History

The AngIican Rectory, Built in 1908

The first and only organ in St James

THE FOLLOWING IS AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT GIVEN BY REV. C. R. WEBBER AT THE 61ST ANNIVERSARY

SERVICE, HELD AT 2:30 P.M., AUGUST 16TH 1936

ST. JAMES UNITED CHURCH - SPRY BAY

We are met today to mark the 61st anniversary of the opening of this church at Spry Bay. Its history is most interesting and challenging especially when we consider the heroic efforts and sacrifices of the men and women who were responsible for its erection. It is only fitting that we should pause for awhile today and remember what has been accomplished and pay tribute to those who had a vision, and were willing to go to any lengths to fulfill it and make the dream a reality. The vision of a house of God which they might worship in according to the dictates of their own consciences and desires.

It is the year 1872 and great activity is noticed on this spot, here upon the hill. A number of men, including Frank Newcombe, Anthony Snow, Alex Jackson, Isaac Jackson, John McCarthy, (To whom we owe this information and who long since has passed to his reward) Alexander McCarthy Sr., George McCarthy, William McCarthy, Neil McCarthy, John Grant, and Samuel McCarthy, under the leadership of a Mr. Walters are busy erecting a building. If it were our privilege to ask them what they are about, they would tell us that they are building a Presbyterian Church upon this site. The site has been given to them, they would say further, by Mr. Henry Leslie and Sarah Leslie; but for which $1.00 had been paid to make the transaction legal.

What fine lumber and strong timbers they have! Where were they cut? “To the westward of Grand Lake, hewn by broad axes and hauled here by our own teams and by teams kindly loaned to assist in the work.” The boards were not turned out by rotary or steam saws but were laboriously sawed with a pit saw. One can hear the slow steady tear of the great saw in the saw pit as one man on top pulls the saw up, and the other man down below drags it down through. It is hard work, but there is only pause for a drink of water or to get a breath or for a meal.. They must hurry with these boards and get the church up before the winter sets in again. Thus through spring and summer days they worked hard and long, giving as many days as possible. By August, the building is erected and nearly all boarded in. All are much encouraged, and have visions of a church in which they will worship during the coming fall and winter months. Then suddenly disaster came, the long-to-be remembered August Gale smote the coast and when the lists of damages and losses were compiled, one item was the partly finished church at Spry Bay. the wind had blown it down. However, the Presbyterians of this community were of sturdy stock, not easily dismayed, and with a tremendous store of courage, they began to clear away the wreckage and to rebuild once more. Mr. Walters apparently was not of such stern stuff and he goes out of the picture and now two MacLeods come along to give leadership and thus the work goes on to completion. At last came the great day, when on January 24, 1874 Rev. John Waddel and Dr. Sedgewick of Middle Musquodoboit formally opened this church, and dedicated it to the glory and worship of Almighty God. There was great rejoicing in the hearts of all those who had sacrificed, overcome handicaps and disappointments and had given freely of time, labour and substance. They had built and enduring structure which would lastlong after the builders had entered into the Temple not made with hands. Many of that band have passed to be with God, but there are those left who were present at its opening. Such faith and courage as was theirs, is a challenge to us today who murmur at tasks that come to us and which cannot compare with those that confronted them.

There are many interesting things connected with this church that we should rate today. It is here that sailors, sea faring men and fishermen and their descendants have worshipped and gone out to maintain the splendid records of seamanship which belongs to this province and community. This church which overlooks beautiful Spry Bay and in which can always be heard the murmur or the roar of the sea, has many associations with it. About the time that the church was being completed, a full-rigged ship, the “Railway Queen” went ashore at Taylors Head, and became a total wreck. The great bowsprit, 30 or 40 feet long was salvaged by Frank Newcombe and Alex Jackson. Once more the pit saw went to work and the boards used for the building of the front of the gallery at the back of the church and particularly the paneling are from the bowsprit of the “Railway Queen”. It is also recorded that from another wreck, Mr. John McCarthy salvaged the copper sheathing from the planks of the vessel’s bottom, sold it and gave the money to the church.

We have been greatly favoured today be the splendid singing of the combined choirs, of St. John’s and St. James, and the contribution of Mr. & Mrs. Harry Davision. In the early days of this church there wasn’t any organ, but Mr. Henry Leslie, aided by a tuning fork, started the Psalms and hymns. The first and only organ (still in use) was procured in 1893 during the ministry of the Rev. Samuel Roseborough. Miss. Flora McCarthy, afterwards Mrs. Bentley, took music lessons first from Mrs. Roseborough at Sheet Harbor and afterwards from Mrs. Balong, and was first organist. The splendid tradition has been well maintained in the devout and excellent ministry of music and song, of our present organist Mr. Fraser Beaver.

The names appearing on the deed of this church are Frank Newcombe, John McCarthy, Alexander Jackson, with Wm. A. McCarthy and Wm. Richards as witness. At the opening of the church pews were sold to raise sufficient funds to complete the church. Prices ranged from $20-25-50 and Mr. Wm. McCarthy gave $100.00 for this pew. The pews were all bought and a very commendable spirit was shown in that those who had purchased seats gave to those who could not afford to do so and others provided for all. The church was lit until last year by ordinary kerosene lamps, but is now equipped with the fine Aladdin lamps donated by friends of this church, and in memory of loved ones who worshipped here and contributed to the building and support of this church.

Previous to the erection of this church, ministers who had to cover great distances, by none too rapid means of transit, came only at widely separated intervals. The Rev. A. B. Dickie was the first settled minister. Services since have been held, at least once a month, and in all probability during the days when this field was made into two charges, more frequently. Now we have a service once a month in winter and in summer a Sunday service once a month and week-night service every three weeks.

