A SHORT HISTORY OF KIPLING BAPTIST CHURCH A small flower bloomed at the foot of the pines, In forest midst heather and moss, She almost was hidden by roots and by vines, Yet stood there so calm, like a rose. This was the song, sung by these brave, courageous, and Christianâ€"minded people of long ago, yesterday. It began when some people from Sweden and Norway first arrived and settled around our beautiful little Deer Lake. Coming to a new country with little or hardly any means of survival, these people began this community now known as Kipling, Ontario. _ Three families arrived first: Rosenes‘, Westins‘ and Haglins‘. Only a short while after, other families joined the circle and before long, they met together to unite themseives by holding some form of worship. The background of the first families arriving was the Baptist faith, and so began our Baptist Church. After five years of holding meetings in the homes, they decided to join in with other Baptists and form themselves as a church in the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec. At this first meeting, held November, 1901, Mr. and Mrs. E. Rosene, Mr. and Mrs. A. Westin, led by Pastor Albin Anderson and wife, decided that minutes were now to be kept which we still hold as record of all proceedings of this little flock. Everything was done in the Scandinavian language. From then on, meetings were held regularly. More and more people became interested and attended these services. Before long, people were saved and wished to join as members. It was then time to think of joining in with a convention church and so with much prayer and dedication, such a meeting came to pass. The minutes tell us that on May 26, 1902, Rev. H.L. Thomas, of First Baptist Church in North Bay was called to organize this church here in Kipling. The meeting was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Thoraldson, beginning at 11:00 A.M. The congregation marched down to the shores of Deer Lake to witness the six candidates step into the cold, rough water to be baptized. The names of these people were: Mr. and Mrs. O. Englund, Henry Englund, Beda Westin and Jenny Westin. After the Baptismal Service, dinner was ‘ served by the ladies. Later in the afternoon, an organization service was conducted and in closing, the ordinance of the Lord‘s Supper. It was then officially "KIPLING SCANDINAVIAN BAPTIST CHURCH ". 6