W31 Minister onion - Jul 19, 1871 - Jun 02, 1889

Born: Aug 21, I825 Ordained: Jan 5, 1853 Died: Feb 3, 1912, age 86

Rev. John McLean MacLeod was born on August 21, 1825, in West River, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, a county which has given more clergymen, and college professors to the Presbyterian Church in Canada than any other spot in Canada (as can be seen from the above ministers). (He may have been named after the Rev. John McLean born, like him in West River, in about 1800) He received his preliminary education in the home school and later attended Pictou Academy, graduating in Arts and Theology at the West River Seminary in 1852 (He was one of the original twelve students at the Seminary when it opened in 1848). He was licensed on January 5, 1853, and ordained and inducted November 9 in Richmond Bay, Prince Edward Island congregation. As he said himself in his book “according to the custom of olden times, nothing less than two discourses with about fifteen minutes intermission would satisfy the people; and ifa discourse did not occupy an hour in its delivery it was hardly worth going to hear."

In June 1859, he accepted a call from Newport, Nova Scotia. Little is known ofthe intervening years until he was minister at Knox Church in New Glasgow, N.S.

On May 25, 1871, a call from Zion Church in favor of Rev. John MacLeod, was unanimous and harmonious. It was signed by 74 communicants and an adherence paper was signed by 84 ordinary hearers. At this time in Charlottetown, as the Free Church and Queen Square Church were both without ministers, he was inducted as pastor of the combined church at 7:30 pm. on Wednesday July 19, I871, (utilizing the Queen Square Church, now called Zion). Ministers present at the induction service were: Rev's R. 8. Patterson, Alexander Campbell, James Allan, Henry Crawford, William R. Frame, Alexander Cameron, Robert Laird, Robert Cuming, Alexander Munro and Samuel C. Gunn. On August 9th, Rev. John MacLeod was chosen as Clerk of Presbytery, a position he held continuously for eighteen years, until he resigned to move to Vancouver.

Mr. MacLeod was a very dedicated, well respected preacher and drew many to the church and the Lord. In 1874 the church experienced a remarkable revival of religion with meetings crowded and going well after midnight, so anxious were the people to find peace. In 1886 Meikle and Genior brought their revival tent to Charlottetown, with the church again experiencing a marked growth. One hundred and thirty united with the church by profession of faith.

Also the MacLeod family grew: on June 8, 1872, a daughter Winnie Blanche(baptised by Rev. Dr. Murray Nov 27), and on April 24, 1874, a son John MacLean (baptised on July 18 by Rev. John McTavish of Scotland) born to Rev. John MacLeod and Amelia Parker.

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