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GLANCING BACKWARDS

The history of our congregation dates back
to the fall of 1881. The first meeting was held
at the farm home of John McVicar at Grand Valley,
the earliest settlement in this district and 2 1/2
“miles east of the present city of Brandon.

Among those present were J.W. Sifton,
who was named Secretary, and Wm. Madder,
who lived all his life in and near Brandon.

The Board decided a-mission should be
started and Rev. Thos. Lawson was the first
Minister. By 1882 there were 19 preaching places
and the Superintendent of the Sunday School was
Mr. D. H. Cooper. Later a church was built on
the corner of 7th Si. and Louise Ave. and was
known as the Methodist. Church.

On November 12, 1899, the dedication
services for the new church ediface situated on
the corner of 8th St. and Lorne Ave. were held.
The dedicatory sermon was given by Rev. Dr.
Gaetz who had laboured strenuously to obtain a ~
new sanctuary for the growing congregation.

Lhe first baptism in the new Methodist
Church was that of John Leonard Higginbotham.
The first marriage was that of Miss Martha
Downey and Mr. Daniel Sutherland.

When the Victoria Ave. Methodist
Church was founded, the name of First
Methodist Church was adopted. When the United
Church of Canada came into being in 1925, it
became known as First Church United.

Since 1881, 20 ministers have served the
spiritual needs of our congregation,

Taos —-a t44 463

Peril iA, ZO\~