The History of Germain Street Baptist Church, St. John, N.B., for its first one hundred years, 1810-1910

by Thomas D. Denham

It seems but fitting that some reference should be made to Deacon GILBERT M. STEEVES, who previous to his removal to Liverpool, England—though still in the prime of life had—faithfully served as Deacon, Trustee, and in other departments of the work of the Church. As a man of sound business judgment his advice in connection with the finances of the Church was most valuable, he being the first Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also manifested a great interest in the Sunday School, and filled various offices therein. He is still living at Liverpool.

DEACON SOLOMON HERSEY,—Mr. Hersey was born on the Kennebec River about ten miles from Wiscessit in Maine, November 1st, 1783.

When about twenty-one years of age he came to St. George and engaged in milling and other branches of business. In 1820, seeking a wider scope for his abilities and business energy, he came to St. John, and for fifty years he was one of its foremost citizens helping forward its progress.

In 1840 he was baptized by the Rev. David Harriss, was received into the fellowship of the Church, and later chosen to fill the office of Deacon in 1849; so that for thirty years he was a member, and for over twenty-one years an officer of the Church.

His death occurred on the eighty-seventh anniversary of his birth, November 1st, 1870. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”

DEACON EDMUND H. DUVAL was born at Hounsditch, London, February, 1805. In early life he was converted and united with the congregation of which Rev. Henry Althans was pastor. Subsequently he was baptized by Rev. John Howard Hinton, and became a member of the Devonshire Square Baptist Church. Coming in contact with many Jews, he sought their conversion, which quickened in him a missionary spirit, and led him to a more thorough study of God's Word.

In the year 1837 he assumed charge of a school in London. Having distinguished himself as a teacher, the British School Society employed him as a lecturer, to promote the interests of education. In the same interest he was induced to come to this Province in 1845. As principal of a training and model school he discharged his duties faithfully, and to the close of life he was equally distinguished as an efficient Inspector of Schools.

While faithful in the discharge of his secular duties, he was active and zealous in the work of Christ. He was a member and Licentiate of the Germain Street Baptist Church. He labored in the Sabbath School, and for the cause of temperance, and preached the gospel most acceptably, benefiting greatly the destitute and neglected portions of our Province.

At Willow Grove he did much towards the erection of an excellent chapel, and for the elevation of the colored people there. On Friday the 20th September, 1878, his mortal remains were interred near the chapel at Willow Grove. Full of years, and much beloved, he entered his final rest on the 17th September, leaving one son and three daughters to mourn their loss.

DEACON CHAS. C. PARKER.—Charles C. Parker was born in Woolwich, England, October 15th, 1817, and was educated in the Duke of York's School for Soldiers Orphans. He joined the British army in his fifteenth year, and served with honored fidelity for twenty-six years, first in the 90th Infantry and afterwards in the 72nd Highlanders. He settled in St. John in 1858, from which place he departed “to be with Christ” October 22nd, 1895, aged seventy-eight years. When Mr. Parker came to reside in this country he was a consistent member of the Church of England, but shortly thereafter, during a religious revival conducted by the late Evangelist A. B. Earle, in obedience to his convictions regarding the teachings of God's Word he was baptized along with his wife, and united with the Brussels Street Church, under the pastoral care of the late Samuel Robinson. He was elected to the Diaconate of that Church and also served for several years as Superintendent of the Sunday School. In 1884 he, with his wife united with the Germain Street Church by letter from the Brussels Street Church. Here also he became a member of the Diaconate, in which office he served the Church most faithfully eleven years, when he was called to the higher service of his Lord and Saviour.