A LEGACY 0F FAITH

Chapter 17

Another Mortgage Satisfied

The incomefrom the Brace Block Trust benefited countless young students entering the ministry, with the provision of financial assistance. Richard Brace died in 1928 and left the annual income (after expenses), from his ’Brace Block’ on Queen Street, in a Trust to four local churches, to help train young ministers. The total benefits in 1970 amounted to over $37,000. First Baptist received $13,750 in scholarships, Trinity United $15,900, Zion Presbyterian $5,700 and Central Christian $1,670. The interest from other estate donations to the church were also being put to excellent use. In 1970, the capital increased by $30,000, thanks to a generous gift from the estate of the late Deacon John Lohnes.

On August 19, 1970, J. Artemas Clark passed away at 93 years of age. Dr. Clark had served as a deacon through six decades, was treasurer for many years and was always front and centre when a responsible chairman was needed for an important committee. His passing brought to an end the era ofdeacons appointed for life at the Charlottetown Baptist Church. In the 120 years since Thomas DesBrisay was named the first church deacon, until the era of term deacons began, only twenty-one lifetime deacons had been appointed. Three had moved away from Charlottetown during their terms, and eighteen died in office.

The Sherwood lot that Art and Edith Clark had given the church for the proposed 1952 expansion was sold. The 22,680 sq. ft. lot was thought at the time to be large enough, but later evaluation proved itfar too small for a church and parking lot. Taxes on the property were increasing and the sale, realizing $3,500, ended all thoughts of Baptist church expansion within the Greater Charlottetown area.

Another real estate concern in 1970 involved the "Turner property”, to the west on Fitzroy Street. The church had picked up the option a few years before and purchased the property as a possible Expansion site. Apartments in the building were rented and some groups, like the Youth Fellowship, felt the church should not be a landlord, and the building would better be utilized as low rental housing or a community-oriented youth facility. It ,. Was felt that the property would not play a role in Rev. John Churchill

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