Part 1: 1821 - 1987

The Baptist work at the "Mouth of the Oromocto" was first recorded in 1821, when the Oromocto Group of Baptists were admitted to the New Brunswick Association of Baptist Churches. However, it was 1837 before a Meeting House was erected and a regular ministry carried on. It was also in 1837, under the leadership of the Regular Baptist, that the Fredericton Seminary was formed.

Early groups were dependent on visits from pastors who traveled from place to place. Reverend Samuel Hart and Reverend Ezekiel McLeod were among these early workers. (Hartland, N.B. is named after the Rev. Samuel Hart.) Records state that Centennial Services were held Oct 18-24 in 1937, indicating the organization of Oromocto Baptists under the name of Oromocto Free Christian Baptist Church..

From the Record Book - beginning 1857 - Free Christian Baptist Church reorganized with 22 members. Leadership was often given by the elders or deacons, and in those years, when a pastor was available, he was often engaged for a "third of his time", sharing his leadership with other pastorates. Growth was slow and often the clerks notes echoed a lament of discouragement.

In 1865 Rev. G.W. MacDonald, a native of Seal Cove, Grand Manan, and a former fisherman, became pastor and ordained at "The Mouth of the Oromocto" on July 22 1866, the first recorded ordination. A Sunday School was organized with 22 pupils, 2 officers and 6 teachers; and a concert was held in October. At this time a revival was held and several were added to the church. Regular conference meetings were held the 2nd Saturday of the month, "then large numbers of the Brothers and Sisters reported themselves and the cry of each heart seemed to be a song of Thanksgiving and Praise unto the Almighty God for His mercies unto us, and for our prosperity as a church."

In September 1867, the Church joined the Circuit System with other pastorates, pledging $100 a year and applying to the Home Mission Society for the labour of a Missionary, Elder Babcock.

The next few years mark a decline in interest, with pastoral care limited to one or two months, or by visits by travelling pastors. However, evidence of faithfulness is found in October 1868, two delegates were appointed to attend the District Meetings and the clerk records "meetings all kept up, no pastor for the church yet."

In 1870, Rev. Joshua N. Barnes began the first of three terms of pastoring the Oromocto Church, as well as Lincoln and Geary. The District Meetings were held in Oromocto, in September and when Mr. Barnes accepted a call to Grand Manan in December, the churches of Oromocto, Lincoln and Geary presented him with a "good donation" of $100.

In December 1873, a building committee was appointed to consider construction of a new place of worship. Those appointed were Rev. J.N. Barnes, James Kenny, John Kimball, John Parsons, James Griffiths, John Currier, Samuel Kimball, Elisha Hatch and Alfred Hatch. The ladies organized a Sewing Circle to raise funds for the building.

The next several years indicate a lack of spiritual leadership-often Sunday School would close for the winter. Attendance for meetings was small, owing to the severity of the weather and uncomfortable conditions of the meeting house. The church remained almost entirely without pastoral care; but we find in 1894 when Rev. S.F. Perry came to serve, records stating that "still some have remained faithful and prayer has been answered." Rev. Perry gave renewed spiritual leadership, organizing Sunday School Prayer Meetings, monthly Conferences and a youth group, known as A.C.F. (Advocate of Christian Fidelity).

Following this ministry, the church experienced another period of decline until 1900, when new growth and stability marked a turning point for the Oromocto Baptist, with Rev. J.N. Barnes serving his third pastorate here. His circuit included Oromocto, Rusagonis, Lincoln, Waasis and French Lake. When one considers all this travel by horse and wagon (or sleigh), it is understandable that Rev. J.N. Barnes, now 71 years old, writes "in May 1901, I began special meetings at Oromocto. During the work my heart gave out and I had to resign." However, for the next five years, Mr. Barnes was appointed by the Baptist Women's Mission Board to travel from place to place to organize Missionary Societies. His wife laboured with him and the Missionary Society at Oromocto was organized by Mrs. Barnes on December 12, 1901.

In 1906 the Free Baptist Church became the United Baptist Church with Rev. J.H. Copeland as pastor. The present Robert Wood property, 115 Lanark Street, was the parsonage until 1948, when Miss Emma Estabrooks willed her home to the Church. This home was used as the Parsonage until November 1976.

Following World War I, in September 1949, a devastating fire at Oromocto destroyed the Sawmill, 4 million feet of sawed lumber of the River Valley Lumber Co., its office, Boarding House and wharves. The fire rapidly spread through the village ravaging 22 homes, 4 stores, 2 blacksmiths, a hotel, hall and the four churches.

In April 1921, with pastor Rev. J.E. Goseline, after worshipping in the public school, the first sod was turned to build what is now part of our present building. It was completed in February 1922 and in March a banquet was held for 40 guests to introduce new members to "The Ever Ready Bible Class." Singing and music followed the banquet.

In June 1922, when the church was dedicated, heavy rains caused flooding along the St. John river, roads became impassable and many were unable to attend. Pastors who served later years were Rev. George Shapre, Rev. L.B. Estabrooks, Rev. T. Arthur Glendenning, Rev. Harold Carpenter,and Lic. Atwood Rogerson. The church experienced rapid growth under the leadership of Rev. L.B. Estabrooks. The Oromocto River was the scene of baptisms as under God's guidance new members were added to the church roll.

