CHURCHES PRESBYTERIAN / UNITED CHURCH In 1860 Reverend William Ross was ordained and inducted into a Presbyterian charge which included Bonshaw , Bannockburn, Brookfield and ( 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- Pastoral Charge of the Presbyterian Church of the Lower Province of British . 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. PUBLIC TEA AT BONSHAW. A Publio Tea, to liquidate the debt upontb* Presbyterian Cliureh at B .-nsh.tw, was given tm Thursday the 18th inst, Althnugh the morning »m cloudy, with *ome drops of rain, the day turned out fine. The place selected was a beau¬ tiful flat od the top of a hilt in Mr, Ewen Cros ¬ by's field, near to the Church and Bonshaw bridge. At noon the Steamer Heather Belle , Steamed beautifully up to the Bridge, handsome¬ ly decorated with Mags, the Brass Band ••dis¬ bursing sweet music" to those on board, and Safely landed a large party from the city, when she immediately dropped down stream about a mile, to •• Bruce'* Landing," There to remain and re-en.bark the party in the evening. A lar^e concourse of people were assembled at an early hour in the afternoon. Ample provision was made for their enjoyment. Abundance of the ohoisest cake and tea, together with a re¬ freshment saloon supplied with strawberries and cream, sandwiches, ginger beer, bread, beef, hum, confectionary, &c., added greatly to the entertainment. The Queen Square Church Choir gratuitously lent their efbVieut aid to enliven the dny. The Cutnmitte* return their thanks to Mr. I ). M. Fra «er, as leader, aud to the other mem¬ bers ot the Choir, for their kind attendance. The Bagpipes, gratuitously played by Mr. Mac ¬ Leod, (the first priie player) together with the Brass Band, kept up a constant strain of music. It was a pleasant social gathering, eo much so that there was" na time for addresses, as is usual on such occasions. The sum realised was about £00. When the festivities were about closing, intelligence came to hand that the Steamer bad passed the landing, and was no where to be seen. C 'pou further enquiry it was found that she bad passed down to McKwen's Wharf. A messen¬ ger was immediately dispatched with a request that the would return up the river, so as to en¬ able the party to get aboard. Io the meantime rhe Indies were conveyed in carriages l0 a coa. lenient'place for re-embarking; but through mismanagement on the part of the Commander Of the Kienner, she did not return; consequently many had to walk long'distances to oblaiu as¬ sistance. The committee regret the •• unfortu¬ nate circumstance," imd sympathise with those who were put to such hardship, and assure them flint had they known the facta of the Case In time, they would have conveyed the party in to town at their own expence, or that of the Steam Navigation Company. The 'Committee also thank those who rendered nssistanse upon the occasion. Al .KX. IloDMTSOX, Chairman of Managing Committee. Boniliaw.July 1'.), 18« i 7. f2f~ la another col a mo will be found a letter over the signature of Alex. Boncinos, Bon¬ shaw, giving an account of a '■ Poblio Tea at Bonshaw ." on the 18th Inst. In the latter part of this letter, Mr. Ifaubertton says—"Through mismanagement on the part of the Commander of the 8ieamer. she did not return; consequently many had to walk .long distances to obtain assistance." This Is not correct. There-was no" mismanagement" on the part of the Captain of the Hteatnar. Had Mr. Robertson sent a comptttnt Pilot on board—whioh we understand he promised to do—the Boat would have re¬ mained at McKwen's Wharf, and taken back those who went np In the morning; but as there was no Pilot on board, and the Captain being a stringer on the River, he had to leave, allowing sufOelciit daylight for him to find his way back as best he could. The Boat did not leave MoEwen's Wharf until after eight ufelook. The rest of the story! Islander 26th July 1867 page 3, columns 2&3