FREE CHURCH

Some early supply ministers:

Mackenzie, Kenneth Student Minister at Free Church l855

Born c. l 826 Ordained: Dec 2, l857 Died: Jun 20. l904

He was a student minister when he preached at the Free Church. Born at Caribou, Pictou County on June 8, 1826, he studied at Pictou Academy, studied arts at Halifax Academy and theology studies at the Free Church College, Halifax. Kenneth MacKenzie was ordained and inducted on December 2, l857, as minister of the first church that was ever built in Baddeck, Cape Breton. There he bought a house, married and settled down for a good pastorate of forty six years. He was as well clerk of presbytery for thirty four years. On March 3|, l90l, he resigned his charge and moved to Halifax. He died on June 20, l904, age 78 after forty seven years in the ministry.

' He was fluent in Gaelic.

McDonald, John Student Minister May 9, l855 - Sept 14, l855

He was a student minister who supplied both the Free Church and West River Presbyterian Church, who at the time were joined. He was a student of the Free Church College, Halifax, whose services were highly appreciated, but failing health compelled him to retire from the field and he died before completing his studies.

Sutherland, Rev. Murdoch Preached at Free Church: Sept 17, 1854 Ordained: I853

Murdoch was a native of Scotland, educated in the Free Church College, Halifax and New College, Edinburgh Scotland. Sent by the Colonial Committee of the Free Church he became the first minister of Knox Church Pictou about l85l. He was ordained and inducted in I853.

He served the first communion at the new Free Church in Charlottetown on September l7, l854. He was later extended a unanimous call in September l855, but both his church and his Presbytery strongly opposed the call.

Rev. Sutherland returned to Scotland in I857 owing to ill health.

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