Centennial Services were held Oct. 18-24, 1937, with a Roll Call Service of 49 members, special speakers, an old-fashioned Conference Meeting, reading of Church History and two Lantern slide Lectures. A Social evening planned was canceled because Mr. Glendenning, the Pastor, was sick with a severe cold.

In 1940, Lic. Willard Smith of French Lake became pastor. In May 1941, the record states, "One of our members of this church, Claud Armstrong, attended service today in the uniform of the Canadian Navy. May the Lord be his guiding hand in the brave effort for liberty and freedom."

A special meeting held June 3, 1941, with the delegates from each church, to consider uniting the Upper Gagetown United Baptist Church with the Oromocto Group of Churches. A standing vote was unanimous.

Pastors serving the Oromocto Field in the 1940-50 period were: Lic. Willard Smith, Lic. Lloyd Smith, Rev. Frank Mollins, Rev. Stuart Murray, Rev. E. Bazanson and Rev. Frank Blankley.

In the 1950's, with the establishment of Camp Gagetown (Now known as the Combat Training Center - Gagetown), Oromocto Village became a town of 12,000 persons. Rev. R. Alder Colpitts led us in the undertaking of enlarging our church facilities to meet the needs of a growing congregation. The sister churches of Geary, Waterville and French Lake became a separate field at this point. Mr. Colpitt's able leadership helped the Oromocto Church to meet the challenge of change and indebtedness to provide a church home to those stationed with the Military in Oromocto

Following Mr. Colpitts, Rev. Charles Burril and Rev. Victor Mersereau carried on the work of the Oromocto pastorate.

Rev. Harold Price became pastor to the Oromocto Baptists in September 1974. Under his capable leadership we have built a new parsonage (1975) and added many improvements to the church building. Membership has grown and history has been repeated with the ordinance of baptism being held once more at the River.

During the spring and summer of 1982, Rev. Phillip Giverson served as interim pastor.

In September 1982, Rev. Norman Woodworth came to pastor the Oromocto United Baptist Church. Since this time, the Oromocto United Baptist church has become a single pastorate.

It was at the Fall business Meeting that the church voted to go on its own; however this official break up with the Upper Gagetown United Baptist Church did not happen until April 1, 1983.

The church has just concluded a year (1983) which has seen the membership vote in faith to purchase a new school bus and install a new sound system. These have added greatly to the ministry of His church.

Due to a desire for a greater ministry in the community, the membership of the O.U.B.C. voted to call a student pastor for the Summer months of 1987. Working along with Rev. Norman Woodworth, Lic. Karl Csaszar began his ministry on May1, 1987.

During the Fall Business Meeting of October 25, 1983, there was a suggestion for a Church Planning Seminar. The purpose of this Planning Seminar was to get some co-ordination and see where we were going as a church.

That Church Planning Seminar was held on March 13, 1984. As a result of that meeting, there was an overwhelming sense that something had to be done. Either the existing building had to be renovated or expanded, or a complete relocation to another site was necessary.

I must confirm that when we left the meeting that night, we did not know what was going to take place. But this much we did know - God was putting something into the minds of everyone of us - an idea was being born.

As a result of more discussion, Clyde Hamilton of Chapelstone Developments met with members of the Advisory board on October 25, 1984. As President of an organization that builds churches, he was asked to give some counsel and suggestions with respect to our present situation. On October 30, 1984 at the Fall Business Meeting, the church voted to keep Chapelstone Developments on retainer. This was to ensure that they would continue to work with us, developing plans until such time as we might be led otherwise.

This was the initial beginning of many meetings that would involve Chapelstone Developments, the Town of Oromocto and the Oromocto United Baptist Church.

It was soon learned that the Town of Oromocto would not allow further expansion of our present site (April 22, 1984). It was also learned that renovating our present church facility would be extremely costly.

With these two thoughts in mind, at the Spring Business Meeting, April 30, 1985 the Church voted, giving the Board of Trustees the authority to investigate all options open to re-location. It was also at this meeting that the church voted to establish an active Building Fund.

As the Trustee Board investigated the possibility of relocation, their interest was taken by a 35 acre piece of ground on Pioneer Avenue owned by the Town of Oromocto. A request was made of the Town for a possible 5 acres, with a 500 foot frontage on Pioneer Avenue.

In a letter dated September 19, 1985, this request was granted by the Town. On September 24, 1985 at a Special Business Meeting the church voted to purchase this piece of land with an option to buy a further 2 acres. For interest sake, 38 members were present at that meeting.

Following this meeting, Chapelstone Developments were asked to develop plans for that site. In the Spring Business Meeting (April 29) of 1986, an initial motion was made to construct a new facility. Then came what we saw as a number of setbacks; Setback in building, setback in time, even a setback in the piece of land that we had purchased.

In May of 1986, Municipal Spring elections were held and a new mayor was elected. His ideas would vary greatly from the previous Town council. From his perspective, before anything was built on Pioneer Avenue, including the property that we had purchased, a Land Use Study would have to be completed.

