*This page needs additional information and history. If you would like to contribute information to this project, please email info@restorationhistory.ca*
The position this church has occupied in the Maritime provinces--and by its priority in a wider field--is one of great importance. The writer feels that perhaps only one of its members could properly relate its story. Nevertheless, from such facts, official and otherwise as are available, the following is presented, with confidence that much more could be said.
Cobourg St. was the second church in St. John, its predecessor having been inaugurated in a humble manner in June, 1834, by W. W. Eaton, long a leader and editor in the province and elsewhere. The thirty-six charter members of that church, which was known as the Duke St. church, are given under that heading. One thing historically evident in their story is that a group which tried in scriptural fashion to assume an appropriate name, chose the name "Society of Christians", which may suggest the liberty Christian people have to alter, as the real meaning and liberty of scripture becomes evident. From being a timid, individual group, they later adopted co-operative ways with other groups and churches in evangelizing. They first met in a hall on Charlotte St., built a building in 1837, later sold it and built another in 1854, which was destroyed by the great fire of 1877. Later a brick building arose, which is now an annex of Victoria school. "Duke St. received into its membership 100 persons in five years". (W. W. Eaton).
Cobourg St. records reveal that on Monday evening, Sept. 8, 1873, a special meeting of the brethren was convened in their hall (Y.M.C.A.) Charlotte St. Their declaration was, "We the undersigned hereby form ourselves into congregation to be known by the name of 'Church of Christ', for the purpose of observing the ordinances and carrying out the design of a Christian church--one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, through all and in all". Mr. J. T. Barnes was in the chair and W. A. Barnes was secretary. The first congregation had fifty-one members. The important first call to a pastor was [318] given to Hiram Wallace of Nova Scotia. (His salary is said to have been $10 a week, and board.)
The following officers were appointed: elders, Jacob T. Barnes, Jonas Howe; deacons, Miller Barnes, R. Phillips, O. B. Emery and John B. Moore. Among other prominent members were J. Browning, Geo. T. Purvis, James Ashley, R. M. Gibson, David Tennant, Samuel Brentnell, and James Emery.
On June 7, 1876, the lot on which Coburg St. church stands was accepted as a gift by the church and provision of means of building set on foot. James Eustace Barnes gave the land. A building committee began its labors. By Dec. 30, 1876, the school room (first floor) was completed and dedicated by Hiram Wallace. The upper story was added and the building completed by 1880, a cost of $8,000; it was all paid for except $1,200, and this balance was afterwards cancelled through the generosity of James E. Barnes a few years later. The auditorium on both floors are able to seat four hundred persons. In July 1881, Donald Crawford, of P.E.I. was called to preach the dedicatory sermon for the entire building. The property was for some years valued at $15,000; and in 1944 alterations and decorations were added to the cost of $2,500.
Coburg Street's early history has something unique in that it was the habit then to send coaches for infirm members to enable them to attend the services. The seats, Bibles and hymnbooks have been free also. The church began to assume a place of importance and leadership. Prominent preachers from the U.S.A. were from time to time present, such as Benjamin Franklin (1861); later F. W. Pattee, of W. Virginia, who was pastor at Halifax. Best known name would be Z. T. Sweeney, of Kentucky, a man of wide influence in his time.
So far exterior affairs. We learn from The Christian, October, 1884, that the church was busy most of the week, according to the schedule of services. On Sunday regular morning and evening preaching, S.S. at 2.15 p.m. Young People's meeting, Tuesday evening at 8, general prayer meeting Thursday at 8. The ladies organized a Missionary Aid society--likely predecessor to the W.M.S. Its officers were: president, Mrs. Wm. Martin; vice president, Mrs. Jas. Ashley; secretary, Mrs. H. W. Barker; treasurer, Mrs. M. Owen. T. H. Capp was pastor at the time, and it was under his ministry that the church building was completed. Another of his works was that he was co-editor of The Christian, when it began its rebirth in November, 1883. Bro. Capp was an Australian, educated at [319] Lexington, Ky. He gave eleven years of service on this field, retiring in March, 1891. Of him Ellis B. Barnes (himself a minister) wrote that he was held in a deep affection for the fine Christian service he rendered in the Maritime. His death occurred July 4, 1925.
