sion field had requested bandages. Such was the nature of mission projects carried on by the Sunday School and other church organizations. Support for the Thomas Crosby mission boat, native Christian children at Birch River, Manitoba and adoption of foreign foster children give further evidence of Wesley's desire to be useful abroad. These projects were in addition to the regular contributions of the congregation to the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada.

Closer to home, the possibility of joint summer services with the Church of the Ascension was discussed in 1972 and a trial venture in a co-operative Sunday School with Ascension, first announced at the Official Board meeting of September 15, 1971, was subsequently implemented. An ecumenical hymn sing was held at the Ste. Famille RC. Church on May 7, 1972 in which the choirs of Church of the Ascension and Wesley United participated with soloists and musical groups Ste. Famille and Canadian Martyrs Roman Catholic churches. That musical evening was one of the last special events shared with the Rosses at Wesley as Rev. Col. Ross accepted a call to Victoria's Esquimalt United Church and left Ottawa in July of the same year.

Wesley continued its efforts to maintain a high profile in the community by allowing the use of its building and facilities by acceptable groups; weight-loss, exercise and dance organizations, rehearsal site for musicians, polling station at election time, etc. As well, the Sunday School, U.C.W. and other willing groups within the church were encouraged to sponsor social events, not simply as a means of raising money, but as an endeavour to spread even further, the influence of Wesley United Church through those who entered its doors for whatever purpose. Such was the established norm when a new pastor carne to minister at Wesley. In September of 1972, the Rev. Robert P. Condon, RC.AF., retired, as-sumed the pastorship and retained the position until his retirement from the active ministry in June of 1978. He and his wife, Margaret remained faithful members of Wesley and in 1980, Rev. Condon was named Minister Emeritus, an honour he held until his death in 1985. Following Rev. Condon in the succession of ministers at Wesley was the Rev. Donald R McDonald who came to our church from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He was inducted into his position here at an impressive service on Thursday, September 14, 1978.

Although a general decline in membership was taking its toll, the choir under the direction of organist and choir director, Grace Davies, presented a cantata at Christmas, 1974 and performed original music on June 8, 1975, when Wesley observed the fiftieth anniversary of the United Church. Among the hymns sung during the special service that day was one written especially for the occasion by Cyril Chapman and dedicated to Wesley's congregation.3 Another special service was held May 8, 1977 - this time in celebration of the silver jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The service, co-ordinated by James MacFarlane, included a special choral introit using suitable words set to Wesley's own tune, Celebration.4 Guests in-cluded the Masonic Men's Choir directed by T.I. Davies, His Excellency, the British High Commissioner, Sir John Johnson who read the Scripture and the Hon. Claude Bennett, M.P.P., then Minister of Industry and Tourism, who delivered the address. Following the service, the congregation enjoyed tea in the church hall where memorabilia associated with the Royal Family and Commonwealth countries were dis-played.

The advent of the 1980's found the Official Board considering major expenses in building improvements. The first expenditure of note was made in 1978 after a chronically ailing heating plant finally caused a fire to break out in the boiler room. Fortunately the caretaker, Tom Davies, was close at hand and his appropriate action allowed little damage. The mishap led to the installation of a new oil burner and suitable repairs to ancillary equipment. Besides regular maintenance requirements, two sub-

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jects of concern were considered and action taken. At an Official Board meeting in January of 1971, the Committee of Stewards had reported that it was suggested by an organ repair firm that a sum of from three to five hundred dollars would extend the life of the organ "at least another twenty years". In 1981, however, an account in excess of $330 was paid to make immediate necessary repairs to the or-gan with the prospect of another expenditure approaching two thousand dollars to properly overhaul the instrument. Because of its age and the uncertainty of securing replacement parts in the event of a major breakdown,- the Committee of Stewards, at its April, 1982 meeting, decided to form an organ committee to investigate prices and availability of a suitable organ with a view to initiating an organ fund. A committee consisting of Cyril Chapman, Wayne Pointen and Dorothy Murchison was formed and when the suggestion of a fund was placed before the Official Board, it was decided to call a special meeting of the congregation to propose the question and call a vote. The meeting was subsequently held and, although the vote was affirmative, there arose a question of precisely what the congregation had approved. h was therefore decided that the committee continue with its inquiries and bring the question back to the congregation later in the year at which time, firm support or rejection would be sought. The issue was finally settled at a special congregational meeting on November 14, 1982, when the motion to establish the fund was earned with an amending suffix forestalling purchase of any instrument when finds became avail-able, without further recourse to the congregation. Although permission to actually replace the organ was withheld, the fund was initiated with a sum of $4,125 and notice of intent from the U.C.W. to provide a further four thousand dollars.

