James McAlister |
William Sparling Thomas B. Leitch John Stewart |
|
|
|
1878-1879 |
Edwin Holmes |
John Freeman Charles Cosins |
|
|
||
1880-1886 |
Ministers |
Assistants |
|
|
|
1880 |
Rev. Francis E. Nugent |
|
1883-1886 |
Rev. William Mills |
|
This circuit was reduced to four churches: Hespeler; New Chapel; Kirklands; and Ellis Church. |
PLEASANT NEWS --- Early last spring, Mr. Thomas H. Lamont and
wife, well and favourably known here went to the North-West ( August 28th 1884. |
THE PIONEERING YEARS
The Ellis Church Congregation
Thomas H. Lamont, younger brother of Peter Lamont, was born on the
original Lamont homestead. He went west as a school
teacher in the year 1880. It was the
interesting and scholarly history he wrote that records the hardships and
toils as well as the joys and sorrows of the pioneers and settlers in the u |
“The regular ministers and local laymen were Methodists but Sunday School was always operated by a Presbyterian or Methodist Superintendent and the teachers were always of mixed denominations. In the old school-house, the first religious services were generally conducted by a layman, George Duncan, one of God's real servants. Services were held here until the stone Church was built in 1861 on the north-west corner of the farm of Edward Ellis. This Church at that time should have been called the I also remember that the first lights were tallow candles, then lamps with fish oil, and how wide we opened our eyes when we saw the first coal oil lamps. Here the children from the entire neighbourhood attended the Sunday School. Mary Ellis was one of the teachers of the senior girls and Lizzie Archibald taught another class. She later became the wife of William Dickie. In later years the much-to-be-loved R. H. Knowles became teacher of the young men’s class. (Mr. Knowles was the last teacher in the old S.S. No. 11 School and the first teacher in the new school, opened in 1866.) Many of those under his charge, did not, nor ever will, forget his beneficial influence on their lives. James Eagle and Robert Little were the earlier Superintendents of the Sunday School and made many sacrifices on their time and talents in their efforts on behalf of the Sunday School.” |
SOLD OUT
Mr. Alexander Lamont has sold his farm on the March 22nd 1888. |
PRESENTATION
To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Lamont and Mrs. Peter Lamont: Respected Friends: We, your friends and neighbours, have gathered together this evening for the purpose of expressing the deep feelings of regret we entertain in regard to the occasion that calls us here----“that of bidding you a formal farewell on the eve of your departure to a distant Province,” but while we feel keenly our coming separation, our sorrow is not altogether unmixed with pleasure in the knowledge that you are going to a new home where your opportunities will be greatly improved for gaining a competence. And I can assure you on behalf of these, your assembled friends, that if your degree of success be proportionate to our well wishes for you, you will enjoy an era of prosperity in your new home that will be unprecedented even by the most fortunate of those migrating before you. |
Sir, many of us, here present, have been schoolmates of your own; we have sat on the same forms, studied the same lessons, been ruled by the same discipline, engaged in the same mischief with yourself; and when my mind reverts to these good old days now “lang syne” it fills me with deep sorrow to think that another of those, with whom we used to associate in our boyhood's days, is about to remove from the neighbourhood --- to seek his fortunes in another and distant land. So many have already migrated that we have but a remnant left of those who at one time received instruction in this section from Mr. R.H. Knowles, and I can assure you that remnant feels keenly each additional vacancy. And while we regret your removal, on account of these old memories, we no less regret the same on account of renewed and more recent association. We could always feel, sir, in grasping your hand and looking into your kindly face that we were holding intercourse with an honest manly man; and he, without making any ostentatious show, was found to be the right man in the right place, ever ready to extend a helping hand, not a neighbour merely in name but also in deed. We will, sir, greatly miss your cheering smile and pleasant face from amongst us. |
And you, madam, although not a companion of our school days, i.e. to the most of us, have so endeared yourself to us by your unassuming and neighbourly deportment that we indeed feel that we sustain a bereavement in your loss. I can assure you on behalf of these your friends that we sympathize with you on account of your removal to so great a distance from your relatives and many of your girlhood's friends and acquaintances. But we know that you are leaving the old friends to find new ones, for the qualities of your heart and mind will be the efficient means of encircling you with a host of friends wherever you may be. And you, “my venerable friend”, are one who always had an interest in the neighbourhood and whose good, solid, motherly and Christian teaching should be remembered and improved upon by those who had the advantage of it. We know that it is hard for one who has crept far along life's roadway to break asunder old friendship’s ties and form new ones. But my dear madam, you will have the satisfaction of being near all of your children, and at least occasionally again forming an unbroken family circle. I assure you that words of adieu are inadequate to express the depth of our feelings in losing one so venerable, so time honoured as yourself from our midst. |
You can all rest assured that in going to your new home you will carry with you the best possible wishes of these your friends, and many others. We hope that you will severally accept these small tokens of our esteem on account of the motives that prompt the giving. I will merely say on this behalf that the suddenness of your winding up of your affairs and removing to your new home, necessarily made the time so short in which to notify friends of our section that many who would have gladly assisted in the work could not possibly be given the opportunity to do so; but I feel fully confident that if all your well-wishers could be brought together this evening in this house it could not comfortably contain them, and they would undoubtedly have swelled the amount to make something, far more worthy of your acceptance. But we feel confident that you will not value these things on account of any intrinsic value they may possess but rather as being tokens of the high esteem in which we hold you. On behalf of committee - James H. Ellis Committee of Arrangement: John M. Eagle, William Little, John Fyfe |
At the proper moment, Mr. W. J. Little presented Mr. Lamont with a handsome pipe and tobacco case and a number of excellent books. Mr. J. Fyfe presented Mrs. Lamont with a beautiful set of table cutlery, and J. M. Eagle presented Mrs. Peter Lamont with a fine collection of books. Mr. Lamont, although entirely taken by surprise, feelingly thanked his friends for their handsome gifts. Their kindness was entirely unexpected on his part, and he did not think himself deserving of the high esteem of his neighbours as evidenced by their handsome gifts and address, and he could assure them that he would sacredly preserve and cherish their gifts, not only for their intrinsic value, but for the manner in which they were given. The presentation over, a very pleasant time was spent in various amusements, Mr. and Mrs. Lamont doing all in their power for the entertainment of their guests. About 12 o'clock a sumptuous repast was passed round by the ladies and the guests departed for home.
|
A FAREWELL LETTER To the Editor of the Mercury: Dear Sir,-- I would ask as a favour a small space in your valuable paper on the eve of my removal from this Province to my new home in Manitoba in which to express my feelings of regret on leaving, and my appreciation of, and thanks for the consideration and kindness, I have at all times received from the cherished friends with whom I have been surrounded from my infancy. To my old Friends and Neighbours: Dear Friends,-- I can assure you that it is with feelings of the deepest regret that I am now about to leave Puslinch. Born here, and passing my entire life among, and at all times receiving a degree of consideration and kindness from you that I could not feel that I fully deserved, you can judge my feelings on now bidding farewell to you, and the surroundings with which I have been associated from my earliest childhood, and which are held sacred by a deep affection that has grown with my growth and increased with my strength. |
I now take this opportunity of saying to you that I am truly sorry that circumstances have made it advisable for me to remove from your midst, and that no matter where I may be placed my thoughts will often return to you, the friends of my youth and there will be a warm place in my heart and a warm seat by my fireside to welcome any of you that it may be my good fortune to meet in my new home. I would thank you sincerely on behalf of my wife and mother, as well as on my own account, for all your kindness to us, and for the tokens of that kindness given us in so hearty and genial a manner on the evening of March 14th last, and which will at all times bring your kind faces before us in memory, although I can assure you in this behalf that although highly prized on account of the motives that prompted the giving, yet these tokens were not necessary to assure you a place in our kindest remembrances. Your obedient servant. ALEXANDER LAMONT. Puslinch, Ont. March 27th, 1888. u |
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o’ auld lang syne. by Robert Burns |
Time has taken its toll of the Before turning to the next chapter in the history of Ellis Church,
it is befitting at this time to acknowledge the pioneer parentage which has
survived a century and more in the |
John McAlister served as an Ellis Church Community Trustee. Thomas McMaster is at present a Community Trustee of Ellis Church (1987). |
THE PASSING OF A PUSLINCH PIONEER
We are again called upon to chronicle the life of one of the old pioneers of Puslinch, in the person of Mrs. Thomas Heritage, who died at her residence, Green Hill Farm, on Tuesday, April 26th, 1904; aged 91 years and 6 months. Deceased had been in her usual state of health until about Christmas when she took the grippe and was not strong enough to battle the grim foe. Mrs. Heritage was very much respected by all her friends, both
young and old. She was of a quiet
disposition but a friend to all, and was generous and kind to those in need,
and no person was turned away hungry from her door. She was a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and many a time she walked to Mrs.
Heritage, whose maiden name was Christina Ramsay, was twice married. Her first husband was John McAlister. They were married at Campbellton,
|
They lived in When Mrs. Heritage first came to |
At that time there were no stores in Hespeler and they had to go to Galt to do their trading. Mrs. Heritage would walk to Galt and carry a basket of butter and eggs, get her groceries, and walk back home, the road at that time leading past the old Shaw homestead. One day when she was going to Galt she met a large black bear on the path; she thought she was done for, but setting her basket down, she clapped her hands and helloed, and the bear took fright and ran into the woods. On another occasion the wolves were chasing the calves in the pasture, and they let a large yoke of oxen in the field and the wolves were quickly driven off, but the calves were badly torn. Mrs. Heritage was born at Killeden, Argleshire, |
The pioneering years marked a beginning for families such as the McAlisters and for Ellis Church in the |
||
|
“Many old things have passed away, almost all the things are becoming new. But in the pages of the chronicler or historian There will be found materials sufficient to revive the remembrance of the past. And to cherish that proud feeling of nationality, which is the only sound foundation of real patriotism, And the best inheritance of any people.” |
|
The words above were spoken in reference to Mr. Donald McLean at
the time of his death in 1876. Mr.
