The Woman’s Missionary Societies of the two Alberton congregations came together March 10, 1926 at a meeting conducted jointly by George C. Gordon (Presbyterian). Brief addresses were given by both minister, Officers elected were: President, Mrs. George C. Gordon 1st vice president, Mrs. James Hunter; 2nd vice president, Mrs. M.R. Leard; recording secretary, Miss Annie Leard; cor- responding secretary, Mrs. Herbert Hodgson; treasurer, Mrs. Charles H. Johnston.

The first president of the Ladies’ Aid was Mrs. Alexander Leard.

CASCUMPEC — Cascumpec, part of Alberton Pastoral Charge at the time of

Union, has a Methodist tradition. Although the congregation was formed in the 1860’s, the church was not officially opened until January, 1872.

After Church Union, a few Presbyterian families, who had been accustomed to worshiping in Bloomfield, became part of the United Church congregation in their home community.

Since 1925, this congregation has given three of its sons to the Christian ministry, Rev. Elmer Ashley, Rev. Earle Leard and Rev. Lawrence Lewis.

TIGNISH — To the people of Tignish, Church Union was nothing new. The first church in their community was built in 1861 by Episcopalians, Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists. Use of this little church was discontinued in 1893 when a new one was built by the Presbyterians. This church also became a com- munity one. In 1973, the building was turned over to the village of Tignish to be converted into a museum.

Prior to the amalgamation of 1969, Montrose Pastoral Charge included the congregations of Campbellton, Elmsdale, Miminegash and Montrose.

CAMPBELLTON — At Campbellton, their first Church building is the oldest church building on the pastoral charge. There is definite knowledge that it was

erected in 1850 or 1852.

In the early days, pioneer settlers of the Presbyterian faith walked fourteen miles to attend public worship and on at least one occasion two of them walked a blazed trail to Alberton to plead that a church he built in their community. The story of this little church by the sea is one that stirs the heart and humbles the spirit.

ELMSDALE — The church at Elmsdale also has a Presbyterian tradition. Before its erection about 1882 the people of the area worshipped in Alberton. Throughout the years the Elmsdale congregation was laid strong emphasis on the work of its Sunday school.

Since there were few Methodist familes within their bounds, church life in Campbellton and Elmsdale was little affected by Church Union.

MIMINEGASH — Miminegash, which came into the United Church of Canada as a Methodist congregation, accomplished its own union of churches many years earlier

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