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Page 10 THE HERALD Wednesday October I Norval United C celebrates J 00 Gothic church built for just 4400 EDITORS NOTE On Oct the Norval United Church will celebrate its anniversary Here Dorothy Watson McLean discusses the history of the church In Norval By DOROTHY WATSON Herald Special In Norval Methodist Church was in the Georgetown Circuit with a travelling circuit rider con ducting the services most likely in private homes The first Methodist Church built in was in at a cost of approximately 120 pounds on pro perty purchased from Alex McNab for the sum of five shillings Trustees at that time were James Gooderham James Forester Thomas Forester Thomas Hockley and Thomas Donaldson In this first brick church was torn down and a new Gothic style red brick church was erected on the same site a a total cost of The minister at this time was the Rev R Davey Caroline Mercer sang a solo at the opening of the new church in 1889 This just before she mar ned Aaron Laidlaw In a new charge was formed of Glen Williams and Terra Cotta until A house at the bottom of Georgetown hill in Norval was purchased for the par in 1894 This is still the ministers home Trustees lit were Wat son Sr James Cleave Ed Greensword J Switzer Mat thew Laidlaw Jas J Campbell and Wesley May In a new roof was put on the parsonage with Mr Switzer as overseer Men of the charge were requested to give one day work free or to pay for a day s work at per day From the 1890s to the 1920s garden parties with performing talent were a popular method to raise funds In 1925 the United Church of Canada was formed that included all Methodist Churches of Canada The board members elected to serve for the first United Church in Norval in the former Methodist Church were Ed Greensword Frank Hustler Aaron James Percy Laidlaw Norman Cameron Charles McLaughlin James Hyatt Herb Jackson George Brown and James Barnes The Rev Douglas was the minister In a new organ necessitated moving the organ from the back of the choir loft to the back of the pulpit so the organist could see the choir In 1952 a new electronic reed organ was installed The church has survived two close calls of being destroyed by fire The first was several years before electricity One night at choir practice downstairs the coal oil lamp was accidently knocked off the piano and set fire to the wooden floor The young people ran from the church for help but Continued on Page 1 Von a Church Is still standing on the same spot it was built an 100 years ago The church was erected on the same site as a brick Methodist church built in 1853 On Oct 29 members of the church will gather for a special service commemorating the 100 year anniversary Photo submitted St Georgetown Ont 877 9896 Join the Reserve Build on your civilian career while you earn extra working parttime in the Militia Canadas army reserve Live this uniquely exciting experience work with interesting people once or twice a week and selected weekends dunng the year with varied opportunities for summer employment and travel Join us now For more information contact The Lome Scots 1ParkStret Georgetown Ontario L7C1Y4 8773311