St. Luke`s celebrates anniversary, and historic register replicated

The congregation of St. Luke`s Anglican Church, situated on the banks of the Pine River, had lots to celebrate Sunday, June 25.

The sun shone on the outdoor service held in the afternoon to celebrate the church`s 160th anniversary, with music by Jack Hackett, Eleanor Convay and Lorne Seal, members of the Chalmers Country Gospel Band. This is the fourth year they have played for St. Luke`s on anniversary Sunday but the first time they were able to play outside.

After the service, everyone was invited to the hall beside the church for refreshments, and the congregation welcomed Elizabeth and Cliff Gamble of Harriston to cut the cake. Now 93 years old, Cliff recalls coming to St. Luke`s every summer.

“We are so pleased to be here,” he said. “I was born on the 6th of Huron, on Oct. 8, 1923, and baptized here in January, 1924. I don`t remember that day.

“My grandfather was one of the founders of the church, and his brother was one of the builders of the church. I have many fond memories of this place.”

Russell Brubacher then announced that the duplication of the church register has been completed by Tim and Jessie McGinnis. It was important to have that work done, he said, before the old record book is sent to the archives in London.
 

“It was a huge project,” said Brubacher. “Our old book had 340 pages and it was becoming almost unreadable. Tim and his wife, Jessie, saved our church record and we thank them immensely. It was very labour-intensive and costly, but they donated their time, talent and funds to the project, expecting no remuneration.”

The congregation presented the couple with a plaque in appreciation of their hard work and dedication to the project.

Jessie McGinnis said the project took over a year which allowed Tim the time to do it properly.

“It was a privilege for us to be part of this project,” she said. “Your record book went back to 1863 and there were even some entries prior to that. We were humbled that you would trust us with this piece of history that is irreplaceable. Each minister had a different way of making entries, some in pencil and some in different coloured pens. With the duplicated register, people can now look up the entries of their loved ones.”

The register will be displayed in the hall during the summer, and in the church vestible the rest of the year.