Two Ancaster churches celebrate 200 years
Ancaster News
Oct 17, 2008
Two Ancaster churches are celebrating a 200-year milestone this weekend.
Ryerson United and Copetown United Church mark 200 years of ministry with special events and guest speakers.
Both churches trace their history back to William Case, a saddlebag preacher who toured the Ancaster Circuit beginning in 1808.
The churches have each published history books that are available for purchase.
Ryerson's Heritage, compiled by Ancaster resident Norma Sheldrick, documents 200 years of service by Ryerson United Church.
The book documents Ancaster's Methodist beginnings and the events that have shaped the present church community over the past two centuries.
The story begins in 1808 when William Case set the foundation for the Methodist faith in Ancaster.
A wooden Methodist church was built in Ancaster in 1828 but was destroyed by fire in 1834. In 1869 the New Zion Wesleyan Church was built from stone at what is now known as 265 Wilson St. E. It later became The Stone Church, Ancaster Methodist Church and finally, Ryerson United Church.
On May 10, 1959, a sod turning ceremony marked a new chapter in Ryerson's history, leading to the creation of the present day church.
Ryerson takes its name from its former minister, Egerton Ryerson, who is also credited with the creation of Ontario's public education system. He presided over the church congregation from 1824 to 1828.
Ryerson's Heritage can be purchased for $40 by calling the church office at 905-648-2731.
Ryerson's 200 Gala Celebration, will be held Saturday at the Waterfront Banquet and Conference Centre, 555 Bay St. N., Hamilton. A special Sunday service includes a guest sermon by Dr. Peter Wyatt, principal of Toronto's Emmanuel College.
Copetown United Church hosts a plaque unveiling ceremony immediately following the 9:30 Sunday worship service. A choral celebration features the joint voices of the Copetown, Lynden, Rockton and Troy choirs under the direction of Gisela Rupka. In 1808 Copetown became part of the Ancaster circuit and William Case was named its inaugural minister. A white frame church was built in 1828 near the current site of Queen's Rangers School. The present church was built in 1908 at 2218 Governor's Road
Special guest speaker, the Honourable Rev. Lois Wilson, is the first female president of the Canadian Council of Churches. She is also known as a defender of human rights and has served as an independent member of the Canadian Senate.
Copetown United Church: Memories 1808-2008, includes a brief history of the church, plus more than 80 personal stories from congregation members.
Visit
www.copetownunitedchurch.com.
Linear Mode
