Presbyterianism
Neepawa and District

A small band of missionaries from points east and west supplied the spiritual needs of the first settlers. There men would come in on foot or on horseback to bring the gospel to men and women whose whole background demanded spiritual satisfaction.

In 1877 Rev. S. Stewart, a missionary at Palestine (Gladstone) visited scattered settlers in their homes and conducted services wherever he could gather a group of people together. Rev. Alex Caduras who had settled west of Minnedosa visited pioneer homes.

In 1879 or 1880, Mr. J.C. Willet, a student, made his headquarters in the Salisbury district, staying at the home of James Crawford. Rev. Finlay McLeod also preached the gospel and helped settlers to get established. Early services were held at the home of Mr. Peter Scott, later the Wm. Sangster home. Among the early Presbyterians attending these services were: the Peter Scott, Robert Scott and William Connell families.

In 1881, Rev. D. McRae undertook mission work with Neepawa as his headquarters. Services were held in the upper storey of a post office building at the east end of Hamilton Street.

Believed to be the first church built west of Winnipeg, the 'Little Church' was erected in 1882, two and one-half miles west of Neepawa. A clipping from the May 28, 1896 edition of the Neepawa Press was sent to Mr. Charles Cameron by Mrs. B. Drysdale, Winnipeg, who is the granddaughter of Wm. Ash, who donated the land on which the 'Little Church' was built. The clipping states that among those who helped build the church were Presbyterian pioneers: Wm. Connel, Charles Cameron, Wm. Ash and Mat Kilpatrick.

Neepawa's population was increasing and by 1882 a larger place of worship within the village was required. They secured a site between first and second Avenues, a block south of Hamilton Street and with the assistance of $400 from the Church and Manse building fund, they proceeded with the erection of a $1200 farm building. J.J. Hamilton, Wm. Connell, Walter Brydon and Rev. McRae were appointed as a building committee. Charles Stewart, peter Stewart and John Hunter were elected trustees of the church property and J.J. Hamilton, Peter Scott and John Hunter formed the Board of Managers.

Names on the 1882 Communion Roll included: Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. G.O. Clare, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Connell, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Graham, Catherine Graham, David Bigg, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter, John Dempsey, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan McLaren, Mrs. Brydon, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Everall.

The new church was opened for worship by Rev. James Robertson, Supt. of Missions, on October 29, 1882. According to reports the first child baptized was Walter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hunter. The first session in 1884 included G.O. Clare, Wm. Connell, Thomas Everall. In 1890, W.F. Young, John Coutts, J.J. Hamilton and P.M. Stewart were added.

A notable figure in the history of local Presbyterianism was the Rev. S.C. Murray, who arrived with his bride on July 24, 1885. As the town grew, a larger church was a necessity, and in 1891 the present church at the corner of First Avenue and Mill Street was begun, part of the work being contributed on a voluntary basis. the new structure was opened for worship on March 15, 1892 with Rev. S.C. Murray as its first minister. the session consisted of W.F Young, John Coutts, J.J. Hamilton, and Peter Stewart. Names included on the 1892 Communion Roll were: Mr. W.D. Dunsmore, Mrs. Wm. Thompson, Mrs. M. Cruikshank, Mr. W. Coutts, Mr. R.D. Young, Mr. R. Hunter, Mr. R.P. Connell, Mrs. D. MacMillan, Mr. Wm. Pollock, Mr. Ed. Cameron, Mr. Walter Hunter, Mrs. John C. Hannah.

During the year 1892, the membership rose from 171 to 197 and 21 children were baptized. the first manse was built by G.O. Clare in 1886 at a cose of $1200. It stood two blocks south of the Land Titles Office.

Copies of the church magazine;, the Presbyterian Record, were obtained for church members in 1898. This publication was still widely read in 1977.

Presbyterian churches built around the turn of the century in surrounding districts were: Rosedale, Oberon, Inkerman, Arden, Franklin, Eden and Birnie.

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