The Early Churches of Palmerston
It's virtually impossible to say when the first congregation met in the Palmerston area as like everything that came out of the Queen's Bush in the 1850's it all started organically. Naturally, it all would have started with the isolated settlers taking time usually in the evenings, but primarily on Sundays to reflect on the Bible in their homes; while being a central focus in their lives not only spiritually the Bible also acted as a key element of children's education until the school system began developing.
What would have come next would be neighbours coming together during a holiday (Christmas/Easter etc.) and celebrating in an informal service, which would have doubled as a social gathering. It wouldn't have mattered if you were Methodist, Anglican etc.; at the time, travelling distances was arduous and time consuming, so simply sharing spirituality with someone nearby was the best available. Eventually as settlement became more established, population increased and roads became usable groups of like-minded neighbours would begin congregating at a home or if the group was too large they would meet in a barn. Normally the services would be led by the one of the most elderly neighbours due to their "seniority". Some of the very dedicated would make the trip to Harriston to attend a service. This would have been from approximately 1854-1864. It was between 1862 and 1863 that a group of 27 Presbyterians decided to request permission from the Presbytery of Guelph to form them into a regular Presbyterian congregation. They erected a log Church on the farm of Thomas McComb (located roughly where the present day Palmerston Dental Office is west of the town) It wasn't until October 8th, 1864 that Reverend Daniel Anderson was established as the first minister and began services (he was also charged with Rothsay). At this time the church was known as the Wallace and Minto Church, in 1873 the congregation began building a stone structur at the current location of the Knox Presbyterian Church and have congregated on that site ever since. Roughly at the same time in 1863 the first formation of an Anglican congregation began in a small frame building on Richard Johnson's property (south of town on the 8th Concession of Wallace). A Reverend Miller was the first visiting |
minister until about 1873. In 1875 the current St. Paul's Anglican Church was built by the congregation and they have been congregating their ever since. So technically St. Paul's is the oldest Church in Palmerston that is still in use.
Around 1866 a building was constructed on Adam Ranton's property (location of Ranton's Place/King's Hotel) for a congregation of Wesleyan Methodists (the building became a straw shed, and was eventually moved to another farm where it remained standing until the 1960's when it was destroyed by fire). In 1874 when the congregation reached 150 members a new Church was built on Bell and James St. That building burnt down and was rebuilt in 1886, at which time the Episcopalians and Bible Christians petitioned to join the Wesleyan congregation and eventually became known as the United Church.
Since many other Churches and congregations have been built and grown, but none have been as large or successful as the Presbyterian, Anglican and Methodist/United Churches. By 1881 Palmerston had 17 different religious beliefs represented, however all but 4/5 were large enough to form an actual permanent congregation.
*As a side note in relation to an earlier post I mentioned the area west of Palmerston was known as "Heaven's Point". You can now see why; the three largest and longest continually operating congregations all started within a mile of each other in that exact area long before Palmerston even existed.
Around 1866 a building was constructed on Adam Ranton's property (location of Ranton's Place/King's Hotel) for a congregation of Wesleyan Methodists (the building became a straw shed, and was eventually moved to another farm where it remained standing until the 1960's when it was destroyed by fire). In 1874 when the congregation reached 150 members a new Church was built on Bell and James St. That building burnt down and was rebuilt in 1886, at which time the Episcopalians and Bible Christians petitioned to join the Wesleyan congregation and eventually became known as the United Church.
Since many other Churches and congregations have been built and grown, but none have been as large or successful as the Presbyterian, Anglican and Methodist/United Churches. By 1881 Palmerston had 17 different religious beliefs represented, however all but 4/5 were large enough to form an actual permanent congregation.
*As a side note in relation to an earlier post I mentioned the area west of Palmerston was known as "Heaven's Point". You can now see why; the three largest and longest continually operating congregations all started within a mile of each other in that exact area long before Palmerston even existed.