First recorded meeting in 1845
By Joop Gerritsma, Tribune Reporter
[Welland Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Glad Tidings Church of God will celebrate its 75th anniversary the weekend of May 22-27 and the week of May 30 to June3 with a series of special services, during which former pastors of the church will speak.
But the work of the Church of God in Canada actually began before Confederation, the current pastor of the church, John Hearp, said.
The first recorded meeting took place in Bouk’s School House in 1845 in Fonthill. Thirteen years later in 1858, the congregation built a church just east of the Village of Fonthill and church gatherings were held in this building until 1890, until it was sold.
In 1891 the congregation moved into Fonthill itself, when meetings were held in Dalton’s Hall, a building now occupied by Howey’s Jewelry Store on Pelham Street.
It was not until 1904 that the congregation saw a need for a full time pastor and F.L. Austin was called to serve both the Fonthill church and the Church of God located in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Records show there were 25 members of the church in Fenwick, who, however, did not formally affiliate with the Fonthill church until 1908.
PROPERTY BOUGHT
In the fall of 1908 construction was started on a new church building in the centre of Fonthill. It was dedicated Feb. 14, 1909. The cost of building the church was $3,500, a phenomenal sum in those days, but the debt was paid in 1910. The building became known as “The Church in the Heart of the Village,” located as it was on Highway 20 in the core area. The building is now used by Frontier Sport and Marine.
During the years that followed, various departments were incorporated into the church. The first choir director was appointed in 1915. A junior group was started in 1923.
In 1931 Clyde Randall became minister of the Fonthill church. He was to remain in this position until 1948, when he retired. Recently, however, he was the editor of the Restitution Herald, the international publication of the Church of God General Conference, with headquarters in Oregon, Ill.
NEW EXPANSION
The next expansion for the church was the purchase of a permanent parsonage on Church Street in 1942 at a price of $4,500. A major expansion followed in 1948 when the congregation at Niagara Falls, N.Y. transferred its membership to the Fonthill church. However, records are silent about the number of people joining the Fonthill church on that occasion.
In the same year the Dorcas ladies society was formed by church members to serve as a community organizations.
Some much added additions to the church building were completed in 1951 and 1952, but opportunities for real expansion and an increase in parking space were non-existent and the congregation started looking for another location. This was found and purchased in 1961, when three-and-a-half acres were acquired on Hillcrest Road, later renamed Pancake Lane. The first sod was turned in March of 1968.
In 1961 Rev. Edward Goit took over the congregation, but he left the following year and was succeeded by Pastor Emory Macy, who was the church’s pastor during the years it struggled to get its new building on Pancake Lane. Mr. Macy left in 1971.
Also during Mr. Macy’s tenure, the Fonthill Church of God had accepted an invitation from the former Ohio Conference of the Church of God to join them and they formed the Church of God Northeast Conference.
In the same period of time the Mary Marthas women’s group was formed. The funds raised by this group during the years have been donated to the church for its many projects.
NEW BUILDING
The first service in the new church building was held Sept. 1, 1968, and members staged a parade from the former church to the new one that day. At this time the new building was, however, only partially completed. The present church was dedicated the following Nov.17 and in 1973 the debt on the new building was paid for. This was marked by a ceremonial bond-burning May 27.
Growth continued and junior church services were started in 1975 as part of the organizations of a nursery to better minister to the entire family. In the same year a memorial fund was established, which has resulted in many gifts of lasting duration for the Lord’s work, Mr. Hearp said.
In 1976, a women’s fellowship group was formed and a new public address system was installed in the church, followed by the purchase of a new digital computer organ in the fall of 1977. It was dedicated at a special service Dec. 11.
Construction of a new parsonage adjacent to the church was started April 23 and was completed later in the summer of that year.
This year saw the introduction by the Glad Tidings Church of God of a new busing program, offering transportation to those who were unable to get to the church by themselves.
Mr. Hearp said it was impossible to name all the people who labored in carrying on the Lord’s work through the channel of the Glad Tidings Church.
“We look to the past with appreciation,” Mr. Hearp said. “The present is bright with opportunities to service to God and others,” among them, the approximately 100 active members and about 60 others who are inactive.
