GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from Wynne Wright, a former member of Norfolk Street United Church.
My name is Wynne Wright, and I am a former member of Norfolk Street United Church.
Norfolk had a long history in Guelph, beginning as a stop on the circuit of a travelling Wesleyan Methodist minister in 1837.
The main building at the corner of Norfolk and Cork was completed in 1857, with the church school and gymnasium building following in 1927. It became a United Church in 1925 when that church was formed as many of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches joined into one church, called the United Church of Canada.
Unfortunately, by 2012, Norfolk had declined in membership and finances, and was contemplating closing when an offer to purchase the property was received and accepted.
The Lakeside congregation purchased the property for the use of Hope House, which is now an active supportive organization in the downtown. When Hope House did some recent renovations, they had no space for a plaque honouring a gentleman who was a major contributor to Norfolk during the 1800's.
This plaque was turned over to Trinity United Church, which was the destination of many of Norfolk's members after the church closed. The plaque, however, has no real significance to Trinity, not even to former Norfolk members because of the historical context. We have offered it to more than one Guelph organization, but have no takers at this point.
The plaque is in memory of Rev. W.C.Henderson, who was minister at the church from 1894 to 1897, and was a member of the church until his death in 1917. It is made of marble and weighs over 100 lb. His granddaughter was a member of the church until her death in the late 1900's, but no one at Trinity is aware of anyone with connections to Rev. Henderson.
Here is our problem. As stated before, it has no significance to Trinity, even if it is a well crafted item. It takes up space that is needed for more currently useful things, but we do not want to just discard it. Our hope is that there are family members who recognize this gentleman, and would like to have the plaque.
Can you help us?
Wynne Wright
