Two hundred years ago, families originally from the Highlands of Scotland came to Upper Canada from Lord Selkirk’s failed Red River Colony, in what is now Manitoba, and settled newly-surveyed lands in West Gwillimbury.
They took up allotments in the Scotch Settlement area of West Gwillimbury Township in 1819, bringing their determination, their work ethic, and their Presbyterian faith.
Within a couple of years they had not only established farmsteads, but built the first school and the first church in Simcoe County.
On Sunday, St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Bradford hosted a celebration, marking 200 years of the Presbyterian Church in the community, 200 years of ‘sharing the love of Christ.’
The Anniversary Service began with a call to worship, and an early hymn. “If we worshipped in the Auld Kirk (the church first established by the Red River Settlers), this would have been the only hymn,” said Rev. Dr. Daniel Scott.
“We would not have had an organ or musical instrument,” since the rigid Church of Scotland beliefs that the settlers held averred that only the human voice was suitable for worship, he said. “And it would be in Gaelic, because that is what God spoke.”
There have been many changes, over the years. The anniversary service at St. John’s was not only in English, but featured a piano, the church’s pipe organ, and the Tyndale University College Choir, under the direction of Dr. Melissa Davis.
Guest Preacher, the Rev. Dr. David Sherbino spoke of the changes, and noted that the Presbyterian Church, from the Auld Kirk to the new St. John’s in Bradford, has accomplished “great things in the community.”
Rev. Sherbino focused on the “legacy that God has given each one of us, and how we pass that along” – the torch of faith, that has been passed from generation to generation.
He urged the congregation to be torchbearers, to “carry the message to the next generation” – as his own grandfather taught him lessons of faith and understanding, and as the prophet Elijah passed the torch, the “mantle” of prophecy, to Elisha.
“There are many people that are one conversation away from becoming torchbearers, people who will carry the message to the next generation,” said Rev. Sherbino.
The service included music, and prayers delivered by Moderator of the Oak Ridges Presbytery Dr. Alan Goh. The celebration wrapped up with a catered lunch in the Settlement Hall.
MP Scot Davidson, and MPP Caroline Mulroney were unable to attend, but sent messages of congratulations.
“For 200 years, the congregation has worked hard to make this church a positive influence in the community,” wrote Davidson, noting that over two centuries, the Presbyterian Church has “remained faithful and true to its fundamental values.”
“This is indeed a special occasion,” said BWG Mayor Rob Keffer, commemorating the arrival of the Scotch Settlers, “who built a community and a settlement using only their hard work and faith.”
The mayor brought along Auld Kirk pins, as “a little reminder of our forefathers and 200 years of hard work that has built our community.”
Rev. Goh encouraged the faithful to “be bold and humble at the same time” – with a joking reminder that Richmond Hill United Church is “two years older than you: 1817!”