McLean was born in |
THE SABBATH SCHOOL YEARS
The Challenge to Survive ReminiscencesThe Sunday School Pic-Nic As the Twig is Bent Glimpses of the Past
Discontinuation of the Sunday School Boy Scout Meetings |
“Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 |
A PSALM OF LIFE by Henry Tell me not, in mournful numbers, “Life is but an empty dream!” For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; “Dust thou art, to dust returnest,” Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each tomorrow Finds us farther than today. Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints, on the sands of Time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er Life’s solemn main, A forlorn and ship-wrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labour and to wait. (Verse handwritten in the Pulpit Bible at Ellis Church) |
THE SABBATH SCHOOL YEARS
The Challenge to SurviveAbout 1880, churches of the various denominations were being
established in the nearby town of In 1884, the union of the In the spring of 1888, the |
A DEADLOCK - The Ellis Church difficulty has come to a deadlock. The Trustees met in Hespeler on Tuesday afternoon when those from Puslinch refused to sign the deed of the church. It is doubtful now what steps will be taken in the matter. The January 19th 1888. |
The |
LOCKED UP - The Ellis Church has been locked up by a Puslinch Constable and any person entering is threatened with arrest. It seems a pity to raise all this trouble over $70, the price the Church was being sold for.
|
Community protests of the proposed sale appeared in the To the Editor of the Mercury: Dear Sir, - “Equity” has been giving us the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But “Equity”, as you style yourself, I will go with you and we will examine the other side of the truth. I shall not take up your time with anything that has been written, but will come to the facts. When the Messrs. McGregor, Paddock, Glover, Simmons, Plant, Scott, Mason, Smith, and others came to the members of this trust board at different times, and said, "Will you give me a place to bury my dead?" their answer was “yes, here is an acre of land given as a free gift by Mr. Ellis, deeded to us and our ancestors in trust for that purpose, we will go and help you to bury your dead in it.” And it becomes a public burying ground, and everything put on that
ground helps to increase its value and appearance, let it be buildings or
furnishings, and no subscriber has any claim on account on what he has
given. For instance, when they got up
the first |
Now, if these trustees or their successors in office, legally appointed, see fit to sign this property away for personal property, then they leave themselves open for action, in the Court of Chancery, for a breach of trust: first: to the late Mr. Ellis, for the confidence he placed in them to keep this property for the use of the public; second, to those who entrusted them to keep it for their place of burial, for we have courts of equity, as well as courts of law, and if the law of the church on real estate is not in accordance with the law of the land, it will not stand: but if these trustees or their successors, legally appointed, did not sign this property away, then no person had any right to draw a nail or do anything to destroy or decrease the value or the appearance of this property, and is open for an action against them for so doing. This is my opinion, and I am not the first man that was ever ridiculed for expressing his opinion. Now “Equity”, this is a public matter, and I do not desire to go into any personalities, or make any remarks on your letter, nor do I expect this to be the last, for I expect the last to be when the decision of the court is published. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for your indulgence to me, I remain, your obedient servant. ROBERT LITTLE |
To the Editor of the Mercury: Dear Sir, --- In perusing your issue of the 1st, I find amongst your correspondents one signed “Equity”, to which I claim the right to reply especially as my name is therein mentioned as being willing or desirous for the sale of our church and graveyard, which I emphatically deny for I have never been asked to give approval or consent to such a course notwithstanding any oaths or affidavits to the contrary. “Equity”, whoever he or she is, (for the nom de plume reveals no sex or gender) reminds the readers of the MERCURY of a former letter from their pastor in reference to the church controversy in which it is explained the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in the matter. In your issue of January 19th, I find a letter alluded to in which the Rev. gentleman in the third section of paragraph proceeds to state that in the year 1884, owing to circumstances arising out of the Union, it was deemed advisable to withdraw the services and that a meeting of the trust board was called, who by almost an unanimous vote, decided to close the church. |
I also find that in consulting the minutes of the proceedings of the trust board that the church was leased on the 6th of December, 1881, which lease I hold in trust, and which is still in force as it is not limited as to time, but runs concurrently, the appointment having been previously withdrawn arbitrarily without consulting the board. Now if the appointment was withdrawn in 1881, why call a meeting of the board in 1884 to effect that object? I also find in the seventh section unfeeling, uncalled for, and ungentlemanly remarks referring to our burial ground, which are misleading as it has not been open to the public for 30 years, for we felt too feeble financially to clear up and fence in the cemetery until the summer of 1873. Since 1880, there have been periodical menaces and threats from our Hespeler friends of selling us out, so that those having deposited members of their families therein have frequent cause for alarm. Under such circumstances, it is no matter of surprise that other places should be preferred, although less convenient for burial purposes. We are therefore forced to the conclusion that instead of 30 years, only 7 is the period that our graveyard has been a desirable repository for the dead. |
There are four other items contained in the letter which are equally misleading, but I have neither time nor inclination to refer to them at present. The acre of land upon which our church stands was given free of
cost, not sold, expressly for the purpose of burial ground in connection with
the erection of a church for the use of this locality, and not as an article
of sale or barter or speculation, as our Hespeler friends assume. It is still desirable and necessary for the
use of the neighbourhood for “Equity” seems anxious to know the amount contributed by other denominations towards its erection. I shall not however enlighten him, or her, for fear that he may insist on knowing what we have for dinner or if we eat our proverbial hash with a knife. But I can state officially, as the Secretary of the trust board, that two gentlemen gave each a trifle more than the whole contribution of the membership of the Methodists of the village at the time; our esteemed friend, David Stirton, your Postmaster, being one of the two alluded to. At our last and successful effort to cancel our church debt, for which my late brother Edward and myself were held personally responsible, I witnessed our worthy and respected M.P., Mr. Innes, drop a five dollar bill on the collection plate. I have a warm and friendly feeling for gentlemen of that stamp, much more so than for those who would outrage the feelings of the living and desecrate the memory of the dead by offering for sale a church and graveyard with its silent and unresisting population for a paltry sum with which to lessen or extinguish their church indebtedness. |
I always have objected to diverting the property from its original intended use, not from impulse or passion, but from principle and conviction. I will resist any attempt to possess it for any other purpose than that for which it was originally designed. I very much regret the course pursued by our Hespeler friends, for it appears to me that it is dishonouring the God we all possess to love and worship, and that it is a reproach to our common Christianity. With our best wishes for the prosperity and happiness of our Hespeler friends and regrets for your already overwrought patience. I am yours &c., THOMAS ELLISPuslinch, 3rd March, 1888. |
These eloquently presented letters voiced local community
sentiment in support of retaining Ellis Church as a place of worship and
burial ground for the community and protesting the proposed sale of the
church property. Words that speak to
the determination of the |
WHAT HAVE I DONE TODAY? O Lord, give me COURAGE To change the things I can change PATIENCE To accept the things I cannot change, and WISDOM To know the difference. |
ELLIS CHURCH NOT TO BE SOLD, - Since the talk commenced of selling the Ellis Church there have been a few meetings of those interested and, to avoid a bad feeling starting in the neighbourhood, it was thought best not to sell it, so our old church stands safe yet. PUSLINCH January 30th 1888. |
The controversy over the proposed sale of Ellis Church gradually dissipated and reason was to prevail over emotion. The conflict had a favourable outcome in that the |
SETTLED - Messrs. Ellis and Little’s exhaustive letters have evidently settled the church controversy as no attempt has been made to secure possession by the Hespeler speculators. The residents in the vicinity are organizing a Sunday School to be held there as soon as the weather will be warm enough to dispense with the services of a wood fire. Parties attending from a distance will be obliged to walk or leave their horses exposed to the summer sun as the sheds are serving a purpose elsewhere. April 26th 1888. |
NOTES- Jas. H. Ellis has returned from September 20th 1888. |
|
||
|
Left to Right: Arthur and Bertha Eagle, pictured with their father, Marvin Eagle, a former Community Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent at Ellis Church. |
|
|
Ellis Church -- Sunday School is in full running order and well attended... June 14th, 1888. |
THE SABBATH SCHOOL YEARS
Reminiscences
The transition from regular ministerial church services to A group of community trustees have been responsible for the property and affairs of Ellis Church through the years. Original Community Trustees of Ellis Church were Edward Ellis, James Eagle, Thomas Ellis, Peter Lamont, William Ellis, and Joseph Copeland. They were followed by William Little, John Fyfe, and Marvin Eagle. Robert Reeve, Arthur Evans, and John McAlister succeeded these men. |
Mrs. William Dickie spent last week in Toronto, she being a
delegate to the October 31st 1901. |
Community Sunday School Superintendents, responsible for instruction at Ellis Church, were James Eagle, Robert Little, Mrs. William Dickie, Marvin Eagle, John Fyfe, Walter Holm, Rev. E.S. Charlton, Ralph Elston, Rev. J. Armstrong, Secord Reamon, and Clarence Habermehl. |
Robert Burns does not write from hearsay, but from sight and experience: it is the scenes that he has lived and laboured amidst, that he describes.... Robert Carlyle |
|
||
|
Left to Right: Standing: Eleanor Dickie & Margaret Stewart. Seated: Mary Dickie & Isobel Evans. December 1965. |
|
|
RECOLLECTIONS BY MRS.