This Land Use Study was conducted by Inducon Consultants of Toronto. They recommended changes that would see us give up our 5 acre piece to accept a 3 acre piece on what would become Doyle Drive.

After much prayer and consideration, this was accepted by the church at their Fall Business meeting on October 25, 1988. The deed was presented to the church by then Mayor bill Duffie, at the Christmas Eve Service of that same year.

Needless to say, it was back to the drawing board for Chapelstone Developments. New plans would have to be drawn for the new site.

It was also during the Fall Business Meeting of 1988 that a Building Steering committee was officially appointed. Members were Charles Weaver-Chairman, Dyanne Blacquier-Secretary, Edward Gill, Bill Haddon, Maurice McLaughlin, Irene Murphy, Clifford Sanford, Joan Tower, Valerie Williams and Norman Woodworth-Pastor. Two other members - Barbara Tidd and Brenda Waugh would be added later.

This committee would become very busy over the next several years. Initially a plan of action was formulated. It included such things as:

Emphasis on prayer Historical review Building evaluation of present facility New building Planning Cost Operating costs Consideration of a parsonage

Final approval by Church body Financing Set date for construction Sod turning and dedication Construction Move in

As time progressed, they began to tackle each one. At the same time that Chapelstone Developments were drawing up new plans, the Committee was busy visiting a number of churches to get ideas and suggestions that would be helpful in a new facility. Then at a Spring Business Meeting on January 9 1990, the Church voted to accept plans that included a nursery, classrooms, sanctuary (seating 250 people), offices, kitchen and a large gymnasium.

Shortly after this, the Church received some very encouraging news. McAdam's Funeral Home in Fredericton was interested in our church as a possible Funeral Home. After much negotiation, on June 19 1990, the Church voted to sell the church, land and parsonage to McAdam's Funeral Home. The former church would become known as the Oromocto Funeral Home

With the commitment made, the church also voted to proceed with construction, scheduled to begin in 1991.

The closing date for the sale to McAdam's Funeral Home was adjusted several times. A number of things were taking longer than expected. However, the sale finally closed on April 30, 1991.

At that point, Sunday School and morning services were held in the Oromocto High School and evening services were held at the Masonic Lodge on Winnebago Street.

By this time, the Church had voted to build a new parsonage and to apply for a loan from the Baptist Foundation (January 29, 1991)

The new church and parsonage would be built by Chapelstone Developments. Concerning the building of the church, it was agreed that beyond a certain point, completion of the church would take place only as money became available.

All of this and 8 years of praying and planning finally set the stage for the building phase.

An initial clearing of the site was done on April 6, 1991. There was still some snow on the ground. By May 5, that was all gone and we had a beautiful day for a sod-turning ceremony. Participating in that ceremony were Charlie Weaver-Chairman of the Building committee, Rex Haines, Frank Webb, Jean Myers, Norman Woodworth (pastor) and Mayor Fay Tidd.

Late in May, heavy equipment moved onto the site, the land was cleared and on May 28, the foundation was poured for the church.

When the foundation was being laid out for the parsonage, it was considered to be too close to the church. At a hastily called meeting of Town Council on June 11, they voted to give us an additional one half acre. It was then that construction started on the parsonage as well.

Throughout the summer and fall of 1991, under the watchful eyes of foreman Calvin MacDonald, construction would proceed.

It was with great delight that we spent the first night in our new home on September 16th.

It would not be until November that we started having our evening services in our new church facility, held in the Family Room. Imagine our joy when the church was completed enough to have our Christmas Eve Candle Light Service in our new sanctuary! It was still without carpets and pews, still to come in the early new year, but it was just special to be there.

On January 26 1992, we would conduct our last service in the Oromocto High School and on February 2nd, with great joy, we would be in our new facility.

Several months later, on the last weekend in April (24-26), special services of celebration and dedication were held to thank the Lord for all that He had done.

It would not be right to conclude this history without mentioning some of the Blessings. Let me list some of them:

• God's Timing - Over the years there were times when we were disappointed, often we could not see the reason for delay, but looking back, how we can thank God for His timing!
• Unity - There was always a willingness to work together. Foremost in everyone's mind was a desire to see God's Will accomplished in all that we would attempt for Him.
• Provision of alternate facilities - During the construction phase, the Oromocto High School made it much easier to conduct our Sunday morning services
• Beautiful Summer (1991) - There was only day (August 2) that the workers were sent home due to rain.
• Volunteer Help - There were so many volunteers and there were a number that did not attend our church. How we thank God for each and every one!
• Community Support - The Town of Oromocto, the newspapers and individuals all gave their support in different ways.
• Financial - During the construction year, additional financial gifts were donated. Many of these donations represented sacrificial gifts.
• The giving in turn allowed us to keep our borrowing to a minimum.
• Dedication Weekend (April 24-26) - so many were involved!
  
• Friday P.M - Children's Musical "God Uses Kids"

Saturday PM - Dinner and special presentations

Sunday PM - Dedication Service (Dr. Brian MacArthur, Speaker)

• A Church facility that is being used to glorify God.
  Pray that it will continue to do so!