Prospect United Church - a brief history

First is a brief, recent history followed by a short history. Both were taken from the 2004 annual report for the Ashton-Munster Pastoral Charge. For additional information and details, consult or purchase the book 'Waymarks and Guideposts'. You can find information about this book on the Ashton United Church Events page.

Be sure to see the Prospect Photos section as well for a visual tour to accompany this history.

Report for 2004:
In early December 2004 the Prospect Church Trustees were notified by Ross Trimble, CAO of the Township of Beckwith that the documents for the transfer of the Prospect United Church property to the Township were ready to be signed. The survey, required for the transfer was financed by the Township. Confirmation of the transfer was forwarded by Mr. Trimble to Trustee Sara Surjadinata. The Trustees of Prospect United Church requested that the Ottawa Presbytery disband the congregation effective December 31, 2004.

The Prospect Trustees would like to thank Lillian Hobbs for organizing an evening church service this summer (2004). We are fortunate to have her as part of our church community. The offering from this service was given to Beckwith Municipality to help with the upkeep of the property.

Many thanks also to Brenda Murray and her helpers for cleaning the church.

In the spring of 1819 the Rev. William Bell of Perth conducted the outdoor service on Beckwith Township’s east half of lot 22 concession 5, in a community later known as the Derry. On behalf of these Scottish settlers Rev. Bell forwarded a petition to the Church of Scotland requesting a clergyman for the Beckwith settlement.

As a result, in 1822 the Rev. George Buchanan and his family arrived to start the first Presbyterian church in the Ashton-Munster Pastoral Charge area. A house was built on lot 14, concession 6, Beckwith Township. This building was to house the minister and also was used as the first school in Beckwith. Later a log structure was built as a Presbyterian church.

On June 30, 1919 a centennial celebration was held in the Derry on the site of the first service. Direct descendents of this pioneer congregation attend Ashton United Church:
     Marjorie Campbell, her son John and his family
     Donald McEwen, his nephew Robert McDiarmid and his family
     John Kidd, his sons Richard and Edward and their families
     Joe Lewis, John’s nephew and his family.

One wonders how many congregations in the Ottawa Presbytery have members whose church history goes back 185 years.