minister who had supplied in the pulpit throughout July. Rev. Harold L. Mitton had been pastor of the United Baptist Church in Windsor, Nova Scotia, since 1950. Deacon Charlie Scranton and Nelson Robinson visited him in Windsor to discuss a possible call. When they returned and reported that his only condition would be to have a study in the church, he was approved and became the new pastor of the Charlottetown Baptist Church.

Deacon Chester Brehaut passed away late in 1954 and on September 15, another congregational meeting addressed the serious issue of the major capital upkeep expenses now required for the church and parsonage. Before the meeting started, it was announced that Rev. Harold Mitton would be arriving in six months, and two of the members who had such strong opposing views in the spring made brief statements. Ralph Rupert said the church must overcome its differences, and Deacon Wilbur Willis agreed that differences would be resolved. The congregation approved obtaining a mortgage of $12,000 to provide a new roof, some new pews, cushions and floor supports for the church. The parsonage also received interior and exterior painting and a new kitchen and bathroom. These were necessary improvements, but it is interesting to note that the upgrade cost budgeted in 1954 was the same amount as the cost to build the entire church in 1891. At the end of the meeting, Deacon Sid Burhoe mentioned that he had seen a beautiful mural painted in the baptistry at the Woodstock Baptist Church in New Brunswick and suggested one be painted in their church. He also noted that a memorial should be placed to remember those who served in World War II and the Korean conflict. Both items were taken under advisement.

On January 12, the final draft of the constitution was presented to the congregation, and each point was discussed and voted on. It was a historic moment in the life of the Charlottetown United Baptist Church and with legal approval this would finally establish the structure for future decisions made by the Board of Management. The Constitution officially noted the name as the Charlottetown United Baptist Church, and Article Ill-1 outlined the four terms of membership:

(a) By Baptism. (b) Or by letter from a Baptist Church. (c) Or by experience; if the candidate has been baptized and gives satisfactory evidence of Christian character, although unable to obtain a letter of admission from a church of like faith and order. (d) Or by restoration, upon evidence of repentance, when membership has been lost by withdrawal of fellowship or otherwise. Article III-3 left no doubt when it stated emphatically: ”Immersion shall be the only form of baptism to be practiced by this Church.” The new constitution was seven pages long, detailing every segment of church operation, including deacons, in Article VI - (2), ”Not more than eight, two of whom shall be elected annually for a period of four years.” This was apart from the three lifetime deacons. It also

outlined deacon’s duties as:

Acting as counselors, and assistants of the Pastor, in caring for sick and needy members, in passing the emblems of the Lord’s Supper, in assisting at the ordinance of baptism, in conducting religious services in the absence of the Pastor, and, in advancing the spiritual and temporal interests of the Church.

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