Concurrently with the organ fund matter, Wesley joined with society in general in seeking ways to reduce energy consumption, particularly in the heating of the building. Three circulating fans were in-stalled over the sanctuary at a cost of $615 by George Bolton, Ltd., with funds supplied partly by private donors and by the Sunday School. The Committee of Stewards' Leonard Merrifield made a survey of the building and reported his findings and suggestions for further energy conservation. The committee accepted his report in which he noted that doors and windows were in need of weather stripping and caulking, etc. and that were the oil burner replaced with a gas-fired unit., B substantial saving in fuel costs would be realized.. This would include conversion of the propane kitchen range as well as the water heater to natural gas. The recommendations were placed before the Official Board at its meeting of October 7, 1982 and it was agreed to proceed with the conversion. The Committee of Stewards accepted the lowest of four bids - Clement Marchand Natural Gas Services, at a price of$3,105. Leonard Merrifield drew up an agreement with the contractor which the committee chairman, Cyril Chapman signed on 0ctober 13th. The job was completed in December. Since most members of the Trustee Board were also Stewards, this was a co-operative project.

1983 marked the 75th year of Wesley's existence and various projects were planned for anniversary celebrations. An Anniversary Committee composed of W.AG. Kennedy, Mr. and Mrs. AH. Halvorson, C. B. Chapman, Mrs. W.J. (Peg) Irvine, Cedric Dale, Wayne. Pointen and Rev. Donald McDonald met to formal plans and activities and decide which should be church-wide projects and which might be assumed various organizations. Some suggestions included a special service each month involving invited speakers and musical groups, a church photo directory similar to one produced in 1972, an anniversary dinner (that tradition as an annual event had lapsed), an autumn concert and unlisted projects of individual groups. One project that was implemented was the production of the history of the church from its beginning to the end of 1982. It was completed by Cyril Chapman, using records and previous accounts, typed by Nancy Chapman and collated and bound by church volunteers. The finished product - if an ongoing account can ever be called finished -was subtitled Ottawa East's Methodist Heritage and this issue is a revised and updated version of that record.

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XV

During the seventy-fifth anniversary year, several items and events planned by the Anniversary Committee were carried out The weekly bulletin was headed, "75th Anniversary Year" and bore the two chosen anniversary themes: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever and "Behold, I make all things new", Brief historic facts concerning the church were included in several bulletins throughout the year. Two white cloth banners, lettered in red and blue and trimmed in gold, hung flanking the cross and drapery on the chancel wall during 1983. Originally designed by Cyril Chapman, they were beautifully hand-crafted by Amy Drake. The project was arranged and co-ordinated by Georgena Halvorson and Peg Irvine. Rev. McDonald arranged a year-long display table upon which were placed photos and memorabilia of historic value; some taken from archives and others loaned by church members. The U. C.W. con-tributed by having the furniture in the ministers study recovered and production of a church photo directory became the responsibility of the minister and Leonard Merrifield. With the help of committee members, the directories were completed and distributed in November.

