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Rev. Keith Reynolds turns 40 Many churches, both rural and urban, are experiencing serious
declines in congregation numbers to the point where many have been
forced to close their doors.
Mt. Hope in Bruce County has, so far, gone against the grain. One of
the oldest churches in the region, it still meets the needs of a
rural agricultural community.
The church originally began in a log building in 1854, at the corner
of Concession 2 and Sideroad 10, known as Briggs Corner in Bruce
County just outside of Arkwright. The intersection was actually
named after the Briggs family that owned the property.
The existing church structure was built in the winter of 1871-72
across the road from the original log building and was built on the
top of a knoll or mount. Therefore, the site acquired its name Mt.
Hope, with the hope part coming from the surrounding families who
saw hope in the future.
Once affiliated with churches in Dobbinton and Centenary, Mt. Hope
became part of the charge of Southampton United Church in 1960.
Among two of the oldest families in the area, who have attended Mt.
Hope Church since its inception, are the Monkmans and the Wolfes.
Harvey Monkman and Ross Wolfe are the patriarchs of two of the
families that were part of the pioneers of Bruce County. Both men
have lived their entire lives adjacent to 'Brigg's Corner' and,
today, their children and grandchildren are carrying on.
Monkman's great-great grandparents are buried in the little cemetery
behind the church, as are Wolfe's parents and grandparents.
Monkman's great-aunt Mary Monkman was, in fact, the last person to
buried in the cemetery. It was subsequently closed due to lack of
space and government regulations.
Unique to Mt. Hope is that the cemetery is cared for by the church
and the decendants of the ancestors that are buried there, unlike
most cemeteries that are cared for by municipalities. A special
cairn listing the names of all those buried in the cemetery was
established by the fathers of both Monkman and Wolfe and recently
restored by the two sons.
Behind the church is one of the oldest Church sheds that once
sheltered the horses used by parishioners. Today it is being used as
a shelter for hay bundles.
"What people don't realize," says Monkman, "is that the rural church
was the social hub of the communiuty. Rural families didn't run into
town to go to a show, or to see a concert. They met once a week at
church on Sunday or at church 'socials'. It (church) was the centre
of a community.
According to the two men, the church came close to closing its doors
twice. The first time was in the 1960s when there were fewer young
people and, therefore, fewer younger families. The second time,
according to Harvey Monkman, was in 1985, when structural
improvements were needed. "The congregation had to make a decision
on whether or not the church would be closed or whether they would
support the improvements," says Monkman. "Obviously, they chose the
latter."
Walking the cemetery, the names of the two men's ancestors are on
almost tombstone ... Monkman and Wolfe, with the other prominent
name of Biggs.
Today, the two childhood friends still attend the little country
church of Mt. Hope where they were baptised and agree that it won't
be due to a lack of dollars if the little rural church closes. "The
only reason it would close," says Monkman, "would be because of a
total decline in the number of parishioners. Now, however, with
younger people coming in, we don't see that happening. Actually, the
numbers are going up. Sunday school numbers which indicate the
health of a church, are on the increase," says Wolfe, "and that's a
good sign."
Mt. Hope is still living up to its name ... hope.
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Mt. Hope United Church celebrates more than 150 years
One of the oldest standing church sheds that formerly housed horses and
buggies
Young people are coming back to the church: (L)Anderson Wolfe, Harpist
Mabel Williamson, Athena Wolfe & Arianna Wolfe
Harvey Monkman's great-great-grandfather's tombstone
The last burial to take place in the Mt. Hope Cemetery was
Harvey Monkman's great-aunt
Mt. Hope United Church
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