[Evening Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Welland had the unique distinction of having the first woman in Ontario to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Miss May B. Bald born in Welland, attended public school here and received her graduation diploma form Welland High School in 1878.She later attended the University of Toronto where she obtained her BA degree.
Returning to Welland she taught at the high school, and eventually went to New York where she lectured at Columbia University. She travelled extensively for a woman in those days and later taught at a girls’ private college in New York.
From time to time she visited in Welland with a cousin, James C. Bald and family who lived on the original Bald farm. May Bald died in New York City and was buried there around 1937.
[Welland Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Shortly after the outbreak of WW II students at Welland High became involved. In 1939 the Student Council established a special committee to sell war savings stamps and by September 1940, each form of the school had organized a Junior Red Cross or Win the War Club.
The war touched WHVS in a personal way when students enlisted in the Armed Forces. In 1942, thirty-five men had left for Britain, Ninety-year-old Frank Hesler of Welland recalls how his son Bill graduated in uniform in 1942 and was shipped overseas immediately thereafter.
Much was done by the students to show the soldiers they were not forgotten. Donations were collected to purchase supplies for soldiers’ pack boxes.
In the 1942 issue of The Student, Lee Edward wrote: “In a week and only one week we had enough money donated to pack thirty-five boxes, spending one dollar and sixty-five cents on each. Three committees were chosen from the form representatives, one group was to buy shaving soap, razor blades, pencils, note paper, envelopes, candy and gum. Another group was to buy cheese, raisins and peanuts. Boxes were supplied by the form representatives while wrapping and postage were furnished by the school.”
Two years later, in 1944, pack boxes had become a tradition at WHVS.
Throughout the war a number of well-organized charity campaigns were held at the school for the United Allies War relief Fund. A total of $1,700 was raised for the purchase of a water purifier for the Lincoln and Welland Regiment. Under the direction of Donald Franco and Mr. Frank Addario, “Talent Night” was begun as a fund-raising activity.
The students also held a variety of raffles with proceeds going to the Red Cross, The Red Cross Blanket Fund was augmented by a large assortment of knitted goods made and donated by the students.
Writing on “Pack Boxes” in The Student of 1944, staff member William Box said in part: “It was not long before letters of thanks and appreciation began to be forwarded to the school office. The boys, in their letters, wrote sincere words of gratitude for the gift of the Christmas remembrance; but above all, they expressed joy at being remembered by the school they had once attended.”
[Editor, Evening Tribune]
Nostalgia forces me to write these few lines, after a walk I took through the streets of the city of Welland. I preface my remarks with the title:
“La rentree des classes”
Each year I watch the young boys and girls filing back to school again, I cannot help but feel the tug of memories deep within me. Indeed, as Anatole, France, so vividly recounted a similar experience. I also feel as he did while life silently by, that life slips silently by, that: c’est pourquoi a mesure que je viellist. Je m’interesse de plus en plus a la rentree des classes.”
Fond memory recalls those halcyon days of the late ‘30s when I too as a youth went busily along to my studies at the local schools in the City of Welland. Having shared personally, today, a little of what constitutes present day school life, I can almost assuredly state that I would never exchange the experiences of my youth, as a student, with those of the youth of today.
How well I remember the High School campus near the winding Welland River, where we fished and swam and played. Yes, I even had my own basswood canoe and often, with a faithful friend, we paddled to O”Reilly’s and Beckett’s bridges. How could I forget those frosty days of skating for miles and miles along the rush-rimmed fun-giving river. My childhood friends and I spent many happy hours at the Coyle’s station, Pike’s stream, the Welland Canal, the Welland River, and even daring each other at the approaching trolley on the old NS and T bridge tracks behind the former Welland Hospital.
Today’s drug ridden culture extant among our youth brings to light the great unhappiness that has become part and parcel of their heritage. This I believe is the price that society hs paid for ushering in the age of technology-the transition from a rural-like community to full and final modern urbanization.
Philosophy, ethics, morality, even religion have failed to keep pace with the rapid advances of our computer age. Our children are too far removed from the simple pleasures of the simple life that can be that can be found in the God given natural beauty of the surrounding country. This generation, it appears, in order to escape the vicissitudes of life, find their escape in drugs, rebellion and diffidence.
