Ontario Presbyterian

United Empire Loyalists first settled Ancaster, Ontario in 1789.   In 1826, the Church of Scotland sent its first missionary minister to Ancaster to establish St. Andrew’s Church.  In 2000, Ancaster, along with other small communities adjacent to Hamilton, became a part of the City of Hamilton.

The present St Andrew’s Presbyterian, Ancaster stone church structure was completed in 1875.   The sanctuary, located in the upper level of the church building, was renovated in 1989.   The upper level also contains the church office and Minister’s study.   The lower level of the building consists of the Sunday school area; a meeting room; a kitchen; washrooms; utility rooms and the Fellowship Hall /gymnasium, which is frequently used by other community groups.

There are about 180 active members of the congregation.   The Rev. Henry Huberts was inducted as the Minister on April 6, 2008.

Knox Presbyterian Church, Georgetown officially began in 1860.   The current building was built in 1901 replacing an 1887 building destroyed by fire.

Knox Church has been part of a two-point charge with Limehouse Presbyterian Church, northwest of Georgetown since 1860.

Coffee Hour follows the Sunday morning service with coffee, tea, and baked goodies.   For those unable to attend the service it can be heard by using a dial-in phone service.

The home bible study group meets each week on Monday or Wednesday.   The Sunday morning drop-in class meets each week before the service.   KEO (Know Each Other) meets frequently for an evening of cards, bowling, and other social events.   Most events start with a great pot luck supper.

William Morris was born in Paisley, Scotland.   He immigrated to Canada with his family when he was 14.   He became a businessman, and overcame all obstacles with determination, beginning his career by repaying the debt which he inherited from his father, the result of a loss of an uninsured ship.

Beginning in 1820, William Morris was a member of the Upper Canada Parliament.   He was raised to the legislative council in 1835. His political championship of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, which he helped found in 1831, made him a bitter opponent of Anglican Bishop John Strachan and his followers.   He won a share of the Clergy Reserves for his church.

Morris served as the political leader of the group of Presbyterians who wanted to found a college at Kingston.   He pushed strongly for the granting of a Royal Charter, and is also believed to be the one responsible for coming up with the name of Queen’s College at Kingston, which has since been changed to Queen’s University.   When his role in obtaining the Royal Charter earned him the position as Chair of the Board of Trustees, William Morris used his influence to make sure that the Presbyterian clergy did not have too much control over the newly formed school.   Morris set his sights high, for he envisioned Queen’s developing into a first class university, rather than simply a training ground for Presbyterian Ministers.

Morris served as receiver general (1844-47) and president of the executive council (1846-48) before ill health forced his withdrawl from politics.   He died in Montreal at age 71.

Trinity Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, Ontario was established on April 1, 2005 through the amalgamation of the Eastmount and St. Enoch congregations.

St. Enoch Presbyterian Church, Hamilton was formed in 1925 as a result of Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists merging to form the United Church of Canada.   Members of what was to become the Laidlaw United Church who wanted to remain Presbyterian formed St. Enoch.   The congregation met in a number of halls before a new church was opened in 1930.

Eastmount Presbyterian Church, Hamilton was established in 1954.   Their first Kirk building (now the adjoined church hall) was completed in 1960.   The current church building was completed in 1966.

Trinity Presbyterian congregates at the former Eastmount Church and is currently planning a renovation of the building and redevelopment of the surrounding land.

New St James Presbyterian, London, Ontario traces its roots back to the first Presbyterian congregation in London, Ontario that was established by Scottish settlers in 1833.

Church-state disputes in the Church of Scotland caused a split in the church that in the London congregation resulted in St James being formed in 1843.

The "New" St. James was established when the congregation moved to the current site, bought from John Labatt in 1899.   Designed in the Romanesque Revival style by Herbert Edward Matthews, the Akron-style sanctuary features 22 magnificent stained-glass windows.

Throughout 2008, New St James is celebrating 175 years of worship and service, with the theme of "Still Faithful - Still Growing."   Special events are planned for the whole year.