TUC Celebrates 100th Anniversary of United Church of Canada

On June 8, 2025, Tobermory United Church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada, as did other congregations all across the country. On June 10, 1925, the United Church of Canada was formed by the union of the Methodist, Congregationalist and most Presbyterian churches in Canada. Rev. Hugh Wilson was the minister at the Harbour and Settlement churches in Tobermory from 1924 to 1927, during the time of Church Union. On June 8, Rev. Wilson’s granddaughter, Catherine Hutchinson, read her grandfather’s insightful and humorous memories of his time in Tobermory. Rev. Wilson married Laurel Shaw, who came to Tobermory for a “two-year honeymoon.” The following excerpt is from hand-written notes that Rev. Wilson created in 1976:

Recollections of Tobermory (1924-27)

by Rev. Hugh C. Wilson

“I was accepted as the Missionary Incumbent at Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, in the Hamilton Conference. The long ride up the peninsula road deposited the Probationer at a small cedar-shingled Parsonage. Twenty dollars for the fifty-two-mile trip north from Wiarton took almost all my resources.

Tobermory, at the time, July 1924, was literally a village in the bush. The fishing industry provided most of the income. Altogether there were two hundred and twenty residents, children, women and men; I counted them and visited them all. Practically all of them were poor, so far as money was concerned. But more generous people are not to be found anywhere. Most good things were shared and if I had no fish to share, I nevertheless received a good supply from others. Fish, venison, homemade bread and cheap provisions from Golden’s store, and Leslie’s too. Ten cents provided a good-sized steak and at Christmas time, I was swamped with the best of everything. There was a nice lean ham, a rooster with frozen feet and other poultry hanging in our barn to await their proper turns. Who could feel lonely when accepted as a friend by so many generous people.

The Harbour and Settlement Churches provided Sunday work. Sunday School in the morning at the Harbour Church. I had a young men’s class. An afternoon Sunday School in the Settlement Church followed by Church service, at which I had my initial trial of my Sunday sermon. Then there was the evening service at the Harbour at seven. It still warms my heart to remember the loyal Congregation, on the way to church at six o’clock going early to be able to occupy a favourite pew. Former Presbyterians, Baptists and Roman Catholic joined with the Methodist friends. Old Father Cadeau gave his blessing to the Desjardin family, and they were not forbidden to become Methodists while we were there.

Laurel Shaw had visited me with kind friends who drove her up to see her prospective home. I had told her that everything necessary for comfortable living was in the Parsonage. She learned later that I had rather overstated the case but generously overlooked my error.

She found plenty of duties to occupy her time…(i.e., as a nurse, setting broken bones, changing bandages, mixed strong laxatives) Then, Laurel was laid aside herself with a painful affliction… it cost thirty-five dollars to summon the doctor from Lion’s Head. When called by one patient the doctor visited other customers, who were not required to pay this amount. We were only forced to pay the full amount once. Other times he called on Laurel when obliged to come to meet some other emergency.

In Tobermory the people had to provide their own entertainment. A community concert was planned for every second week. Crokinole was a game that involved a good many. Tournaments were held and at the end of winter the Minister, with a clever partner, were the lucky winners.

Three years in Tobermory gave us far more than we were able to give these wonderful people. There are friendships that are still warm after almost fifty years.”

Written by Rev. Sheryl Spencer, minister at Tobermory United Church, for the Bruce Peninsula Press