CHALMERS CHURCH: SEVENTY YEARS UNTIL NOW

This year 1975 marks the 70th Anniversary of Chalmers Church. However, even in 1905 the Presbyterians on the Hamilton Mountain already had a history.

For a number of years Presbyterians, with other Christian people, had gathered for worship in a building called the "Mission Meeting House". This building once stood where the present Imperial Bank of Commerce building now stands on Concession Street - just one block away from where we are located today. Gradually this small group of Presbyterians formed the desire to see a Presbyterian congregation established.

By 1903 some association had begun with the Session and Minister of St. John Church down in the city. By virtue of its location near the head of the "east End Incline" the title "Incline Mission" Was soon in use. Although the details of those early years are rather sketchy - the roots of the present Chalmers congregation were being established.

A number of events in the year 1905 firmly establish that year as the beginning of the congregation. On January 3, 1905, the "Incline Mission" was formerly organized as a Mission Station of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. That action was taken by the Presbytery of Hamilton meeting on that occasion in Knox Church, Hamilton.

On April 28, 1905, thirty-nine people met in the home of Mrs. Joseph Taylor on Upper Wentworth Street. There, under the spiritual direction f the Rev. John Young, minister of St. John Church, Hamilton, a congregation was formed. Two days later (April 30, 1905) the first Chalmers Sunday School met, with 16 present.

Progress was rapid. ON may (1905) the first Board of Managers was appointed. ON June 23 the sod was turned for the construction of a church building, the corner stone of which was laid on July 15 (1905). The site of the building was 573 Concession Street, just east of Cliff Avenue (now the site of the Mount Hamilton Citadel of the Salvation Army). A congregational meeting on July 10 (1905) unanimously approved that the new congregation be named "Chalmers Presbyterian Church, Mount Hamilton".

Still within the year 1905 event followed event in the life of the new Chalmers congregation. The new Church building was opened for worship on October 8. The Rev. James Ballantyne, the Professor of Church History in Knox College, preached at the morning service that day, and the Rev. Dr. George H. Smith, then minister of Knox Church, ST. Catherines, and the Moderator of the Presbytery of Hamilton, preached in the evening. The first communion service of the new congregation was held on October 15 (1905) - the second Sunday in the new church building - and 40 communicants received the sacrament at a service conducted by the Rev. D. H. Fletcher, the Minister of MacNab Street Church, Hamilton, who was then the Clerk of the Presbytery.

What a year of beginnings. When the decision was taken to form a congregation no time was lost in achieving reality. The desire of the people for a congregation was coupled with a genuine commitment of themselves and their possessions to the Kingdom of Christ. Their new building had cost approximately three thousand dollars. By November 7, 1905, it could be reported that of that amount over one thousand dollars had already been paid.

A provisional session consisting of ruling elders: William Smith, A. I. McKenzie, Robert Henderson, James R. Cook, and Adam Inch was appointed on Nov 7, 1905, and the fledgling Chalmers congregation was firmly planted.

At its inception Chalmers was a Presbyterian congregation and enjoyed the support of other Presbyterians in the years of its infancy. Until the first Minister was secured, the interested support of ST. John Church, through its minister and session, was a great blessing to the new Chalmers congregation. The first settled Minister in the Chalmers congregation was the Rev. S. H. Sarkissian who came to be Minister after his graduation from Knox College in 1906. Mr. Sarkissian, a native of Syria, had been a member of MacNab Street Church and as a resident of Hamilton had, as early as 1904, while yet a student at Knox been involved in the formative work of the "Incline Mission" which was to become Chalmers Church. He was not a stranger to Hamilton Mountain and for the year that he served as Minister at Chalmers he also served the congregations of Binbrook and Saltfleet.

(The Chalmers congregation is fortunate enough in having a written record which goes back to the year 1905 though the details of some matters remain unanswered.)

Sometime between 1907 and early 1908 the young Chalmers congregation was separated from the Binbrook and Saltfleet charge and became associated with Barton Stone Church. On May 25, 1909, the new Chalmers Church sanctuary served as the setting for the ordination and induction of Mr. W. K. Harris, a graduate of Knox College who also was to serve as minister of Chalmers Church for one year.

