WASHAGO
The Orillia Times
August 14, 1895
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Twenty years ago, Lord Dufferin, then Governor General of Canada, laid the corner stone of Washago Presbyterian church, and on Sunday last the old building was re-opened after three weeks having been spent in its renovation and interior decoration. Rev. Geo. Grant, B. A., and Mr. H. Cooke drove out from Orillia and conducted the morning service, Rev. Mr. Grant reading Solomon’s dedicatory prayer as the lesson, and taking for his text Psalm cxxv, 2, “ As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth and forever.”
The church was filled to the doors with a thoughtful congregation who evinced a deep interest in Mr. Grant’s eloquent discourse, and many expressed the wish that he might visit them again at no distant date. In the afternoon Mr. H. Cooke took a lively interest in the work of the Sunday school, and gave both children and teachers some sound, practical common sense talk.
The evening service was conducted by Mr. W. S. Frost, of Orillia, assisted by the missionary in charge, Mr. W. D. McPhail, and Mr. T. G. King. Mr. Frost took his text from Acts ix. 6, “ Lord what wilt thon have me to do?” and in an earnest address sought to impress on the minds and hearts of his hearers some sterling gospel truths. The church building was again filled at the evening service. In addition to general repairs such as decorating the walls, & c., a neat platform has been built and carpeted, a number of new seats put in the rear portion of the church, the windows frosted and the interior, including seats, repainted and varnished.
A clock has also been put on the wall, and the reading desk is graced with a new Bible. The people of Washago deserve credit for their generous gifts both of time and money, in connection with these repairs, and the committee desires to extend thanks to the friends in Orillia who so kindly assisted them by donations and otherwise. It is hoped that before another year passes steps will be taken to improve the exterior of the church building.
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