Our Purpose
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To KNOW Christ, to GROW in Christ, to SERVE Christ, to SHARE Christ.
Our Goals
We, the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, shall pray and strive to be a Christ-centered, Spirit-led church community that practices:
Worship
That is Biblically based, relevant, joyful, challenging, inspiring;
Christian Education
That is Biblically based, inspiring and relevant for the life experiences of all ages;
Christian Fellowship
That is sincere, compassionate, supportive, loving and encouraging, which reaches out to others;
Christian Service
That is supportive, compassionate and responsive to the needs of the congregation, the community and world;
Christian Mission
That is active and committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the community and the world in both words and actions.
Affirming Statement: We believe all people are worthy of God’s love. Our community of faith welcomes, affirms and embraces people from all family configurations, religious backgrounds, racial and cultural identities, sexual orientations, ages, economic circumstances and differing abilities. We invite all in our midst to fellowship and service in Christ’s name, participating fully in the life of our church family through leadership, ministry and worship. Come as you are - as one loved by God. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church welcomes, affirms and serves all.
Our History
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St. Andrew's Chronological History
1835
Traveling preachers minister to settlers in open air meetings.
1841
A tiny log church is built on Francis Street by way of congregational bee.
1855
A split in the Scottish Church comes to Lindsay and the locals divide into two congregations.
1853
The first regular pastor is called.
1863
New brick churches are built after the great fire of 1861.
1875
The two congregations unite as St. Andrew's using the church building on Francis Street.
1885
A decision is made to build a new church on the present site. The cornerstone was laid in 1886. The dedication service was held January 2,1887.
1888
The congregation meets in the Opera house while galleries are added to the sanctuary.
1897
First woman appointed to the Board of Managers.
1899
A used pipe organ was purchased from a theatre for the church sanctuary.
1900
St. Andrew's Hall is completed for a flourishing Sunday school.
1908
A coal fired steam heat system was installed.
1924
The Methodist, Congregational, and Presbyterian Churches formed the United Church causing bitter divisions and much turmoil. St. Andrew's voted to remain Presbyterian. The minister and many prominent parishioners went to Cambridge Street United in a dramatic parade.
1932 - 1939
St. Andrew's responds to the Great Depression with considerable belt tightening. Salaries are cut, printing is reduced, hardwood is tried to save on the cost of coal but this backfires in 1935 when a radiator caused damage when it froze. Soon after, St. Andrew's advertised for a new stoker/caretaker. Eighteen men applied.
1939 - 1945
St. Andrew's provided relief during WWII. People sent boxes to soldiers; women sewed for the Red Cross.
1946
The Fourth Lindsay Boy Scout group was started.
1954
The Daughters of St. Andrew's was formed.
1956
We started to broadcast Sunday morning services on the radio.
1962
The Mary Marthas group began meeting. Renovation converted St. Andrew's Hall from a huge room to the three floor use we have today. It also created office space and the fellowship room.
1965
We began two Sunday services (but reverted back to single in 1971). The heating system was converted from coal to gas. A permanent lay choir became part of Church life.
1966
An electric organ was installed and is still in use to this day.
1968
The first woman elder is inducted.
1978
The Rev. Orville G. Locke Memorial Carillon, familiar and popular today, was installed.
1981
Our newsletter "St. Andrew's Chimes" begins.
1982
The Living Christmas Tree outreach begins.
1987
St. Andrew's becomes a smoke free facility.
1989
St. Andrew's gets its first pastoral assistant.
1994
St. Andrew's becomes a dual minister church as the first associate minister is called.
1997
The Vision / ABC project is set into motion.
2002
St. Andrew's starts a Vacation Bible School for the kids at church and surrounding neighbourhood.
2008
Ground is broken for the new building.
2009
A dedication service for the new multi-purpose building, which includes a new kitchen, meeting rooms, new washroom facilities, and new administration offices, is held on November 15, 2009.