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OUR HISTORY Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask
your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. (Deuteronomy
17: 18-20) |
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IN THE BEGINNING… |
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Rev. John Bryning |
Presbyterians worshiped in Mount Pleasant as far back as 1812 when a
travelling Presbyterian minister, Rev. J. Collver of Long Point, preached in
Simcoe, Oakland and Mount Pleasant. After his death, Rev. John Bryning gathered the remnants of Collver's
congregations together. In 1830, the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian pioneers
invited Rev. Bryning to be their resident minister giving him a house and
garden. Even after Rev. Bryning was no longer the minister for the
Presbyterians, he still conducted services in his home and performed weddings
for those who requested the services of this beloved man. |
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THE BUILDINGS |
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In 1832, the Bethesda Chapel was built for the use of the Methodists
and United Presbyterians. Records show a Presbyterian Church was later built
in 1843 on Burtch Road across from the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The small
frame church was then replaced by the present building on Mount Pleasant Road
which opened in October 1878. Much of the work on the new church was done by
members of the congregation. The Bryce, Eadie, Young, Burr, Rutherford,
McEwen and Gribben families were all represented. The building was to
accommodate church services, Sunday school and community activities. Sheds
were built behind the church for horses and buggies. |
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THE MANSE
AND MEMORIAL GARDEN |
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A manse was built next to the church in 1884, and Rev. R. G. Sinclair
was the first minister to live there. He planted maple trees around the
grounds. Some of the original maple trees remain. The manse housed ministers
up to the late 1950's when Knox Presbyterian Church purchased a house for a
manse and the ministers chose to live in Brantford. After years of renting,
the Manse was torn down and the area turned into a Memorial Garden, dedicated
on May 12, 2002. |
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OUR
PARTNER CHURCHES |
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Our church has been partnered with other Presbyterian Churches in the
past. Burford Presbyterian Church became a two-point charge with Mount
Pleasant in 1872 but closed in the early 1920's. The pewter communion set
from that church is on display in Heritage Hall. In 1924, St. George
Presbyterian Church became associated with Mount Pleasant and then in 1934,
Knox Presbyterian Church, Brantford became a two-point charge with Mount
Pleasant. This connection continued until the two congregations were
amalgamated in June 2012. |
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ST.
ANDREW’S HALL |
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In the 1960's, an auditorium was added. Once again, most of the work
was done by members of the congregation. Bonds were sold to the congregation
to help finance the addition. The hall includes a kitchen, stage and
washrooms and is the meeting place for Sunday school and many church events.
Named St. Andrew's Hall, it was dedicated on October 10, 1963. Later, the
former Sunday school room underneath the church sanctuary was named Heritage
Hall. |
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AMALGAMATION
WITH KNOX, BRANTFORD |
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Learn more about the Knox Memorial Windows by Douglas Hughes |
A new chapter in the church's history took place on June 1, 2012, when
Knox Presbyterian Church, Brantford amalgamated with Mount Pleasant
Presbyterian Church. The first service for the combined congregations was
held June 3, 2012, conducted by Rev. Dean Adlam. With the sale of Knox
Church, furnishings that were memorial donations are now permanent fixtures
in the Mount Pleasant sanctuary and in Heritage Hall. Learn more |
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ANNIVERSARY
SUNDAY AND THE TARTANS |
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Learn more about the |
In October of each year, we hold an Anniversary Service, celebrating
the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church on the third Sunday of
October. We dedicate it to the pioneers and those who came after to ensure
that a Presbyterian church survived in our village. Learn more |
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