St. Andrew's History

ST. ANDREW'S HISTORY

1800
to
1855

In 1801 Rev. W. Eastman, followed Indian trails from Niagara to the Galt area as a missionary from the Presbyterian Church in the United States. The majority of the earliest settlers in this particular bush settlement in the Township of North Dumfries were Presbyterians from New York State. By 1824, these ardent Christians had a church body, and with leadership from an Associate Synod in New York State, and aided by trust from Mr. Absalom Shade, the first church in the hamlet was erected in 1828. (The First United Church on Wellington Street is the descendant of this first church).
The early Presbyterians of New Hope (Hespeler), worshipped with their Christian brothers and sisters in Galt, which was the centre of Presbyterianism in this part of the Province in the early 1800's. It is to the congregation of Knox's Galt, that St. Andrew's (Hespeler), owes its existence. Rev. Dr. John Bayne, D. D., who was the minister at Knox's Galt from 1835 to 1859, laboured to establish churches in Ayr, Paris, Berlin (now Kitchener), New Hope, Doon and two churches in Puslinch Township.
Because the roads were so poor, the people often walked from New Hope to Galt, going barefoot to save precious shoes. On reaching Mill Creek they washed their feet, put on their Sunday shoes and attended divine worship.
By 1840 New Hope had a population of 100 people. In 1845, Jacob Hespeler arrived and purchased 145 acres fronting on the Speed River. The population increased rapidly as a result of this acquisition, and Jacob Hespeler proceeded to build an industrial complex that would provide the footings for the settlement's later industrial strength.

See "Links To Other Sites" for more on Hespeler's early history.

1855
to
1863

On September 24th , 1855, the Presbyterians in New Hope communicated with the Presbyterians in Doon concerning a union of the two congregations, and this offer was acceptable to Doon.
On October 9th , 1855, the two congregations petitioned the Hamilton Presbytery to organize them as a united congregation. The petition was granted, and a later minute of the Hamilton Presbytery indicates that Doon and New Hope were organized on October 25th , 1855.
On September 30th, 1856, a Call to the Rev. Thomas Hodgskin was sustained by the Presbytery and he was inducted as the first pastor of the United Congregation of Doon and New Hope on October 16th, of that year. The ministers salary was to be paid as follows; 65 pounds by New Hope, and 85 pounds by Doon, (about $750.00). The larger share paid by Doon gave them the right to the morning service, while New Hope took the evening service.
In 1858, when the first census was taken New Hope had a population of over 750 people. In 1859 New Hope was incorporated as a village and the name was changed to Hespeler.
From 1855 to 1863, we met in the Royal Templar's Hall on Cooper Street. We believe the Templar's hall was located right next to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, where the present school is located.

THE ROYAL TEMPLAR'S HALL

1863
to
1908

Our first Church building (which is now St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church), was built by Mr. Lewis Kribs, on land donated by Mr. Robert Forbes, (contract price was $1,826.00, to be paid in three annual installments). The building was completed in 1863, and the first communion in the new Church building was held on May 31st , of that year. We worshipped in this building until 1909.

OUR FIRST CHURCH BUILDING

    On April 24th, 1877, Rev. George Haigh was inducted into the united charges of Hespeler, Preston and Doon, in the Lutheran Church in Preston. This appears to be the first mention of the Preston congregation. Sometime during Rev. Haigh's pastorate (1877 - 1892), the Preston congregation was disbanded.
    There was an endevour in the spring of 1883 to have Presbytery allow Rev. Haigh to devote all his time to the Hespeler charge, but this request was denied
    In 1885 the congregation decided to install an organ in the church, and four years later, the Hymnal, (the Presbyterian Book of Praise), was introduced.
    With Rev. Haigh's resignation in 1892, Presbytery granted the request for the separation of the United Congregation of Doon and Hespeler.

1908
to
1910

At the Annual Congregational Meeting in January 1908, it was decided to erect a new Church building. The site was secured, the building erected, and in 1909 we moved into our present Church building on Queen Street. The dedication service was held on March 13th , 1910.

OUR PRESENT CHURCH BUILDING

1925

In 1925 there was a vote taken to amalgamate three protestant congregations, (Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregationalist), into a new Church Congregation to be known as the United Church of Canada. St. Andrew's voted to remain a Presbyterian Congregation.

1988

    Sunday, September 25th, was a truly wonderful day in the life of St. Andrew's (Hespeler) Presbyterian Church when the splendid new addition, the Christian Education Building was dedicated and officially opened. The addition is comprised of three floors, with an elevator.

    -The basement has a large gymnasium, a large modern kitchen, storage rooms and wash rooms.
    -The second floor contains an office for the Christian Education Director, washroom, storage rooms and six class
    rooms, and a children's library.
    -The top floor has two offices for our ministers, an office for our Administrative Assistant, washrooms, kithenette, library, storage room, and a large bright meeting room.

ADDITION

OUR MINISTERS

1856
1862
1872
1877
1893
1897
1900
1904
1907
1912
1924
1928
1931
1943
1948
1954
1960
1967
1993

1995
2001
2003

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1860
1870
1875
1892
1897
1899
1904
1907
1912
1924
1928
1931
1942
1948
1954
1959
1966
1993
1995

2000
2010

2005

REV. THOMAS HODGSKIN
REV. MALCOLM McKENZIE
REV. J. M. GOODWILLIE
REV. GEORGE HAIGH
REV. DANIEL STRACHAN
REV. JAMES SKINNER SCOTT
REV. ROBERT POGUE
REV. JOHN D. MORROW
REV. J. A. STEWART
REV. J. L. SMALL
REV. G. S. LLOYD
REV. FREDERICK E. WILLIAMS
REV. T. G. MARSHALL
REV. WILLIAM WEIR
REV. EARL F. SMITH
REV. THOMAS MULHOLLAND
REV. STANLEY S. GENTLE
REV. WALLACE I. LITTLE
REV. WILFRED McLEOD
(Interim Minister)
REV. J. KEVIN LIVINGSTON
REV. JEFF VEENSTRA

REV. ROB CONGRAM