CENTRAL UNITED PASTOR LEAVING FOR BRANTFORD

[Welland Tribune March 13, 1947]

Congregation regrets departure of Rev. L.R. Ballantyne

Rev. L.R. Ballantyne, pastor of Central United church has accepted a call to Wesley United church, Brantford, and will be moving to his new charge at the end of June.

Mr. Ballantyne announced the call at a congregational meeting last night, stating that although he was happy in his present pastorate, yet he was disposed to accept the call. The congregation expressed regret at the prospect of his departure, but felt they would place no obstacle in his path.

At the same meeting the congregation extended a call to Rev. F.R Hendershot of Wesley United church, Brantford, to become the pastor here. This action has been ratified by the Official board and recommended to the congregation for their approval.

Mr. Ballantyne will have completed six years of ministry at Central United church when he leaves in June. He had previously served in Sutton West, Palmerston, Orillia and Paris.

A native of Atwood, Ont. He attended high school at Listowel, the Strtaford Normal School and graduated from Knox Theological College University of Toronto. He gave four years service in the First World War, serving in the artillery and later the Y.M.C.A. He was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church in 1923.

Officials of the church told the Tribune today that the invitation came first to Rev, Mr Ballantyne from Wesley United church, Brantford some weeks ago, and that when the Official Board was notified of the invitation it unanimously passed  a resolution declining to accept Mr. Ballantyne’s transfer, but that following a request made by him after a conference with officials of Wesley Church it was finally decided to accept the transfer being done with keen regret.

Mr. Ballantyne during his six years with Centtral United church has been active in several fields community service. He has been a member of the Canal Area Ministeria Association and has been its president this year. He has been a valued member of Welland Rotary Club, and officials of the club state that he has been one of the most active and helpful chairman the club’s crippled childrens’ committee ever had. His war experience was with the 43rd Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery in World War 1, and he served in France, specifically at the Battle of Passchendaele in October, 1917 when he was wounded. He later served with the Y.M.C.A. in that war.

During his six years with the pastorate of Central United church Mr. Ballantyne has served as chairman of several committees of the Niagara Presbytery.

There has been a steady growth in membership of the congregation during Mr. Ballantyne’s pastorate, and he leaves the church stronger financially than when he arrived.

Mrs. Ballantyne is a vocalist of note in local musical circles, and has been heard often at musical events in the city and district. Mr and Mrs Ballantyne have two children, Anne, who is studying at the University of Toronto and Robert, a third year student at Welland High and Vocational School.