The history of this congregation begins with the generation of people who came here from the highlands of Scotland about the beginning of the last century. It was in the year 1831 William MacDonald of Caithness settled in the Garden of Eden. It was he who gave this part of Pictou County it's name and is remembered as"The Adam of the Garden".
The first church was built on a piece of property given by William MacDonald. According to the place names of Nova Scotia, this was the Luther Church, built around 1858. This church was situated about one-half mile south from the present site.
The people of Blue Mountain and the Garden of Eden generally, and the majority of the people of Barney's River joined the Free church. From 1830 to 1850 they had no regular pastor, but occasional supplies.
The first regular minister was the Rev.Dr.D.B.Blair, a rare and remarkable man who was in his day the best Gaelic scholar in America and who was undoubtedly held in high esteem as an authority on Celtic History, and was vice-president of the Montreal Celtic Society 1884-1887.It was for him the church is named.
In 1872, steps were taken to build a new church. In 1873 Andrew Fraser conveyed by deed one-half acre to the trustees of the Presbyterian Church about to be erected. Subscriptions ranging from fifty cents to eighty dollars had already been signed and work commenced in 1873 and was completed the following year at a cost of $2,095.02.
In 1891, Garden of Eden and Blue Mountain became a separate charge and in 1958, Garden of Eden, Blue Mountain and East River St.Mary's were united into the present "Blue Mountain Pastoral Charge".
The church continues to be the center of activity in the community with regular services, AMS, Sunday School, Bible Study and Young Peoples's group.

Some Sites of Interest

The Twelve Days of Christmas
The Presbytery of Superior
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
CAMP Iona Home Page
Oakridge Presbyterian Church
Presbyterians Sharing
A directory of Christian resources and homepages on GeoCities may be found at:

"GeoChristians": Christian Resources on GeoCities (maintained by Anton)

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I BELIEVE in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sits on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Holy Catholic Church, The communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. AMEN.

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