Brackley, establishing a Catechist and Infant school. What became of these missionaries the records do not reveal, but it is known that as early as 1854, a preaching station was opened in connection with the Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia in Brackley. The Kirk of Scotland and the Free Church Presbytery of P.E.|. also furnished supply ministers. The first church built in the area was erected in connection with the Established Church of Scotland. it was later laid in ruins by a severe gale.

The original Brackley United Church was erected in the year 1863, and was Methodist. In the minutes of the ”P.E.|. District of Methodist Church”, of that year, there is record of a chapel being built at the Brackley Point Road, on the Cornwall and Little York circuit. It was 24 feet by 30 feet, and constructed of wood at a cost of about 150 lbs. A note in the ”Wesleyan”, of April 13, 1864, states that the building was constructed in sixteen to twenty weeks and was opened free of debt in the fall of 1863. The 1880 Atlas of P.E.|. shows the church on its present site. information from father— to-son holds that George Bryenton of Brackley donated the land for the church (later, a school was built on part of the same property).

The earliest known minister for the Brackley Church was the Rev. J.V. Jost, a follower of Beniamen Chappell, the Wesleyan Methodist leader on

the Island. ln 1857, the Rev. Henry Pope Jr. took charge of the church. A year later, in 1858, Cornwall and Little York were united in one circuit and

both were placed under his charge. From that time onwards, Brackley Church has been shifted to Winsloe charge, to York charge, and back again so frequently that the maiority of church records are either incomplete or missing.

The first remodelling took place in 1900, under the Rev. Richard Opie. At that time the church was extended so that there would be space for an additional window on each side of the church. in 1922, the people of Brackley decided to adorn their sanctuary by erecting a spire on their church. The Rev. C.W. Keirstead was the officiating minister.

in 1925, when the Rev. H.J. Smith was the minister of Brackley Church, segments of the Presbyterian Church united with the Methodist Church. Following suit, the Methodist Church in Brackley became United.

On Aug. 22, 1954, the Brackley United Church was re—opened following complete interior remodelling under the Rev. J.M. Sproule. New pews, carpet, a rear window, lighting system, and new Sunday School rooms made from an extended platform, were but a few of the major im- provements. Several memorial gifts were also dedicated at the official re- opening ceremony. Brackley United Church remains the same to the

present day. The Rev. Frank Gosbee is the present minister. He resides in Winsloe south from which he administers the five churches on his circuit.

20