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535-03 Page 219--- - - - - - — - -------- May 3, 1978 - Pages 13() lstorii for old church BY NANCY GALL A 120-year-old white frame d any. church became the first property in South-West Oxford y 133 Township to be designated abou historically significant under n th the Ontario Heritage Act. t an Township council passed a an bylaw designating the church as heritage property in early March, but the congregation of Mount Elgin Baptist Church is hav hurt n g. It d be still looking for a buyer for the building. unity The matter first came to ation South-West Oxford Township store council's attention Dec. 9, when ginal Murray Crawford, Mount Elgin cials or a ons. ight the the now and her ure r is aw but in he In Registers ge rd n of ant he pel d he a d t d n t g a e ll cal delina g ton resident and former member of the church presented a petition signed by members of the congregation asking council to legislate the preservation of the interior and exterior of the 120- year -old frame building under the terms of the Ontario Heritage Act. Accompanying the congregation's petition were signatures of a dozen Mount Elgin residents whose properties adjoin that of the church endorsing the petition to preserve the building. The congregation decided to close the church because of dwindling membership an increasing age of the member Theyare independent from th Ontario and Quebec Baptis Conventions and have th authority to dispose of th church building. The church was put up for sale to another church group in August, 1977, but no suitable buyer was found. An offer to sell the church fo $18,000 was made by th membership to South-West Oxford Township in January 1978, but township council turned down the offer. Also included in the offer of sale was a provision for a cash gift from the congregation to the organization taking over the church. The church is still on the market at a price "somewhat under," $18,000 Mr. Crawford said. "The selling price is more or less the price of the land," he said. The church was also offered to the Mount Elgin Library board. The Mount Elgin Library is presently housed in cramped PRITers-on-the_secon_d floor of the community hall in -Mount Elgin. However, the library board prefers to rent, not buy, library premises, Mr. Crawford said. The church, built around 1860, is one of the oldest standing buildings in the municipality Mount Elgin Baptist Church basks in the sun of an early spring day. The church's trustees are looking for a buyer for the 120-year-old frame building. - �• �_ ��=�u.,� r.igin napiist unurch. Baptist congregations have held services in the church sine November 1862. co be d but despite its age is soun s. in good repair. e It stands on a 99-foot b t foot lot and has room for e 20 cars to park. Lighting i e church was termed "a bi tique" by Mr. Crawford, suitable washrooms would to be installed before the c was used as a public buildi r has no kitchen, and woul e unsuitable for a comm centre, Mr. Crawford said. Ontario Heritage Found funds are available to re the building to its on condition. Foundation offi also suggested applying f Wintario grant for renovati Other government grants m be available, depending on type of group that acquired building. Although the building is safe from demolition neglect, the 12 mem congregation won't feel sec about its future until a buye found, Mr. Crawford said. "Many people in the c munity thought the by] meant the church had b taken over by the township that's not the case," he said Baptist services began Mount Elgin in 1859 but t church wasn't built until 1862. September, 1859, Geor Wilson, pastor of West Oxfo Baptist Church beg Preaching in the brick scho house one mile south of Mo Elgin two evenings a week. T services in the makeshift cha continued for two months, an 45 people were baptized into t fellowship and organized into branch of the West - Oxfor Church. In the fall of 1861, the Moun Elgin congregation requeste of forming themselvesto ina independent church. They me with delegates of neighbourin churches Dec. 7, 1861, and wer recognized as a sister church In July -F the following year, Jacob File, Jared Bodwell and William Tripp purchased half an acre of land from Adam Tripp. By November, services were held in the Baptist Chapel on the site. A pastor was engaged in connection with the Springford t Baptist Church in 1874. Prayer e meetings were begun in 1881 and the Ladies Aid Society was e Mount Elgin Church and the h sharing a pastor. Brown, Pastor," and on the other, "Presented to the church by Baptist Young People. Miss Minnie TaylorPres., Miss Ethel Tripp, Vice passage from John 13:34 "A you that you love one another." In 1905, preparations were made to put a basement under the church, but this was and purchasing new seats. for furnace pipes were installed in 1911, and in were installed. In 1950, a new A Women's Mission Circle was organized with a mem- bership of six in 1942. The steeple was repaired and painted in 1957. Extensive H.S. Hillyer, general d formed in 1882. In 1883 the Salford Baptist Church began The church got its first organ in 1894 and in 1899 a new be was presented to the church by the young people of the congregation. On one side it is inscribed "Regular Baptist Church, Mt. Elgin, Ont., C.B. , -Pres." Under the names is engraved a new commandment I give unto In 1896 Baptist churches in Mount Elgin, Salford and Foldens were sharing a pastor. dropped in favour of putting in a Furnace, painting the exterior of _ the church, repairing the belfry 1917 a new furnace and hydro furnace was installed, a chimney and shed built. j J / refinishing and painting was ; done to the walls. The floor was j finished and aisle covers laid. 1 In Sept. 1953, a special 100th anniversary service was held in � Dr. secretary of the Canadian Baptist Foreign Mission Board. The Springford Baptist Choir and the Mennonite Quartet of Port Rowan provided the music for the occasion. The church remains basically unchanged from when it was built, a Mount Elgin landmark for almost 120 years.