Brian Winter's I .~Y ~. Historical Whitby BAPTIST CHURCH This weekend the Whitby Baptist Church celebrates the Centennial of its founding in this building on October 11, 1876. The building was originally constructed at the corner of Centre and Colborne Streets in 1869 as a Canada Presbyter- ian Church. In 1875 the Canada Presbyterian Church amalgamated with the Church of Scotland. The congrega- tion moved into the old St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Corridor Capers The Kinsmen Skate-a-thon was a smashing success. Judging from the flow of traffic in and out of Iroquois Park, many turned out to participate, or just enjoy the entertainment. It would appear that four of our Town Fathers may be somewhat more concerned with the Ratepayers' proposal for subsidizing senior citizens and handicapped persons with taxi transportation. After 100 or so laps around Iroquois arena, Councillors Emm, Lovelock and Hobbs along with Mayor Gartshore may be in the handicapped category. All kidding aside, you did a great job and our congratulations to everyone who took part in the skate-a-thon and the Kinsmen Club of Whitby who organized it. Hi again, iaithful reader(s)! Yet another week has passed, and here I arn once more with news and views. Last week's column, which focused on those things which tend to irritate me, created no ripples at all. I guess you are 'all in total agreement with me, or else you could care less. Probably, the latter. In case you haven't noticed, Central Park is the centre of a great deal of activity these days. It would appear as if the work outlined by Wayne DeVeau at the last W.L.C.A. THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE DIJRHAM REGION DISTRICT HEALTH COI JNCIL INVITES NOMINATIONS From individuals, groups and organizations of persons who are willing to serve in a voluntary capacity on the Durham Region District Health Council The Health Couneil is an advisory body responsible to the Ministry of Health on all matters related to health care planning within the Region of Durham Please submit nominations, along with curriculum vitae, to: Kenneth N. Matheson Chairman, Steering Committee Durham Region District Health Council Box 478 Pickering, Ontario LIV 2R7 andth e building above became vacant. The old church was put on the auction block, and John Dryden, a grandson of Whitby's pioneer Baptist minister Rev. Israel Marsh, purchased the building, Mr. Dryden gathered together a congregation of nine people to reactivate the Baptist Church which had folded about 1865, and began canvassing the Association of Baptist Churches to pay for the building. A young minister named John Craig, who had studied in Europe, heard of the need for a pastor and said he would take the position, money being no object. Mr. Craig did not stay long, however, for his intention was to get enough training to becone a missionary in India, and he left Whitby in October 1877. Mr. Craig, however, returned to his congregation in Whitby on a nunber of occasions, and was present at the 50th anniversary of his church in 1926. Replacing Mr. Craig was no easy matter, for the pulpit of the Whitby Baptist Church was filled by student ministers until April 1878 when Rev. D. A. McGregor became the chosen pastor.- Mr. McGregor was also in charge of the Baptist Church on the south side of the seventh concession lne east of Brooklin, which had been founded by William and Israel Maîsh in the 1 840s. Mr. McGregorswas succeeded in April 1881 by Rev. H. C. Speller, who left Whitby in October 1883. Rev. J. F. Barker succeeded Mr. Speller. He was the former Governor of Pickering College (located and Pickering and later moved to Newmarket). Under Mr. Barker, the congregation experienced rapid growth, and the church became an active part of the comrnunity. During his pastorate, for 1884 to 1888, a shed was erected and paid for, and a Home and Foreign Mission Circle and Home and Foreign Mission Band were organized. Early records indicate that in the 10-month period of May 1, 1884 to March 1, 1885, 32 Baptisms toek place. Westminster United Church on Manning Road is holding its annual b4;'aar on October 28th at the church. Many hand-made gifts will be on display and can be purchased for the Christmas season. The 11th Oshawa Cubs and Scouts auxiliary is in dire need of a leader. The children meet at Dr. Robert Thornton school on Wednesdays. Several people wishing to assist a leader have come forward, but as yet no one feels capable of the leadership. If you have any spare time and could volunteer to help these boys, call Camp Samac and they will direct you. The Garrard Road Lacrosse Association will hold its annual meeting at Westminster United Church at 2:00 on November 14. Many children in the area derive hours of pleasure from playing lacrosse. Willow Park has one of the finest lacrosse boxes. All that seemus