Presbyterianism in Summerside 1853-2003

In 1976 Rev. John S. McBride moved on to a new church in Montreal and he was replaced by Rev. (now Rev. Dr.) Robert P. Fourney. Rev. Mr. Fourney, his wife, Janice (Jan) and their children, Stephen J. and Ruth Ann, moved into the church manse on Central Street. In 1978 they purchased their own home in Wilmot Val- ley, along the Blue Shank Road. The Central Street manse was sold in 1979. In 2003 the former manse at 75 Central Street is used as a children’s centre and is known as The Kids R First Family Resource Centre.

Rev. Mr. Fourney’s ministry, which extended from 1976 to 1981, was a time of continued growth at Summerside Presbyterian Church. He established the committee system in the church. This encouraged a broader representation of the congregation in the day- to—day operation of the church. Previously, all church business had been done by the minister and elders of Kirk Session. Under the new system committees were established with elders acting as Chairpersons. The com- mittees also consisted of other elders and members of the congregation. These committees enabled the church to administer its affairs with greater focus and effi— ciency. In 2002 there were no less than eight active church committees overseeing Worship, Personnel, Nurture (Fellowship), Mission, Refugees, Christian Fam— ily Growth, Finance and Property, and Stewardship and Planning.

When he arrived in 1976 one of Rev. Mr. Fourney’s personal objectives had been to visit the members of the congregation in order to get to know everyone. Over the term of his ministry he maintained personal, meaningful contact with the congregation and was truly

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