A journal linked to a church in Cambridge, Ont., that had been missing for five decades was recently discovered in a Value Village store located 100 kilometers away in London. The journal, penned by Rev. James Dickson, who was the initial minister of Central Church from 1880 to 1914, holds significant historical value.
Ingrid Talpak, a church volunteer, expressed astonishment at finding the journal, detailing Rev. Dickson’s journey from Scotland to Canada through Montreal and his experiences in the early days of pre-Confederate Canada. The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the journal remain shrouded in mystery, with volunteers actively investigating its history and how it ended up in a different city.
The journal made its way back to the church when a woman called on Oct. 7, informing them that she had found an old book belonging to the church while at Highway 401. Talpak revealed that the woman, whose identity remains unknown, left the book at the church after mentioning its discovery at Value Village.
The discovery of a letter dated Oct. 11, 1979, found inside the journal hinted that it was supposed to be loaned to a regional collection for microfilming in Woodslee, Ont., possibly in preparation for the church’s 100th anniversary the following year. Talpak highlighted that the journal contains insights into everyday life in Galt, showcasing the emotions and experiences of the parishioners, some of whose family names continue to be prominent in the community.
Volunteers plan to digitize the journal in the upcoming year and ensure its safekeeping within Cambridge, seeking advice from the City of Cambridge archives on preservation methods. Dan Schmalz, an information and archive analyst, emphasized the historical significance of the journal as a primary source offering a glimpse into Rev. Dickson’s life and the historical context of Galt during that period. The journal, filled with photographs, bills, and newspaper clippings, will be displayed during a fundraising event for the community to appreciate its heritage.