ELEANOR EVANS (née Dickie) The cleaning of the Sunday School was an annual event which took place on the Thursday or Friday afternoon preceding the first Sunday in May as the School re-opened then. A couple of young men went with a team and a stone boat, a barrel of soft water and a huge black kettle which they set on a couple of large stones and made a fire underneath where the water was heated. The same kettle was used for boiling maple sap in the spring and for making cider sauce in the fall. The young women of the neighbourhood gathered with pails, cloths and scrub brushes and plenty of soap, (for the floor was always white). The “Boys” assisted in moving the large wooden pews or seats. Some of the girls cleaned the windows and the lamps. Some scrubbed seats and some the floor. A couple put the library books in order in the cupboard by the back door. |
When all had been set in order, the pies were brought out; for from first to last, this was a feast of pies, almost as many varieties as there were girls there, and for once, there was no limit to the number of pieces they could help themselves to, so long as the pies held out. In the Sunday School, the girls had four classes on the east side: primary, junior, intermediate and Bible class; the last named was in the south-east corner. The boys had the same number of classes on the west side, their Bible class being in the north-west corner. The adult classes would each have an average attendance of about a dozen. The Sunday School collections were used to defray the expenses; provide quarterlies and papers, also cards and “tickets” for the Primary Classes. Special offerings for Missions were taken at intervals. Scripture memorizing was encouraged. Each Sunday a child attended, he or she was given a ticket with a Scripture verse. The Sunday following the one he received the fourth ticket, he would return them to the teacher and, if he could recite all four verses correctly, he was given a larger and very pretty card with a Scripture verse. |
Throughout the years, many consecrated teachers faithfully taught the Word of God to the children who attended. Prominent amongst them were Margaret Robertson, Christy Clarke, Belle Bond, Holly Little, Eliza Little, Martha Little, Ella Little, Hannah Fyfe, John Fyfe, Etta Bond, Eleanor Bond, Mrs. Dickie, Bessie Dickie and Belle Robertson. Jessie Robertson was church organist for many years. Later, her niece, Mamie Robertson, took over until 1916 when she was married. Following are the names of the families who attended, as I remember them: Ross, Robertson, Eagle, Kitchen, Bond, Lisso, Zimmerman, Robert Little, Joseph Little, Ellis, Knack, Reeve, Dickie, McAlister, Fyfe, Evans, Kean, Wilkinson, Gilchrist, and Aikens. I think the average attendance of the Sunday School would be between 45 and 50. The singing was hearty and all participated. |
|
||
|
Sunday School Teachers at
Ellis Church: Top, Holly Little; Directly Below Left, Etta Bond (Fyfe) and
Right, Belle Bond; Bottom, next to water, Polly Reeve. |
|
|
|
||
|
Standing in the centre is Belle
Robertson, former Sunday School teacher at Ellis Church. Sitting,
to the right, is Mamie Robertson, Church Organist
prior to 1926. The home pictured in
the background was formerly the Thomas Ellis homestead. |
|
|
RECOLLECTIONS BY MR. GLADSTONE
ZIMMERMAN
Ellis Sunday School started in May and ran to October. I attended Sunday School with my mother and sister, Lily, from 1903-1908. Others who attended at the time were the Evans brothers, Percy, Arthur, James, Kenneth, and Robert; Leslie, Lee, Bertha, and Arthur Eagle; Eleanor and Ruth Little; Elizabeth and Robert Reeve; and George Paddock. Elizabeth Reeve and my sister Lily were chums. Mrs. William Dickie was Superintendent and Wilson Robertson was Secretary-Treasurer. As was the custom in most churches, afternoon classes were held. The reason for this was that chores had to be done in the morning, necessitating a change of clothing before driving to town to attend church services. Sunday School classes were held later in the day so that people in the country could participate. I can recall the little graveyard all covered over with a mass of
wild, tangled rosebushes. Sometime in
the past, a pioneer family had planted a rose and it had gone wild over the
years. On the way to school, (S.S. No.
11), we would crawl in under the bushes and read the gravestones, being kind
of half scared all the while. This
behaviour wasn’t allowed on Sunday; besides, we had to dress up and we could
not be caught prowling around on the ground.
After the |
RECOLLECTIONS BY MRS. ANNE EVANS
The earliest recollection I have of the Ellis Church dates back to 1913. I had only been in this community a short time. The little girls, and big girls too, of S.S. No. 11, were busy describing to one another the pretty new dresses their respective mothers were making and which each would be able to wear for the opening day of Sunday School in May. Naturally I was curious as to where this church might be. One smart boy, calling me “stupid”, pointed east of the school saying, “down there, can't you see?” I had seen the church every day I went to school, but I had not connected it with the one the girls were talking about. I can remember going down and asking my parents if I could go to
the Ellis Sunday School as everyone else was going. My mother had made me a new dress for
Easter so that problem was solved. We
always attended |
Dad said, “You may as well go as wander around here all afternoon keeping your mother and I awake.” He did add, however, that it would be a long walk for a little girl. I was not deterred, and Sunday afternoon found me on my way, thinking when I reached the school, others would be waiting to walk along with me. No one was in sight at S.S. No. 11. I hurried along, feeling I might be late. When I reached the Sunday School, I could see no one about, though a wisp of smoke was blowing from the chimney. By this time, I was sure services had started. I walked up the path to the door rather timidly, not knowing what to do or expect. Just them the door opened and a short pleasant man came out saying, “Well, well, I see we are going to have a visitor with us today”. He took my hand, remarking that he and I were the early birds and we could just sit on the steps until more came along. I was to know later, this man was Mr. Marvin Eagle, superintendent at that time. Some of the girls from school came along and took me into their class. I remember feeling quite shy at all the glances cast at the newcomer. The teachers and moms and dads spoke to me after services and hoped I would come again. This was the beginning of many happy memories I have of attending Sunday School classes at Ellis Church. |
RECOLLECTIONS BY MRS. HELEN EINWECHTER (née Reeve) It was during the 1920’s and 1930’s when I attended Ellis Sunday School. I can recall that those walking from the Third Concession to Sunday School came through our farm. As we walked along, other people joined on to make a procession to Ellis Church. Aunt Carrie Aikens lived next to Ellis Church on the west side. On cleaning bee day, Aunt Carrie always baked a delicious chocolate cake and served tea to all the helpers who joined in the clean-up. |
THE OLD OAKEN BUCKETHow dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recognition presents them to view! The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood, And every loved spot which my infancy knew, The cot of my father, the dairy house nigh it, and e’en the rude-bucket which hung in the well.The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, the moss-covered bucket which hung in the well. by Samuel Woodworth |
SABBATH SCHOOL PICNIC, - A picnic is to be held by the
|
THE SABBATH SCHOOL YEARS |
||
|
|
|
The blessing of Christian fellowship enjoyed by the congregation
of “The Sunday School picnic was something the children always looked
forward to. Once or twice, it was held
at |
A special meeting was called and various committees were appointed to prepare a list of games and races and also to set up the tables and make seating arrangements. Two men would go to the field selected, taking lumber, (good clean boards which were around the farmyard), and trestles upon which to place the boards. These were the “tables” upon which the ladies spread their tablecloths when ready to prepare the supper. The “seats” for the tables were of planks, often supported by blocks of wood from the woodpile, nailed underneath. I do not think the babies or young children slept that afternoon: all were on exhibition. |
||
|
|
|
The food was there in great abundance and of superb quality. Mrs. Dickie always supplied the lemons and sugar and made the lemonade for the children. Many friends from Hespeler came to our picnic and enjoyed fresh country air and good baking. Dr. Henderson, (dentist), is especially remembered as he always brought the largest watermelon he could find for the children. There were races for all ages for the girls and boys. The prizes were always the same, a piece of silk ribbon 2 inches by 3/4 inch in depth; red for first prize, sky blue for second prize, and white for third. |
I think it was after supper, (or was it before?), that the men of the picnic selected two of their number to act as “Captains”. Sides were chosen, a long and strong rope was produced and a “Tug-of-War” took place. A white kerchief was tied in the centre of the rope. The side which succeeded in pulling that kerchief several feet beyond a certain mark, was proclaimed victorious. Various games were played including baseball. At one time the roof of the church needed renewing, so funds were collected and a new roof was put on one side. A year or so later, the other side received a similar renewal. Sometimes when extra funds were needed, such as to purchase new books for the library, a “Strawberry Social” was held on a warm June evening. One such, the writer remembers, when the tables were set outside on the west side of the building. Large saucers of delicious strawberries with “real cream” were served with all manner of cakes and cookies. For those who preferred, ice cream was dished up. Afterwards a nice program of songs, recitations, and musical numbers were rendered inside the building. |
On another occasion a “Garden Party” was held on the lawn of Mr. Joseph Little’s home, where tables were set out-of-doors, a good supper was served and nice program given afterwards. Friends in Hespeler were always happy to attend these functions and contribute their talent, which was much appreciated.” |
||
|
|
|
|
CO-OPERATIVE PICNIC, --- A grand picnic was held in Mr. William Dickie’s grove, on Puslinch civic holiday, that is on Saturday last. Among the many groups were the Sunday School picnic, the day school picnic, etc. All that were present say that they enjoyed the picnic very much. Among many other amusements were races, etc. for school children. The prizes were given by Miss McWilliams, the teacher. The races were as follows: Sack race, 1st James Reeve, 2nd David Eagle. Three-legged race, 1st James Reeve, 2nd Wm. Plant. Boys’ long race, 1st James Reeve. Small Boys’ short race, 1st Morey Kitchen. Girls’ race, 1st Minnie Evans, 2nd Bessie Stotz. Other amusements were, football playing -- the football being kindly lent by the Puslinch Lake Football Club -- croquet playing, swinging, baseball playing, lawn tennis, cricket, and many other such amusements too numerous to mention. After enjoying a pleasant afternoon the various picnics united and had tea at the same tables, after which they all started for their various homes, it being then quite dark. Among the visitors were seen Mr. Ed. Rife and ladies of Hespeler, Mr. Aaron Stager, of Waterloo, and ladies, Mr. George Collins of Hespeler, and Mr. Ed. Johnston of Hespeler.
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
THE SABBATH SCHOOL YEARS
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II TIMOTHY 3:14-17 |
The book “Annals of Puslinch” makes reference to the influence of
the One Sunday afternoon over seventy years ago (1890’s), a missionary from beyond the seas visited Ellis Sunday School and gave a talk to the children and the young people. He spoke of the “need” in foreign lands and said that perhaps someone to whom he was then speaking might some day become a missionary and go to heathen lands. A little girl sitting on the front seat laughed. Whereupon he said to her, “Yes, you might
be a missionary some day.” That child
was Edith Evans who grew up and went to Bessie Dickie, a
former Ellis Sunday School teacher, became a Home Missionary, and is serving
amongst the mountain people of |
In speaking of the residents, I do not intend to speak as an
egotist, but what I have to say is this, that Educational--- Donald McCaig, Inspector of Algoma Schools; Malcolm McCormick, Principal of Guelph Business College; T. J. Collins, Principal Ottawa Separate School and champion penman of Canada; C.C. Collins, Principal Guelph Separate School, pen artist and professor of music; Alex Dickie, Principal of High School, Galveston, Texas, and other prominent teachers, viz, Thos. Dickie, W. S. Dickie, Jas. H. Ellis, Thos. H. Lamont, Jas. Ramsay, A. Little. Theology - Rev.
