The members of the Church of England did not have a church building in the community of Upper Rawdon. Many of them went to St Paul's in Centre Rawdon and the Union Church in Rawdon Gold mines, or to St. James' Church in Gore. Later the Methodist Church (Union in 1925) was used for Anglican services.
In 1959 the Rev. Maxwell Clattenburg came to the Rawdon Parish from the Parish of Londonderry, Bible Hill. Under his supervision a church was built in Bass River, and later during his rector-ship in Rawdon, the Campbellite church was bought and converted into our present day St David's Anglican Church of Canada.
The initial steps for the culmination of our church were inaugurated by forming a building committee in 1959-1960. Committee members included
John Thomas, Pearl & Thomas Weatherhead, Dave MacPhee, Ray MacPhee, Glynn Fenton, Maynard MacPhee and Pearl MacPhee.
John Thomas and Dave MacPhee were sent to bargain with the two surviving Campbellite members, Harry Withrow and Myron Fenton. And the sum of $300.00 was agreed upon. And since there was no basement, a lot of land was negotiated between Secretary Arch Barron and Jim Hill and purchased for the sum of $50.00. Following the excavation Earle Simms built the basement for the sum of $70.00 and Arch MacDonnell moved the building to the new southern location. Glyn Fenton was hired to renovate and make additions, assisted by John Thomas, William Elliott, Ivan Weir and Keith MacPhee.
The money was borrowed from the Royal Bank.
Donations supplemented the coffers, including $1,000.00 from Mrs. Morrell. Teas and suppers were also held.
During the winter of 1960-61 the women literally lay on their backs (Michael Angelo style) and scrubbed free the calcimine on the ceiling to make ready for plastering in the spring.
Service was first conducted in the basement during the summer and winter of 1960-61. The first service to be held upstairs was in June 1961.
Ivor Thomas was hired to build the Pulpit, the Altar and the Baptismal Font under the direction of Rev. Robert Coote. Seth and Janie Withrow funded the font in memory of Naomi and Alonzo MacPhee. Funds for the Altar and Pulpit were donated by the Hillsvale Community in memory of Raymond Millet. Each family chose their own pew, and the church was christened St David's.
The first wedding in the new church was solemnized between Barb Fenton and Oliver Watka on November 8 1962. The first christening was Lola Thomas and Kris MacPhee in 1960. The first funeral was Lydia Weatherhead. The Bishop's chair was purchased as a memorial to Mr. Oakes, USA, widow Marion Bond Oakes.
Eddie Mason was hired to install a furnace, it was completed on September 16 1960. The Woman's Auxiliary provided the ducts.
Over the years electrical, plumbing, painting, cement work, and shingling were done by Eddie Mason, Harold Clark, Leonard Noble, Colin MacPhee, Ross MacPhee, Dennis MacPhee, Warren MacPhee, Cecil Clark, Ronald Clark, Keith Weatherhead, Ernest Harvie, and many others from the congregation.
In 1963 a ships bell was purchased from Stormier Bell and Brass Foundry for $137.35. L. O. Miller built the tower and placed the bell in it. The sound was a disappointment to most of the members.
On November 25 1963, under the direction of Rev. Robert Coote, the corner stone was placed by Albert Ettinger in memory of his father Ernest Ettinger.
In 1969 the mortgage was paid and on March 2nd the Church was consecrated by Bishop George Arnold. Rev. David Myles was the clergyman at the time.
A carpet fund was formed and in due time Pearle Thomas Weatherhead laid the carpet and donated the kneelers. The stained glass windows were provided in memory of Gladys Fenton, Dave and Lena MacPhee, John and Mae Thomas, Donald MacPhee, and Ruth and Lulu Fenton.
Under the rector-ship of Rev. Eric MacDonald a committee of management was formed December 30 1979.
On September 18 1983, a meeting was held at Dennis MacPhee's led by Rev. Gary Thorne to form the St. David's Council. An altar guild was instituted at the same time, and each month a female member was responsible for cleaning and setting up for communion. Early in the 1960's, a junior auxiliary was formed under the direction of Shelia Fenton, Marguerite Elliott, and Emily Fenton.
In 1982, a Youth Group was formed and included all denominational members.
Cora MacPhee was the first female member of the parish council. Today most members are female.
In due time a passageway was built from the porch to the basement, this enabled the Sunday School children and other members to travel back and forth during inclement weather.
In 1984, a cloakroom and washroom were built with money left by Isaac MacPhee. Volunteers included Rev. G. Thorne, Warren MacPhee, Bob Bennett, Lorne Neil, Thomas Weatherhead, Leonard Noble, Ronald Clark and others.
Over the years exterior and interior painting has been done by many volunteers. To name a few Rev. George Parker, Pearl and Tom Weatherhead, William Elliott, Colin MacPhee, Ross MacPhee, and Jimmy Young.
Gladys Fenton was our first organist, Jennie Withrow, Carolyn McNally, Elizabeth Ferguson, Rev G. Parker and Ted Haldane have contributed to the musical enjoyment of the services over the years.
One of the most responsible and difficult positions of the church council is the office of treasurer. To date our treasurers have been John Thomas, Olive Mac phee, Cora MacPhee (23 years) and Phyllis Noble, and presently Steve Carter.
Some of the donations to our Church are as follows:
Credence Table |
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Thomas & Pearl Weatherhead |
Organs |
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Mary & Maynard MacPhee,
Violet & Roy Fletcher |
Litany Desk |
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St. Philip's Church, Halifax |
Oak Collection Plate |
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Glyn Fenton |
Collection Plate |
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In memory of Danny Weatherhead |
Candlesticks |
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Rev. M. Clattenburg |
Altar Rail |
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Diocese of Nova Scotia |
Baptismal Candle |
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Ivor Thomas |
Lecturing Bible |
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ACW |
Sanctuary Lamp and 2 Oak Chairs |
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Pearl Weatherhead in memory of Thomas |
Green and Purple Hangings |
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All Saints Cathedral |
Crucifix |
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Warren MacPhee |
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Many Prayer and Hymn books have been donated in memory of love ones. Space does not permit the names of all the members who worked for St David's. Many have worked in a official capacity; the most dedicated of all are the Sunday School Superintendents and the Sunday School teachers, who turned out on Sunday mornings to teach the children and preparing for Christmas and closing programs.
We send out a special tribute to Ruth (Fenton) Winter, who passed away in 1990, for her years of janitorial services. Also, special thanks go to all who worked tirelessly at church dinners and suppers, all who work in any way in the maintenance of our church.
Further, a special mention to the clergy who contributed in their own particular way for the welfare of the congregation and the propagation of the Gospel, and with great sense of thanksgiving during this Bicentennial year and on the feast of Pentecost we rejoice that through human means directed by God's spirit, the increase of the church of God and his message of love will come through the joys and sorrows of the passing of our earthly years.