The following is a list of ministers, with approximate date, who have served this church:

Rev. A. B. Dickie (1883)

Rev. Richmond Logan (1883-1884)

Rev. Samuel Roseborough (1883-1894 (buried in Sheet Harbor))

Rev. Wm. A. Stewart, M.A. (1895-1897)

Rev. W. W. McNairn, M.A. (1897-1905)

Rev. Jas. McDonald (1905-1911)

Rev. Wm. MacLeod (1911-1915)

Rev. David M. MacGowan (1915-1921)

Rev. A. D. MacDonald (1921-1927)

Rev. J. A. Nicholson (1927-1928)

Rev. J. R. Skinner (1928-1931)

Rev. D. E. Hattie (1932-1935 (C. R. Webber, Student 1932 Summer))

Rev. Cecil R. Webber (1935-1940 (Sept))

Thus we conclude this brief historical summary of this church and the marvelous and courageous achievements of its members. Many gathered here today are direct descendants of that brave band who overcame discouragements, endured sacrifices, and gave lavishly, that this house of worship might be raised to the Glory of God. We are all hears of this tradition that comes to us and to the treasures of example and ideal. We sing that we are treading where the Saints have trod, that we are wading where those brave souls have gone. God grant us grave, in out time to be thankful for their gift to us, for their lives and example and to be worthy successors of that noble band who had a vision and laboured for it fulfillment.

(Clipping from "Presbyterian Witness" I presume)

It is rarely indeed that our readers have the privilege of perusing a more interesting note than the following from Rev. James MacLean, Shubenacadie.

“Last Sabbath, the 24th inst. (Jan. 24, 1874 (C.R.W.) I presume), I had been assisting the Rev. A. B. Dickie, and his zealous little flock at Taylor’s Head, in opening their new, neat comfortable Church at Spry Bay. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed and we had a pleasant and refreshing time. The language of many if not all present was, “It is good for us to be here.”

St. James Church is furnished and cost about $1700. The erection of it was undertaken, and the burden of it borne by some six or seven families at Taylor’s Head, who are fishermen by occupation. I do not think there is one man among them, that is worth a thousand dollars in material wealth, but their zeal for their religious and ecclesiastical interest is worth a good many hundreds. One of them subscribed $200.00. Others (and some of them are young unmarried men) subscribed $100.00. In addition to their subscription to act the part of bearers of burdens to get the materials to the place of building. They had not the money when they subscribed but they believed that God who directed Peter to go, to the sea, to get what was expected from himself and his Master to uphold the Temple service, still controls the creatures of the deep; and diligently following their calling, casting their nets on the right side of the ship, they succeeding in honestly meeting their obligations. They denied themselves many luxuries that they might have a comfortable place of worship, and when with their beloved pastor they worshipped in it last Sabbath, they were truly thankful, and some of them shed tears of joy. There is still about $200.00 of debt on the church which I trust will soon be liquidated. They are grateful to friends at a distance who assisted by their contributions. We hope that those ministers and sessions and others who have promised them aid will fulfill their promise soon, and thus encourage them in lessening money, who which to contribute to a worthy object and help a small congregation, who are willing to keep themselves, and to work together we would recommend him or her to send a little aid to Rev. A. B. Dickie of Sheet Harbor for the benefit of the church at Spry Bay. I trust that the Presbytery of Halifax will soon use all lawful endeavors to have another congregation on the shore and have another minister located there who will co-operate with Messrs. Dickie and Roseborough in their evangelistic labours” (Copy of a clipping handed to me by Mrs. Jas Myers, Spry Harbor).

Mrs. Alex Hilchey, nee Clara Ann McCarthy, daughter John McCarthy, Sheet Harbor. Born on the day the church was opened January 24th. 1874 - Baptized May 4th 1875.

No. of Presbyterians present at opening of church or belonging to it 90 no. Remaining at 61st Anniversary held on August 16th 1936 15 No.

The frame of the church was cut at the edge of a lake to the westward of Grand Lake. The lake has since been called Church Frame Lake. The timbers were hauled by oxen. Lumber was also brought around from Sheet Harbor in the fishing boats belonging to the men of the congregation. It was carried by the younger men on their backs to the site of the church after it was landed on the beach below the church.

The 61st Anniversary, and as far as I know the only one up to that time, was held on August 16th 1936 at 2:30 p.m. The pastor Rev. C. R. Webber lead the service, read the Scriptures - The story of Moses and the Burning Bush: Ex. 2:33-3:14 and gave the history of the building of the church and subsequent activities and also the list of stationed ministers who have served the congregation since then. Rev. W. G. Watson D.D. of Pine Hill Divinity Hall, Halifax delivered the sermon, taking as his text Heb. 11:1 - an excellent discourse and especially fitting for the occasion. The church was well filled, Alderman J. P. McCarthy of Halifax, a descendent of some of the builders was present. Combined choirs from Sheet Harbour and Spry Bay led the singing under the direction of Mr. Fraser Beaver, Organist. Mr. & Mrs. Harry Davison of Malay Falls provided special numbers in the form of two duets, and one solo by Mrs. Davison. The offering was used to defray Dr. Watson’s traveling expenses, and the remainder was turned into the funds of the Church. the following was the Order of Service:

Doxology

Invocation - Rev. C. R. Webber

Hymn-Psalm Selection 19 Book of Praise

Scriptures-Exodous 2:23-3:14

Duet: “Drifting” Mr. & Mrs. H. Davison

Prayer- Rev. W. G. Watson, D.D.

Duet: “Jesus Lover of My Soul”, Mr. & Mrs. Davison

Announcement& Offering - Choir “Awakening Chorus”

Historical Statement: Rev. C. R. Webber

Hymn: 599

Sermon: Rev. W. G. Watson, D.D. Pine Hill Divinity Hall, Halifax

Text: Hebrews 11:1