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Founded by John Dryden in 1876 WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1976, PAGE 9 Whitby Baptist Church celebrates its centennil An extensive program of special events is being planned by the Whitby Baptist Church which is celebrating its Centennial this year. Although the major cele. brations will be in the fall, this Sunday, June 27, has been designated as Missionary Sunday, featuring a straw- berry tea. Guest speaker, following the tea, will be Mrs. Audrey Manuel, executive promotion- al secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society for Ontario and Quebec. She will speak Inf lation.fight topic at Chamber of Commerce "Inflation is everyone's problem and fighting it is everyone's business", Edward A. Horton, a consulting specialist for the Anti-Infla- tion Board, told members of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce "Everyone must be involved in this program--government, business, labor and individuals", said Mr. Horton. "The Anti Inflation Board program is succeeding bit by by bit, and with your help it will be successful". The AIB was established eight months ago, said Mr. Horton, when the economy showed productivity was standing still for the first time in 20 years and it was deter- mined that Canadians were taking too much out of the economy. Mr. Horton pointed out. that from 1961 to 1971 the Consumer Price Index showed a rise of three per cent a year, but from 1971 to 1975 there was a 38½ per cent increase. - The aim of the Anti Inflation Board is to keep the rise in the Consumer Price Index at eight per cent for the last three months of 1976, six per cent in late 1977, and an annual inflation rate of four per cent by the end of 1978, he said. Mr. Horton described the anti-inflation program as one of restraint and co-operation but pointed out that this restraint does not mean a freeze on wage and prices. The AIB, he said, was formed to monitor changes in prices, ages, profits, and dividends, identify proposed changes and their causes, and communicate decisions. The AIB has a headquarters and five regional offices across Canada, with 800 temporary employees, said Mr. Horton. During the question period following the meeting, one Chamber member strongly disagreed with the government looking after its inflation policing internally, and not being subject to the public scrutiny of the AIB. Mr. Horton said he could not answer the question fully, Play day at Sinclair but pointed out that it will take time for thegovernment's scrutinies to take effect. Already the federal govern- ment has made agreements with the provinces, and they are applying restraints on the municipalities, he said. ut the church at 6:15 p.m. The fall events begin with Former Ministers' Sunday Sept. 19. Former ministers of the Whitby Baptist congregation, Rev. Cliff Hill and Rev. John McLeod will be guest preachers, Rev. Hill speaking at the 11 a.m. service, and Rev. McLeod at the 7 p.m. service. On Oct. 17, an illustrated lecture will be presented by Albert IItley, the local congregation's historian. The lecture, entitled "William Marsh, Pioneer Minister", will outline the beginnings of Baptist work in the Durham Region. The Centennial anniversary banquet will occurr Saturday Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the. church. Tickets will be avail- able in September. Anniversary and Home- coming Sunday is Oct. 24. The Rev. W. J. Phillips of McMaster Dviinity College will speak at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., while the Whitby pastor Rev. Robert Hamilton will conduct the services. A luncheon will be held' following the morning service to allow former members and friends of the congregation to renew acquaintances. The centennial celebrations will conclude with a Com- mitment Sunday on Nov. 28. The Whitby Baptist Church began on Oct. 11, 1876, with a congregation of nine people. The first minister was Rev. John Craig. John Dryden, who resided near Brooklin, and was Ontario's Minister of Agricul- ture frorn 1890 to 1905, had purchased the old building of the Canada Presbyterian Church at the corner of Colborne and Centre Streets, and canvassed the Association of Baptist Churches to pay for it. This building served the Baptists for just over 90 years until May 28, 1967 when the congregation moved to its present location adjacent to the Ontario Ladies' College, on Gilbert Street. This Whitby Baptist con- gregation succeeded an earlier Baptist Church founded in 1822 by William Marsh, great grandfather of the Hon. John Dryden. The original Baptist con- gregation erected a log church on the Kingston Road at the present site of Kendal- wood Road in 1829, in which the Baptists worshipped and the community held public meetings until the building was damaged in a storm on April 18, 1855. From 1833, to 1837, the church was used by Rev. Dr. Robert Thornton, who founded a Presbyterian con- gregation in Whitby. This original log 3aptist congregation had disbanded by the early 1860s, and was not revived until 1876, 100 years ago. School A successful play day was held June 15 by the students and teachers of Sinclair Public School on Taunton Road. The winning primary team members were Sherry Daniel, Michael Oke, Kevin Duivestyn, Ireni Pierson, Susan Hill and Jo Ann Marsh. The winning junior team members were David White, Richard Lane, Linda Puckrin, Teresa Banks and Lyn Ann Disney.