Jas. Little, M.A., Medicine - Frank
Wood Shaw, M.D., Inland Revenue - J. K. Barrett, Inspector of Inland Revenue for the Province of Manitoba; T. J. Barrett, London, Ont. Military- Mat. Ellis, 1st class Infantry certificate; John Gilchrist, 1st class Artillery certificate; Ed. Ellis. Athletic -
Gilbert McCaig, ex-champion stone thrower of Miscellaneous -
M. Collins, J. P., Country Treasurer, Norfolk, Manitoba; R.A. Barrett, master
mechanic , Rusk, Texas. It is of such
men that August 28th 1889. |
Live for something. Do good and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storms of time can never destroy. Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy, On the hearts of those you come in contact with year by year; you will never be forgotten. Your name, your deeds, Will be as legible on the hearts you leave behind, as the stars on the brow of evening. Good deeds will shine as the stars of heaven. by Thomas Chalmers |
THE SABBATH SCHOOL YEARS Glimpses of the Past
|
||
|
Horses Pulling Binder Mr. Edwin Shantz (father of Mrs. Anne Evans) |
|
|
GLIMPSES OF THE YEARS THAT ARE
GONE
From the early days we are gliding fast, We are speeding away from the cherished past; We are speeding away from the scenes of yore, From the early days which return no more; And yet through the years how a voice will start To move on the chords of the melting heart; Scenes gleam through the mist we never forget, We cling to them ever with tender regret. And voices are whispering soft and low To us from the years that were long ago. by Thomas Laidlaw, The Pioneer Poet of (1892) |
DOWN ON THE FARM
Puslinch Farmer’s Club
Wednesday March 9th 1878. The regular monthly meeting of this club was held in the Temperance Hall, School Section 11, on Saturday, 23rd February. In the absence of the President, Mr. Robert Little was called to the chair. The subject under consideration was “Potato Culture”. There was a large attendance of members who thoroughly discussed the most approved modes of cultivation, together with merits of the various varieties of this valuable and indispensable esculent. Altogether a profitable evening was spent. A number of new members joined the Club, besides old members renewing their connection therewith. All retired to their homes, impressed with the opinion that, by associating, much can be gained of practical benefit and also result in profit to the farmer. |
HAYING AND HARVESTING July 30th 1885. The splendid weather of the past two weeks has given all the farmers in the vicinity the privilege of securing their hay in excellent condition, and now fall wheat harvest is almost in full blast. Some three weeks ago there was, owing to the sultry, moist weather, considerable apprehensions of rust, but the setting in of propitious weather has rendered it all right, and both yield and sample are likely to be quite satisfactory. Here and there barley is being harvested, and is an excellent crop, whilst all other spring crops are most promising. Whilst alluding to the crops we must not forget to make mention of the raspberry crop, which this year as well as last is very plentiful, and is no doubt proving profitable. Farms in the vicinity having good berry patches are veritable thoroughfares, and in some cases the harvesting of the berries proves detrimental to other crops in the neighbourhood. |
TEAMING
Thursday January 19th 1888.Puslinch has always been noted for the amount of teaming done in it every winter. This year seems to be no exception to the rule. As the sleighing is now what we call “as good as can be”, farmers are taking advantage of it and are teaming both logs and cordwood to the Galt and Hespeler markets and consequently the roads are covered with teams daily. This teaming is alright now but is too good to last long, as the wood of Puslinch is getting pretty scarce, and soon the vicinity of Puslinch Lake will be as cold and as much exposed to the weather as Manitoba. |
BIG THRESHINGS
|
The McAlister Threshing Machine operated by brothers, Archibald and Alexander, circa 1885. |
|
January 30th, 1888. --- Mr. Anthony Robertson has purchased a threshing machine, upright engine, water tank, and all other equipments necessary for a thresher, and intends starting threshing on his own account this year. He has for the last few years been working with his uncle and so has gained a knowledge that will likely bring him out a professional thresher. We wish him every success in his new career. August 16th, 1888.--- Mr. Anthony Robertson for the past two weeks has been keeping the juveniles of this vicinity on the jump, tramping straw and carrying away grain. The foot ball club does not intend holding any more practices till this machine leaves the neighbourhood, as they consider they have enough heel and toe exercise for the present. September 13th, 1888. - Mr. Anthony Robertson threshed eleven hundred and sixty-five bushels of grain at the barn of Mr. James Ellis, last Tuesday. This is the largest day’s work we have heard of this season. Somebody beat it. |
BARN RAISING
BARN RAISING, - Tuesday afternoon a very large barn was raised on the farm of Mr. Richard Paddock. There were present about 140 men and 47 ladies. The barn is one of the largest ever built in this section - size 66 by 76, and main parts 31 feet six inches in height. Messrs. Wm. Paddock and Harry Bond were elected captains and although assisted by such able Lieuts. as Mr. McIntosh, of Crieff, and Messrs. Gilchrist of the 3rd con., Mr. Paddock sustained a slight defeat. The skill and agility of Messrs. Stewart and Black, and the sagacity and experience of Mr. James MacDonald contributed largely to Mr. Bond’s victory. After the raising all were treated to a sumptuous supper, after which the young people “tripped the light fantastic” to an early hour in the morning. The framework reflects credit on the contractor, Mr. Wm. Aikens, and when finished, it will be one of the finest barns in the township. Mr. Aikens has already completed a barn for Mr. George Clemens of Waterloo, and will erect one for Mr. McPherson, of Crieff, at an early date. The mason work was built by Messrs. Grills of Hespeler, in their usual thorough manner. June 21st 1888. |
LOOK UP! Look up! and not down; Out! and not in; Forward! and not back; and lend a hand. Edward Everett Hale |
RAISING, --- The last raising of the season took place on the farm of Mr. Alfred Evans, 3rd Concession, Puslinch, on Tuesday last. The frame work was done by Mr. Amos Musser and staff and is one of the finest in our township. Mr. Musser deserves great credit for the excellent manner in which the framework went together, there being not the slightest error in the whole frame. The size of the barn is 54 x 68 feet and main posts 27 feet in height which was raised in the incredibly short time of 1 hour, 10 min. An exciting race marked the event, sides being captained by Messrs. Alex McAlister and William Young, Mr. Young’s side coming out a few minutes ahead. An exciting tug of war took place after supper. Mr. McAlister’s men came out victorious. Mr. McPherson, of Crieff, raised a new barn last week. Mr. Wm. Aikens did the framework in a very creditable manner. July 12th 1888. |
CIDER SAUCE October 18th 1888. The neighbours around here are busy boiling apples, and paring bees are becoming common. The apple crop far exceeds any that we have had for a number of years. Cober’s and Groh’s cider mills cannot grind fast enough all they get in during daylight, but are grinding late at night by the light of lanterns. They are also at it before daylight in the morning. |
SCHOOL DAYS |
||
|
S.S. # 11 Puslinch, circa 1927. |
|
The second school in the section was built in 1865 and occupied in
1866. Subsequently, the old log school house
situated on the John Dickie homestead ( |
The last teacher in the old school and the first teacher in the new school was Mr. Richard H. Knowles. The teacher’s salary in 1864 was three hundred dollars which was paid annually. After 1898, it was paid quarterly. At first, the school board borrowed money from individuals or from the bank to pay their debts until the taxes and money from the Crown Lands came in. Gradually the school trustees were able to have a small balance left over. By the 1930’s, a standing fund was in the bank from which the school board of S.S.# 11 could draw money at any time. Many improvements were made at the school through the years. In 1905, a belfry and bell were added. The first flagpole was erected in 1908 and in 1911, the first library was bought. A woodshed, almost the size of the school was added to the back of the school in 1916. In 1927, the basement was excavated; drainage put in; and the floor cemented. At this time, a furnace was placed in the basement to heat the school and an outside chimney was built. Electric lights were installed in 1935. In September 1942, a new cloakroom and a lavatory for the boys and girls was built at the front of the school in place of the old porch. The two front windows of the school were closed in and made into a library and a cupboard. A second classroom for junior students was added to the rear of the school in 1950. |
S.S.# 11 served the The two schoolhouses in School Section # 11, |
TEACHERS AT S.S. #11 PUSLINCH 1866-1966 *Note: These teachers may have taught at S.S. #11 longer than indicated. Dates given are confirmed. |
|
|||
Mr. R. H.
