The History of Ottawa East

Rev. James Hall - In 192]. , Rev. James Hall began a fruitful ministry that lasted some 16 years. Many souls were converted under his ministry. Faithfully, Rev. Hall gave the Church the best years of his life and resigned when ill health made it impossible for him to continue his pastoral duties.

The first marriage performed by Rev. Hall was that of August (Gus) Abolit and Maud (Sis) Hyde on June 13, 1922. Mrs. Abolit is a charter member who still faithfully attends every service and is loved by all. Mr. Abolit was called home on April 30, 1972, just six weeks before their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

It was during the early part of Rev. Hall's ministry that the Church withdrew from the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec and united with other protesting churches to form the Union of Regular Baptist churches of Ontario and Quebec .This was a protest against the rise of Modernism within the Convention--especially as centered in McMaster University.

Rev. E. E. Shields, followed Rev. James Hall in 1938. .As a point of interest, it is mentioned that Rev. E. E. Shields was the brother of the renowned world famous Dr. T.T. Shields,
founder of Jarvis St. Baptist Church, Toronto. Pastor Shields ministered effectively for a short period of two years. Open-air services were held each Sunday afternoon in Ballantyne Park during his time. Pastor Shields relinquished his duties in 1940 because of failing health.

In 1940 Rev. Frank Wellington, and his very capable wife Joyce, commenced their ministry. A resume of Pastor Wellington ' s term of office is best summed up in his own words that follow verbatim.

REMINISCENCES BY THE PASTOR - 1940~43
By - Rev. Dr. Frank Wellington

Looking over my Ottawa files, with letters, reports and clippings some 40 years old, I have been filled with a sense of nostalgia very rarely experienced.

THE INVITATION

Here is a letter from the Director of Immigration for the Dominion of Canada, dated June 4, 1940. He was also Clerk of Calvary Baptist Church, Ottawa. Part of the letter reads - "At a meeting of the Pulpit Committee on Sunday last, I was asked to write to inquire whether you would be free to come to Ottawa to preach for two or three months beginning immediately, not, howerver, preaching for a call but rather taking over the work for the summer months.