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FOREWORD - - -
When the parish of St. John the Baptist, Norway celebrated its one hundredth anniversary in 1950, the Centenary Committee wisely prepared a fine history of the first one hundred years of the parish. That history has been a source of pleasure and inspiration to many of us in recent years. As a result, as we approach our one hundred and thirtieth anniversary, our Archives Committee wisely and bravely undertook the arduous task of preparing a brief history of the most recent years of the parish as a supplement to the story of the first century. It is our earnest wish that in the year 2050 A.D. there will be those to compile a history of the first two hundred years of St. John the Baptist, Norway
The centenary celebrations in 1950 took place when the parish was at the zenith of its size and vitality, and there was little hint then of the drastic changes that would engulf our church, our community and our society in the succeeding generation. Those changes eventually took their toll in all aspects of parish life, including the buildings and other facilities which had been a part of the glory of the St. John's of old. It is certainly to the credit of the last of the generations which had shared the grand old days that they made the necessary sacrifices to allow the costly and dramatic transformation to take place.
In 1980 the parish stands at a new crossroads as it faces the great missionary challenge of recruiting a whole new generation to replace the faithful older members who are day by day being called to higher service. That, however, is the challenge of the future; whereas this history is intended primarily to celebrate the past.
It is rather unfortunate that in such parish histories the clergy are given disproportionate space and importance, but this is largely due to the rather haphazard nature of parish records. Similarly, the ladies who are the backbone of every congregation get even less recognition. Yes, if the full story of St. John's were ever told, it would be a record of countless sacrifices by many, many people without whom there would be no church at all.
Our thanks for this record of the past thirty years is due especially to Dorothy Dinsmore, Shirley Bacon, Gwen Minaker, and Norman Martin. I join them in wishing you much pleasure in the reading of this story, much patience with its omissions or oversights, and much inducement to continue to serve our Lord through His parish church of St. John the Baptist, Norway.
Jeremy Van-Lane June 1980
FOREWORD - - - EXCERPTS FROM THE CENTENNIAL BOOK – THE STORY OF 100 YEARS OF THE CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, NORWAY REV. FRED J. NICHOLSON, RECTOR Easter 1950
This simple record of the first century of St. John's Church, Norway, is more than a recording of historical facts - although such a recording has a place in any Centenary record - it is a sincere tribute to those faithful souls who throughout one hundred years of prayer, service, and sacrifice have made possible the privileges we now enjoy.
In the first years of our history they were few in number, but great in faith, and through them God started a work that has grown and extended through the years. The faith of the pioneers was contagious - as faith always is - and those who followed them were strengthened by that same Christian quality, and were thus empowered by God to continue His work. So the torch of faith, kindled by the first members of our parish, has been kept alight in Norway throughout the years. As the need has increased and the parish enlarged, the facilities of Church, Parish Hall, and Cemetery have increased to answer the need. In like manner the number of workers has increased to answer the expanding needs of a great city parish, and from that army of workers, leaders have continually come forward to take that responsibility, without which no work can prosper. Truly "Faith with-out works is dead," but faith with works and workers is alive and active as the first one hundred years in our church will testify.
The growth and development of St. John's, Norway, would have delighted the hearts of the original parishioners. They never doubted the Master's promise: "Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst", and the prayers and labours of the pioneers appropriated His promise and thus accomplished His work. To them, and to God who inspired them, we voice our thanks for foundations well and truly laid, and for their faith and works manifested in this parish. This booklet is a humble tribute to our glorious past.
But St. John's, Norway, has more than a past; it has an active present, and a future full of hope and possibility for the work and extension of Christ's Kingdom. From the past we have inherited spacious buildings, splendid equipment, and a honourable tradition. Today we must use our inheritance to the full, and add something for the future years, so that our present and future may be worthy of our past. Many parishes have been compelled to change the nature and scope of their work after even less than one hundred years of church life.
In some of them industrial and business life has moved in, and consequently many families have moved out, so that the future could not match the past. In Norway we are still one of the finest residential districts in Toronto, with more than 1500 families pledging allegiance to St. John's as their church home, thus assuring us of workers and worshippers of all ages and interests. There is a great text in Isaiah 54:2 that is a real picture of our past and a challenge to us now. "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." The stakes of the tent can be a symbol of our past, made firm and strong by the pioneers and those who followed after them. "Spare not, lengthen thy cords" is the challenge to us to give of our best in men and women so that the influence of St. John's flows into the wider work of the Church throughout the world. In other words we must be a great missionary church, pouring our treasures of human life and wealth into the task of spreading Christ's Kingdom throughout the world. "Freely ye have received-and this book is a record of that receiving-"Freely give", "Spare not," is the challenge to us now. May God give us grace to give truly of ourselves, without sparing, so that when we of the present shall be the past, our successors in St. John's, Norway, will thank God fair what we have done, even as we thank Him now for those who have served Him here before us.
On behalf of all our people I would record here our thanks and appreciation to our Centenary Committee who have planned and led us in our Centenary celebrations, and especially to those responsible for this booklet.
The Historical Committee was originally composed of Mr. George Dodd, Dr. David Hayne, and Miss Ettie Keffer. Miss Keffer died just as the work was getting under way, but even at that early date contributed to the research and writing necessary in such a book. Mr. Dodd has collected most of the historical data, gathered during a long and full life lived entirely in this parish. Dr. Hayne has also done some research work and edited Mr. Dodd's material. The extent of our appreciation and debt to them can be visualized when I say that without them, this booklet could not have been published.
Throughout the years "I believe in the Communion of Saints" has risen from St. John's, Norway, like a great expression of our fellowship with the past. That belief and fellowship strengthens us now as we move into our second century. God grant it may be worthy of our past, and of Him who has wonderfully led us to this day.
Easter 1950. FRED J. NICHOLSON, Rector.
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