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Our History |
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IN THE BEGINNING… 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. |
Rev. John Bryning |
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THE BUILDINGS… 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… 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… Mount Pleasant Presbyterian 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 Presbyterian Churches 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… 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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Learn more about the |
AMALGAMATION WITH KNOX, BRANTFORD… 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. |
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ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY… 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 about our
Tartan Anniversary Service |
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