PREFACE

It is said that a country or a business is only as great as its leaders and this too may be said as well of churches. Zion Church has been amply blessed with great men and women of vision, strength and courage, who through the grace of God, have formed the roots, nourished and nurtured,

and watched their efforts grow to the strong and vibrant Church it is today.

It has been said that no one writes for history. This is never more, evident that when you search to confirm a date or a name. On occasion, mention is made of a person, who everyone atthe time knows who it is that is being spoken about. For example, in the I906 annual report, "The ranks of session were broken in May last, when our senior member was, in the presence of God, translated to the upper sanctuary, there to receive his just reward. A suitable minute was passed, spread upon the minutes, copies sent to the families and to the daily papers." No mention was made of his name. Another example, "The congregation can boast of having one of the oldest, if not the very oldest elder in the Dominion, who is now in his one hundred and first year of age and fifty-fifth year of eldership." It goes on and on but never mentions his name. Another example “The Session wishes to thank the janitor for his work over the past year."

Sometimes it is hard to realize what the report is trying to say. For example "Perhaps in consonance with the sentiment, it would not be amiss without prejudice to submit that it is the one exuberance of our new pastor, that his superabundant capacity for service recognizes 'no drones in the hive', whether waiting or working, but, Nelson-like, declares that Zion expects every man to do his duty."

Spelling of names may differ from year to year as with the Mc's &

Mac's. The spelling used is as written in the particular year. (Most Mac's were Mc's in the early years.)

When I started this work in early I997, we were celebrating our I4 I st Anniversary at Zion. Up to I985 we traced our roots from the opening of Queen Square Church in l860. Lately the church has used the opening of the Free Church in l856. However both of these churches did not "form" the time their church opened. It was necessary to get a group together with a common cause, approach Presbytery for recognition and preaching, get recognition as a preaching station, grow to the point where

a call of a minister could be supported, arrange for the erection of a building, etc.