Editors' Note

The task of summarizing the life of a church in a interesting way can be a daunting one. Yet it is a task which becomes appropriate in certain red-letter years such as hundredth anniversaries. When, however, two churches are in question, at first entirely separate but eventually operating as one, the problems of blending and balance are added to that of brevity. Such is the case with Trinity - St Paul's. Interestingly, the church buildings later recognized as Trinity United and St Paul's Avenue Road United were both begun in 1887. In the early 1980's the congregations joined forces, so in 1987 there is really a double centennial to be celebrated In our preparation of this account we decided to treat the histories separately up to the time of the merger, keeping as even a balance as our information sources permitted. While ample recourse to the United Church Archives and other depositories has been had, we must disclaim any attempt at profound research. Our chosen course was, while watchful against factual error, to highlight struggles and successes to conduct, as it were, a sentimental journey wherein most of the mileposts were passed within the memory of surviving members In this process we cannot hope to satisfy all readers some events and names will have been omitted which they would wish to see included This is inevitable, but we apologize nonetheless Most of the text is the work of contributors who are either present or former members, a broad invitation was issued early on The "Modern Times" section, dealing with a number of intensely controversial questions lately stirring this and other congregations, we entrusted to an active group among our younger people Our only instruction was, avoiding a propaganda approach, to outline for the sake of future historians how these matters arose within our walls and how they were dealt with Contributors to this section have done their best to meet our requirement If the strength of their personal conviction shows through here and there, we may take it as evidence that we are indeed dealing with burning issues of our times To all our writers and to others who have helped in various ways, we express our gratitude.

L.B. Leppard
R.G. Pettapiece