Maritime District PAOC : history

History

The history of the Maritime District of The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada had its beginning when the infant churches in Bathurst, N.B., Campbellton, N.B. and Halifax, N.S. were affiliated with the National Body. In the year 1929, an evangelistic campaign was conducted in the Masonic Hall in Bathurst under the ministry of Rev. W. R. Watson. The Pentecostal Testimony of April, 1929 recorded this statement of Rev. Watson, “Those who have been praying for God to come forth in the Maritimes will rejoice to know that an old-time revival has struck Bathurst and the whole town is stirred.” Quite a number were saved and five received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Thirteen were baptized in water. Rev. Tom Johnstone was appointed as the first pastor and continued until November 1929, when he was succeeded by Rev. Milton S. Winger. In January 1930, property was procured and renovated on St. Patrick Street to provide a place of worship and a
parsonage. Thus, Evangel Tabernacle was established. Two branch churches were also established, at New Bandon and Miscou Island.

Orange Hall, Campbellton, N.B.

“From Bank Robber to Pulpit” read the banner that directed many curious people to the Orange Hall in Campbellton, thus, the beginning of the second fellowship church in the Maritimes in August 1929. The Evangelist was Rev. W. R. Watson. The hall was packed during the week nights and people were turned away on Sunday. During the first five weeks of revival services, one hundred and fifty people came forward for salvation. Three thousand people witnessed the water baptismal services held on the banks of the river. Land was purchased next to the Orange Hall and soon a small sanctuary was erected for worship. The church affiliated with The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and inquired about a pastor. Rev. James MacKnight became the first resident pastor in January 1930. During his ministry, the assembly ministered to an average of three hundred and fifty, with an attendance of 150 in the Sunday School. A quote from Rev. Montgomery, “For the information of the citizens of Campbellton, may I say that I believe that we are the greatest growing, spiritual, evangelistic body of religious people in the world today. Taking in all branches of this movement, it is estimated that we number six million.”

The Pentecostal outpouring began in Topeka, Kansas and later on Azusa Street in Los Angeles in 1906. The first news of the revival that was sweeping the United States was brought back to Halifax
by Mrs. (Dr.) Shaffner and Mrs. (Judge) MacKenzie. These two ladies attended the Amy Semple MacPherson meetings in the early 1920s. Then, in August 1925, Mattie Crawford, a Baptist evangelist who also attended the MacPherson meetings, came to Halifax for revival services. Thousands attended the meetings, bringing the sick and the infirm for healing, while others came seeking this new experience of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Mattie Crawford sent Rev. and Mrs. Burchard to minister to those who had been attracted to the Pentecostal message. The Burchards,having come from the Southern States, suffered greatly from the cold and therefore remained only one year.

Maritime District Office Building

After repeated requests from The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada to send a worker to organize a group of about 40 families, Evangelist W. R. Watson came in September of 1929. The Mayflower Rink was rented and his life story, “From Bank Robber to Evangelist” drew large crowds. The revival meetings went on for eight weeks and on Sunday, November 24, the Pentecostal Revival Tabernacle was opened in Simon’s Hall. Rev. and Mrs. Clare Scratch came to pastor the new church in 1930. The church was referred to as the “Little Church Upstairs”.

Studying at Maritime Bible Institute

Rev. William Rourke became pastor in the fall of 1933. In 1936, Rev. and Mrs. M. S. Winger became pastors. During their ministry, the Maritime Bible Institute began, with Rev. Winger as President. There were 18 day students and 15 night students in Halifax. The
following year the school moved to Truro. Future pastors who studied at MBI included Ruby and Stewart Lewis, Clyde and Irene Slauenwhite, Ray and Lillian MacKillop and Emma (Leona) Penney.

1st District Conference – 1930 Halifax, N.S.

The first Maritime District Conference was held in Halifax, N.S. on September 24, 1930. There were 24 ministers and spouses in attendance. Among those present were Rev. G. A. Chambers, General Superintendent of the PAOC, Rev. James MacKnight, and Rev. Clare Scratch. For a brief period, Brother Scratch served as Acting District Superintendent. The second Conference convened in Campbellton, N.B. in 1931 when Rev. James Montgomery was elected as District Superintendent. He served until 1936.

In 1933, during that period of national depression and hence
financial struggles, the Maritime District became an auxiliary of the Eastern Ontario District. It reverted back to its original status in 1934. Rev. M. S. Winger served as Superintendent from 1936 to 1947. Rev. Claude W. Jones was Interim Superintendent for one year. Rev. Ivan Raymer was elected Superintendent at the 1948 Conference held in Truro. He served for 26 years. Rev. A. Donald Moore became Superintendent at the 1974 Conference which convened in Moncton, N.B. He served for 14 years, during which time the current District Office building was constructed. Rev. David Slauenwhite was elected Superintendent at the 1988 District Conference held in Halifax, N.S. and served for 15 years. Our current Superintendent, Rev. R. Douglas Moore, was elected Superintendent in Fredericton, N.B. in 2003.

District Conference – 1931 Campbellton, N.B.

Research of the early Pentecostal revival moving from west to east, clearly shows the sovereignty of God in the building and establishing of His Church. In the early 1920s, Amy Semple MacPherson, Mattie Crawford, the Misses Carro and Susie Davis and Rev. Clifford Crabtree cameto the State of Maine and to Woodstock, Fredericton and Saint John, N.B. In 1934, meetings were held in Charlottetown, P.E.I. by Rev. Crabtree. In 1955, Rev. Sheldon Myers, one of the PAOC pioneers, held meetings in Charlottetown, and in 1956 Rev. Victor Jackson became pastor of Calvary Temple. The church experienced rapid growth, especially through the ministry of the Sunday School. Prince Edward Island was the last province to become part of The Pentecostal Assembliesof Canada.

The Evening Light Pentecostal Church, Hamilton, Bermuda, joined the Maritime District in 1947. The work was pioneered by Sisters Emily and Geraldine Thomas of the United States in 1935. In
1938, Rev. Harold Thomas (no relation to the founders) was appointed as the first pastor and was ordained by Rev. C. B. Smith, General Superintendent of the PAOC. In addition to local ministry, Evening Light birthed the West Pembroke Pentecostal Assembly in the home of one of its members, Sister F. M. Dears.

Camp Evangeline – Foundry Hill

Camp meetings have been a very important ministry in the
Maritime District. Camp Evangeline began in 1933, situated
on Foundry Hill in Truro. Rev. Marshall Ruthven, the
pioneer pastor of Truro, lived on the campgrounds and built
a parsonage and a number of small cabins. The first
meetings were held in a tent until a tabernacle and a dining
hall could be built. In 1950, during Rev. I. D. Raymer’s
leadership, land was purchased in Debert, where Camp
Evangeline is now situated. The first tabernacle was built to
seat 500 people. Later, two larger tabernacles and many
other facilities were added to accommodate the ever-growing
camping constituency.