16, the Presbyterian denomination was the earliest estab- lished church. The Methodist Church and the Baptist

Church in Lot 16 were both established in 1873. In early years a Presbyterian could find himself called before the ses- sion for daring to attend a Methodist church service. The influence of time brought changing attitudes and it became a social event to attend several of the church services held in the community on a Sunday. Church attendance was an avenue that many young people appreciated for its courting opportunities. For older people, it served as both a source of worship and entertainment.

Lot 16 Methodists experienced the painful reality of being forced to close their church doors in the early 19205. In today’s rural Canada, this is a common occurrence brought about by declining population and church atten- dance. In Lot 16, two churches remain but, as the landscape changes, they too will one day be called upon to examine their place in the future of the community.

FAMILY

The strength of family was always a focal point for the set- tlers of Lot 16; this is a tradition that has carried forth to the current century. In the early days of the settlement, everyone had a place in the family and often several generations — out of necessity— lived together. This reality remained constant

until the women’s liberation movement

began. Previously the man was consid-

Mk

*“W W MWW ered the head of the household; the “A male person, including an / family money and possessions held in Indian, and excluding a person of his name alone. Women had few rights Mongolian or Chinese race . . . ' and, until the turn of the twentieth cen- no woman, idiot, lunatic, or tury, were denied the vote. criminal shall vote.” Definition of Employment opportunities were an eligible voter according to the ' limited for women. They could marry Election Act of the Dominion of and hope for a good husband, teach Canada in 1890. school, become maids, work in the

ABEGWEH,’ Land OfRedSoil, p. 321 . canning factories, be nannies, store

13

clerks, or nurses. In the twentieth cen-

GROWTH OF A COMMUNITY