Near Century of Baptist Faith in Blind River. Immanuel Baptist Church Laid Its Foundation, Path To Future In 1908 - The Standard, 2006

Page 12 • The Standard History

Wednesday May 3. 2006

Near-Century of Baptist Faith In Blind Biver

Immanuel Baptist Church Lain Its Foundation, Path To Future In 1908

By SHANNON QUESNEL Of The Standard

For nearly 100 years the Immanuel Baptist Church has served the needs of its congregation and for all that time the church has stood its ground.

Built to withstand Northern Ontario's storms and blizzards, the small church has survived an expanding population, shifts in Christian attitudes and keeping an ever-increasing eye on the bottom line.

When the first stone was laid in 1908 on what is now Michigan Avenue, did the builders know their edifice would last so long?

Other institutions have raised and demolished and raised again their own buildings in response to fires, finances, church numbers and to the changes modem day architectural demands.

One of the oldest of Blind River's buildings, it still stands today, a window to the town's past. One can still see signs of the original wood and materials.

Outside, the church's original bricks crack with age. In the left corner of the building is the church's keystone, with the date of 1910 stamped into it.

Inside, at the head of the church hall, behind the pastor's table, is the baptistery, a large galvanized steel tank set. From the side a short flight of stairs leads into the tank's depth.

The tank's current materials would not have been available in 1908, so it was probably built afterwards. During dedication ceremonies people would be immersed in the tank by the pastor.

Behind the baptistery is a very narrow stairwell heading up to the old minister's office, now a multi-purpose room for reading and Bible studies.

Photo Caption:

Blind River's Emmanuel Baptist Church has sat on Michigan Avenue for nearly 100 years.

On the ground floor, tucked out of the way is the church's old harmonium. It was built in the late 1800s and is no longer plavable as its leather Oellows have been perforated with age.

When the beams of the Baptist church were hauled into place there was no consideration made for electrical cables, telecommunication connections or whether it could last a century of weather.

In 1908, there was no such thing as a standardized building or fire codes.

Church-goers were only concerned about a home for their faith, stained glass windows and room tor all those who wished to hear the words of their ministers.

While the church has stayed the same, with the exception of a rear extension, the methods of preaching has definitely changed since 1908.

Current pastor Reverend Gilbert Kidd has been serving in Blind River since 1988.

A former chemist and teacher. Reverend Kidd says the church in the early 20th century was very different than what it is today.

Churches were the bastions that upheld the morale responsibility of small-town Canada and the churches of Baptists were no different.

Since 1903, there have been 24 pastors that have served the church, even before the current church was built The first pastor was Reverend J. Humphreys, who served from 1903 to 1912.

He was followed by Reverend W. McDonald (1913-1910); two interim pastors. Reverends Matthews and A J. Fieldus and so on; leading up to Reverend Stephen McKenzie (1980-1088); interim Reverend Alex Upham and ending with Kidd.

Back in the early 1900's. Kidd says leaders of the Baptist faith, such as Humphreys and McDonald tended to be stern disciplinarians.

Baptist ministers, much like priests of other denominations, were considered community leaders with influence beyond the church walls.

Ministers were trusted and few-questioned their authority.

Kidd is familiar with church history and has heard a lot of stories from his patrons. Since coming to Blind River the British born man has caught up on the many tales, such as the creation of the Galilean Bible Camp, on the shore of Lake Duborne and its founder Shirley Stewart.

This is the first part of a two-part series on Blind River 's Baptist church. Part two will run in a future edition of The Standard.

Photo Caption: This harmonium most likely predates the 98-year-old Immanuel Baptist Church in Blind River. It is so old, the leather bellows have developed holes making the playing of this organ a foot-stomping affair.

The building's keystone sits on the building's left-hand side.

Photos by Shannon Quesnel