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l A HISTORY OF FREETOWN

PR ESBYTER lAN CHURCH

The work of the Presbyterian Church, Freetown, P.E.l. goes back to the days of Rev. John Keir when he was settled in Malpeque in 1810. He ‘erved here faithfully until 1819 when Bedeque and Richmond Bay were Elisjoined from Malpeque and formed into a pastoral charge. owing to an increase in population, with Rev. Andrew Nichol as minister. He was a man

f great energy and intense devotion. He was not long permitted to continue his labours for he passed to the Great Beyond in 1820. He was succeeded by fthe Rev. William MacGregor in 1821. In 1825 the Bedeque pastoral charge 1'was separated from Richmond Bay. A few months after the organization of ithis newly founded congregation came one of the most striking pioneers of lour church in the person of Rev. R.S. Patterson MA. The history of this congregation would be incomplete without reference to this great man, On November 8th, 1825 a call was moderated in his favour which he accepted. It was said that at that time there was not a wagon in the parish or a mile of road on which to travel.

The surrounding country was almost an unbroken forest. He lived to see the country a fruitful field inhabited by a dense population and to witness the truimphs of steam communications by land and sea. His trials were many, during the greater part of his ministry his stipend was only $300.00 per annum. He received only half of it in money. He had to labour with hands, on a farm and engage in teaching school to support his family. He had many severe trials in his home resulting from successive strokes of

bereavement, but amid all his trials he was strengthened and sustained by

his Master and was greatly prospered in his work. When his congregation became able to support him, he devoted himself more exclusively to minister- ial work and theological studies and did much to promote the interest of education and to champion the cause of Temperance. He passed from earth on September 16, 1882 after 58 years in the Ministry.

It was during the ministry of Rev. R.S. Patterson that a congregation was organized in Freetown with services in the school house. The next minister was the Rev. W.M. Scott from 1883 to 1887 a student of the renowned Dr. Cook. The Rev. Wm. Tufts succeeded Mr. Scott in 1888. It was during Mr. Tufts three year ministry that the present church was

built and on November 2, 1890 the church was opened and dedicated to the Glory of God and for His service. Mr. Robert B. Auld gave the site of the church. Mr. Jesse Burns supplied the material for the frame. Two members gave $100.00 each. The church cost about $950.00 and would have cost more had it not been for the free labour generously expended.

The following is a list of ministers as far as can be ascertained — Rev. 5.1. MacArthur, Rev. William McCulloch Thompson, Rev. R.S. ’Whidden, Rev. W.H. Maclntosh, Rev. A. MacKay, Rev. W.A. MacQuarrie, and Rev. D.K. Ross.

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