HISTORY OF THE SPRINGVALE CHURCH

Bishop Walpole Abraham Winger was born in 1822 and died in 1904. He was one of the founders of the Springvale church. In the early part of his life he was a class leader in the Methodist church and later joined the Tunker church. He could preach both English and German and many were converted under his preaching. I heard my father say that he made a start under his ministry in 1856. He was also among the visiting ministers when father held Love Feast in his barn in 1875. I think he was baptized by either Samuel Snider or Peter Cober of Vaughan, around 1850. I received a letter from Elder Paul Nigh saying that he moved from Bertie to Springvale between 1840 and 1850, the date of his conversion and ordination. There were fourteen children in the family.

The next minister was Christian Winger, a son of Abraham. He was born in May, 1846, ordained to the ministry in 1881 and died in 1928. His son, Abraham, was also a minister, who preached in Markham district.

SPRINGVALE DEACONS

The first deacon was Andrew Haller, born in Germany. His ordination is unknown. He died in 1906.

Next deacon was John Hix, also born in Germany. He came to Canada at the age of seventeen and escaped military service. He was ordained in 1908. He died in 1925.

The Springvale church was without a deacon for a number of years until the election and ordination of George French. He was elected in 1941. He later moved to Mark- ham and was chosen deacon at that place.

THE CHURCH BUILDING PRIOR TO 1874. Services, including Love Feasts, were held in the home of Abraham Winger. Abraham Winger purchased a Methodist church south of Springvale. There was no dedication of this church.

In 1904 the present church was built at. Springvale for $800.00, as apparently Elder Christian Winger, who was a cement contractor, did much of the work. I am told there was an unusual service at the dedication of the church. I have not been able to find out who preached the dedication. One of Bishop Walpole Winger's favorite hymns – No. 651

Drooping souls no longer grieve, Heaven is propitious,
If you do in Christ believe You mill find Him precious;
Jesus now is passing by and He calls you to Him,
He has died for you and me, 0 then come and view Him.

From His hands, His feet, His side, Flows the healing lotion,
See the purple swelling tide, Boundless as the ocean,
See the living waters move for the sick and dying,
Now resolve to gain His Love, Or to perish trying.

Streams of mercy, how they flow, Surely now I feel it;
Half has never yet been told, 0 could I reveal it;
Jesus blood has healed my wound, 0 the wondrous story,
I was lost but now I'm found: Glory! Glory! Glory!

If no greater joy were known, In the starry region
I would try to travel on, In this pure religion;
Heaven here and heaven there, Glory here and yonder,
Brightest angels join with me, To adore and wonder.