Customs and Traditions/ August 8th, 2021

Today we are going to be looking at the role that churches played in community traditions, along with the associated social events which played a large part in society in the 1800s throughout Ontario, including in Madoc.

Methodist church in Madoc. The O’Hara family were part of the Methodist Episcopal church

Religion

One cannot talk about the significance of churches without talking about the religious and spiritual purpose they served. Back in the 1800s more of the population attended church and were religious than today. Every Sunday the family would pack into the horse and carriage and set out for their respective church to worship. In the days before the first church was built in Madoc, families would gather at the O’Hara homestead of Squire James and his wife to worship and be with one another.

For The Children

Churches played a significant role in the lives of children in the 1800s beyond their spiritual importance. The O’Hara children, along with other children their age are known to have been in plays that were put on at church. At Christmas, just as we have now, a nativity patent would be put on to celebrate the birth of Jesus and tell his story. This would be an exciting time for local children as they awaited to find out what role they would play and worked hard to remember their lines!

Children would also often attend Sunday school, where they would learn about proper behaviour and make connections with their fellow children.

Women at the Church

The church functioned as a social setting for many women. They would wear their best fashions and would be admired by potential suitors. After service there was always time to socialize and there would often be a meal or tea, which would be hosted by local women. This would either happen at the church, or in the parlours of local women. We know that Mrs. O’Hara often held teas in the parlour at the Homestead, where her friends would gather and gossip about the happenings of the town.

Many women also found within the church opportunity for a purpose outside of those spiritual. There are records of a few O’Hara women having assisted and run activities at the church, from socials to music lessons and more!

Supporting The Larger Community

It was through the church that members of the local community could receive help in times of hardship. Collections would be made during service that normally went to support the church, however, when a family was in need they would take up a collection to give to support the family.

Members of the church, especially women, would take part in fundraising campaigns for community endeavors. If the school needed repairs, especially in the early days, socials and other fundraisers would be held through the church to raise money and support the school.

It was through church that many in Madoc found not only a sense of spiritual belonging, but also social belonging and entertainment. A vital part of the community the churches of Madoc were cherished by locals and without them the community would not have been as connected as it was and would not have flourished in the same manner.

𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 & 𝓜𝓲𝓪