The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

15 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, October 21, 2009 Celebrating 100 years in Bronte Church of the Epiphany's special services Sunday By Nancy Blackie SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Oakville's Church of the Epiphany is celebrating 100 years and all former parishioners are invited to anniversary services on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. In the early 1900s in the Village of Bronte, Trafalgar Township, many families wanted the familiar services of the Church of England, which they had left behind. However, any Anglican Churches to be found were either to the east at St. Jude's in Oakville or to the north at St. Luke's in Palermo. Many travelled the uneven roads, while others stayed closer to home, especially during severe winter weather, to participate in the already established local Baptist and Methodist churches. One man, John Wilson, became an inspirational trailblazer for his neighbours. Born in 1856 in England's Lake District, Wilson immigrated to Oakville with his young bride, Martha and younger brother, Isaac in 1884. John and Isaac were greatly influenced by their mother, who exemplified a life of service in the home and in the church and school communities. While elected as a member of the Advisory Council at St. Jude's (as well as contributing substantially to the purchase of the Memorial Chimes), Wilson was, nevertheless, keenly aware of the strong sense of community building in Bronte. Around 1904, he invited the Rev. T. G. Wallace, Rector of St. Jude's, to hold services, and even baptisms, at his Gilbrea farmhouse on Friday evenings. The Bronte Anglican Mission was then established under the mother church of St. Jude's and later of St. Luke's, Palermo. Once again, Wilson's generosity and leadership knew no bounds. In 1929, he donated the land at the corner of Trafalgar Street and Sovereign Road to the Niagara Synod. Much planning went into the meetings taken in turns at members' homes. Frank Sullivan, the local carpenter, was hired to build the church, while Harold Ells, the local banker, handled finances and fundraising. Clara Bray, Millie Patterson and Nettie Wilkinson, when not sewing choir gowns, held Strawberry Teas to raise capital for the Building Fund. By 1931, in spite of the Great Depression, a Gothicstyle clapboard church, named Epiphany for the date of its conception, opened its doors. Many changes have occurred since. In 1962, Bronte and Oakville amalgamated with the Township of Trafalgar to become the Town of Oakville; Trafalgar Street was renamed Bronte Road and a new Church of the Epiphany was built in 1956 to accommodate a growing congregation with further additions being built in 1969 and 1993. For more information, contact the church, located at 141 Bronte Rd., at 905-827-2546. The Week of the Child ­ Oct.17-25 OB091021 ­ Limited to ONE free swim pass per person/family per year. The YMCA of Oakville supports the Food for Thought breakfast program. See our programs for children & youth at 905-845-3417 410 Rebecca St., Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 E-mail: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. Bring this ad to the get and YMCA of Oakville Pass. a FREE Family Swim 2009 4, Offer expires Nov. family swim Limited to ONE free n per year. pass per family/perso