Minister Recalls 55 Years Of Service

ev. and Mrs Ivan Kennedy Look Back

Minister Recalls 55 years

Things Have Changed A Lot

By EDITH CAMERON

Sault Star Correspondent

THESSALON — "Grace was an awfully pokey horse," recalls retired minister Rev. Ivan E. Kennedy, of Don Mills, as he looks back into the horse-and-buggy days of 1916 — when he travelled about on his three-point charge as a student minister.

That was his first year of preaching and "the charge" was Iron Bridge, Dayton and Livingstone Creek.

It is surprising how many things a person can recall in looking back 55 years.

"I remember that at Iron Bridge Ben Beemer was one of the officials and there were so many 'old faithfuls' — Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Tulloch, Sam Allen's mother lived near the schoolhouse — Mr. and Mrs. Eaket lived across from the church. Mr. Gardiner (Percy's father) was another official. There were the Nicholson's — Isaac Nicholson lived on a side road off the highway near Mud Lake (now known as Bright Lake).

SERVICES ALTERNATED

The church services, he recalled, were alternated between the Presbyterians and the Methodists, both using the same church.

It was interesting to note that in Thessalon in 1917 the Methodists and Presbyterians went together. "That was the last year of the Methodist church here," Mrs. Kennedy stated.

Rev. C. V. McLean was the Presbyterian church minister and Rev. Joseph Denny the Methodist minister. When the union took place, Mr. Denny loft and the Presbyterian church was used for services and the Methodist parsonage became the minister's home.

The Weir, Hopkins, McLen-na, McCrea, Walker and Allen families were among those remembered at Livingstone Creek. In Dayton, there were Mr. and Mrs. David Bird and their sons Ed. George and Arthur, the Camerons, the Gordons, the Hermistons, the Carsons and the Sproules.

Sam Carson, the bachelor who raised his niece and nephew, Grace and Merlyn Grady and who took a special interest in the Sunday school was not forgotten. Nor the fact that he owned -the first car in Dayton and later, because of his inventive mind, converted it into a tractor.

There were lots of happy events to recall. — The Sunday school picnics with the homemade ice-cream. "The kids took turns at turning the handle and cracking up the ice and adding the salt" — "the foot-races and finally the wonderful, generous meal provided for everyone.

SINCERE

"The fellowship was real and sincere in those days. The church was the centre of the community. Talent was shared—from community to community. Nobody ever forgets the Christmas concerts and the socials or the programs planned for the various events," Mr. Kennedy recalled.

The changes in 55 years? "The work of the church has changed completely. There is only about 50 per cent of the Sunday school registration today. Religious education is no longer taught in schools. — The church doesn't seem to hold the same appeal, perhaps, because it too is going bigger."

There are other changes noted by the couple when they visit the area from time to time, farms changing hands, small farms going out of existence and of course many of the old friends have passed on.

After the student minister left this area he returned to Victoria College, Toronto, where he was ordained in 1922. He was with the Canadian Army before transferring to the British army in the artillery section in the First Great War. He returned home May, 1919, without having seen active service.

In June 1922 he and Margaret Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hill (of "Hill and Vance" Store) were wed by Rev. A. B. Irwin in Thessalon.

The couple went to a mission at Hornpayne then later to Schumacker before going to Bolton, near Toronto.

Since their retirement they live with their married daughter, Mrs. Robert Biere. A son, Reg, lives out of Pickering and another son Bruce in Edmonton.

"We have six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. We don't stay in one place very long as we like to travel," Mrs. Kennedy said.

The couple, who have travelled widely throughout Canada and the United States, will be leaving next week for the Maritimes.