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Today’s Blog Post
The Two Towers of the Ebenezer United Church
This is Ebenezer United Church, standing at 5000 Steeles Ave, Markham, Ontario. Standing proud and strong there on a busy street and a bustling new community where no one goes slow. It is in the middle of one of the fastest growing “Canadian Asian and Others” communities that I know of.
What caught my attention was the very thick and sturdy looking Cell Phone/Communication Tower standing right beside the church sign. The Tower stands almost as high as the church’s tower.
The first thought I had at that moment that I clicked the photo was, “There just has to be a story behind this rich contrast of Church Tower and Communication Tower!”
While preparing this piece for today I found the Web Site for the Ebenezer United Church where I found that Rev. Won Hur is the present pastor. I also found the following information about Ebenezer United church…
Quote…
“In the 1840's, Primitive Methodist circuit-riding Ministers preached to settlers located in Milliken's Corners (named after three of the earliest farmers John, James, and Norman Milliken). The first Primitive Methodists met in private homes and later in Brookes' Wagon Shoppe, in Scarborough. These settlers were the founders of the present Ebenezer congregation. Within a few years, the congregation had raised the $300 needed to build a church. In 1852, a frame church was erected on the Thomas Harding farm, on what is now the southeast corner of Brimley and Steeles. The original sign from that structure is on display in our narthex. The congregation flourished and in 1876 a new church was needed. Thomas Harding purchased the present site of Ebenezer United Church for two hundred dollars, and gave it to the trustees in exchange for the return of the lot of the old church. The new church was opened and dedicated on Sunday February 17, 1878. It is recorded that Reverend Boyle's sermon was one hour and forty-five minutes long.
Ebenezer's Board met quarterly at first, and instituted an envelope system and a finance committee by 1910. A temperance and moral reform committee was created during the First World War. In 1925, Ebenezer became part of the newly formed United Church of Canada. During these years, Ebenezer's congregation flourished, to the point of having 70 students in Sunday School. Even though the minister's salary was only $1,800, board minutes of 1931 record that it was five months in arrears.
Services have been held at l0 a.m. since May 1950. The sixties saw booming growth from Metropolitan Toronto, and some Ebenezer families moved away. It was suggested that the church be closed temporarily, but for 10 years only thirty families supported Ebenezer spiritually and financially.
In July 1977, Ebenezer became the base of a new pastoral charge, and because of the planned development nearby a large extension (our present sanctuary) was added in the 1980's.”
End quote
To the west side of the Old Church Building is a quiet graveyard that is home to many of the older congregants I am guessing. To the east side is the Communication Tower. What a contrast!
As we drove on past the building I couldn’t help wonder at the many, great contrasts the little church in the country has undergone. What would the oldest congregation have thought if they could have looked forward into 2010 from that humble, rural 1840s era?
Having served as a minister for so many years myself and also attended about 35 years of church political meetings, commonly known in my world as “Board Meetings”, I know the tensions that exist with one faction locking horns with another. Then on really “good nights” there could be a six way split of tensions and factions with all different opinions hot of the table… all very spiritual of course!
I can only imagine the radical Board Meetings that Ebenezer U.C. had when a Communication Tower was being discussed. There just had to be enough of the “dear old saints” left that would be expressing any where from mild objections to wild objections to that radical money making idea.
And I am guessing at this point having watched way too many Hollywood productions… the tomb stones next to the old building might have been heaving every so slightly at the dear saints rolled over in their graves below!
There is absolutely no criticism in my words or thoughts. I think that the present Ebenezer U.C. is brilliant with the Thick White Tower beside their church sign. These people have to be the most forward thinking people in that community. What a statement to make to their world – communication is what it is all about!
When I read the account of how Rev. Won Hur arrived at the place he serves today, I was humbled. What an amazing young pastor!
When I read of the church’s core values and programming I was very impressed. This place of worship has not lost it vision for a world around it. This is a place that I could attend quite easily and love every minute of the worship. They have not lost their core values of Christian witness in the middle of one the most multicultural communities in Canada. They are alive and well!
Coming back to the two towers on Steeles Ave. – the Church and the Communication Towers I realize the powerful symbolism all over again. In 1878 the day that the Old Church Building was dedicated it stood strong and tall letting that rural community know what it stood for. Today 132 years later it still is standing strong with the new symbol of the community – a communication tower broadcasting vital connection to the waiting world.
If I use my Cell Phone in or around the Ebenezer United Church on Steeles Ave… the signal would be the strongest ever. I have a feeling if I am ever able to worship with these folks the signal to the heavenly will also be the strongest as well.
Ebenezer United Church and Rev. Won Hur, you are to be bragged about for what you are doing in and for your community. I am impressed! And as a retired Pentecostal Minister that has seen just about everything in the religious world – you folks are amazing.
Some day you may see an older, white haired dude that is not dressed like a minister, slip into one of your pews. That will be me. I can’t wait to worship with you as a fellow believer in what you are doing.
Bless you Ebenezer U.C. and Rev. Won Hur.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
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Sources:
http://www.ebenezer-uc.on.ca/
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