The Opening of the Sturgeon Point Union Church, July 8, 1915

Originally Published in the Lindsay Evening Post, Friday, July 9, 1915

Sturgeon Point was founded in 1876 as a cottage community, populated largely by prominent Lindsay business owners. The original cottagers valued the opportunity to attend Sunday worship, but adhered to different denominations. To make a local church practical, they agreed to found a non-denominational church in 1889, which included a gazebo-like structure—being a cottage community, there was no need for year-round services. In 1915, Mrs. J.W. Flavelle (Clara) gifted a new church to the community. This octagonal building was a striking architectural specimen and continues to host seasonal services.   

Every seat was full Thursday afternoon at the presentation by Mrs. J.W. Flavelle of the new Union Church at Sturgeon Point to the cottagers on the lake, and there were also many chairs in use outside the beautiful edifice. There were probably between four and five hundred people present. It was the universal expression of opinion afterward, that the presentation of services in connection was one of the most enjoyable affairs that could possibly have taken place.

The service started at three o’clock, immediately after the Lintonia from Lindsay, bringing a large number down from town. It opened with the doxology. Then followed a prayer by Rev. A.H. Goring, pastor of Cambridge St. Methodist Church.

Psalm 132 was read by Rev. Herbert Bryant of Cambridge St. Baptist Church, after which Rev. McIntosh of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church led in prayer. Hymn 474 from the Presbyterian hymn book followed. The books were all new for the occasion and there was a large enough supply for all.

The presentation of the keys of the church then took place. Mrs. J.W. Flavelle with a few well-chosen words handed them over to the chairman, Mr. Thos. Stewart, for the Board of Trustees. Mrs. Flavelle spoke with the highest praise for the satisfactory manner in which the contracts for the building had been completed. All concerned in its erection had done their part well. She hoped the building would be of great service to the cottagers for many years to come.

Mr. J.W. Flavelle then spoke for a moment. He said the whole idea belonged to Mrs. Flavelle, who had paid for the building out of her own pocket. The church he had hoped would be availed to all as an opportunity to worship God. “You Lindsayites,” he said, “are peculiarly one people. There is harmony between all denominations, and the drawing close together of all denominations, here at the Point in your church life is an evidence of your harmonious intercourse.”

On behalf of the trustees Mr. Thos. Stewart thanked Mrs. Flavelle for her magnificent gift. He said, “We hope that this church will stand many long years as a memorial to your name.

It is a long time since the people first started coming to Sturgeon Point. Twenty-six years ago, the old church was built. The trustees of the land on which it was built according to the deed of the land dated December 21, 1888 were James Hamilton, John Head, F.C. Taylor, R.S. Porter, J.R. Dundas, Wm. Needler, James Weatherup and D.J. McIntyre. Of that number only Messrs. Taylor and Needler are still residents of the Point. Mr. Porter still resides in Lindsay, and Judge McIntyre in Whitby, but all the rest are dead.

The idea of a church was a noble one. The spiritual influence of watering places is not greatly to be desired. It is claimed that the observation of the Sabbath is poor. This is not true of Sturgeon Point or of Sturgeon Lake. Spirituality is good among the people here. We merely continue our Christian lives here as we do at home, and return to the city or town refreshed and not deadened by the summer’s outing. The presence of church here has been responsible for keeping up Christian observances. The new church belongs to Pleasant Point and all other Points on the lake as well as Sturgeon Point. The farming community about are very welcome here, and it is the hope of all concerned that they will attend more than ever. We meet here irrespective of creed, setting a fine example to the church at large. The clergymen of the different denominations alternate in leading our devotions. However, we may differ in opinion, we are members of one Christian fraternity and Mrs. Flavelle’s labor shall not be in vain. The old church had a fine influence, but this one must have a greater. It was the spirit of the ladies who first made possible a church at Sturgeon Point, and a lady now perpetuates that work. The old building was out of repair and Mrs. Flavelle came to the rescue. On behalf of the people of Sturgeon Point, I think Mrs. Flavelle came to the rescue. On behalf of the people of Sturgeon Lake, I thank Mrs. Flavelle for this splendid work and hope it will mean the upbuilding of many lives.

Mrs. W.E. Reesor then rendered a beautiful soprano solo, “He that Dwelleth.” Mrs. Reesor is always much enjoyed by all privileged to hear her, and her singing on Thursday was enchanting as usual.