Rev. Alex B. Stein
1957-1975, Outreach
Rev. Alex Stein, a native Torontonian
of Scottish descent, was educated in the Toronto educational system and later studied at
Toronto Bible College. After serving at Bethel Congregational Church and Grace Church in
Kingston for seventeen years, he became pastor of Grace Gospel Church in Niagara Falls.
Mr. Stein began his ministry at Philpott
in October, 1957. The word that sums up his ministry with us would be
"Outreach". He was deeply concerned with encouraging contacts our church could
make with the people of Hamilton. Mr. Stein instituted friendship evangelism. He was well
known to many of the shop keepers on York Street. He was a frequent patron at
"Lefty's" delicatessen along with many other members of the congregation.
During Mr. Stein's ministry, some of the
morning services were broadcast over Hamilton radio stations. Under his guidance many
members became actively involved in visitation programmes. Some of those contacted through
this programme are now active in various ministries at Philpott. As a result of Mr.
Stein's ministry many young people attended Bible schools and have gone on to full time
Christian service.
In order to better accommodate the needs
of the varied ministries at Philpott, Mr. Stein pressed for the building of the education
wing. Under his leadership, the existing office, chapel, Sunday School rooms and gymnasium
took shape.
Pastor Stein was not above donning a pair
of overalls and wielding a hammer to get ahead with the job. He built the communion table
and pulpit now used in the chapel. The modifications to the original church building in
order to create Missionary hall and the nursery, the beginners' room and the library is
another of Mr. Stein's projects. He tells how he was crawling under the baptismal tank to
make some repairs when the light he was using broke and he wondered how he would ever find
his way out.
Mr. Stein's used his booming bass voice
not only in preaching so that all could hear but also to assist the choir on occasion.
During Mr. Stein's ministry, Marty Karl served as choir director for many years. Roy
Birnie became Minister of Music shortly before Mr. Stein's retirement.
Pastor Stein demonstrated his keen
interest in missions by his active involvement with many mission boards and his travels to
various mission fields. Serving as President of the A.G.C. from 1956 to 1958, and as the
first editor of the periodical "Advance", he did much to further the work of the
denomination. Mr. Stein has been a popular speaker at Bible conferences.
After retiring from Philpott Memorial
Church in 1975, Mr. Stein became interim pastor at Grace Gospel Church in Niagara Falls.
The Steins now reside in St. Catharines.
Mrs. Florence Stein was active in the
music ministry, serving as the organist. The Steins have one son, John, two daughters,
Ruth and Marian, and four grandchildren.
Rev. Brian Bridle served as assistant
pastor during Pastor Stein's ministry. Brian studied at London College of Bible and
Missions and was Director of Ottawa Youth for Christ prior to coming to Philpott. While at
Philpott, Brian's responsibilities included shut-in visitation and youth work. He was also
choir director for a year. He left in 1974 to become pastor of West Hamilton Gospel
Church. Brian returned to Philpott and is now the building superintendent. Brian and
Jeanette Bridle have one son John, and two daughters, Beth and Bonnie.
Miss Weirs was the deaconess during the
early part of Mr. Stein's ministry following her retirement from her work the City. She
was responsible for shut-in visitation.
Roy Birnie came to us as choir director in
1974 from Delta Tabernacle. Roy was trained by Ms. G. Jones at the Hamilton Conservatory
of Music. He made his musical debut at the well-known Kinsmen's Music Festival as well as
at that of the Hamilton Public Schools'. From then on, his only direction was up!
Many of the Philpott folk have one of
Roy's records or cassettes in their music libraries. Roy is also an accomplished
instrumentalist on the trombone.
Before we had a Youth Pastor, Roy and his
wife Carole, took charge of our Youth program. Carol was much involved with work on the
Cradle Roll and the Nursery, ministry to women, and in planning the Bridal Showers for the
young people of the church. The Birnie's have three boys, Matthew, Jonathan, and Stephen.
At the present time, Roy is choir leader at West Highland Baptist Church.
- 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
