financial deficit. Church Union meant the amalgamation of most of Canada's Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches. The Plymouth Brethren joined later. Up to this point, no dissatisfaction is noted in Wesley's dealings with the Methodist Conference, but the minutes of the Quarterly Official Board meeting of March 10. 1925, suggest that there may have been some lack of enthusiasm for the Conference's relationship with Wesley. Whether or not such an attitude was justified - or even existed - is of little consequence today, but it seems reasonable to suppose that during the transition from Methodist to United Church, some would question whether the new format would be any better than the former.

The discussion at the Official Board meeting concerned pulpit supply. The Rev. W.J.G. Brown had just informed the Board that Mr. Learoyd, the current pastor, was forced because of ill health to give up the pulpit. The following excerpt suggests that many in attendance - at least at that time - saw the Conference as somewhat suspect in any concern for the welfare of Wesley; a considerable departure from the interest shown by the local Ottawa Methodist Social Union at the congregation's inception...

"...the possibility of having someone appointed in charge of this church came in for considerable discussion. Rev. Dr. Brown explaimd to the Board the position of the Conference in relation to Wesley Church and the difficulties involved in getting suitable ministers. The condition of the church and its relation to the Conference involved a discussion in which nearly all present expressed themselves."

They did manage to find a minister willing to take charge until June: the Rev. E.L. Flagg. He introduced Rev. J. F. MacFarland to the congregation which accepted him as its first United Church pastor. He remained for the next six years; the longest term of a minister since Wesley's beginning. It was June. 1925. and although the existing organizational structure within the congregation was retained until 1927. Ottawa East's Methodist congregation became a part of Canada's largest Protestant denomination. Thereafter it would be known as Wesley United Church.

That momentous year marked the sixteenth anniversary of the church. There were special Sunday services and a social gathering in the church the following Tuesday. the ladies naturally providing the supper. Preaching at the anniversary services were the Rev. AF. Pollock, First United Church, and Rev. J. W. Woodside of Chalmers United Church. Speakers at the social evening were the Rev. J. R. Watt and Rev. Dr. Robert Milliken

A year earlier-in March of 1924--the Woman's Missionary Society was formed. Its first president was the minister's wife, Mrs. George C. Wood, and it boasted an initial membership of fifteen. The final meeting of the Ladies' Aid Society was held September 6. 1928. and the first meeting of its descendant, the Women's Association of Wesley took place on October 4. 1928.

The W.M.S.. whose purpose it was to promote the cause of Missions and raise funds for that pur-pose. organized the "Onward" Mission Band. This consisted of a group of young children who were taught about foreign lands and mission work throughout the world They raised money through various projects. including "mite" boxes. as used by the former Ladies' Aid Society. and at the same time, gained at an early age. a knowledge of how to properly conduct an organized meeting and handle its business.

In April of 1927. a seven man. Committee of Stewards, a secretary and a treasurer were chosen at the annual Congregational Meeting. At B further special meeting on May 11th, Trustees were appointed

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with respect to the terms of the (United Church) "Model Trust Deed", and Elders elected to form the Ses-sion of Wesley under the United Church of Canada's "Basis of Union". Both of these documents were explained in the United Church Manual. A total of four Elders were elected and as they were Wesley's first. it is worthwhile noting their names here:

Fred Bateman. Sr. for 4 years
Lincoln E. Wereley for 3 years
Clark McLeod for 2 years
Robert Waterman for 1 year

The new members of Session were ordained as Elders at a solemn service performed by the Rev. IW. Woodside, Chairman of Ottawa Presbytery, at Wesley United Church's ftrst Session meeting on the evening of May 29, 1927. .

VI

Church anniversaries are always cause for thanksgiving and celebration. The thanksgiving becomes more sincere and the celebrating a little more joyful when a twenty-one year old mortgage is burned as a part of the festivities. So it was at Wesley on the evening of Tuesday, October 7, 1930. Three hundred people were on hand at the twenty-first anniversary supper, served by the ladies of the Women's Association. Robert Carson, in his historical account, describes the mortgage burning:

"Felicitations were extended to the congregation by Rev. G. B. McLen-nan of First United Church. Rev. W.R AIf of Chalmers Church and Rev. F.S. Milliken of Stewarton Church. A feature of the evening was the burning of the mortgage. In a well defined and very appropriate address by Mrs. B.W. Campsall, president of the Women's Association, through whose effort this feature of the program was made possible, and in the presence of Trustees who were called to the platform-Messrs. RM. Saunders, B.W. Campsall, R Waterman. W.F. Jackson, W. Hall, H.S. Kneen and George Gillespie. Mr. IY. Caldwell, one of the original Trustees and Mr. B.W. Campsall each lit a comer of the mortgage. After it burned out, the audience rose and sang the Doxology. ('Praise God from whom all blessings flow...')

