Chalmers Church Hamilton - 1903-1967

Let us give thanks to the only King and Head of the Church, even Jesus Christ, our Lord, and let us bless His holy name, for the dear members and friends of this congregation who have finished their course and kept the faith, and who since have been called to greater and higher service for our Saviour and our Redeemer. May God grant us grace to follow their good example, that we with them may finally be received into the joy of His presence.

Words seem so inadequate to describe the faith of a little group of devoted Presbyterians who had a great longing in their hearts to follow the faith of their fathers, so dearly brought by the Scottish Covenanters, in 1638. In the nineteenth century, that part of the city which is now served by Chalmers church was referred to as "The head of the east-end Incline." This "Incline" was a cable railway, which conveyed passengers and vehicles up and down the face of the mountain, from Wentworth St. South at the bottom and Upper Wentworth St. at the top,-- a height of approximately 300 ft. This mountain district was once purely rural, being devoted to gardening, and the raising of grain. Now, the population is nearing 100,000!

The mountain district was a barrier to people in the city, so a red brick building-with the inscription on a stone above the door "Mission Meeting House 1860"-was erected. It was located at 574 Concession Street, between East 23rd and 22nd Streets, where now stands the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Around this hallowed mission house, a Sunday school was organized, and union services were held. The nearest places of worship at this time were: Holy Trinity Anglican, Upper James St.; Burkholder Methodist, (now United) one mile to the south; and Cheyne Presbyterian, near Albion.

On the 3rd of November, 1903, a small group of Presbyterian men and women presented a petition to the Hamilton Presbytery, asking that they be linked with Binbrook and Saltfleet. It was agreed to make "The Incline Mission" an appointment in the said charge, with the Rev. John Young, minister at St. John's as interim-moderator.

For Chalmers Church, the year 1905 is particularly historical; on the 28th of April, 1905, 17 men and 22 women met in the home of Mrs. Joseph Taylor, Upper Wentworth St. With them were the Rev. John Young and his elder, Captain Chas. Hardy, session clerk. There, a congregation was formed. Those present were:
The men present were: McVittie, Clerk, Brayley, Stone, Hunt, Gerard, Smith, Hardy, Ketchison, Geo. Clerk, Jones, Nelson, Kartzmark, R. Kartzmark, Taylor, Pilgrim, and Wilson. The records indicate that the ladies present were Mesdames: Hazelwood, Pilgrim, Brayley, Stone, Hunt, Ketchison, Smith, Turner, Kartzmark, and Taylor and Misses: Hunt, Carrie Hunt, Lottie Hunt, Lily Salvisburg, Monorgan, Ketchison, Clerk, Hill, Turner, Florence Taylor, Edith Taylor and Marjory Pilgrim.

On April 30th, 1905, the first Chalmers Sunday school met with 16 present. (Today's enrollment is 190). On May 5th, the first Board of Managers was appointed. They were: Ed. Hunt, Wm. Smith, John Brayley, Kartzmark and Hawkins. On the 23rd of June, 1905, the first sod was a turned by Mr. Smith, at 573 Concession Street, east of Cliff Avenue. On this site, the new Mount Hamilton Citadel of the Salvation Army now stands.

On the 10th of July, 1905, the new congregation held a congregational meeting at which it was unanimously approved that the new church be named "Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Mount Hamilton"-in memory of Dr.Thomas Chalmers, born at Anstruther, Fifeshire, Scotland, on March 17, 1780. His reputation, as a leader in the 1843 Disruption and preacher, was well known. He was the Moderator of the first assembly of the Free Church of Scotland, held in May 18th, 1843. He fearlessly fought for the Church's Claim for spiritual independence from civil authorities. On the 15th of July 1905. The corner stone for Chalmers church was laid by Mr. Smith. The sanctuary was dedicated on October 8th by Professor Ballantyne of Knox College.

With joy and greatfull hearts those Faithful people, through the grace of God, saw their work completed. On the 13th of October, 1905, the first communion as held. Forty members gathered round the holy table of our Lord. (Now, about 260 persons partake of communion.) On November 7th, 1905, the first provincial Session was appointed. It consisted of the Rev. John Young of St. John church as moderator, and Messrs. Wm. Smith, A.I. McKenzie, Robt. Henderson, Jas. R. Cook, and Adam Inch, elders.

The first minister inducted, in 1906, was the Rev. S.H. Sarkissian. This former student greatly helped the newly-formed congregation. His pastorate lasted one year. The Rev. F.W.K. Harris was inducted, in 1909, and faithfully served until September 25th, 1910; at which time the membership was 71. The Rev. A.E. Neilly of Verschoyle was inducted in 1911, and served until 1915. Under his ministry, the membership grew to 172. On December 17th, 1911, individual communion glasses were used for the first time, following a motion by one of the elders, Dr. D.G. McIllwraith. The glasses were donated by the mission band. An interesting item of expenditure in the 1914 Annual Report was organ pumping: $3.25.

The Rev. Austin L. Budge was called from Creemore, March 16, 1916. During his ministry, it was felt that the Barton Stone and Chalmers churches should be independent charges. This result was granted in 1919. The church membership then was 201; the Sunday school membership was 241. For several years, it was felt that a new building was needed to accommodate the growing Sunday school.

The Presbytery granted permission to build the present building at 200 Mountain Park Ave., which was to serve both as house of worship and a Sunday school. Dr. Budge gave wise direction. The corner stone was laid July 2nd, 1921. The building was dedicated on January 29th., 1922. Dr. Budge faithfully served this congregation, until 1925. He received a doctorate of divinity from Knox College Toronto in recognition of his devoted service to the Church. Following Dr. Budge, Dr. Cocks served for nine months.

On March 10th, 1927, Dr. W.I. McLean was inducted. Dr. McLean's great grandfather was a missionary in Russia; his grandfather served with David Livingstone in Africa; and his father served for 40 years as minister at Blythe, Ontario. Dr. McLean served faithfully until June 30th, 1948. During his ministry every effort was taken to pay off the mortgage. Dr. McLean received his honourary doctorate in divinity from Knox College, Toronto. We cherish Dr. McLean's sincerity and deep humility of character. His influence lives in our lives, and in this church.

The Rev. Wm. K. Palmer was inducted on November 12th, 1948. He served effectively, until 1951. The church continued to grow under his ministry. With the formation of the South Gate Presbyterian Church on Upper James Street, in 1949, Mr. Palmer and Chalmers Church took a leading part. October 27th, 1949 was a red-letter-day at Chalmers. The mortgage was burned. Thus, the work and sacrifice of so many members and friends had made it possible for this sanctuary to be completely free of debt.

The Rev. Geo, A. Lowe commenced his ministry in January 1952, and faithfully served this congregation until January 1965. In those 13 years, as our minister and friend Mr. Lowe carried out all the duties of a dedicated and devout Christian, showing love and compassion to all, at home and overseas. His sermons were a great challenge to our hearts, and how lovingly he spoke of our Savior! During his ministry our church grew in numbers and spiritual strength. Both Brian McCutcheon and George Peters commenced the theological studies. A strong building fund was established for a future sanctuary. This has reached the planning stage for construction.

The Rev. Adam Thomson was inducted on September 22nd, 1965. With him, we are looking forward to further Christian growth at Chalmers. Space does not permit the writing of the history of hundreds of families and individuals who, so faithfully, served In this church. Nor does it allow the recording of all the beloved names of those whose loving service and far-reaching influence is still felt in our lives.

Therefore, remembering our past, and looking forward to our future, let us humbly kneel and pray "Almighty God-who has given us this good land for our heritage; we humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favour, and glad to do Thy will."