Knowles |
1866-1874* |
Miss Evelyn
Howell Shantz |
1939-41 |
Mr. John Tovell |
|
Miss Isabel Fisk
Conley |
1941-43 |
Mr. Kilgour |
|
Miss Helen Fyfe Moore |
1943-44 |
Mr. John Stewart |
1880-1881 |
Miss Margaret Shaw |
1944 |
Major McGregor |
|
Miss Malvina Small |
1944-45 |
Mr. Walter Renwick |
|
Miss Isabel Fisk Conley |
1945-47 |
Miss E. McWilliams |
1888* |
Mr. B. J. Chalmers (Sr.) |
1947-52 |
Mr. James Ramsey |
1892* |
Miss Vera Thatcher (Jr.) |
1949-50 |
Mr. J. A. McDiarmid |
1896-1898 |
Miss Flora Henderson (Jr.) |
1950-52 |
Mr. John McCuaig |
1898-1901 |
Miss Norma Hall (Sr.) |
1952-53 |
Mr. B. F. Mitchell |
1901-1903 |
Mrs. Trent (Jr.) |
1952-53 |
Mr. Duncan Ewart |
1903-1908 |
Mr. Wm. J. Courtney (Sr.) |
1953-58 |
Mr. S. L. Smeltzer |
1908-1910 |
Mrs. Muriel Courtney (Jr.) |
1953-55 |
Miss M. E. Halliday |
1910-1911 |
Mrs. Joan McPhee (Jr.) |
1955-56 |
Miss C. J. Tovell |
1911-1914 |
Mrs. Marion Robbins (Jr.) |
1956-60 |
Miss N. Rogerson Reeve |
1914-1915 |
Mrs. Ruby McLean (Sr.) |
1958-59 |
Miss M. G. Quinn |
1915-1916 |
Mrs. A. McLanaghan (Sr.) |
1960-61 |
Miss Ena McKenzie |
1917-1921 |
Mrs. Cora Rutherford (Jr.) |
1960-63 |
Miss Mary L. Logan |
1921-1927 |
Mr. Ernest Slater (Sr.) |
1961-62 |
Miss Gladys Rosewell |
1927-1928 |
Mrs. E. Carlene White (Sr.) |
1962-64 |
Miss |
1928-1929 |
Miss Linda Biggs (Jr.) |
1963 |
Miss Mary F. Kerr |
1928-1929 |
Mrs. Margaret Balke (Jr.) |
1964 |
Miss Mabel McCartney |
1930-1934 |
Mr. George Kellner (Sr.) |
1964-66 |
Miss Marion Fasken |
1934-1937 |
Mrs. Donna Gehiere (Jr.) |
1964-65 |
Miss Ida Good |
1937-1939 |
Miss Helen Purdy (Jr.) |
1965-66 |
|
S.S. #11 Puslinch was closed in June of 1966 following a movement
in Two interesting facts are to be observed from the school records above. The stone school house was open to students for exactly 100 years (1866-1966) and a total of 50 teachers conducted classes at S.S.# 11 Puslinch. |
SCHOOL EXHIBITION February 25th, 1874. SCHOOL EXHIBITION - A public entertainment will be given by the pupils of S.S. No. 11, Puslinch, in the school taught by Mr. Knowles, on the evening of Friday, the 6th of March. A choice programme is being prepared, in dialogues, readings, recitations, and music, vocal and instrumental. As the entertainment given by those pupils last year proved a great success, no pains will be spared to make it even more successful on this occasion. Admission 15¢. |
|
||
|
Miss E. McWilliams and Class (1888.) |
|
|
||
|
Circa 1885-1895 Name of teacher and year not confirmed at time of writing. |
|
|
The Class of 1902 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
TEACHER: Mr. Benjamin MitchellROLL CALL: Back Row: Harold Tremain, Charles Knack; Fourth Row: Robert Reeve, Gordon Dickie, Ada Lisso, Eleanor Dickie, Jessie Tovell, Bethian Lisso, Leslie Eagle; Third Row: Lily Zimmerman, Mary Knack, Anna Lantz, Ella Cober, Elizabeth Reeve, Bertha Eagle, Elmina Thaler, Eva Cober, Elizabeth Knack, Dora McGregor; Second Row: Belly Burns, Russell Cober, Amiel Knack, Edward Divine, Ralph Tovell, Oscar Thaler; Front Row: (not complete) James Evans, Kenneth Evans, Lee Eagle, Howard Lantz, Gus Lisso. |
||
Other students recorded in the S.S. #11 School Register for 1902 are Lillie McGregor, Ethel McGregor, Percie Evans, Arthur Evans, Edwin Thaler, Alice Doherty, Bessie Evans, James Dickie, John McGregor, Fred McCardle, Roy McGregor, Alice Sault, George Thaler, Alex Reeve, Jessie McAlister, Lena Divine, John Lisso, and Gladstone Zimmerman. |
ENTERTAINMENT March 11th, 1874. ENTERTAINMENT - The public entertainment given by the pupils of school section No. 11, Puslinch, on Friday evening the 6th inst., was well attended, considering the inclemency of the weather. The programme consisted chiefly of recitations and dialogues, both sentimental and comic, occasionally interspersed with very choice pieces of music, and gave evident satisfaction to all present. We hope to see our friends on the platform again before long with an entertainment better than any previous exhibition they have taken part in. |
OYSTER
SUPPER
Friday January 13th 1882.On Wednesday night last, the members and ex-members of the Literary Society of S.S. No. 11 Puslinch, treated Mr. John Stewart, retiring teacher of the said section, to an oyster supper at the Puslinch Lake Hotel. After supper, the toasts customary to such occasions were duly given and responded to by different members of the society. A song by mine host, also songs by Messrs. Ross and Dickie were well received. In short, a few hours were very pleasantly spent. Of the guest of the evening, Mr. Stewart, we may say that the mark of esteem alluded to was well merited, as in his departure, the Literary Society, and people of the section generally have much to regret. He was teacher of the public school of said section for over two years, and during that time contributed much to the welfare of the literary society of the place. As a teacher he was accomplished and thorough, and succeeded in gaining the esteem of all who knew him. He has gone to spend a term at the Collingwood Collegiate Institute. In conclusion we take pleasure in saying that much credit is due to mine host and hostess of the Puslinch Lake Hotel for their courtesy on the occasion, and for the rich spread which so much gratified the palates of those who partook. |
SCHOOL EXAMINATION March 29th 1888. SCHOOL EXAMINATION - Miss McWilliams, the energetic teacher in this section, held her annual examination on Saturday last. Interspersed with the ordinary lessons, were dialogues, recitations, and songs, and in these, the children exhibited careful training indeed. The several visiting teachers took charge of the classes and examined them in the subjects prescribed by the Department. The answers of the pupils were, on the whole, clear and accurate, and gave general satisfaction. Not the least entertaining part of the programme was the beautiful repast provided by the ladies. Encouraging speeches by trustees and teachers brought a very successful examination to a close about 5 o’clock p.m. March 29th 1888. |
S.S.# 11 CLOSED January 16th 1903. S.S.# 11 |
The Class of 1926 |
||
|
|
|
|
||
TEACHER: Miss Mary Logan ROLL CALL: Back Row: Left - Annabelle Benallick, Bessie Chapman, Eleanor Fyfe, Elizabeth Bond, Helen Dickieson, Alice Tremain, Clara McVean, Helen Reeve; Centre Row: Left: Carl Hagey, Jim Brown, Ford Tremain, Tom Robertson, Albert Fyfe; Front Row: Left: Peter Martens, Edwin Bond, Jack Dickieson; Kneeling: Left: Nellie Chapman, Ethel Brown. |
||
|
TURNIP HARVEST October 31st 1901. The attendance at the |
AT THE
|
||
|
Pictured left to right; Back Row: Jean Rogerson and Anne Evans. Front Row: Eleanor Fyfe and Helen Reeve. |
|
|
DOMINION DAY July 1st 1880. Many residents of the city and country surrounding |
BUSINESS AT THE OLD STAND AT May 8th 1881. Mr. William Parks is the eldest son of the late Alexander Parks,
long and well known as the proprietor of the hotel on the north shore. He keeps a strictly Temperance house in
every respect. |
THE
|
SUCCESSFUL GARDENER August 16th 1888. SUCCESSFUL GARDENER - Mr. Adam Parker, of the Puslinch Lake Hotel,
is the most successful and scientific gardener in |
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
A SEA MONSTER - What is supposed to be a large sea monster was seen by a number of people on Saturday last in the vicinity of McCormick’s Point. How this animal came there is a matter of speculation, but it is generally supposed that it is the same one that has been seen occasionally for the last five or six years, and was carried here by means of a large waterspout, or reached its destination by way of the outlet. August 21st 1888. |
ON THE
PLAYING FIELD
THE DIAMOND July 28th 1885. A picked nine from Morriston were defeated by the home club here
on the afternoon of Saturday last. Another
very amusing and interesting friendly match was played on the farm of Mr.
Ellis, near |
FOOTBALL IN PUSLINCH To the Editor of the Mercury: Dear Sir, ---A football club is about to be organized in the
neighbourhood of Sport Puslinch, June 5th 1888. |
PUSLINCH June 14th 1888. FOOTBALL NOTES---Last Saturday evening, the weather being in not a favourable condition for a game in the earlier part of the evening, a good game was played after half past seven. There were nearly enough for two teams on the field, so a good practice opened which lasted until after dark, although it got dark early. It is a new game to the most of them and they were all well pleased with it, and cannot be satisfied now until they get a good team practised well enough to have a match with some other farmer’s football club. Among the numbers at the practice, which took place in A. Robertson’s lawn, which has been kindly lent for practice every Saturday night this summer, were some of our Killean friends, and also some from McCoy’s school section. After the game a meeting was held in James Ellis’ house at which Jas. Ellis was nominated President of the club; A. Robertson, Secretary-Treasurer; A. Little, captain; J. Fyfe, Vice President. There was no nomination as yet of Honorary President, so our most worthy men will have to commence filling their pocketbooks, as one of the oldest and most esteemed will be called upon to fill the office, and it is usual to ask of him a good large sum for fees, usually from one to five dollars. It was moved and seconded, that a committee of three be formed to assist the officers in getting out a code of regulations and rules of the club. Messrs. W. Little, Jno. Fyfe and J. Gilchrist, were nominated as the committee. It will be the work of the President to call meetings and to preside over them. The Secretary and Treasurer will be expected to collect the fees, to take care of the property of the club, &c. The captain will be expected to place the players at the practices in places he sees fit, and to see that they play right, and, of course, take part in the game himself. The next business was the amount of fees necessary to make one a member. It was agreed that small boys pay 10 cents and grown up people 25 cents. The time of Practice was fixed upon as half past six, when all who intend to play should be upon the field. The next practice will commence at half past six in Anthony Robertson’s lawn, when all the members are requested to be on time with as many others as they can get to come, as important business is to be transacted, and also the rules of the game to be made known. |
PUSLINCH August 16th 1888. PICNIC, ---The Football Association entertained their friends in a
very enjoyable way in Ellis’ grove on Friday, 3rd, inst. Football, baseball
and athletic sports were indulged in, in a splendid manner. Several of the athletes were Caledonian
men, whose breasts were covered with shining trophies. Such inscriptions as |
Members of the & Literary Society 1888-1891. James H. Ellis
─ President John Fyfe ─ Vice-President Anthony Robertson ─ Secretary-Treasurer Albert Little ─ Captain |
||
J. M. Eagle |
Thomas Chester |
Peter Barret |
Wm. J. Little |
Angus McLellan |
Elias Holm |
Ben Chester |
Neil Gilchrist |
Amos Musser |
John Robertson |
Wm. Gilliam |
John Parker |
Wm. A. Gilchrist |
Joseph McGregor |
Jacob Cooper |
Wm. Cooper |
Fred Schaumburg |
James Ramsay Teacher |
James Bryce |
Charles Schaumburg |
|
John T. Cooper |
John W. Gilchrist |
Ladies |
James Devine |
Ronald McLellan |
Anna B. Bond |
David Eagle |
Arch. McLellan |
Belle Robertson |
John McAlister |
Wm. Gilchrist Sr. |
Mary Robertson |
Wm. Devine |
Evan J. Gilchrist |
Alice Bond |
Chris. Collins |
John Bliss |
Hannah Fyfe |
James Paddock |
George Collins |
Hannah A. Little |
Edward Cooper |
Andrew McAlister |
Ella Little |
John Plant |
Thomas Robertson |
Eliza Little |
J. J. Gilchrist |
William Gilholm |
Lizzie McWilliams Teacher |
Wm. Gilchrist |
G. McCaig |
Eleanor Bond |
July 23rd 1889. |
PICNIC NEAR
July 23rd 1889.(From our correspondent) On Friday last, July 19th, the people in the vicinity of |
After these games were completed, and the prizes were distributed,
came the most interesting part of the day’s performance, namely, a football
match between the home team and the Aberfoyle team, resulting in a score of 3
to 0 in favour of the home team. The
Lake players were J. Devine in goal, J. Ramsay and Tom Robertson on defence,
J. Robertson and F. Schaumberg, half backs, and the six forwards, viz., W. Gilholm, A. Little, W. Little, J. W. Gilchrist, W.