Our schools at one time were institutions of learning and with no frills. We had respect for our parents and teachers, we had respect for authority and discipline, for the police and the laws of the land. Our value systems and our value judgements are under brutal attack. Too many of us could care less; we welcome the welfare state. The quest and drive for the second car, the summer home, a larger swimming pool, along with the concomitant subtleties of “credit card,” financing have destroyed our abilities to live the simpler life. We have lost the art of entertaining, rather today, we must be entertained by the gadgetry of materialism,
As I lay in my bed that night, tossing and turning, there came to my mind that beautiful poem:
“Off in the stilly night,
‘Ere slumbers chain has bound me
Sad Memory brings the light
Of other days around me.
The friends that shone, now dimmed and gone
And all but be departed.”
It was then that I started to think of my teachers.
Let this, my letter, serve as a fitting tribute. To the memory of some of the truly fine teachers that have guided be in the days of my youth.
I remember Mr. Ponting, principal of First St.School and Miss Mathieson, Miss Ball and others. And Mr. Pirine, janitor, bless him.
I remember Mr. Lang from Queen St. School, he was good with the strap.
Who remembers the “Victorian Age” spinster, Miss McVicker, from Aqueduct St. School. How beautiful her history lessons on the past glory of the British Empire.
My high school days I recall most vividly. We all looked forward to visits from John Flowers, superintendent of schools.
There was Guy E. Johnson, principal, who took over a class occasionally. No finer teachers existed than Jennie Brennan, teacher of Latin, Miss Keeler, teacher of French; that handsome fatherly white-haired Mr. Cameron, teacher of Botany. There were also Miss Head, teacher of Chemistry; and who could forget “Baldy” Robbins for Upper School Math, and Physics. There were other I could also name.
Hot tears flow past my cheeks and I yearned to go back to those happy days –but I know cannot be.
Ou sont lead neiges d’antan?
By Eileen Zarafonitis
[Evening Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Extra-circular activities have always played a major part on the education scene, and Welland High is no exception.
The Literary Society, believed to have started in the Bald Street Grammar School, in the 1870s is the oldest such establishment. The school yearbook was published under it several different names since the 1890s but it was a four-page collection of short stories, essays, school news and original poems published in 1910, which first bore the title The Student.
A boys’ hockey team also existed at this time and it was in 1913 the High School Board received an application signed by 35 students to form a Cadet Corps. The request was granted.
By 1930 a great number of student activities had been established such s sports clubs and inter-scholastic athletic competitions. It was a great day in 1938 when the playing field was finally completed.
An article published in the October 21, 1930 edition of the Tribune told of the interest in high school sports and stated….”Rugby, one of the “big” sports of the school, is progressing with leaps and bounds. It is the newest sport in the school being started only in recent years but now holds a permanent place.”
GLEE CLUB
Despite numerous hardships during the depression of the 30’s Welland High continued to add a variety of activities beginning with the Glee Club in 1932. 1934, 1935 and 1936 saw the establishment of the Science Club, the Student Council and the Literary Club respectively. The revival of the school orchestra in 1937 also met with much enthusiasm.
The school’s activities were highly praised in the 1936 Valedictory Address of Julius Enushevsky {Dr. J.M. Ennis) when he said….”In what are called extra-circular activities but what are very much a part of the curriculum, we have found a great scope for development. Guided by our principal Mr. Johnson, in a fair democratic spirit, these activities tend more and more, by laying on us certain responsibilities, to develop us so in the problems we shall experience in the immediate and remote future.”
MAGAZINE
The 1940s at Welland High got off to a successful start with the publication of the magazine The Student Weekly, begun in 1941. The same year saw the establishment of the WHVS Swing Band and introduced a new type of music to the students.
In 1945, when everyone was recovering from the war years, the Poster Club was formed and The Student Weekly became the weekly Tiger. Girls tumbling and mixed bowling clubs were introduced in 1947 followed by the organization of the Photography Club in 1948, The decade came to an end with the formation of the Stamp Club in 1949.
The Fabulous Fifties arrived and a Boys Curling Club was announced, followed six years later with a similar club for the girls. As interests broadened, a United Nations Club, was established in 1958 while 1959 saw the introduction of Radio, Badminton and Chess Clubs.
