The First 80 Years ...

 It was on April 12, 1925 after a vote by the Presbyterians to opt out of the union by a narrow margin of two votes that about 100 pro-union Presbyterians in Bracebridge along with their pastor, Rev. C. H. Ballard walked to the Methodist Church on Dominion Street and were warmly welcomed by the minister, Rev. A. McNeil.

On June 10th, 1925 the United Church of Canada was born.

An interesting note back in 1926 regarding our Sunday School; average attendance was 120-150! Even attendance in the winter of 1928 was 108-112.

In 1930, a sum of $12,660 was pledged and the religious education building was begun in the summer of 1931 and dedicated on December 13, 1931.  This building has had several upgrades over the years and is used for many events.

The United Church Hymnary was used for the first time on May 3, 1931 when it was introduced across Canada.

An interesting notation in January of 1949 was that permission from the congregation was given to the Minister to wear a gown in the pulpit!

Major renovations to the church sanctuary were undertaken and completed in 1951.  Many of the furnishings were dedicated to those having fallen in the World Wars.  At the time of dedication, the church was now to be called BRACEBRIDGE UNITED CHURCH.

From the early years, all the stained glass windows we see today were donated during the years 1928 through the 1960's.  More recently two have been donated - The Cathcart Window installed on the south side of the Dominion Street door dedicated in 1996 and the Leda Scovell window in the south-east corner of the sanctuary installed and dedicated in 1998.

In 1957 Rev. Douglas Muir begins his ministry at Bracebridge United Church.

Several ladies groups have evolved over the years and in 1959 they merged to become the very busy United Church Women.  This group along with some very willing gentlemen workers raise a great deal of money for projects in the church.

Also in 1959, approval was given to support establishing a University in Northern Ontario (Huntington University).  A motion to pledge $9,000 was made, with continuing support over the years.

1961 brought Centennial activities and special services commemorating the beginning of Methodist services here in 1861.  A stained glass window was dedicated at that time and is located on the north side of the Dominion Street door.

A real milestone occurred in 1963 when two women were elected to the Session for the first time.

1966 saw the opening of the new manse on Kimberly Avenue.  The mortgage was paid off on this structure in 1968.  The old manse was rented for many years. 

1970:  Rev. Douglas Muir resigns.  Call issued to Rev. Dick Moffat.  The fireproof vault was completed in 1970, so we can be assured that archival material will be preserved.

1975:  Rev. Dick Moffat resigns.  Rev. John McTavish accepts call to Bracebridge United.

1979:  Plans were well underway to sponsor two Vietnamese families.

1981:  A $33,000 campaign was undertaken to install a new electric heating system and wiring upgrade in the church.

1982:  Rev. John McTavish accepts call to a church in Kitchener effective June 30th.   Rev. Dave Stephens accepts call to Bracebridge to commence in January 1983.  We have been fortunate to have had 9 ordinands from this congregation, the latest one being Jackie Harper in 1982.

1984:  March 20thof this year brought another big change in the evolvement of this church.  The structure of operations would eliminate the Committee of Stewards, the Session and the Official Board to become Executive Council.  The Elders group and the Board of Trustees would continue as separate bodies and report to Executive Council.

1985:  The old manse on Kimberly Avenue was demolished, located beside the new manse.  This took several years of dialogue to accomplish.

1988:  An exciting year when we celebrated again and this time it was the centennial of the present church building.  From August, 1988 to February 1989 special events and services were arranged.

1989:  Rev. Dave Stephens resigns and Rev. Paul Dempsey accepts call to Bracebridge effective July 1st.  Over the next several years, part-time Associates were hired to complement the full-time minister, the latest was Rev. Dr. George James.

1994:  The opening and dedication of the expansion of our church that we enjoy today.  This enlarged the sanctuary, the offices and the Sunday school areas.  Seating in the sanctuary was brought up to 299.  In December 1996, a special announcement declared that the mortgage on this expansion was paid in full.

1997:  At a congregational meeting on June 22, 1997, a motion was passed to allocate monies from the Memorial Fund for 50% of the cost of a set of handbells.  The remaining monies were to be solicited from the congregation.  This was accomplished in three short years, and we were able to accumulate three bell choirs.  BRACEBRIDGE BELLS UNITED, BELLS APEALING, and a  Youth Choir called THE BELL BOTTOMS.  The youth choir was phased out because of time restraints on the youth participating.  In 1999, a set of hand chimes was purchased to complement the handbells. 

1999:  Rev. Dr. George James retired at the end of June as Associate Minister and a search committee established to hire a full time ordained minister following recommendation of the Joint Needs Assessment Committee.  Rev. James to remain as a Voluntary Pastoral Associate. 

2000:  Rev. Sue Woods was issued a call to Bracebridge United to begin her ministry here in February, 2000.  The sanctuary was full to overflowing so soon after renovations and enlarging the sanctuary.  Discussion was ongoing to determine the implementation of two services again.

2001:  There was ongoing discussion as to whether the assets of Bracebridge United Church were protected against any claims from litigation against the United Church of Canada.  The congregation was informed that all assets come under the ownership of the United Church of Canada and are only handled by Bracebridge United Church.  Retirement funds are protected against any claims.

It was decided in 2001 that there would be two services from Thanksgiving to Christmas and then revert back to one service for the remainder of the year except for special Sundays.  Times to be 9:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and 10 a.m. for the remainder.  There was a great deal of discussion over the year to reach this decision.

2002:  It is noted often in conversation or in the bulletin that when the need arises, the money is there.  The budget grows considerably every year.  Objective for M & S this year has reached $60,000.  Presbytery and the congregation will vote on several proposed changes by General Council - terminology of membership and the reorganization of the governing courts.  A letter of retirement was received regarding Rev. Paul Dempsey’s intention effective July 1, 2003.  He and his wife, Fern have served very faithfully for 14 years.  The JNAC Committee recommended hiring one full time ordained Minister and a part-time Associate.  A Search Committee was nominated.

2003: There are now 50+ districts of pastoral care with 86 elders serving for this church.

2003: Bracebridge United Church is the top giver to M & S for our Presbytery and this year the objective is $63,000.  A call was issued to Rev. Kevin Logie to full time ministry at BUC.  His duties will commence Sept. 8, 2003.

 2004:  There is a 16% increase in the budget over 2003 and it will be necessary to do more fundraising.  There was a recommendation from Executive Council to hire a youth worker in lieu of a part-time Associate.  It was announced that the manse income will no longer go into the general fund but will sit in a special fund specifically for manse expenses.  The M & S fund has been further increased to $65,000.  The ladies parlour is to be given a facelift with redecorating and new furniture.

2005:  It was announced that once again the givings had met the 2004 budget with a small surplus.  A local outreach ministry project to be funded this year with $5,000.  A decision has been made to sponsor a refugee family this year.  Fundraising to get underway

This has been a very concise and brief overview of the life of Bracebridge United Church over the past 80 years.  Although it reads as if there is always a financial struggle, maybe that is why it is so important to place OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WE WILL NOT FAIL.

Submitted by Barbara Dawson

[Using material taken from the BUC Archives: May 2005]