1895 - Victoria Avenue Baptist Church

 On March 20, 1895, a hastily scheduled meeting was held at the church on Victoria Avenue North at Evans street. 

A matter that has arisen which had to be shared witth the congregation as soon as possible :

“There was a large turnout of the members of the Victoria Avenue Baptist Church last night, the regular prayer meeting being followed by a business meeting, the result of which was looked forward to by the older members with considerable anxiety. The cause of this worry was the fact that the pastor, Rev. Fred Tapscott, had sent in his resignation."

Hamilton Times March 21, 1895.

Reporters from all three Hamilton daily newspapers had heard about the meeting and they all made an appearance at the church:

"The presence of a reporter seemed to cause anxiety to some church members, and it was moved that the reporters be requested to withdraw. In making the motion, Mr. Pocok said that he, for one, did not want to see the church exposed, or run the risk of being misrepresented by reporters."

 The banished reporters did learn that the meeting was orderly and a decision was made as to how to respond to Rev. Tapscott's letter:

"Rev. Mr. Tapscott’s resignation was read, and referred to a committee, which brough in a recommendation that the resignation not be accepted, at least just now. The recommendation was adopted by the meeting. The rev. gentleman gave no reason for his action, but it is generally understood that, outside of any difference he might have had with members of his congregation, he is desirous of completing his college course. Rev. Mr. Tapscott was not at the meeting being out of the city. He will return before Sunday next."

Over the next month, considerable discussion had taken place in which it was decided to face the inevitable and accept that the popular pastor of the church was moving on to complete his studies at university.

On April 3, 1895, another congregational meeting was called. Rev. Tapscott was in attendance and he explained why he had decided to resign

In response to his speech, the following resolution was moved, seconded and passed unanimously:

‘In accepting with regret the resignation of our pastor, Rev. F.T. Tapscott, we, the members of Victoria Avenue Baptist Church, Hamilton, desire to place on our church records an expression of our appreciation of his work of faith and labor of love in this place. Four years ago, at the earnest suggestion of the Home Mission Board, Mr. Tapscott resigned a successful pastorate at Port Arthur, to undertake the pastorate of this church which, by reasons of internal division, was then in an unpromising condition. Among many discouragements, he labored with heroic zeal, unselfish devotion and large faith, conducting the public services for over two years in an unattractive building in an unattractive location; but during this period the moral and spiritual condition of the church was greatly improved and numbers of new converts added. Seeing the absolute necessity of a better place of worship, the church, at the very urgent request of the pastor, decided upon the erection of a commodious new church edifice. Without outside aid this would have been a rash and impossible undertaking, but from his personal and other outside friends, the pastor raised over $2,500 which, with about $1,000 raised by members of the church, made possible the erection of the present handsome and commodious brick edifice, in which the work and worship has been successfully carried on since October 1893. On leaving this pastorate with a view of preparing for the completion of his university course, Mr. Tapscott leaves behind him as monuments to his earnest labor; First, a new and commodious church edifice, with a moderate and consolidated debt; second, a purified and largely increased church membership, and third, a gospel ministry that has been spiritual in character, abounding in self-sacrifice and loyal to the great Head of the church. Nor can we, in conclusion, omit to recognize the helpful and abiding influence of the pastor’s devoted sister who, both for her consecrated labor and personal worth, is held in the highest esteem by members of this church’