HISTORY OF WAINFLEET CHURCH

By Christian Sider, now in 91st year John Sider Sr., who was one of the pioneers of Bertie district formerly known as Black Creek, took up nine hundred acres of land in Wainfleet, and gave each child one hundred acres, except Sarah, who married Elder Christian Hoover of Markham. The land was taken up about 130 years ago.

The Wainfleet church was built in 1881. Christian Sider Sr., son of the above, started it. Christian Sider told the writer he well remembers Bishop Peter Cober and Samuel Snider holding a Love Feast in his father's barn. They had eight different places in homes where they preached before the church was built, which was under the supervision of Bishop Abram Winger of Black Creek. Christian Sider Sr., son of John Sider, was born Nov. 11, 1817, ordained a minister in 1845, died Aug. 5, 1885. He was one of the first ministers of the church. He was a strong believer in separation from the world in dress, and also in the new birth, and lived it by precept and example, and his church grew and prospered. He was a good counsellor and gave good advice without partiality, and earnestly contended for the faith once delivered to the saints. Pride found no room in him. He was a real father in the home and in the neighborhood. He had a family of ten children, 3 sons and 7 daughters. They all united with his church. His wife was Barbara Sherk, who was of Mennonite descent. She was a real mother in Israel. Moses Sider, a brother, born Dec. 3, 1823, was ordained as a minister (no date), died in 1873.

John Sider, son of Christian Sider Sr., was born in 1853, ordained as minister in 1880 and chosen Bishop in 19I3. He died in 1931. He was converted at the age of 21 and was soon put in the ministry. He was baptized by Bishop Samuel Snider of Markham, in Lake Erie, when the meetings were held in the homes. He married Mary Ann Climenhaga, daughter of David Climenhaga, who was a deacon of Bertie district. He was a man that stood four square for honesty and uprightness, and lived it. He had a good influence in his neighborhood. He was the first Bishop of Wainfleet church. He shepherded the flock well, always took time to visit the sick, which is so much neglected in this our day. He was much like his father, he stood for separation from the world in dress and other things as well, also believed in the new birth. His son, Jesse, was ordained a minister in 1918 for the Wainfleet church. He is now deceased. Jesse's son, Lewis, is now a missionary in Africa, and another son, Murray, is a deacon in the church at Howick, while his daughter, Grace, is in mission work in Chicago. A daughter, Abbie, married a minister, also a daughter, Nellie, is a missionary in India.

Christian Sider, brother of Bishop John Sider, was born in 1862, ordained in 1895. He is still living. He was converted at the age of 13, was baptized by Elder Asa Bearss, and says he will never forget what he promised on his knees in the water, the baptismal vows, and is still satisfied with his baptism. He was married at the age of 27 to Anna Dick. Her father was a deacon in Indiana. Bishop Henry Davidson married them. He was elected to the ministry at the age of 32, ordained by Bishop Charles Baker of Nottawa. He is the father of six children, all belonging to his church. He was a good farmer, always paid his debts, and gave his children a good start in life. He also gave liberally to foreign missions. All his grandchildren belong to the church but one, which at present is too young. His son, Earl Sider, was elected minister by the Wainfleet church for the Cheapside congregation. Earl has two sons, one in the ministry. Harvey, elected by the home congregation for Cheapside, also teaches school besides helping his father with the ministry. The other son, Robert, is at Saskatchewan, being sent out by the Home Mission Board. Calvin Sider is the youngest son of Christian Sider. His son, John, has been elected to the ministry by the Wainfleet church. Mattie, a daughter, married Vernon Pye, whose son Arthur is a missionary in India. Christian Sider Jr., another son, is minister at Wainfleet, and the youngest daughter is Mabel.