to be lacking are interested parents to help on the executive. It is not really a difficuit task, but nany hands make the workload lighter. Without an executive for the lacrosse association, it could mean the end of lacrosse for the children. Need I say more? There are many capable people within the organization, but they need help and new ideas. Your attendance at the meeting on November 14 will keep Garrard Road Lacrosse Association in therè. The children need your enthusiasm NOW. DANCES - DANCES - DANCES meeting is proceeding on schedule. The outline of what looks like little hills is visible from Michael Blvd., and, although it re.quires a great deal of imagination, one can almost envision what the park will eventually look like, Keep up the good work, boys! Doug Hîolweg and Jim Carson are 50 per cent of the strength of men that turn out for the Men's Sports Night on Mondays at West Lynde Public School, vhich is a rather obtuse way'of saying that the Men's Sports Night needs more men to participate. The emphasis is on a littie friendly basketball, so, if you're interested, give Ando Luik a buzz at 668-3545. THE CALENDAR: October 22nd: Corridor Capers Dance - Tickets 'from WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1976, PAGE 7 Even the new principal of Pickering College was Baptised at the Whitby church. After 1888, a number of students from McMaster Hall in Toronto took on short pastorates at the Whitby Baptist Church, as well as the Brooklin church which had moved to the building now 'occupied as a community centre in Brooklin. One of these student pastors, a former YMCA worker added 20 members to the church in 1895, bringing the total congregation to 102. During its first 50 years the Whitby Baptist Church engaged in a number of intredenominational services with the Presbyterians and the Methodists. In the winter of 1918, due to a shortage of coal, the Baptists agreed to hold union evening services with the Methodists and Presbyterians for two months. The longest serving minister at the Baptist Church was Rev. G. A. McLean who started as a student in 1910 and served until 1916. In 1967, he laid the corner stone for the new Baptist Church at Gilbert and Reynolds Streets, and was the oldest living former pastor. Under his pastorate in 1913, the church purchased a pipe organ. In 1930, a Sunday School building was added to the rear of the church, and by 1937, the membership of the church was 185. In 1967 the corner years of use the Baptists mnoved'into their new church at of Gilbert and Reynolds Streets, ending 90 of the old building. Since then, the old church was turned into a spaghetti house, which did not last long, and for the past five years it has been boarded up and vacant, a sad end for a building which served two religious denominations so well for nearly 100 years. This must be the season. The Garrard Road*Lacrosse Association is holding a fall dance on November 13, 1976, at Brooklin Community Centre. Tickets are $8 per couple and dancing begins at 8:30 - 1:00. Pot Luck supper will be served and tickets are limited to 50 couples. Call Barb Kernohan at 728-3290 and reserve your tickets right away. The Whitby Progressive Conservatives are holding a Hallowe'en Dance at the Centennial Building on Friday, October 29, 1976, from 8:00 to 1:00 p.m. Disc Jockey and refreshments. Tickets may be purchased from John Pizani at 668-4322, or Bob White 725-9726, at . $4 per person. The Corridor Area Ratepayers Association third dance will be at Heydenshore on Friday evening. These dances have been extremely successful in the past, and Friday will be no exception. Live orchestra, disc jockey, lunch and refreshments as well as door prizes. This is truly a community dance, and your attendance assures its success. Call Lynn Majoros 723-1680 or myself if you have not purchased your ticket as yet. The Ratepayers Association will be presenting a small donation to the Garrard Road Lacrosse Association during the evening. Everyone is welcome, so call now for tickets. M. McEachern 725-8967 Lynn Majoros at 723-1680. October 23rd: W.L.C.A. Hallowe'en Dance - Tickets from the Executive. October 23rd: Dance in support of Denis O'Connor High School. Tickets from Ann Filo at 668-6283. October 24th: Senior A Hockey at Iroquois Park - Whitby vs. Barrie. October 30th: Bottle Drive in West Lynde in support of the B.W.M.H.A. Major Peewee Allstars. Proceeds to help the team go to the Quebec Peewee tournament. A short week, folk(s). See you here in seven days. Summer is gone Fall is here We at Hair Fashion wish to assist you in choosing a new hair style...... one that would make hair styling easier for you. Appointments are not always necessary, Phone 668-8591 We provide one step Professional Ear Piercing HAIR FASHION 102A Lupin Drive BLAIR PARK PLAZA (corner of Dundas St. E. & Lupin Dr.) Whitby - 668-8591 m m