In December of 1954, the year following the Constitution of Applewood United Church as a congregation, G.S. Shipp and the Church teamed up to erect a large illuminated scene of the nativity.
Larger than life-size and beautifully coloured, it portrayed the traditional setting of the birth of the Christ-child, showing Mary, Joseph and the Babe lying in the manger. On one side the scene showed the shepherds in the fields with their flocks while the other showed the wise men journeying from afar.
The nativity scene, which could be seen from the Queen Elizabeth Highway, is probably the first major presentation of the congregation, which was established in a ceremony held Monday, December 7, 1953, and which served notice to the greater community that the Applewood United Church had arrived.
The history of Applewood United Church was first published in the 40th Anniversary booklet. The authors of the history, Lyle and Margaret McKay, prepared seven chapters providing an excellent historical outline of the church covering the background, origin and formation of the congregation to the construction of the building and the first few years in the new church.
This accounting will deal with highlights of that story, which was provided by the Applewood United Church. For the complete and detailed history, all supporting documents are in the United Church Archives, where they have been catalogued and placed in fireproof storage and are available for reference.
In April, 1952 the Toronto Home Missions Council sent Mrs. Mercer, a deaconess, to make a survey of the area. As a result of her efforts, the first meeting of about 20 families was held in Lakeview Central School on Meredith Ave. on May 4th with Dr. C.A. Myers and Rev. J.C. Torrance officiating.
After the second service on May 11th, a Women’s Committee and a Men’s Committee were formed. At this time every adult acted in some capacity. There were two teachers for every Sunday School class so the teachers could attend the full church service on alternate Sundays. H.W. Davies, a theological student, took over from Dr. Myers as the acting minister. By June, the Sunday School enrolment was 97 and at a picnic held at Miles Park, 45 adults and 60 children ate at one long picnic table.
The services would continue for one more year at Central School but following several meetings, it was agreed that the eventual location for the church would be north of the QEW.
During the summer of 1952 church student workers called on all the homes in North Applewood and Orchard Heights and reported 60 per cent were of United Church background.
In September, Mr. J. Story, who had completed his theological course but had not yet been ordained, became acting minister. Mr. Story later went into missionary work in India.
The service for constituting the Congregation of Applewood United Church was held Monday, December 8, 1953. Rev. A.J. Eagle, Chairman of Toronto West Presbytery, presided at this ceremony and was assisted by Mr. Kenneth Partridge, Rev. G.A. Payne, Bethesda Dixie United Church, Rev. A.C. Forrest, First United Church, Port Credit and Rev. J.C. Torrance, Toronto Home Missions Council.
