Central Presbyterian Church (Hamilton)
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Central Presbyterian Church, is a Presbyterian Church in Canada congregation in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, located in the downtown area at the corner of Charlton (165 Charlton Avenue West) and Caroline Street South.
The congregation was formed in 1841, as a part of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland's Canadian Synod, and had been served monthly since 1837 from nearby West Flamborough by the UPC's pioneer missionary to the region, Thomas Christie.
The congregation first met in a former schoolhouse in downtown Hamilton, with close proximity to two larger Presbyterian congregations, St Andrew's (now St. Paul's), the large Church of Scotland congregation, and MacNab Street Presbyterian Church (Hamilton), the second "Free Church". It was rebuilt in 1858, and became known as Central Presbyterian Church after the 1875 merger and affiliation within the Presbyterian Church in Canada; the successful union proposals were inaugurated by their former pastor Ormiston before he moved to New York City in 1870.
On June 21 1906, the 1858 building was destroyed in a massive fire, and plans were commenced to rebuild in a new location; the minister's son, John M. Lyle, was architect of the new building, and was opened on June 14 1908, complimented with a large Casavant pipe organ.
In 1925, the congregation voted narrowly (381-398) to remain within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The Minister, Rev. Wiiliam Sedgewick and many members left for the United Church of Canada.
The congregation remains active in downtown Hamilton, and is known for its music programme, its connection with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, as well as its reputation for lengthy pastorates; the Rev. Dr. Clyde Ervine, former Director of Studies at The Presbyterian College, Montreal was inducted on August 13, 2006 to a packed sanctuary.
Ministers (partial list):
- Rev. James R. Dalrymple 1847-1850
- Rev. John Hogg 1851-1855
- Rev. Dr. Ormiston 1856-1870
- Rev John McColl 1872-1876 (died)
- Rev. Dr. Samuel Lyle, 1878-1911. Moderator, PCC 1909.
- Rev William Sedgewick, 1910-1925
- Rev. Dr. William Barclay, 1926-1948. Moderator PCC, 1940.
- Rev. H. Crawford Scott 1948-1952
- Rev. Dr. A. Lorne Mackay, 1952-1980. Moderator, PCC 1976.
- Rev. Dr. Alan M. McPherson, 1980-2005. Moderator, PCC 1994.
- Rev. Dr. W.J. Clyde Ervine, August 2006-.
