Chalmers Presbyterian Church

1864 - 1925

In 1863, the first Presbyterian service was held in the North School, the schoolhouse a mile north of the village on the northwest corner of Centre Street and the first concession (Doane Road).

In 1864, Chalmers Presbyterian Church was built on the east side of Centre Street just south of Doane Road, on the site of the current Mount Albert cemetery.  The Church was built on land donated by Mr. Nathaniel O'Brien.  A nephew of Mr. O'Brien, Archie Mosher, was the builder.  The Church was built with bents and rafters and raised much like a barn would have been raised. The first service in the new church was held on October 23, 1864.

Location: North School

In the summer of 1881, the Church was mounted on logs and rolled into the village to the third lot on the north side of Main Street.  This is now the location of the Masonic Lodge.

It took all summer to move the building and to remodel and redecorate it.  While this was going on, services were held in the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

In 1890, the Church held its annual garden party on July 1 at the home of Merrit Douglass.  The Mount Albert Brass Band provided the music. 

Location: Main Street, North

The ERA Banner reported that in the evening "the grounds were illuminated and a choice program of music, pithy speeches and selected reading was rendered.  Tickets to the tea and concert cost $0.25 per person."

On September 15, 1890, the ladies organized themselves into a band known as the Ladies Board of Workers.  Their mandate was "to secure the hearty cooperation of all the lady members and adherents to the congregation in active work, tending to the advancement of the material interests of the Church, united in action and systematic organization."   Over the years, they raised money through teas, garden parties, fees and good-will offerings.

For many years Ballantrae was on the same circuit as Mount Albert.  In 1901, the circuit was divided and Mount Albert became the only appointment.

Each year the Church decorated a Christmas tree and held a Christmas Concert.  These events were held jointly with the Methodist congregation.

In 1921, the Church was moved to its current location further west on the south side of Main Street.  This was on land purchased by the Women Board of Workers for $400.00.  At that time, the Sunday School room and shed, seen at the back of the picture above, were not relocated but were sold to the United Farmers Organization who raised it and built a lower level.

When the Church was relocated a basement was added and an extension was added to the back. Notice the basement in this picture but not in the picture above and that there are 5 windows in the Church in this picture, but only 4 windows in the picture above.

Location: Main Street, South

On June 10, 1925, an act of parliament made it possible for the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Canada to unite and form the United Church of Canada.

In that year, the congregations of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in the village voted to unite.  At first, services were held alternately in the two churches, but in 1926, the congregation voted to use the former Methodist Church, as it was larger, and the Presbyterian Church was closed.

Location: Main Street, South

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