A meeting of the anniversary committee was held, Jan. 19 to obtain ideas towards the preparations required leading up the Nov. 19, the 100th anniversary of St. Andrew’s United Church in Quesnel. It became part of the United Church on June 10, 1925.
It was decided because of conflicting community activities, to have the 100th anniversary celebration on Nov. 20. Historical displays, skits and other entertainment will be part of the day’s activities.
Yes, this year the little church of St. Andrew’s is celebrating its centenary, 100 years of worship to its ever changing Quesnel congregation from the same edifice; but with lots of changes of personnel both in the pulpit and in the pews.
All of it’s neighbours and congregants from those days are just memories and it seems that those memories are getting few and far between.
People like Marian (Warden) Patchett and Donna (Edkins) Gilbert are two of the longest and outstanding members from our past. I have attended regularly since 1954, nearly 57 years – not a bad record.
I find it hard to find or even name some of the people from then, but I can remember ministers, choir leaders and choir members and musicians.
Many changes have taken place within the Church organization, even the women’s groups have been decimated down to one circle, the Dorcas Circle, which still meets regularly. This is compared to the many circles that used to hold forth.
I have photos of the hall addition made 60 years ago. At one time it was used to house school classrooms when Quesnel School District 28 was short of accommodation.
We will try to bring you more short anecdotes of our church history, so if you have something in the back of your mind (or attic) let us know and we will be able to share it with others.
If you have contributions suitable for anniversary articles, let us know about them. Photos, old service bulletins, minutes from meetings, anything you think will add to the ongoing history of St. Andrews, Quesnel’s longest established church and congregation.
If you remember we at one time were located across the street approximately where the Cenotaph now stands. When the school district wanted their property back, the decision was made to sell the building to the Anglicans as they also shared the building and sanctuary. They agreed so it was sold to them and they moved it across the highway to where Fraser River GM car sales is now located. After a brief brou-ha-ha with the tennis club of that day, which presumed possession was 9/10ths of the law, our church applied to Victoria and received the grant for the corner lot where the church now stands. That was one hundred years ago.
Our church was established and within ten months they were worshiping in their new building with the first service on Nov. 19, 1911.
Watch monthly for articles pertaining to this anniversary. Remember, that is Nov. 20, 2011.
Jack Nelson is a local historian, member of St. Andrew’s United Church congregation and regular Observer contributor.
