Union Church, Rawdon Gold Mines (1908-2007)

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History of the Rawdon Gold Mines Union Church

It was not long after the Rawdon area was first settled in 1784, that three religious denominations began work in the Pleasant Valley area now known as Rawdon Gold Mines.

Both the Anglicans and the Methodists erected churches in Centre Rawdon and the people of Pleasant Valley worshipped there. Some time before 1871 the Presbyterians erected a little church just west of the village, the spot being marked now by the cemetery which surrounded it. On the church map published in 1871 that church is shown.

On that same map, a building is shown on the south side of the new road leading to Upper Rawdon, near where the present road runs into the Rawdon Gold Mines Campground. This was indicated as being a carpenter shop belonging to John Bond. That land was later owned by Jacob Wellwood, later the property of George Wellwood. Some time during the latter years of the 19th century, that building became a Community Hall and church services were held there by all three denominations.

In the Spring of 1906 the three denominations got together and decided to erect a church building, which could be used as a place of worship by all, and so the "Union Church" of Pleasant Valley came into being. A site was chosen in the angle between the old and new road leading to Upper Rawdon and construction began.

In the registry of deeds at Windsor, in Book 101, Page 779, Document 456, dated November 21, 1906, a record of the sale of the land on which the new church is standing:

Sold by the executors of the estate of the late Josiah Custance, John W. Custance, and Tupper Custance to James Mosher, M.D., Joseph Mason, and Joseph MaDill, farmers of Pleasant Valley, for the sum of $1.00.

The church was opened for services on March 8, 1908, when services were held morning, afternoon, and evening, with ministers from the three denominations taking part. These were:

• Rev. Innes E. Fraser, Anglican
• Rev. Charles D. McIntosh, Presbyterian
• Rev. Henry Burgess, Methodist

First Secretary was Mrs. Doctor Mosher, next Newton Wilson, and then Mrs. George Taylor (who took the books away, making it hard to get the history of the church!)

The first trustees were Dr. Mosher, Methodist; Ed Barron, Anglican; and Joe Madill, Presbyterian.

When Dr. Mosher died, Ben Custance was named as trustee. After the death of these men, no trustees were appointed for some time. In November 1938, Dr. MacLellan, Arch Barron, and Robert Withrow were appointed trustees. After the deaths of Dr. MacLellan and Robert Withrow, trustees appointed were George Wellwood, Clyde Weatherhead, and Arch Barron.

Dr. MacLellan was treasurer for some time, and in 1966 Mrs. George Wellwood was appointed treasurer.

The first Baptism in the church was Marjorie Barron in 1908, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harding Barron.

The first Marriage was Robert Roulston and Mabel Barron in 1921 by Rev. H. C. Eisenhauer.

The first Funeral was Joe Thompson in 1916.

A Thomas organ was bought early on (and was still in use in 2004), but the date of purchase is not recorded.

Over the years, many have given their time and talent as the church organist. Among these have been Mrs. Helen Withrow, Mrs. Harriet Campbell, Mrs. Mary Withrow, and Mrs. Jennie Withrow, who played for sixty years, retiring in 1988.

In the early years, cleaning the church, making fires and lighting the lamps was done by Jacob Barron at the stipend of 50¢ a month. Mrs. Mabel Roulston succeeded him in these duties for a time, and later Mrs. J. O. Wellwood. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. Robert Withrow donated their services as janitors for a number of years, until the task was taken over and shared among ladies of the community.

Sunday School was held during the years, also C.G.I.T., Explorers, J.A. and Young Peoples.

Union Sewing Circle was started in the early years. All the ladies in the community attended!

In 1965, a WA was formed by the Anglicans and the UCW by the United members, all working for the Union Church. During the years attendance was small at both groups, so in 1971, the two groups joined together calling it the A.U.C.W. which has worked wonderfully. Maintenance of the church is looked after by this group.

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