St. James' - Williamsford  (cont.)

The original language used in the church was German and it was not until the pastorate of Rev. E. Tuerkheim that English became the prominent language. All records were maintained in German and the first English appeared in the Church Minute Book (Protokoll Buch der Ev. Lutherischen St. Jakobi Gemeinde, Holland Ont.) on 13th. December 1928

There were two weddings that occurred in 1885 and are recorded under St. James' congregation, but took place prior to the completion of the church building:                         Carl Grochofski and Dorothea Kaehler, 31st. March, 1885 and Joachim Kaehler and Anna Eliz. Berlett, 5th. May, 1885.

The first recorded marriage in the Kirchen Buch could have occurred in the new church building was when a widower, Wilhelm Dittmar, age 73, married Carolina Bleich, age 27, 23rd. February 1888. (None are recorded for 1886 or 1887.)

The first recorded baptism was for Ernst Albert Maltzahn, (son of Johann Maltzahn and Bertha née Lipske), who was born on 22nd. February., 1885 and was baptized on 1st. November, 1885.

The names of Johann Mueller and Christian Mueller are the first names to appear in the Confirmation Register. They were confirmed on April 26th., 1886

The church continued to progress until in 1907 the present narthex and balcony were added.

In 1928 the Constitution was printed in both English and German. ... Moved by H. Ross, seconded by L. Draves, that the service be 50/50. Voted by ballot, 18 in favour to 4 against. Carried.

Good times were weighed against the bad. In the midst of the Great Depression the minutes of the meeting of January, 1935, read: ... that the money for the roof be taken and used to pay the pastor's unpaid salary. Carried.

The move towards more English services continued and a motion was made: ... that services be all in English except Communion services on Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and Harvest Home. A vote to that effect, 10 for, 4 against. Carried. 10 January, 1936.

The congregation was also commended for the way they had beautified the church in redecorating both inside and out. The cemetery was beautified and a pipe organ was installed in the church.

In 1949-50 the church basement was excavated and completed, a new floor was laid, new pews were installed, the roof was shingled and the interior painted.

A new Conn organ was purchased in 1957 and today responds to the touch of Mrs. Mary Lou Armstrong, our organist. (Mary Lou Armstrong shares with Mrs. Pat Bryans the distinction of being the first womwn on church council, 1979.)

A new hymnal was introduced on 1 April, 1962. This was our familiar "red" Service Book and Hymnal which was since replaced by the "green" Lutheran Book of Worship in January 1984.

St. James' is blessed with an ample supply of banners, suitable for almost every occasion. The first banner was made in 1972 and in the following years, banner-makers were busy.

The first communicants to receive Communion prior to Confirmation were a class of fifteen children who attended First Communion classes and communed on June 1, 1975.

The year 1975 was the 90th. Anniversary year. The church celebrated this event on Thanksgiving Sunday, October 12, with an attendance of 230 people. On the first Sunday of Advent 1979, Communion became a vital part of every Sunday service.

The ladies of St. James' played a prominent role within the church. Recognition came gradually. The minutes of January 7, 1941 read in part: ... some   of the ladies were also present. Moved by Charles Miller, seconded by Herman Heft that the ladies be given the privilege of voting at this meeting. Carried.

The Sunshine Club, a long-time part of the church, continues under the care of Mrs. Eva Miller. This integral part of our church body looks after remembering our sick, shut-ins, newborns and newlyweds with cards and gifts.