Nassagaweya PC History
A thriving and welcoming community located on the Niagara Escarpment in Halton Region, Nassagaweya has had a long history dating back to 1819 when the village was first surveyed. Nassagaweya's name is derived from the Mississauga word nazhesahgewayyong, meaning "river with two outlets."* Read on to learn how NPC was founded, how it evolved and grew over the past two centuries and how it successfully brought forth its mission of helping people experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
*Source: Nasagiweya Historical Society
1819 to 1890s
Nassagaweya was surveyed in 1819 with settlers arriving soon afterwards from England, Ireland and Scotland. A Sabbath School was established in Knowles School House (on Hutcheon’s Hill) in the early 1830s; the church was established in 1836. The first church building was a frame building which was erected in 1839. The stone building, we meet in today (now a recognized historic building) was built in 1861. The masonry (stonework) completed by Robert Lamb and William McLauglin. Carpenter work completed by Neil Livingstone.
At the annual meeting for 1859 it was decided to break away from old customs and three women were elected to the Board of Managers.
In 1869, 58 people from Nassagaweya established St David’s Presbyterian Church in Campbellville. Nassagaweya and St. David’s Campbellville, operated as a two-point charge (i.e. where two congregations are served by the same minister) from that time until November 2004.
It was noted in the history of about 1889 that there was much controversy over the installation of a musical instrument, the organ. It was 1899 that the choir was first started to lead in singing, but our first noted organist was not until 1928.
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church circa 1950s
1890s to 1950s
In 1894, permission was granted for the Ladies Aid to continue to gather funds for the erection of a school room to be added to the back of the church. This was erected about 1925; a great improvement to the church. Enrollment commenced for Sunday School lessons. This room was used for many gatherings. As time progressed, many changes and upgrades were made in this room to accommodate the needs of the growing congregation.
1908 saw many improvements to the church, inside and out and then again from 1937 and over the next 10 years, the Young People Society, Ladies Aid and Victor Bible class made several upgrades. Ongoing upgrades and upkeep continue to this day.
Although several ministers have served this charge and also the two-point charge over this period of time, Rev Archibald Blair was inducted to the two-point charge in 1885 and remained as minister for 30 years – the longest ever to serve the Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church.
In 1954, a new oil furnace was installed, and the wood furnace disposed of.
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church circa 2002
1980s to 2003
Our first Chicken BBQ was in June 1986 in celebration of our 150th anniversary as a congregation. This tradition has continued to be held on the second Saturday in June each year.
The church was designated as a historical building in 2003, and that same year, we had our First Community Breakfast. This was an outreach to the neighbouring residents especially in the subdivision adjacent to us.
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church circa 2002
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church circa 2013
2004 to 2018
In 2004, St. David’s & Nassagaweya Presbyterian petitioned the Presbytery of Brampton to divide the two congregations into two pastoral charges. The petition was approved and the two congregations separated, each having its own minister who continued to work together to serve this community.
On becoming a one-point charge, we were fortunate to induct the current youth pastor as our minister on completion of his graduation from Knox College.
Over the last few years, the congregation has grown to include more families (25% growth), to offer new programs (Trunk-or-Treat, March Break Camp) and to form new partnerships in the community and with other congregations (Week of Guided Prayer, Canada Day Worship Service).
All this growth prompted the congregation to renovate the fellowship hall in 2018 into a welcoming community space.
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church 2023
2020 to present day
The dreaded COVID-19 became very realistic in the world as well as our country and drastic measures were taken through all communities. This very transmittable disease lasted three years.
Who could have imagined that Spring of 2020 we would no longer be meeting in person at Nassagaweya? That we would no longer be worshipping in our beloved sanctuary? Who could have imagined that singing with one another would be considered a high-risk activity, we wouldn’t be able to pass the offering plate for fear of passing COVID?
We re-imagined how to meet together with the capability of learning to utilize media technology. We became knowledgeable on how to meet with Zoom in our Sunday worship services, coffee hours, Bible studies, prayer times and committee meetings. We re-imagined how to worship together with one another and even other churches along the Guelph Line.
We re-imagined our community events by making a drive-thru for our Chicken BBQ, pre-bagging candy for Trunk-or-Treat and taking pre-orders for the Bazaar.
In 2023 we continue to be blessed with a new graduate from Knox College. We welcomed Rev. Brett Main and his wife Grace and son Mortimer in January 2023.
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church 2023
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church 2023
Growing our Mission
We are thankful for our long history and all that God has done for us and through us here at Nassagaweya but we know that God has more in store. Therefore we are committed to continuing our mission of reaching out to our community with the good news of God’s love.
We believe that true fullness of life is found and experienced as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and that God calls the church to connect in a vital and meaningful way with its neighbours and community. We are excited and energized by what God is doing and will do among us.
Note: Pastoral Charge definition
A pastoral charge is usually made up of one congregation, but it could include two or more congregations united by presbytery into what we usually call a two-point charge or a three-point charge, and so on.
Source: Presbyterian Church in Canada
Ministers throughout the years
Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church 2011-2012
Past Ministers
Many ministers have served Nassagaweya and St. David’s well through the years. A few names that stand out are: Archibald Blair, who stayed at Nassagaweya/St. David’s for 30 years (1885-1915) during which time the congregation numbered 204 members; Mary Farmery (1976-1979), the first female minister to serve the charge; Desmond Howard (1980-1990), Glen Soderholm (1991-2004), whose gifts and leadership helped us begin the transition into a 21st century ministry and then Sean Howard (2004-2011) and Reuben St. Louis (2013-2022).
Reverend Brett Main
In 2023 Nassagaweya called Reverend Brett Main. Reverend Brett Main is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He graduated with his Master of Divinity in 2022, and his B.A Honours in history from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) in 2019. He is married to Grace and has a 2 year son, Mortimer.
He is thrilled to be out of Toronto and settling in Campbellville!
