Sharon United Church: a brief history
History of Sharon Congregation compiled by Ross Bonnyman:
The roots of our congregation go back to at least 1831 when first mention was made of an "English" church in this area. The first minister, Rev. Hugh Ross, was the first Presbyterian minister educated in Canada. It is said that he was a forceful preacher in both English and Gaelic and "attacked all the vices and follies of the community with undaunted zeal and unsparing hand."
The present church was built in 1854, one hundred and fifty years ago at a cost of 600 pounds sterling and the name "Sharon" was adopted. Part of the cost was realized from the sale of church pews at auction with front pews bringing higher prices. The first church bell was donated by Miller Houghton & Co. of Liverpool, England, for whom the Hon. Alexander Campbell had built several ships. This was later exchanged for a new bell made in Baltimore.
In 1871 the building was enlarged at a cost of $1075.00. In 1910 extensive renovations were made to the interior of Sharon Church, when the walls and ceiling were covered with wallboard. By 1930 new seats and electric lights were installed. In 1950 the church was raised and a basement finished. In 1952 the grounds were landscaped and in 1960 and extension of 34 feet was added at a cost of $27,000. More recently, 2003 saw renovations to the front corner of the church that allowed a lift/elevator to be installed to make the church more accessible.
In the early days there were no musical instruments so the singing was led by a presenter with a tuning fork and only psalms were sung. In 1880, the use of hymns began and the choir suggested the purchase of an organ. The session agreed in principle, but before taking action directed that an announcement be made from the pulpit that the matter was being considered. Four objections were received.
The Session minutes of 1851 stated that six Sunday schools had been in operation in the congregation in 1850, attended by 295 pupils and 28 teachers. This included Tatamagouche and New Annan. We see the names of Byers, Creighton and MacLellan in our list of Superintendents.
Sharon has had many notables, one being the 49-year service of Rev. Thomas Sedgwick as minister. In 1925, as the result of a vote, the majority of the congregation decided to enter the United Church of Canada. At that time 100 members withdrew to form Sedgwick Memorial Presbyterian Church. Former Methodists in the area joined with the United Church
The roots of our congregation go back to at least 1831 when first mention was made of an "English" church in this area. The first minister, Rev. Hugh Ross, was the first Presbyterian minister educated in Canada. It is said that he was a forceful preacher in both English and Gaelic and "attacked all the vices and follies of the community with undaunted zeal and unsparing hand."
The present church was built in 1854, one hundred and fifty years ago at a cost of 600 pounds sterling and the name "Sharon" was adopted. Part of the cost was realized from the sale of church pews at auction with front pews bringing higher prices. The first church bell was donated by Miller Houghton & Co. of Liverpool, England, for whom the Hon. Alexander Campbell had built several ships. This was later exchanged for a new bell made in Baltimore.
In 1871 the building was enlarged at a cost of $1075.00. In 1910 extensive renovations were made to the interior of Sharon Church, when the walls and ceiling were covered with wallboard. By 1930 new seats and electric lights were installed. In 1950 the church was raised and a basement finished. In 1952 the grounds were landscaped and in 1960 and extension of 34 feet was added at a cost of $27,000. More recently, 2003 saw renovations to the front corner of the church that allowed a lift/elevator to be installed to make the church more accessible.
In the early days there were no musical instruments so the singing was led by a presenter with a tuning fork and only psalms were sung. In 1880, the use of hymns began and the choir suggested the purchase of an organ. The session agreed in principle, but before taking action directed that an announcement be made from the pulpit that the matter was being considered. Four objections were received.
The Session minutes of 1851 stated that six Sunday schools had been in operation in the congregation in 1850, attended by 295 pupils and 28 teachers. This included Tatamagouche and New Annan. We see the names of Byers, Creighton and MacLellan in our list of Superintendents.
Sharon has had many notables, one being the 49-year service of Rev. Thomas Sedgwick as minister. In 1925, as the result of a vote, the majority of the congregation decided to enter the United Church of Canada. At that time 100 members withdrew to form Sedgwick Memorial Presbyterian Church. Former Methodists in the area joined with the United Church
Sharon Church / Tatamagouche Pastoral Charge Ministers:
Rev. Hugh Ross 1826-1840
Rev. Robert Blackwood 1840-1852
Rev. James Byers 1853-1859
Rev. Thomas Sedgwick, DD 1860-1909
Rev. William Forbes 1905-1918
Rev. R. L. Coffin 1918-1926
Rev. F. J. Scoates 1926-1927
Rev. George Whidden 1927-1942
Rev. Walter Davis 1942-1947
Rev. Garfield Bruce 1947-1952
Rev. Richmond Stewart 1953-1959
Rev. Robert Mills 1959-1965
Rev. James Fraser 1965-1968
Rev. Gilbert Todd 1969-1972
Rev. Donald Murray 1972-1976
Rev. Kenneth Robinson 1977-1984
Rev. Paul Putman 1984-1987
Rev. Cathie Crooks 1987-1992
Rev.Ruth Main 1993-1998
Rev. Bonnie Kelly 1999-2006
Rev. Sandra Carruthers 2006-2010
Chuck Patterson 2010-2013
Rev. Penny Nelson 2013-
Rev. Hugh Ross 1826-1840
Rev. Robert Blackwood 1840-1852
Rev. James Byers 1853-1859
Rev. Thomas Sedgwick, DD 1860-1909
Rev. William Forbes 1905-1918
Rev. R. L. Coffin 1918-1926
Rev. F. J. Scoates 1926-1927
Rev. George Whidden 1927-1942
Rev. Walter Davis 1942-1947
Rev. Garfield Bruce 1947-1952
Rev. Richmond Stewart 1953-1959
Rev. Robert Mills 1959-1965
Rev. James Fraser 1965-1968
Rev. Gilbert Todd 1969-1972
Rev. Donald Murray 1972-1976
Rev. Kenneth Robinson 1977-1984
Rev. Paul Putman 1984-1987
Rev. Cathie Crooks 1987-1992
Rev.Ruth Main 1993-1998
Rev. Bonnie Kelly 1999-2006
Rev. Sandra Carruthers 2006-2010
Chuck Patterson 2010-2013
Rev. Penny Nelson 2013-