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"A congregation of more than 150 people gathered at the Auld Kirk in the Scotch Settlement near Bradford on Sunday afternoon. The churchgoers were attending an outdoor service arranged by the South Simcoe Presbytery."

"The Auld Kirk, a historical church located at the Scotch Settlement will be the scene of an old time church service Sunday, June 22 at 3:00 p.m. The service is being jointly arranged by the Barrie Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church and the Simcoe Presbytery of the United Church. The Auld Kirk is on the 6th line of West Gwillimbury Township south of Highway 88 at the Scotch Settlement. The outdoor service will be led by Rev. Henry Dahlin, minister of Bond Head United Church and Chairman of the Simcoe Presbytery. Also participating in the service will be Rev. Ken Purdon, minister of Burton Ave. United Church in Barrie and Rev. Ed MacDonald, minister of the Presbyterian Church in Orillia and moderator of Barrie Presbytery. The guest preacher will be Rev. W. Stanford Reid, Professor of History at the University of Guelph.
The Auld Kirk's beginnings go back to 1823 when a log church was built by the settlers of the Scotch Settlement. In 1827, a frame church was built and the original log building was moved and used as a school until 1840. The present Auld Kirk building was erected in 1869 at a cost of $1,000. Due to a dwindling population the church was closed in 1885 and for some years fell into disrepair. In 1912, it required a new roof. In 1953, the restoration of the cemetery was started and in 1958 restoration work began on the church."

"John Diefenbaker's scheduled October 15 tour of York Region may be temporarily postponed due to the sudden illness of Mrs. Diefenbaker, The Witness learned yesterday. Mr. Diefenbaker had been scheduled to address a dinner in Nobleton, and visit the Auld Kirk Cemetery in the Scotch Settlement. The visit will be re-scheduled for some future date if the former prime minister is unable to come to the area."

"The first major steps to preserve the heritage of the Scotch Settlement and area were taken last week when about 20 people officially founded a historical society. Known as the Scotch Settlement and District Historical Society, it will seek to preserve the historical record of not only the struggles of the Scottish settlers but those of Bradford and West Gwillimbury as well. Phillip Baker, a representative of the Ministry of Culture and Recreation was on hand to describe the procedure in setting up a historical society, the grant structure, and the initial problems that will have to be faced..."

Son of Matthew Faris, 1935, who was the son of original John Faris from Carrigallan, Co. Cavan (now Eire).

From left: Gordon Faris with baby Mary Louise, Murray Faris, Bertha Faris, William G. Faris, and Lt. Keith Donnell Faris. Keith was killed in World War II.

Susannah Goodfellow Faris

Matthew Faris (1854-1904), at Maple Farm.

Murray and Ruby Faris' family gathered in 2002 to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary. Back Row, from left: Ronald Black, Rebecca Black, Ruth Black, Holly Faris, Joshua Faris, Allan Faris, Heather Faris, David White, Krista White holding David Jr., Amanda Faris, Joel Swagerman, Paul Black, Derek Swagerman. Seated: Rick Swagerman, Murray Faris, Ruby Faris, Jean F. Swagerman. Front: Susan Black, Luke Swagerman, Sarah Swagerman, Hope Faris.

Sarah Coutts and George Michie Coutts at their 50th wedding anniversary. This photo was taken in 1938 at the Scotch Settlement farm, located on the South West corner of Middleton Side Road and 6th concession, West Gwillimbury.