Dr. Arthur Paterson Lee
1976-1979, Brotherly Love
Arthur Paterson Lee, M.A., D.D., a native
Scot, had a wide and successful ministry in both Scotland and England. His work took him
into both the mining communities and the prestigious city churches of Britain. He was
called to Calvary Church in Toronto and after a successful ministry there, went on to
serve at Tremont Temple in Boston. While in Boston, he received his doctorate at Gordon
College.
Dr. Lee came to our church in April 1976.
The thought that comes to mind, when summing up his ministry, is "Brotherly
Love", for it was his great desire to implant it in our hearts. The congregation
appreciated his unusual gifts as a personal friend and counsellor. He endeared himself to
one and all by his sincere interest in the problems as well as the joys of his
congregation. Dr. Lee often used his keen sense of humour to illustrate his messages.
Ministers of other churches also valued
his opinions. Dr. Lee served as the Hamilton Area Chairman for the Toronto Area
"Billy Graham Crusade" and, during his ministry, the congregation was involved
in the Hamilton "I Found It" evangelism campaign.
Dr. Lee's desire for a wider ministry to
the City of Hamilton was demonstrated by the introduction of the "Dial A Message"
programme and the distribution of tracts to surrounding high rise apartments on a regular
basis.
During the time that Dr. Lee was at the
Church, a regular program of Men's Breakfasts were introduced. In order to appeal to a
wide audience, a variety of speakers were invited. Mr. Peter Grant, with several able
assistants including Mr. Norm Swan and Mr. Ernie Linton, worked to make these occasions
successful.
To enable each member to become involved
in outreach, several groups were started, including the Ladies Fellowship, Couples and
Singles Together (C.A.S.T.) and the Men's Breakfasts. It was Dr. Lee's belief that monthly
"Fellowship Evenings" would help people get to know one another better in our
large church. Under his leadership the alphabetical elder member care system was
introduced along with the sending of birthday cards to all members.
Dr. Lee introduced many of the Philpott
congregation to the ritual of Sunday lunch at the Swiss Chalet. Unfortunately, his
ministry in Hamilton had ended before the Swiss Chalet was opened down the street from the
church!
While at Philpott, Dr. Lee celebrated his
25th anniversary in full-time ministry. At that time cables and letters poured in from his
previous pastorates, giving testimony to the blessings received from his messages and
vibrant personality.
Under his leadership, the church undertook
the purchase of additional property on Park Street immediately north of the church in
order to provide additional parking space and potential for future expansion of the church
buildings. During this time the front of the sanctuary was renovated to make additional
room for the choir and, in Dr. Lee's own words to reduce "the great gulf fixed
between pastor and people".
Another of Dr. Lee's gifts was in the area
of public relations. He sought to increase the profile of Philpott Memorial Church in the
community through his contacts with such local politicians as Mrs. Anne Jones, the first
Chairman of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth and Mr. William McCulloch one
of the local aldermen.
In the fall of 1979, Dr. Lee accepted a
call to First Baptist Church of Moncton, New Brunswick. He is now ministering at Agincourt
Baptist Church in Toronto.
During her stay in Hamilton, Mrs. Lee
completed her studies towards a degree in nursing. The Lee's have two daughters, Eunice
and Rosemary.
Rev. Vern Trafford served as associate
pastor from early in 1978 until early in 1980. Vern had served as an Assistant Minister at
Kingsway-Lambton United Church, in Toronto, and had also worked for Gospel Light
Publications. Dianne Trafford taught a Sunday School class in the Primary Department. Vern
and Dianne have three children, Pamela, Tim and Ted. After leaving our church, Vern
accepted a call to establish an A.G.C. church in London, Ontario. Rev. Trafford has
ministered in western Canada and is now serving in Kitchener.
Rev. Philip Thompson, who had served with
his wife Barbara (Kerr) on the mission field in South Africa, was assistant pastor in 1979
and 1980. Barbara assisted with the music programme as organist. After completing graduate
studies at McMaster University, Phil accepted a call to the pastorate of Park Royal Gospel
Church in Mississauga. Pastor Worrad preached and the Philpott choir participated at
Pastor Thompson's Induction service in the spring of 1981. Rev. Thompson is now the pastor
of Grace Gospel Church in Niagara Falls, a former pastorate of Rev. Stein.
Roy Birnie continued as the Minister of
Music during Dr. Lee's ministry. The congregation continued to be blessed by the Choir,
the Men's Quartet and Roy's solo ministry.
- Dr. Peter W. Philpott, 1896-1922, Solid Bible Teaching
- Rev. James MacFarlane, 1923-1926, Evangelism
- Dr. Hottel, 1926-1928, Christian Education
- Dr. Louis Talbot, 1929-1932, Love
- Dr. William Ward Ayer, 1932-1936, Organizational Development
- Rev. Donald Mackay, from 1938 to 1943, Pastor
- Dr. Peter Hoogendam, 1943-1956, Bible Teaching
- Rev. Alex B. Stein, 1957-1975, Outreach
- Dr. Arthur Paterson Lee, 1976-1979, Brotherly Love
- Rev. Lewis H. Worrad Jr., 1981-1992, Bible Teaching
