10/05/2026
Dear East Nissouri Church Family and Community Friends
Welcome to Part 4 of our journey through the history of East Nissouri Union Church.
In our last sketch, we celebrated the construction and dedication of our present church building in 1926. Now we move into the years that followed—a time marked by faithful pastors, missionary service, young people discovering their calling, improvements to our church, and a growing commitment to missions.
And by the end of this chapter, we arrive at a very significant moment:
The end of the East Nissouri Baptist Church and the beginning of a new chapter as a community church.
Historical Sketches of East Nissouri Union Church
Part 4 – Faith, Service and a New Beginning (1927–1954)
During the six years that Reverend E. H. Thamer served as pastor, 17 people were baptized and welcomed into the fellowship of the church.
His ministry also helped inspire a new generation to Christian service.
His son, Orville, and Miss Muriel Weston both entered Toronto Bible College. Orville eventually went to serve with the Sudan Interior Mission, while Muriel Weston, who later became Mrs. William Rae, and her husband went to China.
These missionary stories remind us that although East Nissouri was a small rural congregation, its influence was reaching around the world.
After Reverend Thamer retired to Kitchener, David Bailey served as pastor for two years.
Then, during the anniversary service in 1933, with Dr. A. J. Vining as guest speaker, another member of the congregation heard God's call to missionary service.
**Miss Alice Gleason**responded to that call to serve in India.
In 1934, when Mr. Bailey left the field, Reverend M. P. Lockhart returned for interim ministry, continuing until the winter of 1935.
The following decade, from approximately 1935 to 1945, was a time of considerable activity and growth within the church.
In 1935, the congregation welcomed Mr. DeLoss Scott and his bride, presenting them with a purse of money.
Mr. Scott proved to be an excellent organizer. During his eight years of ministry, many people came to faith and were added to the church.
The church building itself continued to be improved.
Electric lights were installed.
New hymnals were purchased.
A new church barn was built.
The church was redecorated.
And a beautiful painting by Reverend Clarence Sawyer was placed above the baptistry.
Again, we see the congregation investing not only in its building, but in the ministry taking place within it.
In the fall of 1942, Reverend Scott resigned to begin full-time evangelistic work. He was followed by Reverend Leander Roblin, who served until the spring of 1945.
Then, in the fall of 1945, Reverend Joseph Suggitt began his ministry.
The historical sketch describes Reverend Suggitt as a dynamic leader, and particularly notes the renewed activity among the young people.
During his pastorate, the young people were more active than at any previous time in the history of the church.
They didn't simply attend church.
They served.
They raised $185 to help pay the passage of Miss Mary Haddow, who was preparing to serve in Bolivia.
In 1947, the Young People's Society took another important step. They established and assumed responsibility for the Alice Gleas****on Travel Fund, helping support Alice as she prepared for missionary service in India.
Meanwhile, another young man from the congregation, Bryant Smith, entered Toronto Bible College in 1946.
The missionary spirit of East Nissouri was clearly alive.
And then came the year 1948.
After years of preparation, prayer, and anticipation, Miss Alice Gleason departed for India.
The congregation marked the occasion with two farewell services. The first was held by the Guelph Association on September 29, and the second took place on October 4, with Reverend Suggitt serving as chairman.
That same year, a congregation of approximately 60 resident members raised almost $1,300 for missions.
That is a remarkable figure for a small rural church.
Their hearts clearly extended far beyond the walls of their own building.
On January 3, 1950, another important chapter unfolded when Alice Gleason married Reverend Russell Self, a Presbyterian missionary serving in India.
The congregation also remembered its own faithful servants at home.
One of the highlights of 1950 was the 70th birthday of Mr. Irwin Gleason.
A picnic was held at Lakeside Park to honour his many years of devoted service to the church and Sunday School. The congregation presented him with a beautiful Bible as a lasting reminder of their affection and appreciation.
What a lovely picture of a church family honouring one of its own.
By January 1952, Reverend Suggitt resigned from his two-point charge at East Nissouri and St. Marys.
He was succeeded by Reverend Nial Eastman, who remained with the congregation for less than a year.
According to the historical record, Reverend Eastman was the last regular pastor of the East Nissouri Baptist Church.
During the final months of the Baptist Church, supply ministers included Reverend W. McDonald, Reverend Joseph Jaynes, and the Brotherhood of the Ontario Baptist Church in Stratford.
And then came a moment that would change the future of our congregation.
January 17, 1954
The Baptist members of East Nissouri gathered to make a significant decision.
They voted to become a community church without official denominational affiliation.
And with that decision, the chapter of the East Nissouri Baptist Church came to an end.
But the story of the people of East Nissouri was far from over.
In fact, a brand-new chapter was about to begin.
The congregation that had been established in 1861 had survived hardship, built a new church, sent missionaries around the world, nurtured generations of young people, supported families, served the community, and faithfully proclaimed the Gospel.
Now it was entering a new season.
A season in which people from different Christian backgrounds would gather together under one roof.
A season in which East Nissouri would become a true community church.
And eventually, this journey would lead to the congregation we know today as East Nissouri Union Church.
As I read these old pages, I am struck by how often the same themes appear:
Faith.
Service.
Sacrifice.
Missions.
Young people answering God's call.
And above all, a desire to see the name of Jesus Christ lifted high.
The people who came before us didn't know what the future would look like.
But they faithfully served God in the time and place where He had placed them.
And now, that responsibility has been handed to us.
Our next historical sketch will take us into the years of the community church—when East Nissouri welcomed people from different denominational backgrounds and began another fascinating chapter in its story.
I look forward to sharing even more of our history with you.
Thank you for following along on this journey through the years.
With blessings,
Pastor Gail
This historical summary is based on Historical Sketches of East Nissouri, published in 1961 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the East Nissouri Baptist Church.
Pastor Gail Kavelman
519-709-0282
