A chronological sketch of the events which led to the formation of . Zion Presbyterian Church:

Some of what follows contains excerpts from the lion Church Annual, Session and Trustee reports with some supplement from Presbytery minutes and other reports and writings. In most cases the original report as written is included.

I758 St. John's Island (P. E. I.) taken by British and formed part of Nova Scotia.

I766 The first two houses built in Charlotte Town.

I768 The first minister to visit the Island was Rev. John Eagleson of the Church of England, who visited from July to November, baptised six children and officiated at the marriage of one soldier.

I769 Island population set at about I50 families, mostly settled in Princetown, Three Rivers and St. Andrews (present day Malpeque,

Georgetown and Mt. Stewart). Walter Patterson appointed Governor of the Island.

I770 St. John's Island obtains its own government. Prior to this it formed part of the province of Nova Scotia.

I775 Rev. Theophilus DesBrisay (age 2|) of the Episcopal Church was the first protestant minister to settle on Prince Edward Island. Before coming to P. E. I. he was originally a Presbyterian Minister. When he arrived in Charlotte Town he found there was no church, no house, no food and no salary. He took duty as Chaplain on one of His Majesty's ships of war. He married Margaret Stewart, daughter of the Chief Justice and in I780 moved to a house he had built in Covehead.

I79I Rev. James MacGregor (see Appendix) of Pictou was the first Presbyterian minister to yisjt Prince Edward Island.

I792 Island petitioned for a Presbyterian minister, without result.

I796 Up until now church services were conducted occasionally in the Crossed Reys Tavern (north-east comer of Queen and Dorchester) by vrsrtmg ministers. Although laid out in I770, the plans for Queen Square were not immediately executed, as the infant colony was almost bankrupt, and money set aside for public buildings had to be spent on other things - the Governors salary for example.

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