Bernard T. Holden (1889 - 1981)

Born 5 May 1889 in Godalming, Surrey, England

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 31 Jul 1981 at age 92 in Worthing, Sussex, England

Biography

Immigrated to Newfoundland in 1921 - living first in Nova Scotia, then in Hawksbury, ON. Moved to Clifton, AZ, USA in 1950s.

Sources

Personal observation.

Listed at http://sunriseweb.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Brooklyn-PC-finding-aid.pdf as Ministers of Brooklyn Pastoral Charge - (South Shore Presbytery) - Sackville, NS 1925 and 1927, Brooklyn Congregational Ministers 1923-24

Listed at MINISTERS OF THE CONGREGATION of The Dissenting Church of Christ at St. John's Newfoundland: http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/cns/TheDissentingChurchChristSt.Johns1775-1975.pdf

'At a meeting held on April 18, 1921, correspondence was placed before the congregation resulting in a unanimous call to the Reverend Bernard T. Holden, M.A., a graduate of Oxford University and Mansfield Theological College, Cambridge, at present pastor of Westcotes Congregational Church, Leicester. During the war, Mr. Holden had served as chaplain in the Army. Mr. Holden was highly recommended by the English church and was said to be a good preacher. In a letter received from Dr. Holden, 18 October 1975, he confesses that he found the call from Newfoundland "irresistible".

In June 1921...the Holdens arrived from Liverpool in the 5.5. Sachem, The 'home' boat docked on Sunday 12 June, at 10:00 a.m. and the members of the Queen's Road Church were somewhat startled when, in the midst of the morning service, a young Englishman entered the church, walked down the aisle and introduced himself as their new minister! Mr. Holden had disembarked, enquired the way to the Congregational Church, and walked up the hill. His party included Mrs. Holden, his young son, Roger, and Miss Heap, Mrs. Holden's sister, who became active in the church, teaching the girls' Bible Class.

Mr. Holden preached for the first time the following Sunday, taking as his subjects "Faith and Fear" and "What think ye of Christ." In bidding him welcome to St.John's, the Evening Telegram observed that Mr. Holden "succeeds a long line of distinguished men, some of whom have takena prominent part in the religious, educational and public life of the Colony." The Holdens lived first in a house on Freshwater Road, owned by a Mr. Snelgrove, but the lease expired I May 1922. Consideration was given to Captain Keeping's house on Quidi Vidi Road, but in the end 7 Waterford Bridge Road was leased at a cost of $600.00 per annum.

...Mr. Holden is remembered as a kindly and vigorous minister, much interested in young people, particularly the boys of the congregation. In 1921, he formed a Scout troop and a Tuxis Square for the younger boys; and a group called 'The Ironsides' for the older ones. He took the boys camping in the summer - on one occasion at Acid Sidings (Snowville) near Topsail, on another Tor'sCove, and another, Fourth Pond, The Goulds. Keenly interested in sports, the minister formed a Tennis Club and persuaded the Trustees to lease (for $5.00 a year) part of the Allandale property for courts. A formal agreement was drawn up......bounded on the south by a brook, on the east by land leased to Conroy and Sloneyhouse Road, on the north by land leased by Percey and on the west by church land." In fine weather Mr. Holden rode a bicycle. A vivid memory for many was the sight of their minister pedalling downhill, the tails of his frockcoat streaming behind him.

...In December 1923... The Reverend B.T. Holden announced his resignation. One of his last public appearances was at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of George St. Church. The auction of all household furnishings took place from Waterford Bridge Road, and on Sunday, 9 December, Mr. Holden preached his farewell sermon to "a largely attended congregation". ...Mr. Holden expressed his sadness at leaving but assured the congregation of his prayers for the future of the church.The Holdens left on the express the following day to take up duties at the Union Church in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia. There followed twenty years at Hawksbury United Church in Ontario and then a call to the Presbyterian Church at Clifton, Arizona, where Dr. Holden celebrated the 50th. anniversary of his ordination. Dr. and Mrs. Holden now live at 48 Livesay Crescent, Worthing, Sussex in England "our first and our final home, until Heaven itself welcomes us."