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History of St. Mary's A.C}W. Summerside

On Dec. 13th, 1825 a society was formed at the Globe Inn in Bideford, England called the Benevolent Society. This organization was fOr the relief of widows, widowers, children etc. of deceased members of the Church of England. A branch of this society

called the Ladies Benevolent Society in connection with St. Mary's Episcopal churchof Summerside was organized for the same purpose

as it's parent, but was irrespectivegof.religious persuasion. This was organized on March 20th, 1867 and had a directress, secretary and treasureg and a committee of council. On the list of charter members are names of persons whose descendants are present day A.C.W.

members.

Three years previous to the founding of this society, the ladies of St. Mary's had formed St. Mary's Sewing Circle on Feb. 22, 1864. Again familiar names of to day's members appear.

We are not sure just how long these organizations carried on but i feel this was the nucleus of St. Mary's present day A.C.W. carried on

I

under another name.

On Feb. 26, 1891 the Loving Workers Circle of the King's Daughters was formed and their minute book is still intact. On the roll call were names of persons and relatives still remembered which leads us to believe this was quite a young group.

In 1906 a fire in Summerside destroyed a large part of the town including St. mary's church. But very soon after work was begun on a new church which was officially opened on Sept. 17, 1909. The King's Daughters were very active in the work of the church with entries in the records of 1900 and 1902. In 1913 the ladies held their annual Easter Tea which carried on for many years and was one of the social events of Summerside.

While searching the records notations were made about the first W. A. Obnvention on July 24, 1914, one in Kensington on July 6, 1921 and in Alberton in 1923.

1928 records show both J.Afs and W. A's active at St. Mary's ahd being thanked at the annual meeting for their splendid work. In 1961 a Ladies Guild was organized and was very active until the amalgation.of W.A. and the Guild in 1967, thus becoming the A.CJN.

Alma Adams

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