The Ladies Guild
by Lydia Graham
The Ladies Guild was formed in 1909 as a fundraising organization to organize and run social activities and to assist in raising money for the church. The Ladies Guild was formed ten years after the church was moved from Mitford to Cochrane. Many of the rural women moved to town each year during the winter months so their children could attend school.
In 1911, enough money was raised to cover the cost of paint for the church. From 1914 to 1918 the Guild met at each others' homes to pack kit bags and roll bandages for the war effort Farms replaced ranches, and a school was built on each four-mile square of land, so that every child was within a horse ride or walk to school. Since there was no longer any need for the women to move to town for the winter, the Guild was disbanded. Church services were irregular through that time, and local schools likely became the centre of community life.
In 1954 the Ladies Guild was re-established, probably because church services had become regular again. Roads had been improved so access to Cochrane for church services was easier. Ladies paid a 25-cent monthly membership fee. They held "home cooking sales," travel film evenings, raffles, Christmas stocking auctions, and catered for community auctions. The Ladies Guild paid for the church cleaner and other bills, and made diocesan apportionment payments that were in arrears.
In 1955 the Guild women started a building fund, possibly for the maintenance of the church building.
In 1956 the ladies were asked by Reverend T. Wright to start a Sunday School program. Classes were held at the back of the church, by the stove. The Stovepipe ran the length of the church from back to front, where it went through the roof over the altar. Reverend Wright, dressed in his clerical vestments, stood by the altar wearing his scarf in an effort to keep warm. In September 1956 the Ladies Guild passed a motion to raise funds for the installation of a gas furnace and the addition of kneelers to the pews.
Excerpts from the Minutes for September 27, 1957 show a typical meeting:
The Guild met at the home of Mrs. Bourdages. Present were Mrs. Kerfoot, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Bourdages, and Mrs. Lee, who opened the meeting with a prayer.
Vote was taken on a petition received from the Senior Branches of the national Women's Auxiliary on whether women should be allowed to be members of Vestry, and the age limit for vestry members should be lowered from 21 year to 18 years. "It was agreed by all that we would like the regulations to stand as they are."
It was moved by Mrs. Hardy and seconded by Mrs. Kerfoot that we rent the Community Hall for our luncheon after the Harvest Festival service. Moved by Mrs. Lewis that we get Mrs. Morris to make coffee for the luncheon. Seconded by Mrs. Hardy.
Moved by Mrs. Bourdages that we donate the fruit and vegetables from the Harvest Festival service to the Woods Christian Home. Seconded by Mrs. Hardy.
At the priest's suggestion (Rev. Wright) we will hold a social evening. Seconded by Mrs. Hardy.
Moved by Mrs. Bourdages that we hold a bazaar, tea and bake sale on November 30th. Seconded by Mrs. Kerfoot.
Collection for the month of September amounted to $2.50.
Renamed the Anglican Church Women in 1954, in 1964 the ladies were joined by members of the newly-formed Chancel Guild. The Guild continued hosting confirmation lunches, Mother's Day teas, Garden Enthusiasts evenings, the Flower Show, art and 4H Youth displays, Christmas stocking raffles and auctions and bake sales. Youth candy sales were held to encourage youth involvement in fund raising. Funds were raised to support the Vestry and Sunday School and to purchase altar supplies for the Chancel Guild.
As the ACW the group continues to be an integral part of the parish today.