If you didn’t have a chance to read the first post about Musquodoboit Harbour joining The United Church of Canada, you can click here.
Now that the vote to join The United Church of Canada was finalized, the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations in Musquodoboit Harbour had to figure out how to become a united congregation.
With such a close vote for church union at the Presbyterian church, many members left the church. During a February 28, 1925 meeting of the congregation, “the chairmen reviewed the situation of the church following the vote on Union and the fact that a large number of our members had ceased attending church and were taking steps to organize a branch of the continuing Presbyterian church (so-called).” Despite this loss, the members at the meeting “unanimously agreed to stand by the Union movement.” The following image from the Musquodoboit Harbour communion roll shows just how many people left the congregation in 1925.
Leading up to the official uniting of the two congregations, many details had to be looked after on the Presbyterian side of things such as appointing a new Board of Managers and Trustees, and treasurer, securing the record books from the treasurer and secretary, and inventorying the assets owned by the church. The Methodists probably had lots to do as well but we don’t have minutes for them past March of 1925.
Some of the Methodist members who joined The United Church of Canada
On July 7, 1925, the first joint meeting of the representatives of the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations took place. Representatives of Halifax Presbytery were present as well as members from each district or community. A motion was passed for the congregations to unite as one field. There was much discussion as to whether Head of Jeddore should join the Eastern or the Western district of the new pastoral charge but it was decided to leave this decision with a special committee set up to study the issue. The special committee were also appointed to look into which church building should be used. One of the Presbytery representatives reassured the meeting that the Mission Board was willing to offer full support to the pastoral charge. Next came the difficult decision as to which minister should serve. It was also decided that this matter would be passed on to the special committee which had been formed earlier in the meeting. Rev. Manuel (Presbyterian), the chair of the meeting, then ended the meeting “expressing pleasure and satisfaction with the harmonious spirt of co-operation which prevailed throughout the meeting. Rev. Plowman (Methodist) echoed these remarks and referred to the “promise of the most optimistic future” for the new church.
On September 9, 1925, the former Presbyterian congregation and the former Methodist congregation each had a meeting in their respective churches to hear the report of joint Committee tasked with looking after the details of church union. The Committee concluded that that it was better for the two congregations to be regarded as one but have two ministers in charge. The ministers would decide between themselves how to divide up the work. The motion that the Presbyterian congregation “go forward to Union with the Methodist Church” was carried. At this point in the meeting, the Methodist members joined the Presbyterians for a joint meeting. All those present confirmed the decision to unite “without a dissenting voice.”
Finally, on September 13, 1925, the inaugural service of the united churches was held. Rev. C.J. Crowdis of Halifax was the guest speaker. One especially poignant moment was the Methodist and Presbyterian minister joining hands during the formal declaration of the union of the two churches. New elders were sworn in after the hymn “Our Blessed Bond of Union” was sung. It must have been an emotional time when at the end of the service, 60 of the church members plus visitors received communion.
Five days later, Rev. Plowman reported to Halifax Presbytery that the two charges at Musquodoboit Harbour were now united and asked for Presbytery’s approval which was granted.
From this point on, there would still be lots to figure out but 100 years ago two congregations bravely set on a new journey which still continues today!
