Rev K A Moyer photographed the interior of our sanctuary (see home page), and this was used by the United Church throughout Canada in 1975 as a calendar cover. On the reverse side of this calendar were the words: "We are helped to worship by the music, and we are helped by the beauty of design and furnishings. The beauty of the chancel of Mountainview Church, St Catharines, must be an inspirational setting for all who worship there. "As we worship in this setting today, we can look back over the past years at the more significant dates in our 40 year history: Nov /58 The Home Mission Board was directed by Hamilton Conference to investigate the need for a church in south St Catharines. Dec 11/58 The Rev J B Moore was appointed minister in charge of this activity. Jan 11/59 A meeting of interested people was held at Briardale Public School, called by Mr W F Sherwin, Chairman, Home Mission Board. Feb 22/59 First Church service at Winston Churchill Public School (now SouthRidge Community Church) with the Rev J B Moore presiding. Apr 5/59 First Communion service. Apr 26/59 Mountainview selected as the name for the Church. May 24/59 Constitution Service Charter Roll 106 members. Dec 3/59 First service for the Rev J L McFadden. May 15/60 Manse at 64 Sovereign Drive dedicated. Oct 16/60 Building Program Council formed first unit. Sept 10/61 Approval to proceed with construction. Feb 25/62 Sod turning the Rev J L McFadden. May 20/62 Cornerstone laying Mr F W Clayton Sept 9/62 First service in new chapel facility. Sept 30/62 Dedication Service, Dr A E Kewley, President, Hamilton Conference. Jan 2/66 First service for the Rev H A Bagnall. Oct 26/67 Building Committee formed second unit. May 22/68 Approval to proceed with construction. Sept. 21/69 Sod turning. Feb. 22/70 Cornerstone laying, Rev L T C Harbour, Mrs M Morrison, M A Chown, F S Robinson. May 24/70 First service in new sanctuary. June 7/70 Dedication of sanctuary the Rev R McColl, President, Hamilton Conference. June 14/70 Dedication of furnishings the Rev J L McFadden. June 21/70 Approval by congregation to changed from Session and Stewards to the Council approach we have today. Nov 8/72 Use of the new red hymn books by the congregation. May 4/75 In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada Dr T T Faichney "I was there". June 8/75 Ecumenical service of celebration with visiting elected officials and the Lieutenant Governor in attendance. Jan. 4/76 First service for the Rev G E Elliott. Oct. 20/77 Refinancing program approved. Feb 12/84 Pre-Anniversary speaker, the Rev B Johnston, President, Hamilton Conference. Feb 19/84 Mountainview's 25th Anniversary with the Rev J L McFadden, Rev Dr H A Bagnall and Rev G E Elliott in attendance. 1985 Brick fund to cover gym wall and cladding. May 3/87 Chapel conversion completed, official opening of the Chapel Lounge. 1988 3 lots sold. Paved parking installed. Aug/89 Rev G E Elliott resigned. Interim minister, Rev B Dunbar. Mar 1/90 Rev C L Kraatz named supply minister. June/90 Church secretary Joanne Edmonds retired after 28 years service. Dec/90 Marion Pearce retired after 25 years as organist. Nov 24/91 Dedication of new Johannes organ. June 14/92 Covenanting Service for Rev C Kraatz. June/93 Mountainview people led U C Conference at Delawana Inn, Rev C Kraatz as replacement theme speaker. Sept/93 Ross Inglis hired as organist. Aug/94 Rev C Kraatz resigned. Rev W Kaiser named interim minister. Dec/94 Manse sold. June/95 Voices United usage commenced. June 28/95 Covenanting Service for Rev D H Pritchard. Sept/95 Mary White visiting minister. Dec/96 Rose Spraggon resigned after 30 years as choir leader. Jan/97 Ross Inglis appointed Music Director. Jan/97 Capital Funding Program (Endowment) endorsed. 1997 Debt free at year end (a first). Fall, 1998 Church Secretary CathyHutt retired. Helen Broerse hired. Sept, 1999 - April 2000 Student intern program initiated Rodney Merkley. June 4, 2000 Mission Statement Adopted. June 2001 - April 2007 ... A Condensed Historical Update Mountainview has undergone several important changes since the Millenium. To meet the needs of our diverse congregation, we have tried to listen to and heed Social and Economic changes in the World and institute local changes which deal with many diverse needs. Our aging congregation has been a prime mover in developing programs which attract young families with children and youth, who we hope will become involved in the Life of Our Church. We have hired a Director of Christian Development to stimulate and promote a full range of activities, to help us achieve this end. To appeal to all age groups, our dynamic Choir Director has developed a music program that includes all age groups. The quality of the Choir in its presentations have been responsible for attracting many new members. Our Church is using a wider application of prayer and study for all ages on a weekly basis. We have become much more "Eco Responsible" with our Recycling and Re-using programs. There is significant response to Outreach through mission givings, out-of-the-cold programs, the breakfast program and a food bank project which are part of our response to some of the local needs with which we feel we can assist. We will adopt new Committees to deal with perceived needs to meet new local and international challenges on a regular basis. With our prayerful consideration and with God's help, we look forward to our future challenges. As we give thanks for what has gone before, let us remember not only the physical structures but also the people who laboured together in the spirit and fellowship of Christ. May it be proven in the years to come that what has been wrought has been well established to further the work of the Lord. Recognizing that man is not alone, let us join in this prayer: "O God, we would discipline our minds now to ponder upon your unsearchable greatness. Help us to hear, heed and hold to your truth. You seem ready to take the risk of working out your purpose through the lives of men and women, and so we pray that if you see fit to use us, we shall be ready to give our best. Amen.
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