PAGE 2 a part of the Valleyfield charge with Rev. J. MacLennan as minister. Due to distance when travelling was much more difficult than it is today, this new congregation was soon joined with Murray River-Little Sands congregation, with Rev. M. D. MacDonald ministering to its people.
This happy association of Rev. Mr. MacDonald and the people of Belle River was to continue after a change was made in the Murray River—Little Sands pastoral charge, for, in 1928, St. Andrew's joined with the Eldon United Church to form the Belle River—Belfast pastoral charge with Rev. M. D. MacDonald its first minister. The manse was in Belle River in the house then owned by the MacLaren family and now owned by Miss PriSCilla Bell. Belfast—Belle River proved to be Rev. Mr. MacDonald's last charge as he became ill and died in the late summer of 1931. Born and educated in Scotland, Mr. MacDonald is remembered with affeCLion as the first fulll—time minister at St. Andrew's; the aulpi: and chairs presently id use were presented by the Young People's Organization of the church and dedicated in memory of Rev. Mr. MacDonald.
For the remainder of 1931 and early 1932, the pastoral charge was supplied by clergymen from sister United churches until Rev. J. R. Skinner accepted a call and began his ministry in July, 1932. When Rev. Mr. Skinner resigned in 1937, Rev. W. Blair MacPhail accepted a call to this charge and served it until July, 1944.
Following Rev. Mr. MacPhail's ministry, the charge had student supply, one of whom was Mr. Eldon Eunn who was a very promising
candidate for the ministry. St. Andrew's was once again connected