Introduction

the northern and western Bedeque Bay areas

from 1770 to 1871 is one of struggle and perseverance. In a time when there were few or no churches the word of God was often conveyed to the pioneers under the shade ofa tree, in a private dwelling, and on an irregular basis.

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries the Presbyterian faith was kept alive by itinerant ministers and missionaries. The first Presbyterian service on P. E. I. was conducted by Rev. William Drummond on June 2, 1770, at Princetown. He travelled extensively across the Island until 1771 when he departed for Connecticut.

Rev. Dr. James Drummond MacGregor ministered to the Pictou Highlanders and also conducted many preaching trips to Miramichi, N. B., P. E. I., and Bras d’or Lakes, Cape Breton Island. From the time of his arrival in Nova Scotia in 1786 until his death in 1830 his P. E. I. visits extended over a period of thirty years, from 1791 to 1821. He was assisted by Rev. Duncan Ross and Rev. Matthew Dripps of Truro, from 1791 to 1800 and 1802 to 1807.

The first resident Presbyterian minister on P. E. I. was Rev. John Urquhart from 1800 to 1802. Although he resided at Princetown, he did missionary work at Bedeque, New London, and the northern and western shores of Bedeque Bay. He was followed by Rev. Peter Gordon from 1807 to 1809. Rev. Mr. Gordon was the first Presbyterian minister inducted on P. E. 1. His charge

The historical evolution of Presbyterianism in