By 1910 the Chalmers Congregation was becoming more firmly established. During the ministry of the Rev. F. Harris it was resolved to replace the provisional session with a permanent one elected by the congregation. Steps were taken to accomplish this and on April 24, 1910, the elders elect: Dr. D. G. McIlwraith, George HEAD, D. C. Smith, and Edmund Hunt were ordained and inducted. This action climaxed five years of solid congregation building. When this first permanent session was inducted it was almost 5 years to the day from the time that the congregation had been formed. So much had happened: a church building had been erected, Minister called, Board and Session established, and as a part of the Chalmers Church - Barton Stone Charge, the congregation was beginning to flourish.

The statistics for the year 1910 indicate that the Chalmers congregation had 71 communicant members and 31 families under their charge. There were 157 enrolled in the Sunday School and Bible Class. On the financial side, the congregation paid $550.00 stipend out in 1910 out of twelve hundred dollars raised by the congregation for all purposes. By December 31, 1910, it was reported that only $200.00 indebtedness remained on the Church property.

The congregation proceeded under the leadership of the Rev. A. E. Neilly, B.A… who was inducted early in 1911. This gentleman served as the Minister of Chalmers Church until September of 1915 - the first reasonably lengthy pastorate in the history of the young congregation. During the four year period some interesting developments took place.

On December 17, 1911, individual communion cups were used in the congregation for the first time.

On December 2, 1912, the first meeting of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of Chalmers Church was held in the Church, and Mrs. Neilly, the Minister's wife, was elected as the first President. Nine ladies accepted membership and agreed to meet monthly and to subscribe an annual membership fee of twenty-five cents. The Women's Missionary Society has continued to function in Chalmers Church to the present day.

It was also during the tenure of Mr. Neilly that the first vote on Church union was held in the Chalmers congregation. Of the more than 1200 members of Chalmers eligible to vote in 1912 when the matter was first put to the people in the congregations - 35 members voted "For organic union" and 4 "against". Characteristics of the situation across Canada, relatively few of those eligible bothered to cast a ballot.

The departure of the Rev. Neilly from Chalmers in the fall of 1915 led to the calling of the Rev. A., Budge who served as Minister of Chalmers until November of 1925. The Rev. A> Budge was minister of Chalmers during a very critical period in the life of the young congregation. A number of events both locally and nationally contributed to the activity of those years.

Since 1908 Chalmers had been linked with Barton Stone Church as a two-point charge. This relationship continued until 1928, when it was believed necessary to have the full time services of a minister for Chalmers Church alone. The Board of Managers was able to report that this was also now financially possible and the Presbytery of Hamilton was petitioned to relieve Mr. Budge of his responsibilities for the Barton Stone Congregation. From that time until the present Chalmers has continued as a single point charge in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

The Chalmers congregation was growing. In 1906 the first Communicants Roll was formally established with 40 members. By 1910 this number had grown to 71, and in the next five years had increased to 141 by the end of 1915. By the year 1918 when Chalmers became separated from Barton Stone Church it had increased to 209. This growth not only contributed extensively to the financial strength of Chalmers - it also created a space problem.

In February of 1919 the Session of Chalmers formally began to discuss the matter of "enlarging the Church". Consultations were held with the Board of Managers and two alternatives were taken under consideration. The congregation could either construct a new church or enlarge their present structure on Concession Street. Some consideration was given to erecting a Sunday School building on the north-east corner of the vacant lot adjacent to the existing building on Concession Street. This was proposed as a first stage of a building program which would eventually include a new sanctuary. This was not to be, however, and it was finally arranged to build a Sunday School building on our present site on Mountain Park Avenue. The corner stone for this new building was laid on July 2, 1921, by Major James Chisholm, who represented the Hamilton Church Extension Committee and by Mr. C. H. Munn, Superintendent of the Sunday School.

January 21st, 1922, was the date for final services in the old building. The Rev. Austin Budge conducted communion at the service in the evening on that date, and 163 people received the sacrament.

It is of interest to note that early in the planning stages of the new building consideration was given to making the new structure a war memorial, the first world war just having been terminated. The proposal, which ultimately was not acted upon, was that the new Church be called "Chalmers Soldiers Memorial Church." The cost of the new building - land, construction and furnishings, was fifty three thousand dollars.