THE 1960s
B the time the 60s’ arrived on the scene it might have appeared there were enough extra-curricular activities to interest all the students, but such was not the case. The Drama Club got off to a rousing start in 1963 followed a year later by the Modern Language Club. The year 1967 saw the inauguration of the Arm-Chair Travellers Club while the outdoors set were excited over the formation of the Fur, Feather and Fin Club in ’68. This was also the year the Usher’s Club was established. The debut of the Debating Club in 1969 saw this decade draw to a close.
Many of these clubs are still going strong today.
The present decade appears to focus on the feats of WHVS athletes. 1973 was the year of tumultuous celebrations as Welland High cheered the senior boys’ basketball team to victory over its arch rival Notre Dame-for the first time.
As the 70s progressed so did the school’s various teams, by capturing a number of SOSSA championships on the field, in the gym and on the golf course.
May all these extra circular activities continue to function for many more years.
[Tribune, 25 May 1979]
Welland had the unique distinction of having the first woman in Ontario to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Miss May B. Bald born in Welland, attended public school here and received her graduation diploma form Welland High School in 1878.She later attended the University of Toronto where she obtained her BA degree.
Returning to Welland she taught at the high school, and eventually went to New York where she lectured at Columbia University. She travelled extensively for a woman in those days and later taught at a girls’ private college in New York.
From time to time she visited in Welland with a cousin, James C. Bald and family who lived on the original Bald farm. May Bald died in New York City and was buried there around 1937.
90-year-old Wellander recalls years at WHS
By Eileen Zarafonitis
[Welland Tribune, 25 May 1979]
At 90 years of age Frank Hesler still vividly recalls the years spent at Welland High.
It was shortly after the turn of the century in 1903 when Frank Hesler transferred from St. Peter’s German Lutheran school in Humberstone to pursue a secondary school education at Welland High.
Commuting to and from school by train, Mr. Helser remembers, “It used to cost me $2.30 a month for 23 return rides. The train left at 8:15 in the morning, and was supposed to leave Welland at 4:15 in the afternoon, but it was never on time.” At that time he was the only boy attending the school from Humberstone.
Reminiscing about his schooldays and principal H.M. McCuaig, he said, “I remember him well. His father was a Presbyterian minister in Welland. Not only was Mr. McCuaig a good principal he was a darned good Latin teacher, but I never found out how he handled discipline because I was never called up on the carpet.”
FOUR ROOMS
In those days the school consisted of four classrooms with seats. “There were five forms so we had a lot of study sessions while lessons were going on. There were also only four teachers, then, but as I remember, there were only about five students in the fifth form.” Mr. McNeice was the math teacher. “I got along well with him.” Could be that respected math teacher was instrumental in Mr. Hesler’s decision to pursue a career in accounting.
Literature was taught by Miss Clara Buchner whose brother had taught Mr. Hesler at public school. Speaking on the various subjects of the day he recalled, “You had to take Latin and one other language, but for reason nobody took Greek,” he laughed. The only library was located in the principal’s office.
“There was no phys ed in my days. Everybody threw in a dime or quarter for a pair of boxing gloves. In the warmer weather we’d do some jumping and kick a ball around outside.”
He remembers the confusion over the names of his classmates Ross Gordon and Gordon Ross. Then there were the Corcoran brothers from Port Robinson and the Stanley boys from Port Colborne. Some of them died in W.W. 1. The doctor never told me why I wasn’t accepted. I was 90 when I found out I have only one kidney. If I’d known then I probably would have died from worry.
Mr. Hesler went on to lead a distinguished career which included 19 years on the Board of Education. “When I went on the board which was all volunteer work then, things were moving up. I was on council in 1928 when we got the OK to build a new vocational school. I was appointed to the vocational committee and was responsible for the typewriting and bookkeeping department.”
By the 1930s, Marguerite, Bill and Dick Hesler had followed in their father’s footsteps and were attending what had become the Welland High and Vocational School. As a school board member “I always disagreed with the rule that said children of staff or boards members couldn’t receive any school awards. Anyway after the rule was changed my son Dick and Guy Johnson’s son both won awards. Guy Johnson was the school principal at the time.”
Even though 76 years have passed since Frank Hesler first walked the halls of Welland High, the memories remain alive. And yes, he and his wife Emily will return for the anniversary celebrations if his health permits.
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