St. John's Presbyterian Church

2002

An architect was hired and preliminary plans were presented.  Fund raising became the most important activity.  The present church building was sold to the neighbouring Anglican Church.

2003

Construction of our new church building began.  Equipment moved in on October 31st.  The sod was turned on a beautiful, mild Sunday afternoon – November 23rd.  Foundations were laid before winter set in.

2004

Dedication of the new St. John’s Presbyterian Church took place on November 21, 2004 – 363 days after the sod was turned.  Rev. Kirk Summers from  New St. James Presbyterian Church in London, Ontario was the Guest Minister.  He chose Ephesians 2:21 as the focus for his sermon entitled A Beautiful Beginning.

2005

Landscaping came to a conclusion in early November as the last of the sod was laid.

 How many Presbyterians lived in the area served by these churches?

In 1823 there were 16 communicants on the roll at the Auld Kirk. In 1918 there were 150 communicants on the rolls at the four churches – they formed 90 families.  It is reasonable to suggest that, including children, there would be about 200 Presbyterians attending the several churches.

Today, St. John’s Presbyterian Church has a congregation of about 250 people.

The Ministers

Twenty-four ministers have served the congregation of the Presbyterian Church since the first settled minister, Reverend Peter Ferguson, in 1830.  The several pulpits were either vacant or served by students for some 30 of the ensuing 175 years.  The longest serving minister was Rev. W. McKee, 1857 – 1871.  Our present minister, Dr. D. D. Scott, stands in 1st place with a ministry that began in early 1996.

The book, We must tell the stories, by Donald McGugan presents an insightful collection of the history of the Presbyterians of Bradford.  This book was awarded the “PCC Best Congregational History” in 2001.  It has been revised three times.