Another early preacher was Henry W. Stewart, who began his work as pastor in June, 1891. He served until the fall of 1899, when he retired. He died May 13, 1903. The full account of his life, printed in The Christian, reveals the high ideals and consecration of this man of God, of whom it was said (as of Paul) that he 'glorified in the Cross'. It was through his efforts that Cobourg St. reached out to establish the cause at Douglas Avenue, North end, and Silver Falls. He also was sent by the churches to Vanceboro, Burtt's Corners, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Halifax, Milton and other places, his church bearing the expense. Of him a writer in The Christian, July, 1903, said "that outside hearers were not listening to a bellicose partisan, but to an intelligent and sympathetic advocate of truth as he saw it." At the time of his death the membership was reported as three hundred and sixty-one.
Another pastor's work seems to have been outstanding and the occasion is taken of referring to the life and labors of E. C. Ford, one of the stalwarts of the Maritimes. He was born in Milton, N.S. and was constrained to preach, beginning as a layman; took what tuition he could get and continued in Christian service for forty-four years. His name is found in a number of Maritime histories. He was invited to serve as an ad interim pastor at Coburg St. in November, 1909. He came whilst his life was slowing down, for he died in March, 1911, full of honors as a laborer in the gospel.
Within the recollection of the writer, the years 1923-26 at Coburg St. were banner years, during the pastorate of W. J. Johnston and Mrs. Johnston. These servants gave themselves to Christ and His cause at Portage LaPrairie, Man. (which see); afterwards preparing for their life work by graduating from college at Eugene, Ore. They each served in the co-operative work of their province, Bro. Johnston as secretary-evangelist of the Maritime Christian Missionary Society, and Mrs. Johnston as the field leader in the Women's work in the Maritimes. In a resume of Coburg St. history (Canadian Disciple, December, 1924,) it was stated that during its then fifty years of history a thousand people had been received into its membership. [320]
The church sustained a great loss in the death of James Eustace Barnes, elder, founder and generous supporter of the work, on August 29, 1897, (The Christian). He was one of the founders of the printing business of the Barnes family, which has lent such generous aid to the Maritime cause. In the church, to which J. E. Barnes seemed to be father, he is said to have "exhibited a character unspoiled by the world. He felt he was a steward of the Lord, a disciple in deed and truth, who sounded no trumpet before him" (said H. W. Stewart, his pastor). The reader will recognize what is implied in this too brief notice.
A habit of meeting on New Year's day belongs to St. John churches. It suggests the habit of treating the church and its aims as a 'first' service. This congregation has been known across Canada particularly by two persons, J. S. Flaglor and James W. Barnes, both deacons who removed to establish the Douglas Avenue work; but they have been known as representatives of their province in All-Canada work from its foundation in 1922, Bro. Flaglor was deceased on January 11, 1927, after serving the church as deacon and clerk for many years and the Maritime Society as sec.-treas. for thirty-five years. James W. Barnes is still active (1947) in Douglas Avenue work.
In S.S. work, two or three names stand out for service: James E. Barnes, R. J. Currie and Wm. Munford. Training work comprises the continuation of the Christian Endeavor Society (dating from 1889) as the Joy Society, twenty members: hon. president, D. L. Gardner, president, Mrs. Elsie Smith; vice president, Mrs. Joseph Lee; sec.-treas., Mrs. Blanche Pike. A Women's Missionary Society organized in 1884 functioned for many years. At present two Women's Missionary Societies have been formed, one to support the Morses in Tibet, Mrs. E. M. Stockford, president; and the other supports the Schaeffers in India; Mrs. D. L. Gardine, president, and Mrs. Fred Kern, treasurer. Cobourg St. has taken considerable interest in supporting the Maritime Missionary Society, dominion, and world-wide mission activities. At present the church shares in a variety of outside agencies, such as Boys' work board, provincial ministerial association of all church bodies, the N.B. branch of the Can. Temperance Federation.