Gilchrist and J. Fyfe. Some of the Aberfoyle players
were: L. Singular in goal, |
After this, the visitors and members of the football society, by
whom the picnic was gotten up, had supper in the old temperance hall. After supper, the programme was gone on with,
with the following results: ---Animated wheelbarrow race, 1st J.W. Gilchrist
and W. Little; 2nd, J. Fyfe and A. Neighbor. Smoking race, 1st, W. Little; 2nd F.
Schaumburg. Ladies egg and shingle
race, 325 yards, 1st, Miss C. Gilchrist; 2nd Miss C. Clark, and 3rd, Miss P.
Reeves. Ladies 200 yard race, 1st,
Miss C. Gilchrist; 2nd Miss J. Gilchrist.
After the prizes were distributed, the people,
tired of out door sports, returned to the hall where the light fantastic was
tripped till early morn to the strains of the Gilchrist, Little and Robertson
String Band. The way in which this
picnic was got up reflects much credit on the boys of the |
ON THE DEBATING SIDE
October 11th 1888.FOOTBALL NOTES --- Next Saturday evening the last practice will be held in Robertson’s field after which a meeting will be held to receive the officers’ reports and wind up the business of the year, and also to question the advisability of organizing a debating school. We once had a good way to bring the young men together, and it will be interesting as well as educating. It is too bad that they are going to stop football so early, but the club complains of bad attendance owing to potato picking, etc., and think they would be better to have a debating society that the boys will not need to come so early in the evening. |
Puslinch November 8th 1888. LITERARY SOCIETY ---The residents of |
DEBATING SCHOOL
|
|||
Initiation Fee 10¢ |
Place: S.S. #11 or Temperance Hall |
||
Nov. 12, 1890. |
Resolved that
Canada would become more prosperous if annexed to the U.S. |
Affirmative |
|
Nov. 19, 1890. |
Resolved that the Russel fence is the most profitable fence. |
Negative |
|
Nov. 26, 1890. |
Resolved that the average farmer’s son should take a course at the Agricultural College |
Affirmative |
|
Dec. 10, 1890. |
Resolved that a Monarchical Government is preferable to a Republican. |
Affirmative |
|
Dec. 19, 1890. |
Resolved that statute labour is the best means of improving Township roads. (Spelling match held along with a program of readings, recitations and songs). |
Negative |
|
Jan. 7, 1891. |
Resolved that it is more beneficial attending Literacy Association meetings than places of public amusements. |
Affirmative |
|
Jan. 14, 1891. |
Resolved that education is more beneficial to humanity than riches. |
Tie |
|
Jan. 21, 1891. |
Resolved that |
Negative |
|
Feb. 13, 1891. |
Resolved that capital punishment should be abolished. |
Affirmative |
|
Feb. 23, 1891. |
Resolved that coal is a more useful commodity than iron. |
Negative |
|
|
|||
YOU ARE INVITED
SLEIGHING PARTIES, ---Sleighing parties sallying into the country are quite in order these lively nights. A large number of the young people of the “Here and There Society” drove out to Mr. W. Dickie’s, Puslinch Lake, on Tuesday night last, and no doubt had a gala time. February 26th, 1885. |
SOCIAL HOP, --- There have already been a great many parties in this locality this season and we expect to have an interesting one in the Public and Temperance hall soon. This hall has very often proved a great convenience for temperance meetings and other gatherings, and for lawsuits. Long may it stand. January 19th, 1888. |
A PLEASANT AFFAIR, --- On Thanksgiving evening, a very pleasant
party took place at the residence of Mr. John Bond near the |
ENTERTAINMENT IN PUSLINCH,---A social entertainment will be held under the auspices of Division No. 358, S. of T. (Sons of Temperance), in the new hall, Section 11, Puslinch, on the evening of Friday 22nd inst. An excellent programme has been prepared for the occasion. Refreshments will be served at seven o’clock. Admission, twenty-five cents; children under twelve years, fifteen cents. The proceeds are to be applied to a worthy object - the liquidation of the debt on the hall. March 11th, 1874. |
NEWSWORTHY NOTES January
19th 1888. DIPHTHERIA:--- This troublesome disease is still lurking round these parts, although it is not as bad as it was a few months ago. ___________________________________________ March 15th, 1888.SILENT WEDDING, --- It has transpired that Mr. Thomas Aikens and one of Thos. Paddock’s daughters, one day last week, drove to Berlin, and very secretly had the matrimonial discourse given them, after which they returned home resolving to keep their relations to each other a secret, but gossip is a hard friend to deal with sometimes. MARRIAGE, --- Another Puslinch boy has been taking advantage of the matrimonial privileges offered by leap year. This is Alexander McCormick, who has taken for his bride a daughter of Mr. Donald McLarty, the knot being tied by Rev. Mr. McAuley, of Crieff. MESSRS. Ellis and Robertson have started sawing wood with the circular saw and will likely have work for the remainder of the winter. |
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, - A large time at Killean school
examination next Saturday, March 17th... Little,
Ellis and Co. to deal more extensively in the fish trade this spring than
formerly... A large time at a large charivari soon
to take place in Puslinch...A large attendance at Alexander Lamont’s sale on
Friday March 16th... A large examination in our own
school soon. |
August 16th 1888. CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS, --- A very serious accident happened on the farm of John Bond last week, when little Willie Plant came near losing his life. It appears the little fellow was scuffling turnips, and when turning, the horse, at the end of the row, became entangled in the harness and trying to extricate himself, fell with all his weight on the boy. A lady who was passing by, at the time, gave the alarm. Several women armed with butcher's knives, were soon on the scene. Confusion then reigned supreme. One thought if the lines were cut the horse could get up, and mistaking the tugs for the lines starting sawing away. Another attempted to pry the beast with a rail. The last lady to suggest was somewhat of a philanthropist. She concluded that nothing but the horse's blood could atone for the crime and set about hunting for the jugular vein in the region of the tail. In due time the horse was got on his feet. The little boy was picked up in an unconscious state, covered with dirt, weeds and horse hair, he being literally transplanted. Dr. McIntyre was immediately sent for, under whose care he is doing nicely... A boatload, on its way to the island last Sunday evening capsized
in the vicinity of St. Helen’s Mr. Wm. Laur met with a singular accident about the same time. He was sitting on a bench, which was situated below one of the upstairs windows, when a large stick, which was holding it up, lost its equilibrium and fell to the bottom striking Mr. Laur’s head in the region of the temporal bone. A local physician, who happened to be present, attended the sufferer, who is now doing as well as could be expected. |
September 22nd 1888. NOTES, - Rev. James Little is visiting his brothers, Mr. Robert
Little and Mr. Joseph Little, at present... Willie
Plant has met with another accident while bailing straw. He got his hand in the machine and had his
first two finger points cut off near the joints... The
Football team’s uniform consists of red stockings, blue pants and white
shirts, also black football caps... Sunday School
closed last Sunday for this year... There was a
great time at the Lake on Sunday last, over two hundred buggies having been
there from _______________________ September 5th, 1889. LARGE MEN, --- What may be termed the backbone of A Battery,
Guelph, is its |
COMINGS AND GOINGS
January 30th 1888.SNOW DRIFTS,---Owing to the heavy snow storm we had last week, which was accompanied by a severe cold snap, the roads have been blockaded, so as to make travelling almost impossible. _____________________________ March 15th 1888. AN OLD PUSLINCH BOY RETURNS HOME, - Mr. Robert Dickie, who has not been heard of for a long time, has returned home, stating that his home is Oregon, of which place he speaks highly, saying that it is neither too hot nor too cold, and the farmers were at seeding when he left about two weeks ago. |
UPSET, - As Miss McWilliams, the teacher, and Miss Mary Clarke were turning out of a lane on the third concession a few days ago, their horse took fright and ran away. As it tipped the passengers out before it got rightly started no person was hurt as might have been the case, for the horse ran at a furious rate for about a mile. When it was turning out of a field with the most of the cutter still sticking together it ran into a snowbank and capsized, where it lay on its back until a wood sleigh came up, and the driver loosened him from his harness and got him on his feet again. There was not as much damage done to either horse, harness, cutter or passengers as might have been expected. |
January 19th 1888. RETURNED, --- Mr. and Mrs. George Gregor have returned from their wedding tour in Huron county. PERSONAL, - Mr. John Dickie, who has for the past six years been
living in Manitoba, is now visiting his friends and relations in
Puslinch. Mr. Dickie looks as though
“60 below zero” agrees with him. He
has been keeping bach-hall in _____________________________ October 24th 1901. Miss Ella Bond, and Miss Reeve were among
those who were favoured by seeing the Duke and Duchess at Mr. Elijah Eagle left for Mortimer’s Point recently, where he expects to remain a few weeks working at carpentering. |
THE SABBATH SCHOOL YEARS Discontinuation of the Sunday School In the 1930’s and 1940’s, Ellis Sunday School was carried on under the support of Hespeler United, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, United Missionary, and Hespeler Baptist congregations. In 1943, Sunday School attendance was very low with only a few families attending. A decision was made to discontinue Sunday School Services. |
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; Unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; And that which is done is that which shall be done: And there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is New? It hath been already of old time, which was before us. ECCLESIASTES 1: 4-7 and 9-10 |
BOY SCOUT MEETINGSDuring the 1950’s, Boy Scouts held their meetings in Ellis Church for a number of years. A false ceiling was installed and the building was wired for electricity. The Provincial Boy Scout Records Office in Cubs met on Tuesday evenings under the direction of Mrs. Laurence Johnson with the assistance of Mrs. George Lambert and Mrs. William Courtney. Boys Scouts met on Thursday evenings directed by Walter H. Coles and assisted by Norman Proud. The Scouts Men’s Committee president was George Lambert assisted by J. J. Wiens, Hugh Alexander, Laurence Johnson, and Wallace McIlwraith. The Scout Mothers Auxiliary president was Mrs. Albert Christian with Mrs. Norman Purdy, Mrs. W. McIntosh, and Mrs. Z. Dolson as assistants. |
|
||
|
Mrs. Olive Johnson and son, Thomas |
|
|
FIRST PUSLINCH SCOUT TROOP MEMBERSHIP ROLLS1956-1957 |
||
Russell Baker Brian Becker Dave Christian William Dolson Ken Dugmore James Edwards Robert Edwards Wayne Elsegood George Grant Donald Gunn Everette Hamilton Len Harnack Thomas Henry Bruce Hunter Bill Purdy |
Ian Kesselring Dave McIlwraith Don McIlwraith Robert Purdy Jas. Reeve Robert Schnare Wm. Schwantz Robt. Simkin Ron Simkin Rick Thurgood Terry Walker Terry Wiens Larry Zieman Sid Zieman |