The progressive renovations and improvements to the church building which had slowed a little following the conversion from Hawthorne to Graham Avenue frontage moved ahead again in 1932 with Archie McWade and members of the Men's Association moving the furnace and covering the basement walls (vertical vee-joint boarding) while, during 1933, members of the Young People's Association., Cedric Dale presiding, completed the task of reshingling the roof. In the sanctuary, George Chapman agreed to build a larger platform at the north end to replace the existing one against the west wall. A number of pews, a pulpit and high-back cl1air were purchased from Southminster United Church for the sum of one hundred dollars, and 25 of Wesley's old chairs were sold to West Ottawa United Church for a dollar each.

Mr. Chapman cut and fitted the pews and when the pulpit was set on the forward centre of the new platform and the solid oak waist-high choir fences that extended from either side of the pulpit to the

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platform edges were in place; when the electrified Dominion reed organ, purchased in March of 1936, was tucked comfortably into its pit behind the pulpit (with the organist facing away from the congrega-tion), and the hymn board placed on the front wall beside where the entrance used to be. the church took on the form it would have until it was eventually deserted for a new building. At the same time, Mr. Alwyn Peters did a splendid job of redecorating the church interior. About the only other major undertaking in the little red brick church was the installation of a new Wurlitzer electronic-reed organ in 1948 and much needed kitchen cupboards built mainly by Andy Halvorson and S.A (Bernie) Richards in 1949.

The new arrangement of the sanctuary made a pleasing difference in the sacred ambience of the room. The pews transformed the area from a hall-like atmosphere to one of a genuine church sanctuary. The pulpit was removable, as were the two choir fences. Choir members sat upon ordinary brown painted wooden chairs placed on the platform on either side of the organ, so when it was desired to use the platform as a stage for entertainment, it was easily converted to such use. A large grey blanket thrown over the organ, a few Sunday School children dressed in kimonos and terry-towel head dress, a "lamb" or two and dimmed lights created a suitable Galilean hillside for a Christmas pageant. And during the thirties and forties, there were many. Not a year went by that there wasn't a Christmas concert with a large decorated Christmas tree beside the stage, (the platform did not extend the full width of the church), and beneath it, gifts from teachers to pupils, bags of candy and always a large orange for every child. Santa Claus gave out the packages, candy and oranges when he finally arrived after many "progress reports" of his journey during the evening. Entertainment consisted mainly of talent within the church and Sunday School. The young men's class and Weldon Carson's Dramatic Club came in for many accolades with their delightful skits, many of which starred a popular and zany Parker Smith. Herbert Duncan and his Sunday School orchestra were usually in attendance with Ethel Caldwell (Mrs. C. Dale) or Grace Chapman (Mrs. T. Davies) at the piano. Anniversary suppers also called for the use of the stage. Following the required number of sittings in the limited space of the basement. the diners moved upstairs to be en-tertained with a concert. During this period, the choir had a creditable membership of about thirty sing-ers and under the direction of C.A McRory, presented concerts and cantatas popular with the congregation. Cantatas were presented also in later years under the direction at different times of Ivy Hewis, Sybil Ross and Grace Davies. The productions were ultimately abandoned when audiences became too small to warrant the work involved in preparing and presenting them.

The Rev. James Robinson came to the Wesley pulpit in 1931 and remained for nine years. With the busy life of the church continuing through the tenure of Rev. Robinson- the concerts, the church suppers, morning and evening services each Sunday with Sunday School sessions in the afternoon, it would seem surprising that the financial picture was not more encouraging. Although interest appeared to be at a peak with the Sunday School now showing a membership of 112 with 14 teachers, and the Eas-ter service of 1934 registering an attendance of 114 - the largest number to observe Communion in the church's history to that date-and several church organizations functioning, 2 a nagging stewardship problem and a falling off of enthusiasm during the latter years of the decade caused serious concern in re-sponsible circles. It was reported at the annual meeting of the congregation on December 28, 1938, that a deficit of $735 existed, $265 of which represented the unpaid portion on a Bank of Nova Scotia note for money borrowed earlier in the year to cover the previous years debts. By April, 1940, indebtedness had risen to the sum of $949.96, at which time Rev. Robinson left Wesley in answer to another call. In ex-pressing its regret at his leaving and appreciation of his efforts at Wesley, the congregation voiced its dis-appointment that those efforts had not met with the success its members had so much anticipated. The same month, the trustees were empowered to raise a one thousand dollar mortgage which they did in June; with a repayment rate of about twenty-two dollars per month.

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At least one outstanding event took place during the pastorate of Rev. Robinson. The church acquired a used electrified Dominion organ in 1936 valued at $475, of which $88.40 was still unpaid in 1940. A plaque originally affixed to the organ and presently displayed on the east wall of the narthex near the main entrance, indicates the instrument's dedication to the memory of Robert J. Waterman, an original member and pioneer of Wesley. Organist at the time was Ethel (Mrs. C.) Dale.