At the annual roll call in October, 1944, the burning of a $1,500 mortgage was part of the proceedings, owing to removal of a $500 balance of indebtedness, over-subscribing same by $300. The occasion marked the end of two and a half years' service by Donald L. Gardner, under whose [321] direction the church was revived in its activities. Bro. Gardner was native to West Gore and served there as pastor before coming to Coburg St. in April, 1942. He is a graduate of Johnson Bible College.
This too brief history must not be concluded without reference to two others of the family named Barnes, which has figured so largely in St. John. In the August issue of The Christian, 1913, the passing of elder W. A. Barnes (one of the brothers Barnes) is noted in terms of great confidence and respect. In February, 1916, pages were taken in the same journal to record appreciation of the life and lovable character of George F. Barnes, treasurer and organist for many years, leaving a train of human memories marking him as a stalwart leading brother.
The following ministers have served Coburg St. since organization in 1873: Hiram Wallace, D. O. Thomas, T. H. Capp; H. W. Stewart, G. N. Stevenson, R. B. Ray, S. V. Williams, Howard Murray, J. F. Floyd, H. E. Steele, E. C. Ford, Fred. Ross, Sr., Fred. Ross, Jr., Arthur P. Hodges, S. B. Culp, John Appleman, W. J. Johnston, Frank Custer, R. L. Morton, Paul Richardson, G. W. Titus, Wm. G. Quigley, D. L. Gardner.
As the result of Home mission work churches were organized at Douglas Avenue, Silver Falls, Nauwigewauk, and the church at Burtt's Corners was re-organized. Services were also held at Drury Cove.
The following officers have held a place in Coburg St. Elders: Jacob T. Barnes, Jonas Howe, O. B. Emery, James E. Barnes, Milton Barnes, W. A. Barnes, F. R. Barbour, H. H. Gillis, R. J. Currie, A. P. Tresartin, E. Leonard, E. F. Wentworth, R. F. Mabey. Deacons: R. Phillips, O. B. Emery, J. B. Moore, Geo. F. Barnes, J. J. Christie, George Clark, J. J. Leonard, H. Ellis, James Price, J. Emery, J. S. Flaglor, J. W. Barnes, C. H. Leonard, E. N. Stockford, A. E. Coates, K. Outhouse, T. G. Boyne, L. H. Outhouse, C. White, Wm. Munford, W. J. Hawkins, T. F. Fisher, Wm. Laskey, Ralph Thorne, Bruce Thorne, H. L. Titus, 1. K. Titus, A. E. Cook, E. M. Cousins, Lewis Cameron, Wm. Craig, Borden Ling, Charles Bradshaw, Jos. Arthurs, C. W. Bodally, Leonard McCluskey, E. W. Izzard, Jos. Lee. Clerks are as follows: W. A. Barnes, L. R. Morton, J. S. Flaglor, W. T. Dunlop, H. H. Gillis, A. P. Trecarton, E. M. Cousins, Mrs. L. McCluskey. Treasurers, as follows: J. B. Moore, Geo. F. Barnes, F. R. Barbour, R. J. Currie, R. F. Mabey, E. M. Cousins.
Those who entered the Christian ministry were: Ellis B. Barnes (service in Bowmanville, Ontario, and Richmond, Ky.), C. H. Devoe, Howard Buchanan, H. A. Devoe, O. B. Emery, (there two latter of frequent notice in maritime histories) and Donald Stockford.
The number of additions during past two years totals thirty-eight. Present membership one hundred and forty-three, with one hundred and fifty non-resident. Present officers are: elders, R. J. Currie, R. F. Mabey, A. P. Trecartin, Fred. Wentworth, Edwin Leonard. Deacons: E. M. Cousins, R. Thorne, F. Kern, E. W. Izzard, L. Sprague, Lewis Cameron, Jos. Lee, L. McCluskey, Wm. Craig. Treasurer: E. M. Cousins, assistants, Eustace Barnes, Edwin Leonard. Church clerk: Fred. Kern. Ushers: G. Lewis, Donald Ramsay, Clyde Swift, Lee Jamieson, Gordon Kaye, Frank Perry.
At the church roll call, October, 1944, when a great financial drive was completed, a plate was produced for the front of the building, in honour of all who had to date served as pastor.