Charles Baker Ezekiel Baker John Baker Glen Burmaster Gord Burmaster Gord Bygrave Jack Elsegood Brian Goodburn Tom Johnson Eldon MacLean Don McIntosh George Mundy Dave Orton Doug Orton |
Meetings of a Girl Guide group at
Ellis Church have not been confirmed as data is not available at time of
writing, 1987. For the years
1971-1972, the First Puslinch Troop listed S.S.# 11
Schoolhouse as their meeting place, when it was registered at the Provincial
Boy Scout Records Office in By the late 1950’s, Ellis Church, unused and vandalized, was boarded up, a very sad state of affairs in the history of Ellis Church. |
THE RESTORATION YEARS
The Organizational Meeting for the Restoration of Ellis Church Work Bees Re-opening of Ellis ChurchAnd the Work Continues In Memoriam |
“No vision, you perish No ideal and you are lost, Your heart must ever cherish Some faith at any cost.” |
“At the time of my visit to the home of Mr. Ross (the former
Thomas Ellis homestead Margaret H. Ellis (Great -granddaughter of Thomas Ellis)
|
THE RESTORATION YEARS
The
In 1962, the Department of Highways for Initially, Mr. Frank’s intention was to purchase the old church and use it as a family dwelling. It was perhaps two months later that Mr. Frank stood within the old building itself, pondering just what he should do with it, when his thoughts focused on a course of action, the restoration of Ellis Church. |
THE RESTORATION YEARS
Organizational Meeting for the Restoration of Ellis Church The person who had cared enough to protect the windows with plywood was Mr. Robert Reeve, the last surviving community trustee of Ellis Church. It was Mr. Reeve’s immediate acceptance and offer of assistance that encouraged Mr. Frank to pursue his goal to have Ellis Church restored as a place of worship for the community. Bob Reeve moved out into the Puslinch Lake community seeking
support for the restoration of Ellis Church, while Lloyd Frank approached the
|
Over thirty people were in attendance at this inaugural meeting for the restoration of Ellis Church. |
|
Mrs. Marjorie Small: |
Co-Chairperson
of the meeting, Director of the Research Committee, |
Mr. Robert Reeve: |
Co-Chairperson of the meeting, sole surviving Community Trustee of Ellis Church. |
Dr. Earl Eddy: |
Conducted the
Prayer Offering, Minister at St. Luke’s |
Mr. Lloyd Frank: |
Acting Secretary, Member of Ellis Church Historical Research Committee. |
Miss Isobel Cunningham: |
Member of Ellis Church Historical Research Committee. |
Mr. Carl Ellis: |
Official representative
of St. Luke’s |
|
|
|
Mrs. Stewart Hume: |
President of the
|
Mr. Ralph Bone Q.C.: |
Solicitor for
Ellis Church, resident of |
Mr. Herb Eltherington: |
A long-time
resident of the |
Mr. Robert Evans: |
A long-time
resident of the |
Mr. Thomas McMaster: |
A long-time resident of the Puslinch Lake community and grandson of the first pioneer child born in the Puslinch Lake section - Archibald McAlister; Nephew of John McAlister, former Community Trustee of Ellis Church. |
Mr. Gardner Einwechter: |
Member of the |
|
|
|
Mrs. J. D. Cleghorn: |
Member of the |
Mr. Norman Chester: |
Representative
of the United |
Mr. Robert Arkell: |
Member of St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church, Hespeler, Descendent of pioneer founder of Arkell in |
Rev. W. Earl Prosser: |
Conducted
induction of Ellis Church Trustees and the closing benediction. Minister at Hespeler United |
Alex Ord: |
Long-time
resident of |
Mrs. William Hocking: |
Member of the |
Unavoidably Absent were: |
|
Miss Mabel C. Stewart: |
Member of the City
of |
Mr. James McMillan: |
Elected Reeve of
|
|
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
FOR THE RESTORATION OF ELLIS CHURCH
Introductory Remarks by Loyd S. FrankOne of the main purposes of our meeting here tonight is to elect
the three trustees to represent the community on the eleven member board and
then induct the entire Board of Trustees and elect officers that we may call
for title to be vested in their name to permit us to get on with the
restoration of the stone Church. Our objectives are to restore the Church building and the grounds and to maintain these so that residents of the area and travellers on 401 Highway can stop for meditation and prayer, if they so desire. We should hope to see at least one memorial church service held
each year. If public interest should
warrant, services could be held in the evening through July and August. We must appreciate that this will be the
only church with direct access to the 401 Highway between |
Let us humbly remember that our household; our own community; our own country; do not have the only living religious-minded citizens either yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Let us also remember that the men who built this Church were not of the Methodist faith, alone. Records indicate that all denominations, including Roman Catholic, assisted with time and money. May we always foster and preserve this tradition of denominational harmony. Progress is the sum total of that amount by which each one of us leaves this world a better place by us having lived here. History is the record of how this progress was established, not just a record of battles fought and legislation passed, as it so often becomes in our school textbooks. With this in mind, let us face the facts. Puslinch Township and Ellis Church are now on the main street of Ontario, Queen’s Highway 401. The service station and parklands surrounding it further focus attention on the Church and the Township. |
The men and women who built this Church tediously, stone by stone, with their own hands, gave of their time, which they could have used instead to further their own farms; and gave of their meagre means, even though it meant that they and their families had to do without. Therefore, may those of us today, enjoying the heritage they created, humbly give of our time and money that this remaining evidence of their faith and courage may not rot away into the ground and be forgotten. May we instead insure that it may remain a place of beauty of which the dead, if they were to return, and we the living, can be justly proud. Madam Chairlady, may I table a motion that this meeting unanimously endorse the restoration of Ellis Church and premises? The motion for adoption of the proposal for the restoration of
Ellis Church and premises was seconded by Herb Eltherington, representing the
Community; and by Robert Evans, representing the |
ELLIS CHURCH BEFORE RESTORATION, 1962. |
||
|
|
|
|
The newly formed Ellis Church Board of Trustees and Directors,
along with members of the Historical Societies, planned a special effort for full
restoration of the Church within the next two years. If not effected at that time, restoration
was to be definitely finalized prior to 1967, The Ellis Church Constitution, prepared by Mrs. William Hocking, designated that “The pioneer character of the Church is to be preserved and kept in mind at all times to ensure that the natural pine finish of the lower wainscotting and the pews be maintained. Notwithstanding anything previously stated or hereafter mentioned, it is definitely understood now and for the future, the basic religious purpose and significance of Ellis Church shall be preserved and it shall never be permitted to deteriorate into use as a museum or other commercial purpose.” |
“Like a hick’ry cogIn the old mill wheel He did his part As his turn came ‘round” |
THE RESTORATION YEARS Just as Ellis Church was built during community gatherings known as “work bees”, so too was it restored in much the same way, some one hundred years later. The work crews took up broom, scrub-brush, hammer and shovel as they tackled a tremendous job. There were many tasks to be done, no one less important than another. Neighbours gathered on evenings, weekdays, and weekends to work at Ellis Church. As weeks went by, more and more was accomplished in the restoration of the small Church: |
Cleaning up the grounds and Church of debris, stones, etc. Levelling up and seeding the grounds. Scrubbing down the walls and floors. Repairing and washing the old pews. Restoration of the dais including the pulpit and railing. Removal of the false ceiling. Re-plastering and painting the inside walls. Repairing and re-pointing exterior stonework. Reglaze and putty the windows. Erecting stone piers and wrought iron fence at front of grounds. Replacing fence lines, east and west. Electrical re-wiring of the Church. Digging and planting beds of flowers along fence lines. Planting ornamental and shade trees. Obtaining additional pine pews. Erecting an enclosed stone cairn in the Obtaining a suitable organ to replace the old church organ, previously destroyed by vandals. Restoring the wall cross behind the dais. Drawing loads of fieldstones and soil. Sanding the pine floor. Erecting a sign to attract Highway 401 visitors. |
“Jesus Christ was a working man. His hands were fitted to labour as His voice was fitted to music. He entered into the condition of the great majority of mankind and became one of them in the fellowship of toil and from that time it has been hard for a man to get into better company than that of working people” by George Hall |
The progress of the restoration is very well chronicled in the Minutes Book of meetings held by the Ellis Church Board of Trustees and Directors dating from April 16th 1963. A few excerpts lend proof to the old saying “Many hands make light work”. August 6th 1963. Unanimous comment on how much better the Church looked with glazing of the lower sashes completed on the side windows by Mr. Robert Arkell. September 3rd, 1963. It is unanimously agreed that a special note of thanks should go to the Ladies group who had scrubbed and cleaned both pews and building, with the Secretary, Mr. Frank expressing his thoughts that a medal should be struck for those who cleaned up the floor. October 1st 1963. Thomas McMaster offered topsoil from his farm with free haulage by Carl Evans. Trustees would arrange for spreading same over the southerly portion of the Church grounds. |
September 19th 1965. All members present were most outspoken in the outstanding performance of Messrs. Albert Gamble and Gladstone Zimmerman in getting the church-yard seeded. A bee on Saturday had fully completed the raking, levelling, and seeding. But the main area had been done by just these two men working early and late. The thoughts of all were aptly expressed by Chairman Reeve when he said, “We talked about clearing up the churchyard for two years; these two men have done it in just two months!” 1965. Harold Barry
representing the Department of Highways, August 16th 1966. Thursday night was set aside as a “Bee” to finish installation of the pews. The Secretary commented on the neat splice job being done by the Director of Buildings, Gardner Einwechter, in joining two short pews together to form a longer one on the west side of the Church. |
