History

Jesus was a Jew who lived over 2000 years ago.  Christianity grew from its starting point in the Roman Empire and it spread through the rest of Europe and the world.  Christianity eventually split into three major branches:  Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant.

Christianity grew from being a small sect born from Judaism to the dominant religion of the Mediterranean region in less than 400 years.  Now, it is one of the world's three most practiced religions and it continues to grow.



HISTORY OF SANDFORD COMMUNITY.....
                                      Researched and written by: Ruth Dick - October, 1999
In 1840, the sound of a settler's axe could be heard resounding through the forest about one mile south of the present village.  Three years later a Path Master was appointed to look after the trail that had been blazed and is presumed that this trail was the Fourth Concession.

A visitor in the early 1850's or 1860's would have found several families established in the clearing both sides of the trail.  The same visitor would have taken note of the log school house which was built on the same lot as the former hall.  The visitor may have dropped into the general store to purchase some supplies or post a letter.  The visitor could have dropped in for prayer at the Primitive Methodist Church located in the present burial grounds, or the Baptist Church further south on the trail.

In the late 1800's the Anglicans and the Presbyterians rented space in the hall for worship.

In 1864, Sandford became a hamlet.  Sandford has been steeped in a long history of religious life within the community. 

The first spiritual home was built in the present burial grounds in 1853.  Worshippers soon outgrew the primitive building and a larger church was built in the same burial grounds in 1863, including Sunday School rooms.

Between 1871-1880, there is a record of 169 children baptized in the above mentioned church - parents bringing their children as far away as Markham, Whitchurch, East Gwillimbury, Reach, Uxbridge and Scott.

On April 11, 1898, this church was destroyed by fire.  Soon thereafter another lot was purchased for the sum of $200.

In February, 1899, the present church (Methodist) was opened and valued at $2,200.00.  The Monday night following the opening, a hot fowl supper was served in the upstairs of the hall.  More than $700 was raised toward the debt of the church.

Sandford has had a long history of social functions which included: fowl suppers, garden parties-attracting 500-700 people, agriculture fairs, school fairs, and presently include-beef suppers, pork barbecues, pancake suppers, bazaars and pie sales.

As in all congregations, changes take place:
1925  Church Union (Mehodist, Congregational and Presbyterian) - thus the birth of The United Church of Canada.
1936  Gas lighting was replaced by hydro.
1959  The church was redecorated.
1977  The whole church lot was extended south some 66 feet allowing an extension that included a kitchen, fellowship room and washrooms.
1988  The west wall of the Sanctuary was rebuilt.
1992  The church was redecorated.
1999  Reconstruction of the church front steps and the brickwork on both sides of the front door.

As then and as now, the focal point of the community is the people, the church, the school, the post office, the general store and the community hall.  With God's help, may the church continue to be a living and vital part of this community.

We remember the past, give thanks for what is now, and as our forefathers before us, we look forward with a vision to the future.



BRIEF HISTORY OF ZEPHYR UNITED CHURCH.....
                                                                                        Written by: Clarkson B. Arnold
Our present day Church can trace its history back to 1863 through past records now in the archives of the United Church of Canada.  This part of the church building, now used as a Sunday School, was built in 1864 on the present day site of the east half of Zion Methodist Cemetery.  This church operated there until 1885, when after much controversy, it was decided to move the building and build a new church in the village.

The lot for the church was purchased from Thos. Pickering for $25.00 to be refunded if a new church was built within two years.  In January, 1887, a Building Committee made plans for a new church and also mapped out the site where the old church had been, for a burying ground.  The plots were to be 7' by 16' and were to sell for $4.00 or single graves were to sell for $.75.  Mr. Jesse Cook was hired, as contractor, to build the new church.  He completed the job and the new church was opened on October 17, 1887.  The church was built at a cost of $1,674.94.

There have been many improvements made to the church over the years.  Originally, it was heated with box stoves in the front and in the Sunday School which burned wood.  In 1949, the church underwent a major renovation and a furnace was installed under the church.  This burned wood but later an oil burner was installed.  This has now been replaced by two oil furnaces.  The church has been carpeted and  redecorated several times.

Many of the furnishings of the church have been donated by families in memory of loved ones and names will not be mentioned in case someone may be missed.

In 1987, which was our Centennial Year, a special service was held on June 7.  The Rev. Walter Sellars and The Rev. James Moulton, both former ministers, were present.  The Rev. Sellars dedicated a new organ and two stained glass windows.  The windows were placed in memory of the pioneer families who had the courage and foresight to start this church.  These were made of blocks bearing family names, present and past, of our community.  Also, a large mural depicting the moving of the church from the top of the hill to the village in Zephyr was painted on the north wall of the Sunday School room.

Over the years, the Church has been remembered in several Estates.  An Organ and Memorial Fund was established in 1979.  These funds are invested and income from them used to fund capital projects, as needed.  One of our members, William Bacon, donated new Oak Doors for the front of the church.  The original Bell on the Sunday School was re-installed in a new belfry with money from the Estate of Borden Cain.

Over the years, the church has been maintained in good condition.  Although our present members attending are down, as is the case in most churches, the hope for the future is to be able to continue that which our forefathers had the courage and foresight to start.