Q: Did you know? Interesting facts about Stewardship from our 225 Year history
Today we celebrate All Saints and All Souls. This celebration is particularly poignant for us this year as mark the 225th Anniversary of St. George’s. This is an opportunity to recognize, pray for and offer our thanksgiving to God for the faithful people who have gone before us and whose gifts partnered so generously with God to build this church. Looking back, here are some interesting notes about the history of Time, Talent and Treasure at St. George’s:
- Originally, the St. George’s community relied on overseas money (Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts or SPG ) to provide and pay for their clergy.
- It was also the expectation in this part of the world for a short time that the government would support Anglican clergy and Anglican churches. The multicultural nature of Canada from the very beginning eventually saw the overturning of this provision in 1854 because it was so unfair to all other denominations! We still have a very small trust fund left over from this time in our Canadian church history. We are not able to access the principle.
- In 1796, 46 names pledged 121 pounds (a lot of money in a time when people had very little money) to build the original church building for St. George’s.
- When St. George’s finally hired a long-term clergyman exclusively for their community, 27 families pledged 100 pounds to help toward his salary. The rest was paid by the SPG and by the government, but this was the first time that the congregation had in any measure taken responsibility for paying their clergy.
- When congregations began to pay for their clergy, it was called Voluntarism, rather than Stewardship.
- The first Bazaar was held in 1847 by the ladies of the parish. It raised 361 pounds and allowed for the purchase of an organ. This venture was considered so successful that in 1852, the Vestry of men voted again on putting the women in charge of raising the funds for a rectory! They held another Bazaar, and a rectory was purchased on King Street
- Until 1921, it was common practice to buy a pew at St. George’s. Pews in the centre of the church cost the most, with the sides and galleries being less expensive. This was the primary source of income for supporting the church for many years.