“However, after reviewing it, the Sites Board Secretary, while most impressed with the presentation, said in actual fact, there was no historical event coupled with the Church - no army had ever stopped there over night - no outstanding political or royal personage had ever attended service there to warrant placing a Provincial plaque on the premises. The only defence that I could muster was that to me, it seemed that the Sites Board was being channelled in their thinking as even I had been earlier in my life, when I thought history was a series of kings who ruled; battles won or lost; acts of parliament passed; etc. Whereas, in truth, the progress of the human race was the sum total of the amounts by which each one of us left the world a better place for us having lived in it. True history is the record of how and when it happened. On this basis, the man and wife who raised a family of a dozen God-fearing children on a back concession might have made, in the long-term, a greater contribution to history and progress than a great general. On this same basis, it was not the signing of the Magna Carta on June 15th, 1215 that was so important, but rather it was the fact that a group of knights had the courage to challenge and limit the powers of the monarch. |
Similarly to me, this fine old stone church was the surviving image of the dauntless courage and faith of our pioneers who had endured every known privation to build the heritage we enjoy here in the Twentieth Century. We dare not do less than restore it and designate it as a monument to them. It was most gratifying to receive notice from the Historic Sites
Board, that at their March 20th, 1963 meeting, they officially approved Ellis
Church for erection of a plaque to the pioneers and settlement of |
THE RESTORATION YEARS
Re-opening of Ellis Church
On August 25th 1963, an historical plaque commemorating the
settlement of |
||
|
|
|
Participants in the ceremony shown left to right included: Mr. Loyd S. Frank; Mr. Harold Worton; Miss Edith McAlister; Mr. Robert Reeve, Chairman, Ellis Chapel Trustee Board; the Rev. Leslie H. Nanson; Mrs. Stewart Hume, President of the Wellington County Historical Research Society; Mr. Leslie R. Cray of the province’s Historic Sites Board: Mrs. Eleanor (Fyfe) Brazier; and Mr. Hugh Douglass, President, Guelph Historical Society. |
ELLIS CHAPEL
CEREMONY
Past Comes To Life Again In Dedication Of PlaqueSunday August 25th, 1963. The huge grey stones that were dragged on stone-boats from the fields of pioneer bush farms near the western limit of Puslinch Township more than 100 years ago to form the walls of a house of worship will not perish after all. They will live on to remind new populations of days long past. The imperishables were very well
pinpointed by Rev. H. A. Bagnall, of The service of worship included three old-time favourites in
old-time style by Tom and Dale Robertson on their steel guitars: When They
Ring The Golden Bells; In The Sweet By And By; and It Is No Secret What God
Can Do. A visiting choir from |
The occasion was the dedication of a plaque erected by the board of trustees of the Ellis Community Pioneer Chapel which had been erected in 1861. It served the community well into the Twentieth Century, when nearby urban development drew membership away and services were discontinued. The unveiling ceremony was conducted by chairman of the board of trustees, Robert Reeve of Hespeler, and short talks were given by Puslinch Township Reeve, James McMillan; Mrs. Stewart Hume for the Wellington County Historical Society; Leslie R. Gray of the Ontario Historical Sites Board; Harry Worton, former MPP for Wellington South; Mrs. Eleanor (Fyfe) Brazier; and Lloyd Frank of the Historical Research Committee. A letter from Federal member, Alfred Hales, was read. The plaque was unveiled by Miss Edith
McAlister, daughter of the first pioneer child born in the Ellis
community. The plaque was dedicated by
Rev. Leslie H. Nanson, minister of the neighbouring
Duff’s and August 26th 1963. |
THE RESTORATION YEARS “Restoration work is progressing well; each visit sees some improvement made...” June 17th 1965. |
The minutes of the May 31st 1966 meeting of the Ellis Church Trustee
Board noted the presence of Mr. V. B. Blake, of the Historic Branch,
Department of Travel and Publicity, Mr. Blake reported that he had taken pictures of Ellis Church, as
a perfect example of early Canadian church architecture while it was still in
use as a Sunday School. Subsequently,
he had been grieved to see it boarded up and deserted. He had so sincerely hoped that the fine
stone building might not go the route to oblivion of so many early
churches. Then, just after joining the
Historic Branch in The Church would serve as a monument to the memory of the pioneers of that area and be so designated by a plaque erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board. Tonight, when for the first time he actually visited the site, rather than just passing by on the Highway 401, he had been delighted to see the fences erected, the yard seeded in and flower gardens made to beautify the border. The fenced cemetery plot with fieldstone Cairn and planting were excellent. However, he reserved his warmest praise for the work done within the Church itself, where he felt a fine appreciation for the historic value of pulpit, dais, and railing, and the frame background in classic Grecian architecture had been preserved. |
THE RESTORATION YEARS ROBERT REEVE With the death of Robert Reeve on November 21st 1971, Ellis Church lost a dedicated friend. Robert Alexander (Bob) Reeve, son of Capel
Reeve and his wife, the former Agnes Fyfe, was born on his parents’ farm, Lot
8, rear half of Concession 2, On September 15th 1915, he married Ellen (Nellie) Rogerson who had been the teacher at the local school,
S.S. No. 11, Puslinch, and whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rogerson, were farmers in |
Always interested in community affairs, Mr. Reeve was involved with the local group of the United Farmers of Ontario in the 1920’s and was a long-time member of the South Waterloo Agricultural Society, serving as president for a term. At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, in Hespeler, where he was on the Board of Managers. When the restoration program of Ellis Church began early in 1963, it was very fitting that Robert Reeve, the only surviving community trustee of the church, was chosen chairman of the new Trustee Board. He was named to that office at the Organizational Meeting for the Restoration held in the Puslinch Township Council Chamber at Aberfoyle on April 16th 1963 and continued in that post until April 20th 1971, when he was made honorary chairman. It was Robert Reeve who had cared enough about the old historic stone church to protect the windows with plywood when the building was unused and being vandalized in the late 1950’s. When plans were being made for the memorial service and the
unveiling of the plaque to commemorate the settlement of During the eight years as chairman, Mr. Reeve not only chaired the meetings and promoted local and community participation in the restoration of Ellis Church, but also actively participated in most, if not all, phases of the work at the premises. |
THE RESTORATION YEARS In Memoriam LOYD FRANK A man cannot do everything, but he can do something... and so we remember Loyd Frank, a true and loyal friend of Ellis Church for twenty-five years. Loyd Shipley Frank was born January 16th 1908 on a farm outside Komoka, just west of London, Ontario, the younger son of Richard and Isabelle (McIntyre) Frank. At school, Loyd excelled, standing first
in his class and obtaining near perfect marks in most subjects through
elementary school in Komoka, also at H. B. Beal
Technical and |
Loyd attended Komoka Masonic Lodge and became a Past Master in the course of more than fifty years of membership. In 1928, after some work experience with the CPR, Loyd joined Supertest Petroleum
Corporation Limited, a fledgling It was during this period that Loyd first came upon Ellis Chapel. When he learned that the building might be converted to a construction shed, he was disturbed with the thought of this sacrilege of pioneer diligence and faith. |
Loyd Frank began
a long and favourable association with the Work was always a source of great personal satisfaction for Loyd. His only passive hobby was reading. Other recreational pursuits were power boating, he built a cabin cruiser with a friend, and a passionate love for planting and nurturing trees, of which, modest evidence of this interest can be seen on the six acres immediately West of Ellis Chapel. After retirement, Loyd remained on the board of directors of Sunningdale Golf and Country Club, though he never golfed. Loyd Frank died
May 5th 1987. The funeral was officiated by Rev. C. Duncan Farris, of New Saint James
Presbyterian Church, in Mabel, his wife of 51 years, with sons Robert and Richard, of Toronto, and brother Bethel, of Komoka, are proud to have shared in Loyd’s exemplary life. |
Summer Services at Ellis Church
A Welcome to Visitors u |
“If you like to sing the old hymns or like to hear them sung, you will want to go to Ellis Church on Sunday.”
|
THE RECENT YEARS Summer Services at Ellis Church ELLIS CHAPEL IS READY FOR SUMMER VISITORSWhen clean-up day came to Ellis Chapel, members of the board of
directors spent the morning removing winter’s grime from the building. Windows were washed inside and out, floors
and pews dusted and polished, and the pulpit chairs brushed. The chapel, located in |
The building will be open each weekend during June and every day during July and August for the many who come over from the service station to visit the pioneer church, built in 1863. Last year over 3,000 visitors signed the visitors’ book. Four services are held each year during the summer months. The first service this year will be on Sunday June 19th and will be conducted by the Reverend Walter Mills, of the Anglican Church, in Hespeler. Nancy Stewart, of Morriston, will be the soloist. The service will be at 3:00 p.m., preceded by a half hour of singing. The other services will be on July 10th, August 28th, and September 18th. |
||
|
|
|
The spring clean-up committee, Mr. & Mrs. J. G. McMaster, Mr. & Mrs. Gardner Einwechter, Mrs. Douglas Robinson & Miss Mabel Stewart. (Jim Bulmer had gone home before the picture was taken.) (Photos by Flora Cleghorn) Daily Mercury, Friday June 17th 1977. |
|
||
|
Pictured are descendents of Thomas Ellis. They attended church services on Sunday August 17th 1986. |
|
|
The Memorial Service for the re-opening of Ellis Church took place on Sunday, August 25, 1963. Four regular summer services are scheduled each year in the months of June, July, August, and September. A guest speaker is invited to conduct the worship service. Musical selections are given by guest soloists and choral groups. Guest speakers to date include: |
|
1963 Aug. 25th |
Rev. H.A. Bagnall, Rev. L. R. Nanson, Duff’s Presbyterian, R. R. 3 |
1963 Sept. 22nd |
Dr. Earl Eddy, St. Luke’s United, Hespeler. |
1964 June 7th |
Rev. L. R. Nanson, Duff’s Presbyterian, R. R. 3 |
1964 July 21st |
Dr. Earl Eddy, St. Luke’s United Hespeler. |
1964 Aug. 23rd |
Rev. Stanley
Gentle, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, |
1964 Sept. 11th |
Rev. Burton Hill, Galt. |
|
|
|
1965 June 20th |
Rev. H. Hendry, |
1965 July 18th |
Rev. James
Lawson, St. Paul’s United, |
1965 Aug. 22nd |
Rev. Ross Readhead, Rev. W. E. Prosser, Hespeler United Missionary. |
1965 Sept. 19th |
Rev. H. Schmidt, Wanner Mennonite, Beaverdale. |
1966 June 26th |
Dr. Norman High,
|
1966 July 17th |
Rev. Stanley Gentle, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, Hespeler. |
1966 Aug. 21st |
Rev. Robert Kaill, Harcourt Memorial United, |
1966 Sept. 11th |
Rev. Alan Vair, |
|
|
|
1967 June 18th |
Rev. H. H.
Dunlop, Barrie Hill United, R. R. 5 |
1967 July 9th |
Rev. H. Hindry, Hespeler Baptist. |
1967 Aug. 20th |
Dr. W. A. Young, Chaplain, Ont. Agricultural College. |
1967 Sept. 17th |
Rev. Edward Chester. |