and Mrs. Robert Ellis, Jr., Herbert Thompson, Donald MacDonald, 811, James MacAuIay, Joseph Bernard, Murdock Buchanan, Mrs. L. Ramsay, Mrs. John MacPherson, Mrs. Malcolm McFadyen, Mrs. Ewen MacLennan, Donald Buchanan, Joseph Rayner and Angus Beaton.

When the organ was introduced into this church, as indicated in the minutes of the Session of the Bloomfield, O’Leary, and Brae on January 22, 1896, and reads in part, ”It was agreed (after much dis- cussion) that any of the sections might introduce an organ to aid in the service of praise, when such could be done without disturbing the harmony or peace of the congregation.” In 1896, the people were dubious of the merits of musical instruments in a service of worship.

The O’Leary congregation grew so rapidly that thirty-four years later (1922) construction of the present church was begun. In that year Hon. Murdock MacKinnon, the Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island, laid the cornerstone, and on May 28, 1923, the church was dedicated to the Glory of God.

Taking part in the service of dedication were Rev. G.P. Tattrie, the minister of the church; Rev. Dr. John Pringle, a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; Rev. George Christie, minister of Alberton Presbyterian Church and Moderator of the P.E.I. Presbytery; and Rev. Spriggs, minister of the Anglican Church in Alberton.

Those on the committee in charge of building this church were Robert Ellis, Jr., A.J. Matheson, George Home, J.D. Kennedy, and Fulton Ramsay. It will be noted that Robert Ellis, Jr. appears on the building committee of both churches.

During Rev. G. Tattrie’s pastorate, the agitation for the union of Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches began in Canada.

On the whole, most Methodist and Congregational congrega- tions were in favour of the union; many Presbyterians were not. As a result, some congregations and even some families were divided on the question. Emotions ran high in some congregations and even in some homes. Much iIl feeling resulted. In spite of strong opposition; however, church union became a reality in 1925. The United Church of Canada was born. Congregations that voted against union remained Presbyterian. Hence, many Presbyterian Churches remained in many communities across Canada. In the O'Leary Pas- toral Charge, the Brae, Bloomfield, and the O’Leary Church voted for union; West Point dissented.

In recent years the congregation of O’Leary has maintained an active interest and support for the work of the church. The corner- stone on the Christian Education Centre was laid on June 7, 1959, by

76