History - Glenn Kitchen

Members and adherents of Gibson Memorial United Church, Fredericton, are planning a number of church activities throughout 1999 to celebrate their 125 years of existence.

The Gibson Council was organized at the Church Conference of 1874 and was to consist of what was then know as Gibson, Douglas and Robinson. The first Methodist sermo preached at Gibson was by Re. Robert Wilson. In 1879 a decision was taken to build a Methodist Church at Gibson. Previous to this people had meetings in homes and at a hall over the railway station, but more space was needed.

The local congregation was said to have raised a few hundred dollars toward the Building Fund and Alexander (Boss) Gibson, a local lumberman and indutrialist, paid the balance. Gibson Church was constructed at a total cost of $3,500, and it was debt-free when dedicated in 1881.

On June 10th, 1925, the Methodist Congregation and part of the Presbyterian Church, Canada-wide, joined to form the United Church of Canada and "Gibson Church" became known as "Gibson Memorial United Church".

Disaster struck Gibson on April 25th, 1940, when the church was completely destroyed by fire. The men of the church met at the parsonage that night and the decision was made to rebuild at once and on the same location.

On June 5th, 1940, a congrgational meeting approved the design presented by the architect, and the laying of the cornerstone took place September 11th, 1940. Hon. W.G. Clark, Lieutenant-Governor at the time, addressed the gathering after officially laying the cornerstone. The hall was completed and used for church purposes for two years before the church was completed, with the dedication of the main church being held on May 30th, 1943.

In 1951 an addition was constructed at the rear of the church providing a new kitchen, ladies' parlour, church office and additional Sunday School space.

Rev. George R. Barret was minister when the church celebrated its 100th Anniversary, while Dr. Robert B. McClure, a former missionary and Moderator of the United Church, was anniversary speaker.

By 1979 church expansion was necessary and on May 31st, 1981, a sod-turning ceremony took place. new church offices, a modern kitchen, Sunday School rooms, a library, treasurer's office and a large church hall were added.

In hopes that the 125th will be very special in the life and history of Gibson memorial, a planning committee has been meeting on a regular basis for the past year. As a result the following events have been scheduled:

1/ A Congregational Dinner on Feb. 20th, with entertainment by a well-known group, "The Lapoints".

2/ Gibson Homecoming Weekend, May 14-16. Special invitations will be snt to previous members and adherents of Gibson Memorial to participate in this special weekend.
On Friday evening there will be a "Meet and Greet" with refreshments and entertainment. On Saturday an Old-Fashioned Country Fair is planned, with various groups in the church providing booths, activities, musical entertainmet and a barbeque. There will be an Anniverary Breakfast on Sunday.

The 125th Anniversary Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Sunday led by the present minister, Rev. Ian MacDonald. Rev. Doug Woods will be the Guest Sapaker. It is hoped that 3 former ministers of Gibson will be participating in the service. At 7:00 p.m. there will be a Service of Music.

3/ Tentative plans are in the making for a special night of entertainment reflecting the history of Gibson.This fun event will, hopefully, take place in October.

4/ There are plans for a special service in 1999 to close out the 20th century and welcome in the new.

A number of additional items of interest will also be introduced throughout Anniversary 125.

With the support and participation of all members and adherents, both current and past, we hope this will be a time to celebrate for all!