08/12/2026
Dear East Nissouri Church Family and Community Friends,
We have now arrived at one of the most significant chapters in the history of our congregation.
In our first two historical sketches, we saw how a small group of faithful pioneers established a Christian witness in East Nissouri and how, through the years, the congregation grew in faith, membership, ministry, and service.
Now we come to 1926—the year our present church building was constructed.
Historical Sketches of East Nissouri Union Church
Part 3 – A New Edifice – 1926
The beginning of 1926 found East Nissouri Baptist Church without a resident minister. Yet the congregation did not allow that circumstance to discourage them.
During the winter of 1925–1926, several members had begun meeting on Wednesday afternoons for prayer, praise, and Bible study. These gatherings became the setting for an important conversation about the future of the church.
On February 7, 1926, following one of these prayer meetings, the deacons discussed whether the time had come to build a new house of worship.
The old white frame church had served the congregation faithfully, but the community was growing, and the building was no longer adequate for the needs of the congregation.
The decision was made unanimously:
They would build.
The proposed cost was approximately $5,000 dollars
And then something remarkable happened.
During that winter afternoon meeting, members subscribed $3,675 toward the new building.
The historical booklet tells us that six of those original subscribers were still living when the history was written in 1961, while the others had gone on to their eternal reward.
A canvassing committee then went out into the wider community, appealing for support. The response was described as “hearty.”
Before the new church even opened its doors, $5,000 had been raised, leaving only $700 owing. That remaining debt was paid shortly afterward.
Think about that for a moment.
A small rural congregation, without a resident minister at the beginning of the project, committed itself to building a new church—and the money was raised.
The writers of the 1961 historical sketch saw the hand of God in the timing.
They pointed out that this was 1926.
Only three years later, in 1929, the Great Depression would begin, making it extremely difficult for ordinary families to have extra money available for a church building project.
Perhaps the people of East Nissouri did not know what the future held.
But God did.
And they stepped forward in faith.
During these early stages of the building project, Reverend Ezra Thamer of Kitchener accepted a call in March of 1926 and began his ministry on April 11.
The church also became part of a three-point charge with Fullarton Baptist Church and West Nissouri Baptist Church.
Under Reverend Thamer's enthusiastic leadership, construction continued, and by November the new building was ready for dedication.
But this was not the work of one pastor or a handful of people.
It was a community effort.
The church officers faithfully supported the project, including the Board of Deacons—Paul Bettridge, Irwin Gleason, and William Smith—along with Church Clerk Fred Hyde, Treasurer Herman Cooper, and Building Committee Secretary Milton Bettridge.
The plans were prepared by
Irwin Gleason, Herman Cooper, and William Lang.
(Herman Cooper is the grandfather of Carl and the great grandfather of Wayne Cooper)
(Irwin Gleason is a relative of Murray Hutton but I have not confirmed exactly what connection. I intend to ask Murray if I can catch him at home ♥ )
The actual construction involved tradespeople from the surrounding communities, including architect and contractor W. J. Stafford of St. Marys, Reed Brothers of Harrington for masonry, William Lang of Belton for concrete work, W. J. Judd of St. Marys for painting, and R. S. Summers of St. Marys for plumbing and heating.
But the story doesn't stop with the professionals.
The historical account tells us that many people from the community gave their time whenever they had a free hour.
Together, they contributed nearly $1,000 worth of voluntary labour.
That is the kind of detail that brings history to life.
This church was built not only with bricks and mortar, but with the hands, hearts, prayers, and generosity of ordinary people who believed that this place was worth building.
(On December 17, a church supper and program was held to honour those who had worked so faithfully on the project.)
Then came the great day.
November 14, 1926
The new church was formally dedicated.
It was a remarkable celebration, bringing together former pastors and ministers who had been part of the congregation's story over the years.
Among those taking part were Reverend T. H. Mitchell, Reverend Stanley Stock, Reverend James Hamilton, Reverend E. H. Thamer, Reverend Thomas Watson, Reverend L. T. Stones, Reverend G. L. Tucker, Reverend Charles Geer, Reverend Dr. MacDonald, and Reverend James McGinlay.
Reverend Thomas Watson, who had served the congregation years earlier and was remembered for his gift of poetry, wrote the dedicatory hymn for the occasion.
There was music from the St. Marys Baptist Quartet, beautiful violin selections by Mr. Will Eley, and addresses from visiting ministers.
The new church itself was described as a handsome building constructed of Milton Red pressed brick, measuring 40 feet long and 31 feet wide.
Inside was a new Sherlock-Manning organ, presented by the Sunday School.
The women of the church contributed a new communion set, an oak table, chairs, and coverings for the aisles.
Other friends contributed the pulpit, jardiniere stands, flower baskets, and fireplace grates.
Once again, we see something that has appeared throughout the history of East Nissouri:
People giving what they could.
Some gave money.
Some gave materials.
Some gave skilled labour.
Some gave time.
Some gave music.
Some gave leadership.
And all of it came together to create a place where generations of people could gather to worship Jesus Christ.
As I read this account, I cannot help but think about the three stone tablets that still greet us every time we enter our church.
“Thy Word is Truth.”
“In Memoriam – Founded 1861 by the Beloved Pioneers.”
“For the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Those words were not merely carved into stone.
They were being lived out by the people of East Nissouri in 1926.
They trusted God's Word.
They honoured the work of those who had gone before them.
And they built for the glory of Jesus Christ.
And now, one hundred years later, we are the people who walk through those same doors.
We sit beneath the same roof.
We gather around the same Word.
We sing praises to the same Saviour.
The people of 1926 could not have known who would worship in that building one hundred years later.
But they built it for us.
And now the question becomes:
What will we build for those who come after us? What legacy will we leave for those who follow?
May we have the same courage to trust God, the same willingness to work together, and the same desire to ensure that everything we do is for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Next week, we will continue our journey beyond 1926 and discover what happened as this new church building became the home of generations of East Nissouri worshippers.
Blessings,
Pastor Gail
This historical summary is based on Historical Sketches of East Nissouri, published in 1961 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the East Nissouri Baptist Church.
Pastor Gail Kavelman
842942 RD 84
Kintore, Ontario
Canada, N0M 2C0
519-709-0282