By coincidence, a highlight of the anniversary celebrations in 1983 turned out to be the installation and dedication of a new organ. Following initial investigation, the organ committee had recommended a Rodgers electronic organ at a current cost of $15,000 as a suitable replacement for the existing instrument. Further research during the summer of 1982 served to reinforce its original recommendation with the realization that by the time the congregation raised $15,000., the price of the organ (or its successor) would be in excess of that figure. During December, a $20,000. Rodgers organ-the next more expensive model than the one considered - was placed in the church by Graham Parkin, local Rodgers representative, as a demonstrator to be used during the Christmas season. Favourable comments from members of the congregation outnumbered unfavourable and after some convincing on the part of the or-gan committee, the congregation agreed to procure a Rodgers organ. The quoted price of the demon-strated model, including federal sales tax was $20,500. Serious negotiations mainly by William Irvine with the company, allowed the Committee of Stewards to purchase that model (the Jamestown) by trading the Wurlitzer organ plus $18,500. The Committee of Stewards avoided paying the federal tax by having the church dedicate the organ to members who gave their lives during the two world wars. The organ was dedicated at the Easter Sunday service, April 3, 1983. The choir sponsored an inaugural recital by talent-ed student organist Pamila Hoswitschka with flutist Maria Pelletier on June 5th, with tickets selling at $3.00. A large audience enjoyed an excellent demonstration of the wide range of sounds and expressions attainable on the new organ. A loan of $2,300. made by the UC.W. towards the purchase was repaid with 8% interest by the Stewards the same year. The organ fund had realized a total input of $22,896.54, including the UC.W. loan After purchasing the organ and repaying the loan, a balance of over $2,000. remained. The sum, with accrued interest, was transferred to the church's Building Fund in 1984 and the organ account was closed.

In recognition of the church's seventy-fifth anniversary, several special Sunday services were planned, the first being the UC.W. service of January 16th in which Daphne Craig addressed the congregation. On February 20th, Wesley welcomed the Rev. Edwardo Panganiban ("Bishop Eddie") , Bish-op Emeritus of the southern Lauzon district, United Church of Christ, Philippines. That service was followed by lunch and an illustrated talk in the church hall. Also at that service, memorials were dedi-cated to the memory of five former Wesley members: Carol Ann Dale, Florence Henrietta Dawson, Robert A. L. Hill, James E. MacFarlane and William Simpson Wilson - all were active workers in various

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church organizations. For some time, the church had been closed during July or August. In 1983, it was closed in August and the July services were held at 10:00 a.m. Following the summer closing, additional memorials were dedicated on September 11th to the memory of John Baron and May and Alwyn Peters.

On September 18, 1983, the Sunday service was shortened to allow the worshippers to attend a congregational picnic at the Rideau Hill United Church camp grounds near Osgoode, Ont. A bus and private cars left the church and returned late in the afternoon. The event was a project of the Session and was the ftrst picnic in which the congregation participated since the termination of the Sunday School picnics held years earlier. 1

Continuing with special services throughout the seventy-fifth anniversary year, October 16th was declared "Heritage Sunday" and the congregation received special greetings by speakers Tom Fletcher from McLeod-Stewarton United Church and Bill Scrivens from Dominion-Chalmers. The Ottawa Welsh Choir, which has sung at Wesley many times, was also on hand and, directed by Irene Thompson, contributed to the service.2 October 23rd that year was chosen to be Anniversary Sunday and for the second time in Wesley's history, a Governor General of Canada and his wife were in attendance and His Excel-lency, Edward Schreyer read the New Testament lesson from Philippians 1. An original commemorative hymn written by Rev. McDonald was sung for the first time. Entitled In the Fellowship of Faith, it was sung to the tune of The Battle Hymn of the Republic 3. Another original hymn by Rev. McDonald was sung for the ftrst time October 28, 1984. He called it: We Have This Faith, and it was sung to the tune, Sine Nomine, (For All The Saints)." Although the Sunday School's first session was in January of 1909, a special Sunday School anniversary service was held on October 30th, the significance being that the school. was formed one week after the congregation. On that occasion, the guest speaker was Mr. George Brewe and the invited choir was that of Beryl Gregory of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. 5 During the latter part of October, the Sunday School promoted the wearing of period costumes by children and adults, helping to grasp the spirit of older times.

Anniversary dinners had become rare at Wesley by 1983, but a well attended one, reminiscent of such affairs in days gone by, was held in the church hall Monday evening, October 24th. Catering was arranged by Georgena Halvorson and Peg Irvine on behalf of the U.C.W. Invited guests from neighbouring and allied churches spoke briefly and extended the good wishes of their congregations to Wesley; following which, the historic film of the building of the present church was screened. A further U.C.W. gesture toward the anniversary celebrations was the purchase of new blue gowns and reversible white and gold collars for the choir. Sunday services at the year's end included a December 4th Sunday School tribute to Grace Davies and Dorothy Wallace, and the traditional Christmas Eve service conducted by the Sunday School. drawing a congregation numbering 187.

