“This history is dedicated to the wonderful ministers, many members and adherents who gave so willingly of themselves spiritually, physically and financially towards the maintenance and growth of this Church.”
— November, 1992
Beginnings
Baptist worship in this part of Charlotte County predates the church building itself. In 1838, the Baptist Association met at Springfield, New Brunswick, and among the churches added that year were the First St. Andrews Church at Bayside and the Second St. Andrews Church in St. Andrews. In 1840 Rev. A. D. Thomson was ordained as minister for the parishes of St. Andrews, St. David and St. Patrick, and in 1843 the Association met at St. Andrews itself.
The earliest property record for the church is a land deed from William Henry Sterling to the Trustees of the Baptist Association — Mark Young, Charles F. Clinch and John Bailey — for sixty pounds. It was recorded at the County Registry Office in St. Andrews on 30 September 1862: Lot 5 on Block I in Parr's Division, facing King Street, eighty feet by one hundred and sixty.
The church was built in 1865. The name of the builder has been lost. Until it was finished, the members met in one another's homes.
Founding — 4 January 1865
The Second St. Andrews Church was formally organized at the residence of Rev. T. W. Crawley. The council was composed of Rev. A. D. Thomson, Rev. William Rideout and Rev. T. W. Crawley.
Order of Exercises
- Singing
- Reading of Scriptures and Prayer — Rev. T. W. Crawley
- Address — Rev. A. D. Thomson
- Reading of Articles — Rev. T. W. Crawley
- Acknowledgment of Articles, by rising
- Organization Prayer — Rev. William Rideout
- Reading of Covenant — Rev. B. N. Hughs
- Right Hand of Fellowship — Rev. A. D. Thomson
- Balloting for Deacons and Clerk
Mark Young and James Berry were chosen as the first deacons, and J. R. Bradford as clerk. Rev. T. W. Crawley was unanimously chosen as pastor.
Twenty-two members are listed in the minutes of that day. By the end of 1865 there were forty-five. Among those who joined in February 1865 were William, Angus and Rebecca McCurdy; David Eastman; Sarah Gunnison; Georgiana Haslett; Ann, Sophimia, Elvira, William and Phebe Cookson; Catherine and Emma Bradford; Caroline Hawkins; Joanna Alexander; Julia Dawson; Martin H. Grant; Jane Gilley; Hannah Berry; and Harriet McCurdy.
The early congregation was drawn from St. Andrews and Bayside, with others arriving from St. George and St. Stephen for work or marriage. Its members included merchants, teachers and the sheriff's family, to name a few.
Lean years and shared ministers
For many years the church struggled to support itself. The Home Mission Board assisted, and student ministers frequently supplied the pulpit. For a long stretch, one minister served both the Bayside church and the St. Andrews church — driving to Bayside for the afternoon service — with the St. Andrews congregation paying the larger share of the salary and the entire maintenance of the building. It was not until many years later that the church became able to call a minister of its own without help.
On 22 May 1900, Rev. Young, Mr. George Hibbard, Mr. Kendrick, Mr. Howard Rigby and Mr. Sumner Mallock were appointed a committee to look after the church property, raise money for repairs, and ask the Home Mission Board for $100 toward the pastor's salary.
The Sunday School was organized on 3 June 1900, with John Webber as Superintendent and George Hibbard as Assistant Superintendent.
In October 1918 there was no church at all, because of the influenza epidemic.
Warming the building
In the earliest years the church was heated by two wood stoves at the front, their pipes running the length of the building to the chimney in the middle. Bracket lamps stood on each post and behind the pulpit. A young man named Horace was paid five dollars a month to clean and light the lamps and tend the fires — which meant several trips in the early morning to warm the church before service. At one point his pay was reduced.
Under Rev. Ideson, who came in 1925, the men of the church dug out the earth beneath the front half of the building and, with a hired mason, built a cement chamber for a wood furnace — later converted to coal, with a large hot-air grid at the back. A row of pews was removed to make room for it, and another at the front to enlarge the platform. Electric lighting was installed by Hazen McGee free of charge.
The parsonage
The parsonage fund was begun by Rev. William Amos, who served from 1915 to 1920 and personally raised the first $300. The sewing circle took it on as their project, and through annual sales — "Christmas in July" among them — supported by donations of food and cash from members and friends, they achieved what had seemed almost impossible. After it was built they maintained it entirely for many years: taxes, insurance, upkeep, everything.
The lot was purchased from Mr. Charles Grant of St. Stephen for $600. Mr. William Rigby and his son Delbert Rigby were the builders, and the Idesons drew the architectural plans. Mrs. William Craig served as chairman of the parsonage trustees and Mrs. Edwin Thurber as treasurer — a post she held throughout and long after, and for which she deserves the most credit.
The church hall
Rev. Johnson was convinced the church needed a hall, and when he heard that a Second World War station chapel at Pennfield was for sale, he made plans. The building was accepted, the ground was broken, and a concrete foundation and braced wall were built. The hall was dedicated in a special service in May 1949. It has benefited the church more than was predicted, and has been enlarged several times since. Joining it to the church required removing three more pews to make room for the door.
Gifts and improvements
- 8 July 1952 — An electronic bell and chimes unit was installed in the church and on the roof by the Finigan family, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. George Finigan. A brass plaque was placed on the wall and a memorial service held on 10 August 1952.
- 1953–1959 — During Rev. P. M. Hamilton's ministry, an oil burner was at last fitted to the church furnace. A new organ was purchased for $1,648.
- 1965 — A baptistry, first discussed in 1955, was designed and installed by Howard Gilman.
Those who have served
The ministers of this congregation, as recorded — in the earliest years often shared with Bayside, and frequently supplied by students: