South End Baptist Church

MM/DD/YYYY

Our History

11 / 23 / 1955

At the business meeting of the Church a call was issued to Lic. Eugene Thompson to become the first full time minister of South End Baptist Church.

11 / 23 / 1955

First public performance of the junior choir under the direction of Mrs. Mildred Carmichael

1 / 25 / 1956

First Annual meeting of the Church was held.

4 / 15 / 1956

First Church service was held in the basement of the new church building. Rev. R. E. Whitney of the Home Mission Board for the Maritimes was the guest speaker.

6 / / 1956

First chime system was adapted and installed in the Church by Mr. Vernon Carmichael.

6 / 24 / 1956

Outdoor service was held in the afternoon for the laying of the cornerstone. Cornerstone was laid by Rev. R. E. Whitney.

10 / / 1956

Rev Thompson moved into the newly completed parsonage.

10 / 20 / 1956

Ordination service for Rev. Eugene Thompson.

1 / 23 / 1957

Mr Hadley Boyd was appointed Chairman of the Building Committee.

8 / 18 / 1957

Decision was made by Finance and Advisory Board to have 13 rows of 12 foot pews with 2 ft 6 in clearance on the end aisles and 4 ft 6 in clearance in the centre aisle. Pews to be ordered from Valley City Manufacturing Co. Ltd. of Dundas, Ont. They were to be a ""Shaped"" seat, straight back elm, design No. 35 with cup and book rack as per design No. 11.

9 / 1 / 1957

Mrs. Carmichael resigns as Choir Director.

12 / 15 / 1957

First Church service held in the upstairs of the Church in the morning. At the evening service eleven candidates were baptized, one of them being Gail Margaret Redden.

1 / 25 / 1959

Rev Thompson preaches his farewell service as he goes on to be Assistant Secretary of the Maritime Baptist Convention's Board of Christian Education.

2 / 1 / 1959

Rev. A. K. Herman takes up duties as Interim Pastor.

6 / 24 / 1959

Mr. Fred Boyd offers to have constructed an addition to the Church to contain a Sunday School classroom and an enlarged Choir Room at a cost of $500.00. Offer accepted by Church. Work completed in 1960.

7 / 1 / 1959

Rev. J. W. Scott begins his ministry at South End.

9 / / 1959

Induction service for Rev. Bill Scott.

3 / 22 / 1961

New Constitution was accepted at a Church business meeting.

4 / / 1961

Passageway was completed under the baptistry to connect the Minister?s Study with the Choir Room.

4 / 1 / 1962

The first licenses to preach were granted to Charles Pye and Carol Allen at the evening service.

/ / 1964

New kitchen area and janitor?s closet completed at a cost of $1811.58. Old kitchen renovated and made into a nursery.

/ / 1964

License to preach granted to Deacon Frank Guinta Sr. who is the father of our present Area Minister.

9 / 12 / 1964

A steeple fund was established.

11 / 1 / 1964

First Baptist Missionary Life Membership at South End Baptist presented to Mrs. Grace Boyd.

/ / 1965

Two wooden offering plates were dedicated in memory of Mrs. Florence Lohnes, gifts of Mr. Lohnes? co-workers. These are the two wooden offering plates still in use today.

/ / 1965

Licentiate Charles Pye was ordained into the ministry at a Church service held in Port Bickerton. His wife is the former Miss Carol Allen. (See 01 April 1962 above).

2 / 17 / 1965

Revised constitution adopted at a special meeting of the Church.

10 / 28 / 1965

First meeting of the Advisory Committee. This resulted as a change in the Church?s Constitution to split the Finance and Advisory committee into two separate committees. At this meeting the Fireside Group were recognized as an ancillary group of South End Baptist. The Fireside Group requested permission to turn the old kitchen from a Sunday School room into a nursery.

/ / 1966

Church Library completed. This was in the room off the stage which is now used by the Golden ""K"".

1 / / 1966

Steeple and cross erected on Church.

4 / 2 / 1966

Dedication service for the steeple and cross.

/ / 1967

A meeting of the Men?s Group was held to discuss the possibility of building an addition over the new kitchen to hold a new Minister?s study.

3 / 26 / 1967

Rev. William Scott submits his resignation effective June 30, 1967.

8 / 1 / 1967

Rev Harold Bentley arrives to take up the Pastoral duties at South End.

10 / 3 / 1967

Induction service for Rev. Bentley.

10 / 24 / 1967

First Meeting of the World Wide Guild. The members of the Guild were in large part the members of the Fireside Group which had disbanded.

5 / 29 / 1968

At a Quarterly Business meeting the Advisory Committee was dissolved. There had been a number of discussions at this Committee about its relevance in the Church

12 / 1 / 1968

Lawson Grantmyer and Fred Boyd were appointed as the first Honorary Deacons of the Church.

/ / 1969

First two pews in Church were removed to make more room for the Communion table.

3 / 19 / 1969

At the Quarterly Business meeting a motion was made and passed giving the Mens= Group permission to build an addition to the Church over the kitchen.

10 / 18 / 1969

The Memorial Fund was established with a donation from Penhorn School Staff in memory of Mr. F. J. Harding (Mildred Carmichael' s late father).

11 / 30 / 1969

Three pulpit chairs were dedicated to the memory of Mr. Gerald Redden. These were gifts from family and friends.

1 / 28 / 1970

At the Annual Business meeting it was moved by Mr. Chute, seconded by Dorothy Redden, that A The Board of Management take steps to amend the Church Constitution .

3 / / 1970

Rev Bentley resigns.

4 / 1 / 1970

Rev. Dennis Veinotte assumed the duties of Interim Pastor.

4 / 26 / 1970

Unanimous call given to Rev. Veinotte to become full time Pastor of South End.

6 / 9 / 1970

Induction service for Rev. Veinotte.

7 / 26 / 1970

A pulpit fall was dedicated to the Church in memory of Gerald Redden, donated by the wife and family of the late Mr. Redden.

4 / 19 / 1971

April 19, 1971 - At the Quarterly Business meeting a motion was passed enabling the Trustees to borrow $2500.00 from the bank to build the addition over the kitchen. Building commenced in April.

5 / / 1971

Church pictorial directory commenced. Completed in June.

10 / 20 / 1971

At a business meeting of the Church a motion was passed for the Trustees to borrow $1400.00 from the bank to have Alcan siding placed on three sides of the Church.

1 / / 1972

Twenty new choir gowns were purchased for $451.98.

1 / 19 / 1972

At the Annual Business meeting Rev. Veinotte submits his resignation effective 21 May, 1972.

3 / 5 / 1972

An unanimous call was issued to Rev. Wm. Heatley of Gaspereau to come to South End. Accepted.

4 / / 1972

Apco Ltd. installed Alcan aluminum siding on the Church.

4 / 19 / 1972

Rev. R. O'Brien appointed Interim Minister from 22 May to 01 August.

5 / 14 / 1972

New parlour over the kitchen was dedicated. It was named the Memorial Room in memory of charter members and others who were instrumental in starting the Church. Farewell celebration for Rev. D. Veinotte and family.

8 / 1 / 1972

Rev. Wm. Heatley commences his ministry.

10 / 20 / 1972

Induction Service for Rev. Heatley.

4 / 19 / 1973

First Maundy Thursday Communion service was held in the Choir room. (Numbers attending were not noted, but it must have been less than the 55 that attended the Maundy Thursday service in 2004).

/ / 1974

Constitution was revised to clarify membership requirements.

1 / 23 / 1974

At the Annual Business Meeting it was moved that we pay the Minister's full salary with no assistance from the home mission board.

/ / 1975

New ceiling and hanging lights were installed inside and new aluminum windows were installed on the outside of the sanctuary. An enclosed porch was added to the Parsonage.

9 / / 1975

Bus ministry was started for youth who lived at the end of Gaston road. Later expanded to include Lakefront area.

/ / 1976

Minister's new Study completed at the front of the Church.

1 / 28 / 1976

At the Annual Business meeting a proposal was put forth to build a Minister= s study at the front of the Church.

4 / 28 / 1976

At a quarterly business meeting it was agreed to proceed with the addition of a Minister= s study at the front of the Church at a cost o $7000.00. Also at this meeting Paul Goetze was granted a license to preach.

11 / 2 / 1977

At the quarterly business meeting Lynne Smeltzer was granted a license to preach.

12 / 30 / 1977

Late 1977 or early 1978 Ladies Guild closes due to a lack of members.

3 / 11 / 1979

Rev. Bill Heatley read his resignation at the evening service to take effect June 01, 1979.

4 / 22 / 1979

At a Church meeting an unanimous vote was taken to issue a call to Rev. Robert Taylor. Accepted.

9 / 9 / 1979

Rev. Taylor conducts the service and begins his ministry at South End..

10 / 4 / 1979

Induction service held for Rev. Robert Taylor.

11 / 17 / 1979

At the 25th Anniversary potluck supper the Church mortgage was burned by Hadley Boyd and Willis Dearman.

1 / / 1980

At the Annual business meeting, Audrey Cann was appointed as the first lady Deacon at South End Baptist

1 / 23 / 1980

At the Annual meeting Ralph Harpell was granted a licence to preach on the recommendation of the Deacons? Board.

