A brief History of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
Kemptville , Ontario
 

Presbyterians were active in the Kemptville area in the early 1820's.

The first minister, of what was later to be known as St. Paul 's Presbyterian Church, was the Rev. W. J. MacDowell who was from Ireland . He arrived here in 1845 and stayed until 1857.

In 1851, during his ministry, the Church was built. Contributions for building were received from the United States , Ireland and the Kemptville area. At this time about 700 people lived in the village of Kemptville .

Many changes have been made to St. Paul 's Church since 1851.


                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
In 1891, the interior was remodeled, the wood stoves removed, and a furnace installed. As well, new pews were added to the interior, and a spire was added to the steeple.

In 1879 the Church manse was built.
    
                      

In 1904 an addition to the Church was built which extended the Church back on one side, giving a choir loft and vestry, and on the other side, giving a hall with large folding doors which opened into the Sanctuary. The present Church organ was purchased in 1985.

1993 and 1994 were busy years for repairs and refurbishing of both the Church and the manse.

We give thanks to God for all those who came before us and worked so hard and gave of their time, talents, and possessions so that this Church could be a Christian Witness in our community and beyond. It seems fitting at this time to share St. Paul 's Mission Statement:

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Kemptville, is a family, commissioned by Christ, gathered together in faith to glorify God and nurture spiritual growth through worship and service.

Rev. Dr. Robert Boyd 1820 - 1872, and Rev. Joseph Anderson 1834 - 1864, were two Presbyterian ministers who worked in the area before St. Paul 's Church was built.

The following is a list of all the ministers who served St. Paul 's Presbyterian Church:

Rev. W.J. MacDowell 1851 - 1857

Rev. Charles Quinn 1857 - 1868

Rev. William Bennett 1868 - 1873

Rev. James Douglas 1873 - 1875

Rev. G. M. Clarke 1876 - 1879

Rev. J. McIntyre 1880 - 1882

Rev. H. J. McDiarmid 1883 - 1899

Rev. J. Chisholm 1899 - 1906

Rev. Leslie Howard 1907 - 1910

Rev. C. C. Salisbury 1910 - 1913

Rev. Dr. F. A. MacLeod 1913 - 1925

Rev. A. J. Fowlie 1926 - 1930

Rev. W. J. Hurlow 1931 - 1938

Rev. B. D. Armstrong 1938 - 1939

Mr. Lloyd Hernderson 1940 -1943 (student minister)

Rev. J. A. Botting 1944- 1948

Rev. M.N. MacDonald 1949 - 1954

Rev. James Hamilton 1955 - 1956

Rev. L. Louis de Groot 1956 - 1958

Rev. S. Lotfi 1958 - 1961

Rev. John Anderson 1963 - 1967

Rev. Jonathan Greene 1968 - 1971

Rev Phillip P. Schissler. 1972 - 1976

Rev. Samuel J. Kennedy 1978 - 1984

Rev. James Armour 1984 - 1988

Rev. George Yando 1988 - 1992

Rev. Brian Sharpe & Rev Allison Sharpe 1995 - 2000

Rev. Dr. William J. Klempa 2000 - 2001 (Interim Minister)

Rev. Paul E. M. Chambers 2001 - 2007

Rev. Samer Kandalaft 2007 - Present

   
                       

                       
 

The 150th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church contains further material on the history of this Church. H.L. Stewart edited this publication. It is based in part on the history material of the 140th Anniversary booklet which was edited by Rev. Samuel J. Kennedy.

If you wish to view a copy of the 150 th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet,
please contact the minister.