W Minister onion - Aug 2|, l93l - Mar 29, I953
Born: Jun l2, l892 Ordained: Apr 23, I929 Died: Nov 20, I953, age 6|
George Carlyle Webster was born in London Ontario on June I2, I892, the son of George T. Webster and Elizabeth Flowers. The education he undertook in his youth was for preparation for a career in business. He became bookkeeper and then accountant for a large wholesale grocery lirm, and appeared to be headed to a very successful employment in the world of finance.
He attended New St. James Presbyterian Church, where he met and married Clara Decker in l9l6. Both of these talented people were challenged by New St. James to consider assisting in the early development of its mission outreach congregation, Knollwood Presbyterian church in London, Ontario. The newly appointed Sunday School Superintendent resigned in I92l and took many ofthe teachers with him. The interim session appointed Carlyle Webster, to run the Sunday School and with full powers to appoint teachers. Clara taught Sunday School, lead the choir and played the organ for congregational worship.
At the time the Church had only a student minister, a Mr. W. G. Smith, an Irish Evangelist. With Mr. Smith as student minister and Mr. Webster as Sunday School Superintendent they were a wonderful team, working harmoniously and very successfully together.
The congregation of the new church prospered under their leadership, and went "ahead in leaps and bounds". March l2, I922, saw the ordination ofthe first elders. On October l2, I924, G. Carlyle Webster was ordained as an elder of the church. When the matter of church union came along in I925, the result ofthe balloting was: for Union I, for remaining Presbyterian 79 (I spoiled). On September [3, I925, Mr. Smith now finished his studies, was called to another church. Because of the splendid leadership extended to the Church by Mr. Webster, and because of the shortage of ministers in the Presbyterian Church following the union vote, it was unanimously agreed to invite Mr. Webster to become the congregations new student minister. Mr. Webster accepted, gave up his successful business, and started his studies at Western University. He was there from I925-l927.
The congregation at this time was making plans for the erection ofa manse, with a view of upgrading their status as a Church. When Mr. Webster completed his Arts course at Western, he studied Theology at Knox College, 'l‘oronto I927—l930. He agreed to remain with Knollwood and Mr. and Mrs. Webster were the first to move into the new manse, constructed with a loan of only $I ,000. On April 23, I929, the London Presbytery met in Knollwood Park Presbyterian Church to license, ordain and induct Rev. G. Carlyle Webster.
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