CHURCHES PRESBYTERIAN / UNITED CHURCH

In 1860 Reverend William Ross was ordained and inducted into a Presbyterian charge which included Bonshaw, Bannockbum, Brookfield and Dog River (Clyde River), etc. Bonshaw was noted in 1865 as part of a charge with Brookfield and West River which was served by Reverends George Sutherland, Donald McNeil, Alexander Sutherland, Alexander Munro, Charles Ross (a student) and others. Later the same year Bonshaw was separated from West River and united with Tryon to form the Tryon-Bonshaw Pastoral Charge of the Presbyterian Church of the Lower Province of British North America. It was noted that Bonshaw "greatly strengthened the Tryon" charge (12). Where the congregation initially met is not clear as it was on April 3rd 1863 that the trustees of the Presbyterian Church of Bonshaw purchased a piece of land for the erection of a place of worship.

(The trustees included John Marchbanks, William Paul, John McLeod, Rev William Ross, and others). The piece of land located at the west end of the Bonshaw bridge, was purchased from Alexander Robertson for the sum of five shillings (13). The first evidence of the church was the event of the first communion service which was held on May 26th, 1867. John G. Cameron was the pastor of the charge between March 14, 1867 and 1873, so was probably the preaching minister at

the first communion. (Note John Cameron was married to Miss Stewart from Strathgartney.) The Islander of July 26, 1867 reports a "Public Tea at Bonshaw" which was used to raise

money to liquidate the debt upon the Presbyterian Church. The sum raised was 60 pounds and an

elaborate description of the day's social events is found in the clipping below.

rUIBth' TEA AT BONStmv.

a Public Tea, to liquidate the debt upon' the Presbyterian Chnreh at- Bonshaw, was xiyeu'on Thursday the 18th Inst. Although the morning m cloudy, with some drops of rain, "15 it“! turned out fine. The place selected was a bean- titul flat on the top ofa hill in Mr. Ewen Cros- by‘s field, near to the Church and Bonshaw Bridge. At noon the Steamer Heather Belle. dtesuted beautifully up to the Bridge, handsome. ly decorated with flags, the Brass 'Band '{dis— quui’nlng sweet music" to those on- board. find aarely landed a large party from the city, when ehe immediately dropped down stream about a mile. to “ Bruce‘s Landing," there to remain and re-eu-barlr the party in the evening. A turze concourse of people were assembled at an early hour in the afternoon. Ample proriaion was made for their enjoyment. Abundance of the ohoisest cake and tea. together with'a re-

Upon turther enquiry it was found that she had passed down to McEwen’s Wharf. A messen- ger was immediately dispatched with a request that she would return up the river, so as to en- ahie the party to get aboard. In the meantime the indies were conveyed in carriages to a co.- tenient’ place for re-embarking; 'but. through mismanagement on the part of the Commander ut the Steamer, she did not return; consequently many had to walk long‘distuncee to obtain aa-' distance. The committee regret the “ unfortu- uat’e circumstance,” and sympathise with those who were put to such hardship, and assure them that had they known the tactic of the case In time, they would have conveyed the party In to

town at their own expenoe. or that o! the Steam 1

Navigation Company. thanh those who rendered assistance upon the own-ton. Amt. ltonnnox, . Chai man of Managing Committeh Bonsitnw,Jniy lit, 1867.

The Committee also

tmhment saloon su lied with strawberries and - f 7 V 1 cream. saudwiches,ppginger beer. bread, beef. .97- Ia nnother column will be found a letter 0:321:55 ' ham, .cont‘ectionary. &¢., added greatly to the m" m’. flgnum or Am' “(sinusim Bon- ry. entertainment. The Queen Square Church Choir ”in“ 9"":K "' mun: of .‘ Pub!” T“ “

ratuitousiy lenttheir efficient aid to enliven the “"3“- °“ ”m ‘8“ ‘“"- 1““ “WW"

M. The Committee return their thanks to M r. °f m" km" M" mm'm“ "Y'T'ATbmush D. M‘ pun... as 19“", and to the on," memo ‘mismansgement on the pirt of the Commander‘ hers ot the Choir, for their kind attendance. 0“!" Sinner-"w d“ “0‘ "mm; “nfiqmnllti The Bagpipes, gratuitously played by Mr. llac- in", 5“) '° "'k d”! dl'l‘me‘ ‘° “N"

Leod, (the fir" pfiu player) “,3"th 'ml the assistance.” This is_ not correct. There-was Islander Brass Band. kept up a constant strain of music. "0 “ ml'm'm"8""°°"' 0' "1’ PM“! ‘5' C‘Pm“ 26th July 1867 It was a pleasant social gathering, so much so 0' “I0 3‘01""?- “UI MP- ROW‘IOI Dent I a e 3

that there waa' ne time for addresses. as is usual competent Pilot on board—which we‘understand p g ’ on such occasions. The sum realised was About he promised to do—the Boat would have re- celumns £60. ,When the festivities were about closing. meined at Sloliwen’s Wharf. and taken back 2 & 3

intelligence came to hand that the Steamer had passed the landing, and was no where tobeseen.

‘ those who went up In the morning; but as there was no ("lot on board. and the Captain being a

‘stranger on the River, he had to leave. allowing

aumcient daylight (or him to find his way back as best he could. The Boat did not learn Monen’s Wharf until alter eight o'clock.