Who We Are

Who are the Wesleyans?
History of Yarmouth Wesleyan Church
 

The Atlantic District of The Wesleyan Church was previously known as The Alliance of the Reformed Baptist Church of Canada. Our roots go back to the Free Christian Baptist Church, and part of our history in Yarmouth County is recorded in an old Pulpit Bible that was saved when the Free Baptist Church of Beaver River burned February 20, 1879. The Reformed Baptist Churches of Brazil Lake, Port Maitland, and Sandford were organized in 1889, but this historic Bible was given to the Cedar Lake Church when it was built in 1912. It remained there until 1934, when it was removed by Rev. P. J. Trafton, George Porter and Warren Sollows. It was later presented to the Crosby Memorial Chapel by Mr. Fred Sollows.

The Chapel was on the campus of Bethany Bible College, Beacon Street, Yarmouth, established in 1947 when the former Holiness Bible Institute was relocated from Woodstock, N. B. It was built in 1948, dedicated February 2, 1949, and became the center for Reformed Baptist (now Wesleyan) Church work in the town of Yarmouth. Prior to a local church being organized, the preaching was done by faculty members of the College. Of those who taught and ministered 50 years ago, only two are still living, Rev. Conard Stairs and Mrs. Ralph (Kathleen) Ingersoll.

The Yarmouth Reformed Baptist Church was first organized under the leadership of Rev. A. D. Cann, a resident of Yarmouth County, on November 26, 1950. Being a College Church and Chapel, hundreds of young men and women who worshipped there have gone into some kind of Christian service, one of whom was Yarmouth's own Rev. Ole Kent, a local man and former member of the famous Yarmouth Gateways baseball team.

Bethany Bible College was moved to Sussex, N. B. in June 1965. The land was sold, and most of the buildings moved or demolished to make way for the Beacon United Church. The Chapel and contents, however, were not sold. Some who pastored during that 15 year period were: F. A. Watson, N. E. Trafton, L. K. Mullen, W.E. Green, and B. M. Hicks, most of whom were associated with the College.

Following the move, the Yarmouth Church, with only 2 resident members left, now came under the auspices of the Home Mission Board. Rev. and Mrs. Karl Gorman, recently returned from South Africa, were asked to reopen the Chapel and establish a permanent work. Services were held there until Easter Sunday, April 10, 1966 when it became necessary to move or tear down the old building. All of the equipment was moved to a rented hall at 468 Main Street, where services were conducted for 2 1/2 years while funds were collected and plans made to build a proper church. The hall was upstairs, diagonally across from the jail, in the old Sweeny's Funeral Home, where the caskets used to be displayed. It is remembered by some as "The Upper Room". One teenager who joined the church there in 1966 was Florence Manning, who later served as Church Secretary for 27 years. In 1967 a baby girl (Cora Gorman) was dedicated to the Lord in that Upper Room, and she has since served the Lord and The Wesleyan Church in Australia, Indonesia, Zambia, and Suriname.

In July 1966 the Reformed Baptist Alliance voted to unite with the Wesleyan Methodist Church of America, which already had a Merger Agreement with the Pilgrim Holiness Church. Subsequently, on June 26, 1968, in the city of Anderson, Indiana, The Wesleyan Church was officially formed. In the meantime, back in Yarmouth, land had been purchased on Brunswick Street and construction began on the FIRST Wesleyan Church in North America (June 27, 1968). The builder was Mr. Andrew Porter.

It was Thanksgiving Sunday, October 13, 1968, that the first services were held downstairs, and Sunday School classrooms utilized. Dedication Services were on November 24, 1968, but it was a year before the congregation could move upstairs and use the new sanctuary and nursery. That area later became the Fellowship Hall, kitchen and offices. Pastors since 1970 were Revs. Kenneth Jewett, Karl Gorman, Arnold Stairs and John Symonds. Pastor Symonds and family came to Yarmouth in 1983, and had 18 years of very fruitful ministry. Assisting Pastor John at various times were Marc LaPointe, Jon Steppe, Ron Morehouse, Andy McCutcheon, Joe Zablocki, and Gaile Smith.

The church has produced several ministers, including Mike White, Paul Branscombe, Joe Zablocki, Brock Symonds, Dr. Gaile Smith, Greg Manser, Larry Blaikie, Scott Newell, Warren Fitzgerald, and Elliott Innes. At present we have Mike Agrell, Randy Forbes, Ryan Sweeney and Lisa Fowler at Bethany Bible College preparing for the ministry. Other students are attending various colleges or universities preparing for their chosen careers.
Under Pastor John's leadership, the church experienced remarkable growth. In 1985 it became evident that larger facilities would be needed. The adjoining property was purchased in 1986 to provide room for a new building that would seat 350 and give extra classrooms. The sod-turning ceremony was in September 1987, and the project completed in 1988 with a great Dedication service on May 15. The church broke the 200 barrier in 1990, and the 300 barrier in 1992, making a second morning service necessary. By 1995 the attendance had reached 350 and a third pastor was added to the staff. In 1996 the 400 mark was passed, and a third service, Saturday evening, was added. Total attendance soon reached 500+, making it necessary to consider another building on a larger site. Thirty-two acres of land were purchased at the former Lawndale Dairy property in December 1996.

A wonderful Stewardship Campaign under the direction of Rev. Fred Whittey was conducted in 1997. This consisted of Visitation, Prayer and Financial Commitments. Ground-breaking for this multi-purpose facility was on July 12, 1998, and construction began soon after. Also in 1998, a fourth pastor was added to the staff, a lady, Gaile Smith, who gave excellent leadership to the women's ministries especially.

The fourth dedication of a House of Worship in 50 years was held on October 10, 1999 with the Atlantic District Superintendent, Dr. H. C. Wilson as Special Speaker.

The year 2001 brought changes in the Pastoral Staff. Rev. James Agrell answered the call to become Senior Pastor, and a year later others moved on to other places of service. Dwight Landers was added to assist with Youth and Vicki Sears with Children ministries. The present Staff includes Pastor Jim, Senior Pastor, Duane MacLeod, Music Pastor, and Jonathan Cook, Youth Pastor. Jen MacLeod serves as Music Pastor's Assistant, Ron Morehouse and Karl Gorman are Ministers Emeritus.

Under Pastor Jim's enthusiastic leadership, the church has a greater Missions emphasis, which includes sending work teams and supporting various missionaries, District projects and community outreach. He, and a team of local lay leaders, mobilized the entire congregation in an exciting venture called Forty Days of Purpose.
We are grateful for our Pastoral families and for the prayers, sacrificial giving, hard work and commitment to the cause of Christ of a host of men and women working together for the salvation of souls and the glory of God.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY,
GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!
Written by Rev. Karl Gorman