The Church Union movement had some definite effects on the Chalmers congregation. While the second church union ballot in 1915 reflected an almost equal vote - there being 38 votes "for union" and 39 "against" - this still reflected the sentiments of just over 50% of the congregation. The final vote on the matter was taken early in the year 1925. According to the terms of the vote there were 271 persons eligible to vote. The session records do not record the exact outcome of the balloting. However, the congregation voted to remain Presbyterian although a number of members withdrew because of this decision. A note found indicates that on May 22, 1925, 59 members of the Chalmers congregation withdrew their certificates to join the United Church.

The Rev. Austin Budge concluded his ministry at Chalmers in November of 1925 when he accepted a call to Hagersville.

Church life in those days was, of course, not all dates and statistics as historical sketches such as this one so often make it appear. A couple of notes in the Session records indicate something of the nature of Church life then.

For example, in 1919, the Session discussed declining attendance at Sunday Services and it was resolved that "cards or letters be sent to the member to encourage them to better attendance."

Also, a note from 1924 presents an interesting glimpse of church life. The Session received a complaint about disorderly conduct in the back seats during worship services. It was agreed that "two elders should sit at the rear of the Church and do what is best to correct the bad conduct of the parties referred to." Discreetly, the Session record does not bear the names of the offenders.

The Rev> Budge was succeeded as Minister by the Rev. Dr. J. Fraser Cocks, who has the distinction of having the shortest ministry in the history f the Chalmers congregation - his stay lasting only from January of 1926 until November of the same year.

However, this brief pastorate was followed by the longest in the history of the congregation, namely that of Rev. W. I. McLean. The Rev. Walter McLean's service to the congregation continued for 21 years and spanned a very difficult period in the life of Chalmers Church and the country as a whole. When MR. McLean was inducted as the minister of Chalmers in March of 1927 the circumstances of the congregation were quite critical. The events of the Church union had resulted in a declining membership. The wounds of conflict had yet to heal. The congregation was faced with meeting mortgage obligations on a new building. Further, the difficult economic times of the 1930's were already on the horizon. These were not easy times for either minister or congregation.

The period of the Rev. McLean's ministry coincided with two other long and valuable contributions to the congregation. IN 1929 the Session appointed Mr. C. J. Parker as Superintendent of the Sunday School - a post he held faithfully until his retirement due to ill health in 1946.

Another well remembered figure of that era was Mr. A. K. Ramsay who served as the Clerk of Session of this congregation from 1932 until 1947. WE praise God that Mr. Ramsay continues to enjoy the health to maintain an active contribution to the Church of Jesus Christ - presently as an elder in the Aldershot Presbyterian Church.

The Chalmers Church building became the setting for both congregational activities and community ones as well. Concerts, recitals, garden parties, tennis, badminton, carpet bowling and a skating rink all were a part of what Chalmers offered to the community.

Economically, times were very hard. On various occasions the minister was not paid and Mr. McLean graciously waived what was owing to him. For a time the collection plate was not passed in services to avoid embarrassment for those with nothing to contribute. church envelopes were not used simply so that money could be designated for the General Assembly budget, but also to disguise the circumstances of those who had nothing at all to put in the collection plate.

The times are highlighted by an arrangement made in 1933. At that time, Mr. William Thomson was retained as church organist and choir leader with the assistance of the Misses Jessie and Betty Melrose. The only remuneration provided was that the Church supplied \the telephone service to both homes to facilitate arrangements.

During such a time nothing could be done to reduce the Church mortgage. In 1927 the congregation owed $15,000.00. Through the generosity of the Presbyterian Church and Manse Board this amount was cut in half and all accrued interest was waived. But it was not until 1942 that the first principal payments could be begun on that reduced amount and the mortgage finally retired in 1949.

However, the economic depression of the thirties and the war of the forties did not deter the Chalmers congregation from a vital life and service. The Sunday School at Chalmers grew to be the largest among the Presbyterian Churches in the city and the shield for attendance at the Sunday School Rally was claimed by Chalmers when it was first offered in 1930 and in many subsequent years. The 26th Scout Group was associated with Chalmers beginning in 1930. A junior Congregation was established in 1933. A Young People's Program and Christian Endeavour functioned during this period as well as a Mission Band, the W.M.S., and the Ladies Aid. The lives of many in the community centred around Chalmers Church for both spiritual and social activities.