Perhaps it was because a new church was not seen as ever being a part of Wesley's future, or possibly the thinking was to clear the church of debt simply to survive, but on December 14, 1937, the Trustees considered selling the unused portion of the lot next to the church. They placed a value of $2,500 for a lot 90 ft. deep with a 40 ft. frontage on Main Street, or $4,500 for a 90 foot square 10t.3 By this time, Ottawa East had become a much more heavily populated area. Property values were increasing and business eyed Wesley's large vacant corner lot as a highly desirable commercial site. Sun Oil Company and Dominion Stores, Ltd. both expressed interest in the property and in 1940, the Trustees came very close to selling when the following letter was written to a local real estate agent:

Mr. L. Lemoine 444 Kent Street

Dear Sir:

We hereby authorize you as our agent, to sell part of our lands being the north west corner of Main Street and Graham Avenue in Otta-wa East, size being 90 feet on Main by 75 feet on Graham Avenue for the sum of three thousand dollars. We agree to pay you a commission of 5% on this price or any other price we might accept.

(signed) B.W. Carmpsall,

sec. Trustee Bd. 4

VII

Following the departure of Rev. James Robinson, the Rev. W.H. Cramm served as pastor. He was not a young man but he was a very dedicated and resourceful one. Robert Carson's narrative explains:

"...he came to Wesley in a time of trouble, close to $1,200 in debt,l
the remnants of a depleted congregation, deserted by responsible offi-cials During his short term as minister-although well advanced in years - by his active administration, the debts were paid; the congrega-tion restored to a healthy condition..."

In July of 1941, Rev. Cramm somehow managed to acquire one hundred dollars from the United Church Ministerial Association of Ottawa to apply against the mortgage and in May of the following

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year, a special appeal netted $135 for the same cause. The Women's Association provided the additional two hundred dollars to allow the final payment to be made on April 8, 1942.2 Wesley Church was now just about thirty-three years old and its second mortgage burning ceremony took place on May 5, 1942. Once again the president of the W.A-this time Mrs. 1. Thompson-torched the document and hardly had the ashes cooled, when an estimate to rewire the church and replace the front doors was sought. The rewire job was let in 1942, and Rev. Cramm gave up the Wesley pulpit in 1943.

The first whisperings of a new, larger church for the Wesley congregation were evident at its annual meeting of January 24, 1944. Mr. Clark McLeod moved that the congregation attempt to raise five hundred dollars to begin a trust fund to build another church sometime in the future. Seconded by Archie McWade, the matter was referred to the Official Board; for what purpose is not explained. However, the Committee of Stewards, acting upon a suggestion by Mr. McLeod, named a three-member subcommittee to serve as trustees of a proposed Building Trust Fund. Appointed to the committee were Clark McLeod, Robert Carson and Archibald McWade.

As in the case of the first world war, church records make little mention of the 1939-45 war, al-though there did exist a volunteer ladies' group who called themselves the War Service Unit. The members supplied knitted goods such as sweaters, socks and scarves to Canadian troops overseas and supported the Red Cross and other agencies in war relief. On a church-wide scale, there was in April, 1946, an "at home" in the form of a supper held to honour those men and women who had served in the armed forces during the global conflict. Among those receiving such recognition was a newcomer to the church in the person of Mr. Philip McCready, veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force and as of six months, pastor at Wesley. Mr. McCready, a young, personable ministry student, had great appeal to the congregation. He enjoyed a loyal following, particularly among the younger members and was a welcome catalyst within the currently flourishing Young People's Union and church related social groups like Club 13, an organization made up mainly of choir members and their friends who visited each other's homes and enjoyed the music of the host's record library. The four years of Philip McCready's association with Wesley were relatively 'comfortable' years. Church groups were generally well attended as were Sunday services. Finances, always a concern, were not the headache they had been a short time ago. The job Rev. Cramm had started in rejuvenating the spirit of the congregation by throwing off its burden of debt, Mr. McCready continued simply through his outgoing personality, his sincerity, and genuine concern for the interests and problems of any, young or old, who approached him.

By 1948, the church organ had aged another twelve years. Visiting organists, if they were polite, simply said nothing about the instrument. Any who were frank in their appraisals, however, complained of its many faults and shortcomings. The time had come to seek a replacement and a special meeting of the congregation was held June 23, 1948 to discuss the matter. It was agreed that a new organ be purchased. A new church was becoming more and more a subject of conversation, although still a picture on a somewhat distant horizon. Nonetheless, it was felt that should a new building become a reality, it would already have its organ. We have described in positive terms the interest and support of the congregation toward its church during the period, yet that enthusiasm seemed to be lacking among those at-tending that particular meeting - perhaps because of the possibility of having to find a large sum of money to realize a desire. It was decided to set up a committee to find ways and means of financing a new organ. It was only after seven members had refused to serve on such a committee that George Chap-man volunteered to do so. He was joined by Joan Duncan and Philip McCready. As one means of rais-ing money for the fund, Mr. Chapman produced a number of wooden banks modelled after the organ to be purchase, an idea used in 1919 by the Sunday School's young men's class to purchase a piano.