EDEN UNITED CHURCH 1824 - 2024
The Rose Window: The Garden of Eden
The rose window in Eden's Sanctuary was created in the Classical "rose" window style by Nancy Lou Patterson of the University of Waterloo and depicts the story of the Garden of Eden
It conveys not only the rich colours of the flowers in the biblical Garden of Eden (Genesis 2), but also the symbol of temptation of the first male human, Adam, in the form of the legendary snake (Genesis 3).
The window was made by Bullas Glass in Kitchener and installed on April 24, 1980 in the Eden wing of the Meadowvale West Church Campus. It was later reinstalled in 1989 in the new Eden building.
History of Sanctuary Banners
Advent
Banner on left - “He will be called” – Tree of Jesse – named after the Biblical figure Jesse, and the tree is a reference to the passage from Isaiah 11:1 “A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesse, from the Bible, is known to be one of the ancestors of Jesus. The ornaments on the Jesse tree tell of Jesus’ ancestors, and of the events leading to Jesus’ birth. Perhaps this came to be the very first ‘family tree’.
Banner on right - “You will name him” – Angel Speaking to Mary – God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth with a message for Mary, who was promised in marriage to Joseph. The angel told Mary that she would have a son, whom she was to name Jesus.
Lent
Banner on left –all symbols represent the story of the Garden of Gethsemane (a grove of olive trees) where Jesus goes with the disciples Peter, James, and John. Those who came, arrested Jesus there prior to his crucifixion. The bag of coins symbolizes the payment to Judas for betraying Jesus, the lantern for keeping watch, the rope used to bind him, dead palm branches, staff, and sword.
Banner on right – all symbols represent Jesus’ crucifixion on the center cross between two criminals. The pole with the sponge represents the sour wine Jesus was given but after he tasted it he refused to drink it. The ladder was used to climb up the cross to give Jesus the wine. INRI is the symbol above Jesus’ head meaning “King of the Jews”. The dice represent the casting of lots for Jesus’ clothes, the rooster crows three times to mark Jesus’ death on the cross.
Easter
Banner on left – “Alleluia” – all symbols represent the story of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. The butterfly symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. Butterflies undergo metamorphosis, giving new life (a transformation). The colours represent the tomb opening and the light shining out. The flower (shaped like a trumpet) gives God glory and Christ’s triumphant resurrection. Lilies grew in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Banner on right – “Alleluia” – the pomegranate symbolizes the blood of Jesus and the bursting of fruit and seeds, his resurrection. The pomegranate is a symbol of resurrection and everlasting life.
The Easter banners come down before Pentecost and are replaced by the green banners which hang until Advent returns.
Pentecost
Banner on left – “Creator”- the rainbow reminds us of the wonder of God’s work in nature and in our lives; God’s faithfulness and grace. The hand represents the hand of God overseeing all of God’s kingdom. The fish symbolizes Jesus’ call to follow and make fishers of people. The water, earth, trees, plants, and roots represent all creation. The apple in the tree symbolizes the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The dove represents the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism.
Banner on right – “Spirit” - the descending dove represents the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus with a voice from heaven saying, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”. The balloons are a gift of the spirit. The seven flames are also gifts of the spirit, specific examples of work done through the faithful.
Antipendia and Lectern banners
These tapestries all coordinate with the various coloured banners and hang from the lectern and adorn the communion table when the various seasonal banners are hung.
The symbols on them relate directly to the symbols of each season’s banners.
175th Anniversary Banners
Colours of the rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet
These tapestries hang on the north and south walls of the sanctuary and celebrate Eden’s 175th Anniversary. They were designed by Cindy Cyr and hand made by Linda Colquhoun.
The descending dove is repeated on each tapestry depicting the Holy Spirit.
The open book symbolizes Bible stories as well as the records of members of Eden United Church. Each leaf (seeds sewn) on the vines records the families of Eden up until the 175th Anniversary (1999).
Baptismal Stoles – white
The white Baptismal stoles were designed and originally made by Linda Colquhoun. They are now made by Lil Budden.
