Recent News
full story
HISTORY OF ST. ANDREW'S



Since 1843, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church has had a history of steady growth and a joy of life in our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Presbyterianism in Trenton, Ontario, traces its origin to a meeting on November 18, 1853 by Rev. Donald McLeod of Cobourg, in the old Temperance Hotel.
 
A committee of management was organized and the following September, Mr. McLeod was able to announce the arrival of its first minister, James Alexander Thomson of the Free Church of Scotland.

 

 
St. Andrew's Choir of 1875
 
After several short term ministries and a variety of locations for worship, the congregation built their first sanctuary at the corner of College and Sidney Streets.  Subsequently, in August of 1880, the present site was purchased and the original church was moved to its present location and placed on a foundation high enough to provide a basement for the Sunday School and class rooms.
Three years later Dr. William Thomas Wilkins was inducted.  He is memorialized in the stained glass window facing Marmora Street.  Thus began a thirty year ministry that shaped the life and destiny of St. Andrew's.  Dr. Wilkins remained in Trenton until his death in 1924.

In 1925, by a large majority, the congregation elected to remain within the continuing Presbyterian Church in Canada.  The following year extensive building improvements were made which, owing to the subsequent depression, were only paid off in 1946.  In 1929, a new Casavant organ was dedicated.  This was destroyed by an almost catastrophic fire on February 25, 1951.  The chancel area was subsequently rebuilt and a new organ dedicated.

In September of 1962, the Rev. Douglas Wilson was inducted, and owing to increased attendance the front of the church was extended in 1967 as a centennial project.  Rev.  Wilson left in 1976 and was succeeded the following year by the Rev. Robin Ross who served for a decade.
 
In 1989 Dr. Stanley Self, a former military padre, became pastor. He ministered until retirement in 1996. 
 
In May 1997, the Rev. Dr. A. Donald MacLeod came from Boston to serve the congregation as its twelfth minister.  Pastor Don served the congregation faithfully until his retirement from active Ministry on December 31, 2005.

 

Pulpit area prior to the 1st addition 







Stan and Christine's 50th
Pastor Don
Reverend Wilson
 
 

Reverend Dr. Stan Self
Pastor Don and Judith
2nd
 
 

Reverend MacLelland
Reverend MacLean
3rd


New front 1967
same
same
 
 

Dismantelling the steeple
Old front removed
Winter peace
 
 

Summer today
The fire in 1965
Looking East
 
   



Lighting presentation
Choir in 1965
Informal Choir get-together for Judy's farewell
 
 

Christmas duet?
Goodbye Randy
Ken hard at work for the Choir
 
 

Choir arrangement prior to 1984



Sunday School Class of 1976?



Young Peoples
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
 
 

Sunday School Christmas Pageant
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
 
 

Sunday School Christmas Pageant
Get those pumpkins ready
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
 
 

Gathering for fun
Sunday School Class of 2000
Teach her in the way she should go, mom
 
 

Guess who's here now?
One of the classes of 1937




Building yet again!



50's coffee hour
Do any of these belong to you?
Reverend Wilson and Isabel
 
 

Know these?
Now to finish the cake off, you.....
From cakes to ceilings
 
 

Youth group at Harold's
Oriental Choir
Ladies at the parlour
 
 

Mr. Kenneth Couch
Goodbye to a very special clerk
Annother one of these anniversaries
 
 

Anyone?
Cut it Peggy!