Eden Mills: Reflection by Luke Gelata

The research displayed on this CWRC display is directly inspired by the works of Sebastian Bartha and his participating interviewee, Bonnie Hamilton. During an interview between Sebastian and Bonnie, Bonnie describes her life growing up in the small town of Eden Mills and explains how the city of Guelph has changed significantly over her lifetime. After listening to Bonnie’s experience in Eden Mills, I was intrigued by the simplicity of a small, historic, and riverside town. Eden Mills is a beautiful small town located eight miles away from the city of Guelph and is settled along the Eramosa River.

Figure 1: Arial footage of Eden Mills 

Over the years, this town has established a closely-tied community through their volunteering and fundraising efforts towards specific locations. These locations such as the Community Hall and Presbyterian Church are important for the town because they resemble historic value. Eden Mills was founded by the Kribs brothers in 1842 and was originally named Kribs Mills. In 1846, Adam Argo and his wife Eve had taken over the mill and renamed the village Eden Mill’s because Argo believed it was as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. The name was also chosen out of the coincidence of Adam and Eve’s names.

Located on Barden Street, the Presbyterian Church has acquired a historic record of charitable donations and volunteered labor in order to enhance the quality of community lifestyle. The majority of my research concerning the Church is associated with the official Eden Mills Presbertarian website; which obtains a large historic document that thoroughly defines the Church’s past. Unfortunately, there is no existing peer-reviewed and scholarly-published article that explores the history behind this sacred building. Regardless of the limitations involving historic sources; this Church is evidently a central aspect of the community’s history and remains a symbol of the community’s tight-knit relationship. 

Figure 2: Video of Eden Mills Presbyterian Church
In 1907, stained glass was added to the Church after a charitable donation of one-thousand dollars. When considering the rate of inflation from more than a century ago, the money used to renovate the Church in today's dollars would be the equivalent of twenty-thousand dollars. I cannot personally guarantee the accuracy of this charitable donation; but regardless, to implement stained glass is no cheaply matter and thus, the beauty of stained glass clearly held important sentimental value for the community of Eden Mills. Most of the Church’s documented history involves the occurrence of new additions and renovations towards the building which had profound effects on the community’s lifestyle. Dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, the first version of the Church was constructed in 1887 by a Scottish gentleman named Robert Lamb. Before Lamb traveled from Scotland to Eden Mills, he brought along a small piece of rough limestone from the celebrated area of Alloway Auld Kirk and inserted the rock into a block of granite. This particular aspect of the church’s architecture still remains and can be seen on the right-hand side of the Eden Mills Church.   Figure 3: A photograph of the limestone that was inserted from the architect.   

Music became a very prominent aspect of the Church’s characteristics. The first presbyterian book of praise was published in 1897 and contained 137 songs from the old testament psalms. Later in 1918, there was a need to revise the book of praise and a new edition was produced that contained an impressive 832 psalms, hymns, and responses. The present hymn book was revised in 1972 and contains 614 hymn selections with words and music. The first organ was purchased in 1921 and later replaced with a better one in 1956 for $2050 dollars. Since the organ was purchased for dedicating music in recognition for the fallen soldiers of WWII, the tax of $186 was deducted from the organ. After the organ was installed, new renovations were established was installed to ensure the music was a priority. The Church refinished the entire floor and seating arrangements to create a comfortable listening environment. The style of music changed dramatically over the years, from traditional presbyterian hymns to country and western style genres. Annual Christmas concerts were held each year and utilized many young instrumentalists to assist the choir lead. In 1975, there were celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the presbyterian church in Canada. The national service aired on television, and members dressed in centennial clothing and sang and danced along the streets of Kitchener. 

In a town with a population less than five-hundred, it is clear that the Church holds significant value to residents of Eden Mills. Although the Church no longer obtains nearly as many attending members, it’s important to analyze the history of the Church as a central aspect of the community. The Presbyterian Church is a symbol that displays the community’s faith and motivation because members implemented their own funds in order to establish a ritualistic space that suited their own needs and interests.

For more of Luke Gelata's work, click here to find his interview with Norfolk Manor resident, Donald Wadleitgh.