BROWN, REV. Wilfred HAROLD Minister onion - Feb 11, 1954 - Oct 01, 1958
Born: Mar 31, 1898 Ordained: 1936 Died: Jun 24, 1980, age 82
He was born March 31, 1898, in Margate, Prince Edward Island, son of George Brown and grew up on the family farm. He went with his sister to McGill, where he studied Sociology. While studying for his BA, he met and feel in love with Elizabeth Ballentyne, daughter of Rev. Robert Ballentyne (a Presbyterian Minister) of St. Andrew's East, near Montreal. Elizabeth was one of the first graduates in the new field of Sociology at McGill. Following his BA. from McGill, Harold wrote his thesis for his Masters degree on the Czech people who settled at Point St. Charles, Montreal. Harold and Elizabeth were married in 1925 and as a combined wedding trip and thesis he went to Czechoslovakia. Their trip was cut short alter about a year with the impending birth of their first son Robert. They returned to Canada for the birth and Harold began working at Tyndale House(now Tyndale-St. George's) in Montreal run by the Presbyterian and Anglican Churches. Sons William H. born in 1928 and Ian W. born in 1931 followed.
He was ordained in 1936 and his first charge was Ormstown, Quebec in 1939. He next went to St. Andrew's, Pictou in 1941. While there he had two services each Sunday. Following the evening service, there would be a sing song with people from the other churches coming to St. Andrew's (even the Catholics) and at times joined by sailors as this was during the war.
He was called from Pictou to St. Edward‘s, Beauhamois, Quebec in November 1948. His time at St. Edward's was marked by growth, both in numbers taking communion and in the organization of the church. A new Sunday School hall was built, the first important addition to the building in 114 years. Explorers Group, Sunday School Auxiliary, and The Young Peoples Society were formed. The Christian Outreach appeal (every family visited by men of the church) increased church attendance.
On December 8, 1953, the congregation of Zion Church extended a call signed by 299 members and 54 adherents, to Mr. Brown. The Presbytery of Prince Edward Island met on December 9 and the call having been supported by Mr. Reginald MacNutt, Mrs. F.A.A. Mutch, Mr. George Douglas and Major MacRae on behalf of the congregation, it was forwarded to the Presbytery of Montreal.
-111-