John C. Thompson donated some land in
the Spring Coulee townsite on which a church
was built about 1907. This church operated
under the supervision of the Presbyterian
Presbytery until it joined The United Church
of Canada in 1925.

The first church board consisted of Henry A.
Walter, H.E. Kelley and J.C. Thompson. A few
years after the main part of the church was built,
an addition tor the Sunday School was built at
the back and a room upstairs tor the Sunday
School and Ladies Aid meetings. (Until a Memorial
Hall for Clara C. Thompson was built by Ralph,
Harlan and Florence Thompson.) The work on
this addition was largely contributed by Leo
Chapman, Jesse Sherman, and William Wood.

THE LADIES AID

The first Ladies Aid was organized in 1909.

This is a copy of the first meeting:

The ladies of the Presbyterian Church at Spring
Coulee met at the home of Mrs. H.E. Kelley for
the purpose of organizing a Ladies Aid Society.
The following officers were elected: President,
Mrs. Henry Walter, Vice President Mrs. Wm. Matson.
Secretary and Treasurer Ruth Upton. Social
Committee Mrs. Springer, Refreshment Committee
Mrs. Roy Matson. A motion was moved and
seconded that the sum of twenty live cents should
be charged for the members on the first meeting of
each month. A meeting was held and Mrs. Bert.
Kelley moved and Mrs. Roy Matson seconded
that a box social should be held Tuesday January

The following are copies of a few of the early
meetings:

"The ladies Aid of the Presbyterian church met
at the home of Mrs. H.E. Kelley, February 4th,
1910. Mrs. Walter, the president occupied the chair.
The following were present: Mrs. Roy Matson,
Mrs. Marjarison, Mrs. Wm. Matson, Miss Storey,
Miss Hazel Walters and Miss Upton. A motion was
made by Miss Storey, seconded by Mrs. Roy Matson
to hold a Valentine Social at the school house on
Monday evening, February 14th."

"The ladies of the Presbyterian church met at the
home of Mrs. Wm Matson, February 18th 1910. On
account of the severe weather only a small number
of members were present. Afternoon visiting followed
and after appointing March 4th for the next meeting
which was to be held at the home of Mrs. Bert
Kelley they departed.

"A Valentine Social was held at the school house,
February 21st under the direction of the Ladies Aid
Society. Games were played and a short program
was rendered. Light refreshments were served. An
admission fee of 25 cents was charged which
brought a total of $8.75."

The next minutes were for July 17th 1913. There
were six members. Evidently this was a
reorganization meeting. The next meeting was to be
held at the home of Mrs. Herman Johnson. Those
present were Mrs. Kelley, Mrs. Brown (probably
Mrs. Frank Brown), Mrs Chapman, Mrs. Culp, Mrs.
Nelson and Mrs Beswick.

Other members mentioned as helping with a bazaar
were Mrs.Ross, Mrs. Greenwood, and Mrs. Gygi.
Members mentioned as being present at a meeting
in July, 1913 were: Mrs. H.E Kelley. Mrs C.H. Kelley,
Mrs Boyd, Mrs Boettcher, Mrs Spinger, Mrs. Embry.
Mrs, Drinhall, Mrs. Hammit, Mrs Smith (probably Mrs.
Leo Smith), Mrs. Ray, Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Roy Matson,
Mrs. J.A. Margerison, Mrs Springer, Hazel Walter,
Miss Storey, Mrs. Clara C. Thompson and Mrs. H.A.
Walter.

As a comparison with prices today are listed the
expenses for a social held in January 1910: 5 dozen
cups and saucers, $7.50; 5 dozen teaspoons $1.25;
coffee for social 30 cents; sugar 35 cents; I coffee
pot $1.00; Total 10.40. And for a social held February
21st; cocoa 25 cents, coffee 35 cents; sugar 25 cents;
lOO paper napkins 80 cents; 2 pitchers $1.70.

The bachelors of the community were very liberal
as patrons of the Ladies Aid projects to raise money
and the Ladies Aid gave a supper in their honor.
There was a list of the bachelors and single men
but no date. These are the nanes on the list: Tommie
Newton, Ernie Moulton, Clarence Ripley, Marvin Marsden,
Joe Marsden, Eric Moody, H. Darby, Wayne Malmberg,
Evan Malmberg, Joe Greenwood (the name was Joe on the
list but I think it should have been Fred), Claus Fremont,
Eddie Lane, Dave Bingham, Pete Matichuk, Wm. Sevier
and Tony Kubeck.

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