The blue raindrops represent the water during Baptism. The shell is a symbol that reminds us of baptism since many early baptisms were done near lakes, rivers, and seashores. A shell would be used to pour water over the head of the one being baptized. When someone is baptized, that person is marked as a ‘child of God.’ The stole is white to represent ‘a new white garment’ which the one being baptized is then referred to as being, ‘clothed in Christ.’
Designed and sewn by Linda Colquhoun (pictured above)
Researched and compiled by Linda Colquhoun and Lorraine Leschied - June 2023.
The Creation Tapestries
The woven Creation tapestries were designed as seven individual tapestries measuring 6 feet by 10 feet. Both line and colour are meant to unify the Genesis story of Creation. The first six tapestries were weaved by Eden members in 1979. The final tapestry was weaved in 1980 to commemorate the opening of Eden’s ministry at the Meadowvale West Church Campus.
The 7th tapestry depicts the history of the Eden congregation. It is a chronology of that history beginning in 1824 with the Methodist Minister riding on horseback to worship in people’s homes. The trail becomes a gravel road where the services were held in a wooden chapel located where the present Eden cemetery stands. A permanent brick church was built in 1868.
The road then evolves into Highway 401 with 4 lanes of the highway to depict the 4 congregations which made up the Church Campus in 1980. From there, the mural veers off into the future. As in the past, Eden is guided by the Spirit into the future.
For more detailed information on the Tapestries please click HERE
Stories Sown Through Spirit, 175 Years of Faith Stories
Eden United Church 1824-1999 A Growing History
Compiled and Written by Jim Taylor
Eden Artifacts
To learn more about Eden's rich history and its involvement in the Meadowvale community you are welcome to visit and attend our worship services at 10 AM on a Sunday and see for yourself the continuity between our past, present and future.
Eden Cemetery (Also known as Switzer's Cemetery)
Originally nestled in the north west farmland of Toronto Township, Peel County in the former community of Lisgar, Eden Cemetery is located at the northeast corner of Derry Rd. West at the corner of Shelter Bay Rd. in Meadowvale.
The cemetery was part of the 1/2 acre of property that John Switzer sold in 1840 for five pounds to five trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist church. The trustees were: John Rutledge, James Crawford, Samuel Switzer, David Mason and Hugh Mason. The frame church, called Switzer's church was 60 x 20 feet and able to hold 300 people. The church remained until 1869 when it was dismantled upon the completion of the larger brick church across the road on Isaac Waite's farm. The Waites' provided a kiln and one of the original bricks is on display at the current church. The old brick church was demolished in August, 1980. Eden cemetery now stands alone as the current Eden United Church is at the corner of Battleford Rd. and Winston Churchill Blvd.
A dedication service for Eden Cemetery was held in 2005 and officiated by the Rev. Barry King in recognition of the stories of people
of Faith at Eden. To honour their ancestors many relatives of the original settlers were in attendance.
In 2007 the Cemetery was designated by the City of Mississauga as a heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act. The City operates and maintains the Cemetery. Burials are only for previous purchased plots. The first burial was in July 1843 for Phebe Watson age 14 years and 9 months. A transcript of the Cemetery is available from the Halton Peel Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.
The History of Edenwood Seniors Village Inc. Celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2024.
Halton Presbytery had been considering the need for a new congregation in an area known as Lisgar, in Northwest Mississauga. Thus, when the Eden United Church (EUC) congregation decided to build a new church they welcomed the idea. Eden’s growth plan made possible the suggestion of a “regional church” serving a wider area including Lisgar.
In January 1986, Halton Presbytery purchased 4.374 acres of land at the corner of Winston Churchill Blvd. and Battleford Rd, Mississauga. In March 1986, a congregational meeting at Eden United Church established Edenwood Seniors Village Inc. (ESVI), a non-profit corporation managing independent living apartments for seniors on a portion of Eden’s property. The Building Planners recognized the size of the debt that Eden was incurring and looked for ways to reduce this amount of debt.
During the winter of 1988-89, the Ontario Government approved funding for the proposal put forward for a Seniors’ Complex. The first Board of Directors meeting of Edenwood Seniors’ Village Inc. was held on September 28, 1989. The purpose of this meeting was to review architectural plans, a schedule of working drawings and to review Tenders for the project.
The sale and transfer of a portion of the church’s land to the Seniors’ Complex occurred in 1990, in the amount of $300,000.00. Construction started April 3, 1990.
On October 1,1991, 77 units, 8 of which were two bedroom and 69 one bedroom units, the brand new Edenwood Seniors’ Village opened. Of these 77 units, 8 units, a mix of 1 and 2 bedrooms, were market rental and 69 units were “geared to income” rentals. Within the next three months 96 seniors moved in with another 100 applicants on a wait list.
The Victorian order of Nurses (VON) rent a community office within a 3rd floor unit of Edenwood Seniors’ Village. This arrangement has worked well benefitting both our residents and the VON.
In 2015, the first Project / General Manager for Edenwood Seniors Village Inc. since its opening, retired after 23 years. The building maintenance supervisor retired December 31, 2015. December 1, 2015, Victoria Park Management was awarded a contract to manage Edenwood Seniors Village Inc.
Edenwood Seniors’ Village Inc. has always fostered more of a family / community atmosphere than just a place to live. There have been residents who on occasion have volunteered their talents and time to enhance the building and property through gardening etc. and three residents are required to be on the Board of Directors. These Board positions are determined by nomination and voted in by the residents.
Over the years many social events and celebrations have been enjoyed by residents, their families and the community including: Birthdays, Anniversaries and Retirements. In 2016, a Residents’ Social Club was formally established.
Weekly activities included Bingo games, Exercise Classes, morning Coffee and afternoon Teas.
Eden United Church has been and remains very connected and supportive of Edenwood Seniors’ Village Inc. and its residents. There continues to be ongoing commitment by all to maintain three Eden United Church members, three Resident Board members and three Community Board members to complete the Edenwood Seniors’ Village Board of Directors.
There have been weekly spiritual gatherings led by the Eden United Church minister, Eden’s Folk Group and Senior Choir often provided music at Christmas or as requested, the Pastoral Care Team visited Congregants living in ESVI, and the Eden Mission and Outreach Hub (EMOH) offered friendly visits to residents as requested. Several Eden UC members independently volunteered for Christmas dinners etc., and all residents were invited to join in any of Eden UC activities or programs.
In February 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic necessitated precautions and restrictions for all Canadians. This was a very difficult period for all, but was particularly hard and isolating for our Seniors.
As well as the above mentioned programs, all internal programming offered by VON such as exercise classes and all social events within ESVI were cancelled. Access to common areas of the residence was restricted from February 2020 til 2023 and the ESVI Board of Directors managed their meetings virtually for 3 years with the first hybrid/in-person meeting since covid lockdown, occurring on October 1, 2023.
Upon the request of Residents, Victoria Park Management (VPM) arranged with Peel Dept. Of Health to have the Covid vaccine and subsequent Booster shots offered to the residents on site enabling easy access to immunization for all.
VPM was in constant communication with Public Health to ensure all safety measures were being incorporated and the cleaning of common areas was being done as per their provincial protocol for sanitation.
EUC Pastoral care services and EMOH offered grocery/ pharmacy pickup and delivery for ESVI residents unable or uncomfortable to go out into the community during the Covid period 2020 – 2022.
During this time many building and property upgrades were completed. The residence is over 30 years old and is in need of refurbishing. New entrance doorways and patio pads were installed for bicycles and shopping carts, patio stones and walkways were re-leveled, several suites received new countertops and flooring; and all fridges were replaced.
VON exercise programs, weekly dinners and social club events have been revived including the planning of a Christmas dinner celebration with Eden United Church Folk Group providing musical entertainment.
Despite all health restrictions having been lifted many of our residents continue to self restrict as the Covid virus remains active and a threat to this vulnerable population.
October 2023
Lorraine Leschied
Irene Kerr
Helen McKay
3051 Battleford Rd.
Mississauga, ON L5N 5Z9 Canada
T. (905) 824-5578 / F. (905) 824-5580
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