The retirement of the Rev. W. I. McLean in 1948 was appropriately marked when 300 people from the congregation and community paid tribute to him at a farewell banquet on June 28. In 1951 Knox College honoured Mr. McLean with the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

Without any lengthy delay the Rev. W. K. Palmer, M.A., was called as minister of Chalmers in the fall of 1948. Although Mr. Palmer remained only three years it was a fruitful time in the life of the congregation. In numerical strength it was a time of growth. It was during this period that a survey was completed by Mr. Palmer that led to the establishment of |Southgate Church. A survey was also undertaken on the east mountain with a view to establishing "Morningside church". This latter effort did not come to fruition until 1954 and then the name "Eastmount Church" was the one selected. The period of Mr. Palmer's ministry was one of growth at Chalmers - on the Mountain in general - and in the Presbyterian cause on the mountain. Chalmers was thus privileged to make some initial contribution to the establishment of both Southgate Church and Eastmount Church. It was also at this particular time that some consideration was given to relocating Chalmers Church further back from the mountain brow - possibly in the vicinity of Upper Wentworth and Fennel Avenue.

When the Rev. Bill Palmer accepted a call to Knox Church, Hamilton, the Chalmers congregation selected the Rev. George A. Lowe, B.A., as their next minister. He was inducted in January of 1952. Mr. Lowe's ministry proved to be the second largest in the history of the congregation and extended almost exactly 13 years. During this time Chalmers reached its largest communicant membership at any time in its history - the number of 592 being reported as of Dec. 31, 1964. The Church mortgage had been retired in 1949 and so the way was open for increased financial support to be given to congregational programs as well as to the missionary endeavours of the Church. Mr. Lowe's pastorate was marked by a strong missionary emphasis. Missionary speakers were frequent visitors to the congregation and these included both Canadians who had served as missionaries as well as Christians from other lands who were visiting or studying here. The February "Mission Month" became an anticipated part of the annual church program. Financial support for home and overseas missionary projects grew to its highest level in the history of the Chalmers congregation under Mr. Lowe's leadership.

Conspicuous service to the congregation was rendered by a number of people. Mr. Henry Walker served with distinction as Clerk of Session from 1947 until 1963. During this time leadership in the Sunday School was provided by Miss Florence Scurr and Mr. W. E. McCutcheon.

Well before the Rev. George Lowe left Chalmers to become the assistant minister of Knox Church, Toronto, plans were undrerway for the construction of our new church sanctuary. This progressed under the tenure of the Rev. Adam Thomson (Minister from 1965 until 1970). The sod was turned for the present sanctuary on Dec. 3, 1967, the new corner stone laid on April 21, 1968, and the building was dedicated on June 16, 1968. The former Church Building was named "McLean Hall" and designated to be used for Christian Education and recreational purposes.

Your present Minister, the Rev. R. J. Bernhardt, was inducted as Minister of Chalmers Church on February 4, 1971.

What has been recorded here is a brief historical sketch of Chalmers congregation over the past seventy years. However, this is only a small part of our history. This is the framework, the skeleton, the dates and times, but not the real flesh and blood of a living congregation. To capture that would involve recounting the contributions of all who have shared in the life of this congregation. For the lifer of a Christian congregation is not encompassed in Ministers, Elders, or a few prominent leaders in the congregation - however much these few have given to the cause of Christ. The life in the Christian church is in the people - the ordinary people who make up its number. With them lies the real history of a church. The things that can be set down on paper are but a few fleeting impressions. For some of you these details just related are all things you've heard before or remember from your own acquaintance with the congregation over the years. For others it may all be new. May I say that, whichever is the case, they are important for you. No, I do not mean that you must remember the dates and little details. However, it is tremendously important that you have an appreciation for those who have preceded you in this congregation of Christ's Church. Be thankful that God has graciously preserved this congregation of his people in this place. This congregation provides the fellowship of a church home for you. There have been the moments in the history of Chalmers Church when it may well have appeared that the congregation had no future, but God has intervened and by His Spirit has fulfilled His purposes.

God has worked in and through his servants in this community to maintain the witness to His Name in this place. Be appreciative today of what God has thus transmitted to you. Also the fact that God has so graciously provided for the Chalmers congregation makes it plainly evident that he has purposes yet to be fulfilled if we are His willing servants. As members and friends of the Chalmers congregation devote your lives to God in a spirit of thanksgiving. By the Grace of God may those who form the congregation of Chalmers Church today be equipped to be faithful witnesses to the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray for God's Provision, guidance, and grace that in the future of this congregation we may be led by the Spirit of God humbly to do His bidding.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us; unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end.