2 / / 1980

Major renovations were carried out in the basement, in particular the storage shelves under the stage. These were to store the tables so they would receive less wear and tear from over exuberant youth.

4 / 16 / 1980

The quarterly business meeting authorized the purchase of a new piano for the sanctuary. The Youth Challengers had spear headed the fundraising for this project.

4 / 16 / 1980

A committee formed from members of Finance, Deacons and Trustees was tasked with looking into the feasibility of providing the Pastor with a housing allowance in lieu of a parsonage.

5 / 25 / 1980

New piano in Sanctuary was dedicated.

8 / 14 / 1980

Thoai Lan Truong, Hue Linh and Hai Lan (Our boat family) arrive. His wife, Thu Thuy Nguyen Thi arrives later and they were married at South End Baptist on October 04, 1980.

8 / 15 / 1980

Housing committee decide to renovate and upgrade parsonage in lieu of a housing allowance for the Pastor.

8 / 22 / 1981

Church pew dedicated to memory of Harry Lohnes.

8 / 31 / 1981

Lunch Stop Day Care program began.

12 / 6 / 1981

Original lectern (1955) refinished & rededicated.

/ / 1982

Top driveway filled in and turned into lawn.

11 / / 1982

Choir loft was stepped and oil tank in furnace room was removed and replaced by a 500 gal buried oil tank.

11 / 15 / 1982

Lic. Paul Goetze was ordained at Falmouth.

4 / 21 / 1983

At a quarterly business meeting a motion was passed to have the C. E. Committee, in consultation with all others, to draw up guidelines for all Boards and Committees of the Church.

5 / 8 / 1983

Renovated chime system was dedicated at the evening service.

9 / 11 / 1983

Bev Bramble commenced his service as a Supervised Field Education Student with specific responsibilities for youth groups.

9 / 11 / 1983

At a business meeting following Church, Don Smeltzer was granted a licence to preach on recommendation of Deacons? Board.

10 / / 1983

Overhead fans installed in sanctuary, pews refinished and wheel chair ramp installed at front entrance.

10 / 27 / 1983

At a quarterly business meeting a plan was put forth to expand the basement with three 15 ft by 9 ft rooms at an approximate cost of $50, 000.00. Plan was defeated at Annual Business meeting in January, 1984.

9 / 2 / 1984

Susan Pelley begins her ministry as a Supervised Field Education Student.

4 / 14 / 1985

Rev. Taylor reads his resignation at morning service.

4 / 30 / 1985

At a Special Meeting of the Church, the congregation defeats a motion from the Board of Deacons to accept Rev. Taylor's resignation. The Board of Deacons resign as they feel they no longer have the confidence of the Church congregation.

5 / 26 / 1985

Last regularly scheduled evening service to be held at South End Baptist Church

6 / 25 / 1985

At a meeting of the Church, a Board of Management was elected to oversee the affairs of the Church until such time as a Board of four or more Deacons could be installed.

8 / 28 / 1985

At a meeting of the Church, Rev. Taylor resubmitted his resignation which was accepted.

9 / 22 / 1985

At a business meeting following Church, Rev. Bill Scott was accepted as the Interim Minister for South End.

6 / 8 / 1986

Lic. Ron Ford begins his ministry as Interim summer Pastor under the guidance of Rev. Bill Scott

7 / 9 / 1986

At a Quarterly Business meeting there was a unanimous vote to issue a call to Lic. Ron Ford to become our full time Pastor starting 01 September

10 / 9 / 1986

At a Quarterly Business meeting it was approved to purchase 150 copies of The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration to use as our new hymn books.

10 / 30 / 1986

Induction Service for Lic. Ron Ford.

12 / 7 / 1986

New hymn books are dedicated.

5 / 26 / 1987

A meeting of Church members approved the Revised Constitution.

6 / 28 / 1987

The upgraded chime and P. A. system was dedicated to the memory of Robert Layton who passed away in 1983.

9 / 19 / 1987

Rev. Ralph Harpell was ordained at Tiverton United Baptist Church.

1 / 7 / 1988

A Special Business Meeting decided to purchase a new organ for the Church in 1988.

8 / 7 / 1988

Lic. Bob Dyer preaches his first sermon at South End Baptist Church. At the time he was a summer extension worker from 1st Baptist Church, Dartmouth, to Eastern Passage.

9 / 25 / 1988

Ordination Service for Rev. Ron Ford.

10 / 20 / 1988

New Allen organ installed in Church

11 / 4 / 1989

Lic. Pat Mellon begins his ministry as the Supervised Field Education Student.

11 / 5 / 1989

Dedication service for the new organ.

2 / 2 / 1990

Rev. William Heatley commences his second ministry at South End Baptist as Pastor.

2 / 25 / 1990

At a business meeting held after Church a motion was passed to accept the resignation of Rev. Ford.

4 / 26 / 1990

At the quarterly business meeting a motion was voted on to issue a call to Rev. William Heatley to be our full time Pastor. Passed and accepted commencing 02 September 1990.

9 / 2 / 1990

Rev. Bill Heatley begins his second ministry at South End.

10 / 12 / 1991

Organizational meeting of the South Dartmouth Seniors Club. There were 17 members present.

11 / 15 / 1992

New choir gowns were dedicated at a special evening service. (Our present day gowns)

3 / / 1993

Elizabeth Legassie World Wide Guild disbands due to lack of members.

9 / 26 / 1993

Rev. Bill Heatley's 25 Anniversary in the ministry was marked by a special service with a lunch following.

2 / 3 / 1994

At the annual business meeting a motion was passed to form a committee to do a feasibility study for an expansion of the Church.

3 / 3 / 1994

At a special business meeting it was moved and passed to go ahead with the Church addition if $10,000.00 could be raised before 1 June 1994.

6 / 9 / 1994

At a special meeting of the Church it was passed to go ahead with the expansion as outlined in the feasibility study of 3 March

7 / / 1994

Rev. Bill Heatley goes on sick leave.

8 / 7 / 1994

Rev. George McNeill starts as Interim Pastor while Rev. Bill is on sick leave.

11 / 20 / 1994

40th Anniversary service. In the evening Rev. McNeill led a dedication service for the new addition and renovations.

11 / 27 / 1994

At a special business meeting following Church, Rev. Bill Heatley's resignation was read and accepted with regret.

12 / 25 / 1994

Rev. George McNeill finishes as Interim Pastor.

1 / 1 / 1995

Rev. John Porter commences as Interim Pastor.

1 / 17 / 1995

Rev. Bill Scott passes on.

1 / 28 / 1995

A retirement social was held honouring Rev Bill and Grace Heatley.

9 / 14 / 1995

At the regular business meeting it was moved and passed that the new multi-purpose room be renamed the ""Bill Heatley Multi-Purpose Room.""

1 / 14 / 1996

The congregation unanimously endorsed the recommendation of the Pulpit Committee that Rev. Robert Mather-Dyer be issued a call as our Pastor. Accepted to start 1 June 1996.

1 / 23 / 1996

Funeral service for Rev. Bill Heatley who passed away 20 January 1996

2 / 8 / 1996

At the Annual Business meeting the Constitution Review Committee gave its report. All amendments were passed.

5 / 9 / 1996

At a business meeting it was moved and passed that the Scouting movement at South End be held in abeyance for one year effective 01 June 1996. Reason being a lack of leadership and interest from the Church.

6 / 1 / 1996

Rev. Robert Mather-Dyer begins his service as Pastor.

9 / 8 / 1996

An evening induction service was held for Rev. Robert Mather-Dyer.

3 / 9 / 1997

The mortgage for the Church addition was burned after a potluck dinner put on and served by the Deacons and Pastor.

11 / 8 / 1998

Worship Team commences leading the service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.

9 / / 1999

Lunch Stop Day Care ceases operations due to a declining enrolment.

7 / / 2001

Kitchen gutted and completely rebuilt to be better able to handle major suppers. Dishwasher added.

11 / 18 / 2001

At the Anniversary potluck dinner a dedication service was held for the newly renovated kitchen.

12 / 30 / 2001

Rev. Bob Mather-Dyer preaches his farewell sermon.

2 / 10 / 2002

Rev. Marlene Knowles begins as Interim Pastor.

5 / 16 / 2002

At a business meeting of the Church a unanimous call was issued to Rev. Marlene Knowles to become our full time Pastor. Accepted. Full time status to be backdated to 01 May 2002. Also a motion to sell the parsonage was voted on and passed.

6 / 23 / 2002

Induction service for Rev. Marlene Knowles.

9 / / 2002

Parsonage sold.

2 / 16 / 2003

At the Annual Business meeting, Stephen and Angela Oliver were granted licenses to preach.

8 / 3 / 2003

At a service on the front lawn after Church, the new sign was dedicated.

9 / 29 / 2003

Hurricane Juan blew over the top part of the steeple and cross. Due to rot and damage the steeple had to be removed.

6 / 8 / 2004

Poland Mission Tour begins.

8 / 15 / 2004

Seven members baptized in Lake Banook.

11 / 14 / 2004

Celebrating 50 years of service in the community.

7 / 30 / 2008

Thanks to Nick Dearman for heading up the developement of our new website www.southendbaptist.ca and its opening to the general public.