Rev. \V. E. Aitken (1927-1932)

Rev. Aitken was born in Rollo Bay, Prince Edward Island in 1898. He studied at Dalhousie University and Pine Hill Divin- ity College and served in all three Maritime Provinces. He lived in Lot 16 and served Richmond Bay East from 1927 until 1932. Rev. Aitken was a man who showed strong passion for his work and support for missions; he also was a great lover of music and a very talented woodworker. During his lifetime, he served in the artillery in World War I and as a chaplain during World War 11. Rev. Aitken was active in Presbytery work and in his support of the Temperance Movement. He was well- known for his organization and leadership in Christian Education. In 1962, Rev. Aitken was awarded an honourary Doctor of Divinity from Pine Hill. He was still ministering to three churches in the Truro, Nova Scotia area at the time of his death in 1972.

Rev WE. Aitken

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REFLECTION: Mervin Inman

Mr. Aitken drove a 1929 Chev car. One day he was travelling to Charlottetown for a meeting at Yiinity United. His brother, the minister in Princetown, was travelling with him. I also went on the trip so that I could bring money to my sister, Enid, who was attending Prince of Wales College Normal School. It was pouring rain that day and the unpaved roads were muddy and slippery. Going up one of the steep hills in Bonshaw, Rev. Aitken, afraid that the car was not going to make the hill, trumped on the accelerator. The car turned around on the road and headed in the opposite direction. The brother said:

“If I wasn’t a minister, I don’t know what I would say. ”

Upon arriving at 'Ii'inity the two ministers told me to be back to the car by 5:00 pm. as they would be through at that time. I saw to my business and returned to the car at the assigned time. The ministers did not show up at five. After a spell, Eddie Aitken came out and told me to relax in the car as they would be late. Finally they arrived, ready for home, at 10:00 pm.

Another time when my sister was teaching school in Arlington she travelled with Mr. Aitken when he went to Lot 14. One day they were travelling by horse and sleigh which upset in Grand River. In the upset, Enid lost her hat and unknowingly put it on backwards. When the two got to church in Lot 14, people looked at Enid. They had a laugh about her hat being on backwards.

114 LOT 16 UNITED CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE