Chalmers Presbyterian Church
A Christian Presence on the "Mountain" in Hamilton since 1905
In Hamilton the 300 foot Niagara escarpment that cuts through the city is referred to as the "Mountain." In fact, at the beginning of the 20th. century the new community that was beginning to take root above the escarpment was often referred to as Mount Hamilton. As that small community grew a group of Presbyterians began to gather for occasional worship services in a community facilty called the Mission Hall. That building was really the first home of what was to become Chalmers Presbyterian Church. The Mission Hall was located on the south side of Concession Street at the head of Cliff Avenue where the Bank of Commerce building is now situated.
The year 1905 was a big year for Presbyterians on the Mountain. Within that one year they agreed to form a congregation, chose the name Chalmers Church, secured a property and by October they had moved into their new place of worship. That orignal building was just a block away from the Mission Hall. It was on the north side of Concession Street where the SalvationArmy citadel is presently located.
As the community on the Mountain expanded the Chalmers congregation gradually outgrew its original building and a decision was made to accept the gift of a piece of property right on the edge of the escarpment on Mountain Park Avenue. That building served the congregation until 1968 when an expanded sanctuary was added. That building was then rededicated as McLean Hall in tribute to the Rev. Dr. Walter I. McLean who served as minister of the Chalmers congregation from 1926 until 1947.
The present sanctuary was added in 1968.
(We hope to add some biographical information about each of these individuals and as we do so we will turn their name into an an active link.)
The Rev. F. W. K Harris, 1909-10
The Rev. A. E. Neilly, 1911-1915
The Rev. Dr. Austin Budge, 1916-1925
The Rev. Dr. Cocks, 1926
The Rev. Dr. Walter I. McLean, 1927-1948
The Rev. W. K. Palmer, 1948-1951
The Rev. George A. Lowe, 1952-1965
The Rev. Adam Thomson, 1965-1970
The Rev. Dr. Robert J. Bernhardt, 1971-2004
Chalmers Church Hamilton - 1903-1965 This item was written by the late Harry Walker, then Clerk of Session, and included in a history of the Presbytery of Hamilton published in 1967.
Chalmers Church - Seventy Years Until Now This address was delivered on the occasion of the 70th. Anniversary of the Chalmers Congregation on November 23, 1975.
Chalmers Church (1990) This material was written by the late Alan Jones and was published in 1990 in the history of the Presbytery of Hamilton entitled, Wee Kirks and Stately Steeples.
The McLean Women's Missionary Society, 1912-2002 This tribute to the McLean W.M.S. was released in brochure form in November of 2002.
