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The Beaver Christian and Missionary

Alliance Church

By The Rev. David L. Bowland

The old frame chapel and house continued to be used as the parish hall and sunday school until July 23, 1963. Then, ground was broken for the new parish house. A further demonstration of faith that made this possible was the response to the Diocesan Centennial Episcopal Advance Fund campaign of 1966. Faced with the challenge of meeting an assigned quota of $11,400 for this drive, while at the same time raising money for a new parish house, Trinity members responded by pledging a total of $32,000. This was equally divided between the Diocesan Fund and the Building Fund.

Still another specific demonstration of faith was the very generous bequeath by the late Viola Collins to the church she loved so well. By this means the mortgage indebtedness was significantly reduced, the rectory was renovated, a new Allen organ was installed and property adjoining the rear of the Church was acquired.

As from the beginning in 1799, faith continues to work at Trinity Church. The physical beauty of our Colonial style Church is enhanced by the needlepoint kneeling pads at the altar rail and other needlepoint adornments in the sanctuary-the result of the dedicated handwork of many women under the direction of Mrs. Graham Shaddick.

On June 13, 1976, the parish family of Trinity Episcopal Church gathered to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Dwight L. Neglia, rector at that time, said that we are most thankful for and indebted to those people who have given in a sacrificial manner of their time, talents, and treasures for us to be able to worship in a beautiful building that is a symbol of what faith in God can do.

The spirit of faith is a highly communicable disease and there are many indications that faith at Trinity continues to be contagious. We have only just begun to serve. Trinity Episcopal Church now has 256 active communicants. Our church building is also a symbol of our love for this community and we join you all in looking backward with pride and forward with faith and hope. Who but God can know where faith may lead us all in the years to come.
struction. The new addition cost approximately $160,000.00 and was built by the original contractor and elder of the church, Winston Traylor.

There are three hundred and twenty-five people who worship at the Beaver Alliance Church. Those who have ministered in the church are: Rev. Charles Van Ardsdale, Rev. Arthur Petrie, Rev. J. N. Seatter, Rev. George Hobbs, (First Full Time Pastor), Rev. R. E. Ellenberger, Rev. & Mrs. H. J. Sutton, Rev. Walter L. Stuart, Rev. Guy McGarvey, Rev. Daniel Andresen, Rev. Ralph Lithgow and the present pastor, Rev. David L. Bowland.

This missionary movement of the Christian and Missionary Alliance was founded by Dr. A. B. Simpson in 1887. The need of the unreached neglected parts of the world for the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ, was laid heavy on the heart of the founder. Today we have one thousand plus missionaries in more than 40 countries of the world. The home field in United States and Canada has also grown. The original thrust has never been forgotten. There is an annual missionary covention to keep the fields of the world where the Alliance ministers before the people. Monies are raised by pledge to keep and support the missionary cause. The local Beaver congregation is one of over 10,000 worldwide churches. Our Divine call is still to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ at home and abroad.