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St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 643 Main Street Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia MISSION STATEMENT “TO KNOW CHRIST, AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN” Date Congregation Organized: 1840 Name of Presbytery: Presbytery of Cape Breton No. Households: 147 Communicants: 206 Adherents: 36 Average Attendance at Sunday Worship: 75 |
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![Text Box: In 1827 the General Mining Association of London, England, was given exclusive rights to mine the abundant coal seams found in and around what is presently known as the town of Sydney Mines (now part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality).
In 1830 it was necessary for the GMA to bring miners, engineers and mechanics from the old Country in order to develop the coal industry. A large number of those who came were Presbyterians from the lowlands of Scotland, these Presbyterians families along with the Archibalds and other natives of Nova Scotia constituted the first members and adherents of St. Andrew’s congregation.
Rev. James Fraser, who arrived in Boularderie in 1836, ministered as much as he could to the Presbyterians in Sydney Mines in addition to his work in Bouldarderie. On April 25, 1840, Mr. Fraser dedicated to the service of God, the first Presbyterian Church to be erected in Sydney Mines.
The site for this first church was donated by the GMA and is located on Shore Road adjacent to the present day Gowrie House. Still standing on the same site is the manse (now, privately owned) with the cemetery, still well maintained beside it.
Responding to an appeal to the Glasgow Colonial Committee, Rev. Matthew Wilson, M.S. became the first minister to be inducted into St. Andrew’s pastoral charge in 1842. At this time the charge included Sydney Mines, North Sydney, Florence and Little Bras d’Or. Mr. Wilson was the beloved minister of St. Andrew’s until his retirement in 1883.
During Rev. Matthew Wilson’s ministry, the town grew and prospered, necessitating the building of a larger church in 1876. In 1902, the church was moved to a more central location adjacent to the present manse on Queen Street. So rapid was the progress of the town during the next few years (due to the erection of a steel plant and the increase development of the colleries) that it was necessary to build the present church in 1906.
Since 1842, St Andrew’s has had thirteen [13] ministers, which is a reflection on our congregation’s desire for long pastorates and on the minister’s willingness to stay.
KIRK SESSION
There are 13 ruling elders [members of Session], two of whom are inactive. Each elder has a district and visitations are made to 242 members and adherents twice a year [usually before communion dates]. Regular meetings of the session are held monthly with the exception of July and August. Session has many active Committees: Worship, Christian Education, Turner Memorial Fund, Special Events, Communion, Camp MacLeod, etc.
Session members rotate as greeters at the services of worship and visit the members and adherents in their respective District twice a year.
The stewardship and spiritual direction of St. Andrew’s are the major responsibilities of the Session. The stewardship is best exemplified in the work of various organizations that are summarized
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
All property belonging to the congregation is vested in the Board of trustees. It has two committees: property and finance. Meetings are held once a month. Members are elected by the congregation for a three-year term.
Officers comprise a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Property Chairman. The Board employs an Organist/choir Director and a caretaker. There is also an Envelope Secretary and a Bulletin Editor who are given a yearly honorarium.
The Board is also entrusted with the management of the financial affairs; consequently, it oversees an annual operation budget of approximately $150.000.00 as well as special accounts and an investment portfolio.
CHURCH GROUPS
Youth Group:
Meets every week – usually on Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening. Through fun, laughter, friendship
and love, the leaders try to build a relationship with youth to point them in the direction of Christ. Aside from the Minister who had acted as the Quest and Bible Study Leader, there are two assistants: a “games coordinator” and a “special events Coordinator.” The average youth membership of the group has varied from 20 to 30 young people.
Church Choir:
Eighteen members [SATB} with Organist/Choir Director and officers. Meets every Thursday evening. Very active in worship and Special Services/Presentations both within and without the church. Assists other organizations and the minister in many undertakings throughout the year.
Sunday School:
Every Sunday morning at 11:10 am. from September to the second week in June. The students are divided into two age groups:4-10 and 11-14 Programs are carefully selected for each group and structured so that each child completes an individual goal. The curriculum focuses on building the character of God into the lives of our children. Nursery is also available.
Ruth Auxiliary of the Atlantic Mission Society:
Meets the second Tuesday of each month except for July and August. Members enjoy devotions, fellowship, undertaking projects within the Atlantic area and supporting major endeavours in many
mission areas throughout the world.
Adult Bible Class:
Meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2-3:30. The group usually study either specific sections of the Bible or a central theme is explored each week. While the aim of the group is to open their eyes, ears and minds to hear and understand the word of God, there is also time for fellowship with one another.
Men’s Fellowship:
With an enthusiastic membership, the group has participated in worship services throughout the Presbytery, at hospitals, Guest Homes as well as holding a yearly breakfast, assisting at Bible School closings, initiating an annual golf tournament, sponsoring a child, and organizing a tape Ministry -- to mention just a few of the activities in which the group is engaged.
Daily Vacation Bible School:
Held for a week during either July or August, this community outreach program has been a fixture at St. Andrew’s for the past 70 years. During the past decade, the registration has always hovered around the 100 mark with children, usually between the ages of 3-13, coming from every area and denomination within the town. The children enjoy a daily activity of music and song, stories, Bible study, and crafts. Aside from a teaching and administration staff, there are helpers, kitchen and registration personnel and a music team.
OTHER PARTICULARS
There is one service per week – at 11 o’clock each Sunday morning. The church holds special events during the year as Anniversary Weekend [usually the last weekend of May], Christmas at St. Andrew’s, St. Andrew’s Night, etc. The church is specially decorated at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Remembrance Day when special services are held on the Sunday morning preceding these dates.
Of special interest to the congregation and the Minister is a survey done a few years ago. At that time
the congregation of St. Andrew’s was asked to complete a pastoral survey to give an indication of their expectations for a replacement minister. Nineteen items were on the list and the respondents were asked to select the three they felt were the most important. The top five skills selected were:
Topic %
Preaching 59.4
Fostering Spiritual Development among Youth 48.4
Crisis Visiting 45.3
Leading Worship 32,3
Mission Outreach 20.3
Recently there has been elected by the congregation two new committees: the OUTREACH Committee and the STEWARDSHIP Committee.
The Outreach Committee is presently in the planning stages of devising ways and means of reaching out to the congregation through many projects; viz, visitation, cultural events, workshops, special services, etc.
The Stewardship Committee will carefully and responsibly manage a wide range of events in order to raise money to assist in the operation of the church.](image010.gif)
