United Church

Sketch from 1955 history book

Postcard Photo early 1950's, from Alex Wilson Collection
sent by Margaret Cuddington

Located on the NW corner of Carbon Ave and Walsh St

History below from the 1955 History of Bienfait Book
July 4, 1891, Rev. George Roddick, visiting from the Brandon Hills, Manitoba
Preached the first sermon in this area at Goude's,
one mile east of the present old Taylorton Bridge (1955)
Two years later first members were received by transfer:
Mr. and Mrs William were received by transfer.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dunbar and Mrs. A.C.Peterson from the Brandon Hills, and Alex Dunbar from Nova Scotia.
First preaching services in homes by Mr. and Mrs. Ivor, student.
Services were held in C.P.R. waiting room by various denominations.
In September 1898, decision was made to build a church.
The church was completed in November and dedicated by Rev. George Roddick.
The cost of the church building estimated at $600.00, amount actually spent was $995.00.
Cash balance at the end of the year was $360.00.
Albany, Shand, Roche Percee, and Old Taylorton were other appointments at various times.
Earliest services were held in the Little Brick School, the back of Oliver's Store and later in the Manse.
Through the years the Ladies Aid repeatedly came to the aid of the Board of Management in financial matters.
the first records were written in 1907.
Four years later the Board of Management began with the prominent names of the this Board to recent times include,
Mr. and Mrs Charles Scott, Mr. and Mrs. George Oliver, Dr. Brundage, J.H. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. J. Kershaw,
Mr. R. Hawkins, Mr. and Mrs. Salmond, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Ellis.
In 1915 the two lots were purchased by the ladies Aid.
The first trustees were Salmond , Oliver, and Kershaw.
In 1916 the Manse was erected.
In 1923 the first elder, A. E. English was ordained in Estevan Union Church.
In 1924 the Trinity Church Building was dedicated by Rev. Rupert Weare.
In 1925, it became a congregation of United Church of Canada on June 10th.
For a five year period was served by Frobisher ministers in 1930.
In 1941, the Elders elected were V. E. Clark, and J. Kershaw.
In 1943 the elder elected was Alton Ellis.
In 1951, the elders elected were Percy Taylor and Mrs. Billington.
The first minister was Rev. Lames Lang, who came in 1902.
The present minister is Rev. B. R. Bater (1955).
The Trinity United Church Sunday School was organized in Dec of 1940,
when Rev. J.C. Bitcon was the minister on the North Portal Charge.
Mr. Vincent Clark was the first superintendent,
with Mrs. Fred Roper as teacher. There was an enrollment of forty children.
The Sunday School has carried on since that time with a varying enrollment due to an unsettled population.
At the present time (1955) there are fifty-four on the roll.
Those holding office are:
Mrs. J. A. Cooper - Superintendent
Mrs. Ralph Leonard - Secretary-Treasurer

Sunday School Teachers:
Mrs. E. McIlmoyl
Mrs. A. Ronyk
Miss Marcia Elchyson
Miss Eileen May
Miss Pauline Dutka
Six classes are taught from nursery to Intermediate

In my dad Phil Gent's history notes, he states in his spare time from the farm work, he hauled stones for the foundations of the United Church, the Anglican Church, the first Catholic Church, and the Pool Elevator.

Received an email from a lady named Tracy telling me her grandparents attended the Black Diamond United Church in Bienfait in the 1950's.
She has their Certificate of Membership, signed by Mr. Harvey Moats who was the minister and Mr. Mel Murray who was the clerk of session.
She also reports of her Fraser family in the area, and her grandfather worked underground in M&S mines.
Looks like this Church went by 2 names
Thanks for that update

Below is a link to a Bienfait overall church history from an online book on ourroots.ca
http://www.ourroots.ca
info submitted by Mrs Jean Behr
Early history of Saskatchewan churches (grass roots). Book I
Banting Publishing 1975

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