The sizeable expenditures for the organ, and other anniversary projects in 1983 were followed by another costly item during the following year. The windows at the front of the church (23 panes) had leaked for some time and had been temporarily repaired by cau11cing. The Committee of Stewards alerted the Trustees to the condition of the windows and rotting wooden sills, and expressed the opinion that major repairs were required. 6 The Board of Trustees decided to replace the windows with amber coloured glass in aluminum frames and one top opening window. The Official Board, on February 26, 1984, approved the replacement of the windows and made a request for donations. Of the total cost of $6,722, the sum of $4,100 was received by May from donations made by individuals, the Sunday School the choir and a $2,000. contribution from the U.C.W.

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Entering the decade of the 80's. the perennial concern for the church's finances led to the Stewards' entry into the Com-Pac program. This was a program designed to raise the level of giving of the congregation and was concurrently implemented by a number of the city's United Churches. Although not as intense as that of the Wells Organization, it was highly organized and the structure included cluster meetings where financial committees of the various churches met on a few occasions to compare notes and share ideas. At Wesley, the congregation was made aware of the need for improvement in church giving and, early in 1982, a slide show was put together and presented by the Committee of Stewards. The slide-tape audio visual presentation consisted of a series of colour slides of various people and church subjects, put together in a story entitled "Shortcut Sam''7 The plot concerned the initial criticism of Sam toward the church's "always asking for money". and the ways in which he was given to realize the importance and necessity of stewardship and the practice of proportional giving. A central part of the program was the every member canvass, a practice ftrst begun at Wesley in 1909. The program generated a rise in giving, but only 55 returned pledge cards with a financial commitment, represented just over fifty percent of the church's requirements. Even so, the rise in weekly giving, based on pledges for 1983 exceeded that of 1982 by more than 33%. In 1983, only 30 pledges were received but the average weekly pledge per person of $10.68 covered over sixty percent of that year's budget. In 1984, "intention" cards were distrib-uted. Response to that type of appeal in subsequent years proved to be virtually predictable at between 30 and 45 percent, thus prompting the Stewards to discontinue the practice until very recently.

In addition to the spending for the front windows and heating plant repairs in 1984, the church received a Fire Marshall's Order listing improvements and additions required to make the building con-form to current fire prevention regulations. Stand-by emergency and exit lights were installed, glass panels beside the front door to the sanctuary were replaced with a designated fire rating type and the wooden panelling in the stairwell from the basement to the front entrance was lined with fire retarding wall board. An automatic closer was installed on the door at the head of those stairs and an additional fire ex-tinguisher was procured. At the same time, a required-loading notice was posted in the church hall, limit-ing the number of persons lawfully using the facility to 148, and emergency exit route signs were placed at appropriate places in the building. Building improvements continued into 1985 with the installation of two more memorial stained glass windows. The memorial to Peter Sinclair, Resurrection, was dedicated January 13th and that of James MacFarlane: David and Jonathan, was dedicated February 10th.

XVI

1985, while not a momentous year in the life of Wesley, nonetheless was a year in which some activities worth noting occurred. The once attractive hedge bordering the Main St. and Graham Ave. frontages, had gradually deteriorated to the point where much of it 'was merely a row of sparse, unsightly trunks and the Trustees decided it should be removed.1 In considering what should replace the hedge, it was decided that none would be required. James Hyson, who cleared the parking area of snow during the winter and used his truck to Wesleys advantage at other times. used his truck to pull the hedge plants out. With less effort by a few of the church's men than anticipated, the hedge disappeared in a very short time. At the same time, it was agreed that crushed stone should be spread over the parking area and the Stewards were informed of the decision.

It was June 2nd that year that a second organ recital was given by Pamela Hoswitschka, this time joined by flutist, Michel D'Avignon and the Wesley choir participated in a service of worship at the Civic