Toward the end of 1856, West River was disjoined from Charlottetown and joined the congregations in Brookfield and Bonshaw. (This new three point charge did not have a settled pastor until September 16, 1860, and were supplied with the same ministers who supplied the Free Church)

On August 5, 1856, Rev. Alexander Sutherland of New London reported that he had preached to the Free Church people of Charlottetown in the Temperance Hall, at which time they presented a call by 45 individuals of whom 25 were heads of families and concurred by 17 females. The amount of £88.] 1 was subscribed to the ministers salary. It was put in his hands with a minimum stipend of£150 Prince Edward Island currency, to be paid to Rev. George Sutherland on the day of his induction.

Their first permanent pastor then became Rev. George Sutherland, from Musquodoboit Harbour Nova Scotia. He was inducted as minister on Wednesday evening, August 27, 1856. The Free Church then moved to their new building on the northwest comer of Upper Prince and Euston Streets facing south down Prince Street. Rev. George Sutherland was active as clerk of the Free Presbytery and after union in 1860 (see appendix), of the united Presbytery. An attempt was made to unite the two churches (Free Church and Queen Square) following the creation of the new Presbytery, but owing to their closeness by geography, there was a considerable amount of jealousy, as both had new buildings and as both struggled for a presence and existence.

On October 23, 1866, Rev. George Sutherland placed in the hands of Presbytery the demission of his congregation "with the view of devoting himself to the work of an evangelist in the home of the work of a missionary in the Foreign Field." Rev. Sutherland resigned on November 21, 1866. On March 28, 1867, he stated his intention of removing from the Island shortly after the opening of navigation.

On November 17, 1869, Rev. John Bums Watt, late of Knox Church, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia was issued a call and declined. At the time Rev. Thomas Cumming was serving as pastor of both congregations,

Note the similarity in the design of the Free Church (construction started 1855) and the Queens Square Church (construction started 1858). They are almost identical with the exception of the filigree trim on the roof overhang.

-12-