Contains items based on the churches in the Bradford West Gwillimbury area. Headings include: Auld Kirk Bond Head Churches Bradford Presbyterian Church The Convent Church Photographs Dunkerron United Holy Martyrs of Japan Methodist Churches in BWG Springdale Christian Reform St. Luke's Anglican St. Paul's Anglican Trinity Anglican
*Churches - Other

Event Date : Wednesday, March 29, 1967
Event Type : Death

Description : Death came with startling suddenness last Wednesday evening to one of Bradford's prominent business men, when Mr. William Francis Compton died at his home here. Mr. Compton had been at his place of business, Compton's IGA Groceteria, that day and came home around 6 p.m. He told Mrs. Compton that he was going to have a bath before having his dinner. Later he was found dead in the bathroom by his wife. Death is attributed to a blood clot reaching his heart.
Born in Morell, P.E.I., 67 years ago, Mr. Compton spent his early years in that province, going to U.S.A. in 1922, where he joined the A & P Stores Ltd. He returned in May, 1928, when A & P opened stores in Canada, and continued with that firm until coming to Bradford in 1944, when he purchased the long-established Sutherland's Grocery, operating the business during the first few years as Compton's Groceteria. In 1951 he joined Oshawa Wholesale as a charter member of the IGA in Canada. He continued to operate the business in the old stand until last year, when the beautiful new Compton's IGA was opened on John Street West. He was justly very proud of this fine new store, which was really the realization of a long anticipated plan. A good business man, exceptionally well trained in the food marketing business, Mr. Compton succeeded in his private business and also found time to devote energy to his municipality. He had served both as councillor and reeve of Bradford, in the years before the municipality gained town status, and had also served as president of Bradford Lions Club. Mr. Compton was married at Laggan, Ontario, in September, 1928, to Normanda MacNeil, who survives him with their family of two daughters, Joan (Mrs. K. L. Pond), Ottawa; Norma (Mrs. R. D. Duffy), Toronto; Gordon William, Bradford; sisters and brother, Esther (Mrs. V. H. Dockendorf), Charlottetown, P.E.I.; Frances (Mrs. A. R. Graham), Mussoorile, India; Lydia (deceased); Robbins, Morell, P.E.I. and Elizabeth (Mrs. W. H. Reich), Port Washington, N.Y.; and five grandchildren, who were the delight of his life, Dianne and David Compton and Janet, Allison and Christine Pond.
The funeral was held on Saturday, April 1, from his church, Bradford United, with Rev. D. J. Lute conducting the services. Temporary entombment was in the vault, with interment to be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The pallbearers were Keith Collings, Robert Hanna, Robert Veale Jr., Joseph Alebeck, Wallace Holmes and George Allan.The flower bearers were James Patton, Harold Newns, Charles Davidson, Ronald James and Lester Woolven.

Event Date : Saturday, June 04, 1966
Event Type : Marriage

Description : Norma Lillian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William F. Compton of Bradford, to Robert Donald Duffy of Toronto, son of Mr. and Mrs. William M. Duffy of Cornwall. The wedding took place in Bradford United Church. Rev. Donald J. Lute officiated. The bride was attended by Mrs. Wessel Lammers of Guelph. Mr. Wessel Lammers of Guelph was groomsman. Mr. and Mrs. Duffy will reside in Toronto.

Event Date : Sunday, January 30, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : A former Bradford businessman and long-time respected resident here, Mr. Archie Hammell, passed away at York County Hospital, Newmarket, on Sunday, January 30, 1966, after four months of declining health and a long period of hospitalization. Mr. Hammell was born in the Tottenham area, coming to Bradford as a young man, when his parents purchased the farm on the outskirts of town, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Metcalfe. He joined the staff of the store long operated by the late Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Douglas and when they retired he opened his own grocery business on the south side of Holland
Street. He retired from business a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hammell (the former Minnie Spence) were married in Bradford in September, 1916, and would have had their fiftieth wedding anniversary this year, had he been spared. Early in life Mr. Hammell joined the IOOF here, and in more recent years has been a member of that Lodge in Aurora. He was also a member of Simcoe Masonic Lodge No. 79, Bradford, and services were conducted by these lodges on the evening before his funeral. Mr. Hammell was a member and elder in Bradford United Church. The funeral services were held last Wednesday afternoon from the Lewis Funeral Home in Bradford. Rev. D. J. Lute conducted the services and temporary entombment was in Sixth Line Cemetery Vault, with interment to be made later in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. Mr. Hammell is survived by his wife and two brothers, Harry of Newmarket and Frank, who spends winters in Florida and summers at Victoria Harbour, Ontario. The pallbearers were Messrs. D. Arthur Evans, Robert L. Brown, C. T. S. Evans, Ivan Daniels (Aurora), Seward Lee and William Jelly.

Resume of Henry W. Dahlin, a minister of the Bradford United Church in the 1980s. Includes information on his family, his education, his association with clubs and organizations in the area, and his experience working with other churches.

Event Date : Wednesday, February 28, 1973
Event Type : Death

Description : A life-long resident of Bradford, Alexander W. Spence of 155 Barrie St. died in Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, on February 28. Mr. Spence, 72, owned and operated Spence Lumber on Bridge St. He served on the former Bradford School Board and on the Bradford Council for several years. He was active in the conservation association, served as a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge and was a member of the United Church. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 3 in the Lewis Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Chapman officiating. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Surviving are Mr. Spence's wife, the former Mary Brady; one daughter, Mrs. Keith (Betty) Noble of Bradford; one sister, Mrs. Minnie Hammel of Bradford; one brother, Emerson of Delhi and three grandchildren, Douglas, Ronald and Barbara.Three brothers and one sister, William, Norman, Arthur and Emily are predeceased.