Joseph Sider was the oldest son of Christian Sider Sr., born 1848. He married Eliza J. Winger, daughter of Ben Winger of Black Creek district. They were saved and united with the church soon after they were married. When he became established in the faith and having a good influence among the people he was elected deacon in 1885. He faithfully served in this office until disabled from old age after which he died a victorious death in 1926 at the age of 77 years. Of this union were born 8 children, of whom all have been saved and have united with the church. When his father passed away, Darius, his oldest son, was called upon to fill the deacon's place, which he did until he was called home to his reward. Melvin, at Clarence Center, was chosen by the church there to be their deacon. Idellus has spent most of her life working for the Lord in home missions and in tent work. Ida married W. B. Heise and one of their sons is out preaching the gospel, one a deacon in Waterloo district and one a mission worker. Sarah married Fred Climenhaga. They too were faithful in serving as deacons in the Black Creek district until she was called home at an early age of 52 years. Tena married Landon Steckley of Markham and they too have served as deacons for many years. Lizzie, the youngest, married Fred Bossert and their son-in-law is pastor in Blandburg, Pa., while Lizzie travels a great deal with the message the Lord has personally given her to warn the people to prepare for His near return.

Some of his favorite hymns sung in those early days were: –

This is the field, the world below, in which the sowers came to sow!
Jesus the wheat, Satan the tares – for so the Word of Truth declares.
And soon the reaping time will come, and angels take the harvest home.

To love my sins, a saint appear, to grow with wheat and be a tare –
May serve me while on earth below, where tares and wheat together grow,
But soon the reaping time will come, and angels takes the harvest home.

Most awful truth, and is it so? Must all mankind the harvest know?
Is everyone a wheat or tare? Me for the harvest, Lord, prepare;
For soon the reaping time will come, and angels take the harvest home.

Then all who truly righteous be, their Father's kingdom there shall see,
But tares in bundles shall be bound, and cast to Hell, 0, doleful sound!
For soon the reaping time will come, and angels take the harvest home.

Another one was: –

My heavenly home is bright and fair, No pain or death can enter there.
Its glittering towers the sun outshine, That heavenly mansion shall be mine.
I'm going home, I'm going home, I'm going home to die no more.
Let others seek a home below, which flames devour or waves o'erflow,
Be mine a happier lot to own, A heavenly mansion near the throne.

Also another one: –

There is a path that leads to God, all others go astray;
Narrow but pleasant is the road, and Christians love the way.

It leads straight through this world of sin, and dangers must be passed,
But those who boldly walk therein, will get to Heaven at last.

Then I may safely venture through, beneath my Shepherd's care,
And keep the gate of Heaven in view, till I shall enter there.

I will now mention the other ministers of the district: – Lafayette Shoalts, born 1876, ordained as minister in 1906, then as Bishop in 1929. He succeeded Bishop John Sider. The Lord used him in evangelistic work over the whole brotherhood in Canada and also in U.S.A. His granddaughter is a missionary in India.

James Putnam, Ronnie Sider, Ray Sider, Earl Bossert (who later had charge of Buffalo Mission) and John Nigh, who had charge of Springvale congregation.

Marshal Winger was born near Ridgeway, Ont., Oct. 9, 1888. He was the son of Henry Winger, who was the oldest son of Bishop Abram Winger of Black Creek district. His mother was Ben Snider's daughter, Clara. His wife, Ethel Bitner, was the daughter of Elliott Bitner and granddaughter of Christian Bitner, a deacon of Black Creek district. Marshal united with the church early in life. He later took up a homestead in North Western Canada, now known as Kindersley. While living here he renewed his covenant with the Lord and entered the ministry. Later, after moving east, he was pastor of the work at Boyle, Wainfleet district, where he was so suddenly called home at the age of 64 years, on Aug. 5, 1953. Brother Winger was an outstanding evangelist. He was used of the Lord in many places in Canada and United States. He fearlessly expounded the truth with no uncertain sound, and stood true to the doctrine of the Brethren in Christ church. At present Ray Sider is minister of the congregation at Boyle.