The location of a journal belonging to a church in Cambridge, Ontario, had been unknown for half a century until it was discovered in a Value Village store 100 kilometers away in London. The journal, authored by Rev. James Dickson, who served as the inaugural minister of Central Church from 1880 to 1914, was found and returned to the church by Ingrid Talpak, a church volunteer. Talpak described Rev. Dickson as the church’s founding minister and detailed his journey from Scotland to Canada via Montreal in the journal, documenting his experiences during the early days of pre-Confederation Canada.
The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the journal remain a mystery that volunteers are actively investigating. Talpak recalled the journal’s return to the church on October 7 after a woman called from Highway 401, claiming she had found an old book belonging to the church. Despite initial uncertainty about the book’s significance, it turned out to be the missing journal that had resurfaced unexpectedly.
The only clue about the journal’s past whereabouts was a letter discovered inside it dated October 11, 1979, mentioning that the journal had been loaned to a regional collection in Woodslee, Ontario, for microfilming. Talpak speculated that the microfilming might have been related to the church’s upcoming 100th anniversary, as indicated by the letter’s timing.
Upon reviewing the journal’s contents, Talpak highlighted Dickson’s detailed accounts of life in Galt and its residents, including familiar family names still prominent in the community today, such as the Barrie family. The journal also contained photographs, bills, and newspaper clippings from that era, shedding light on various aspects of daily life in Galt.
Efforts are underway to digitize the journal and ensure its safe preservation in Cambridge. Talpak announced plans to display the journal at a fundraising event on October 24 and sought guidance from the City of Cambridge archives on proper storage and handling procedures to safeguard its historical significance. Dan Schmalz, an information and archive analyst with the city, commended the journal’s excellent condition and emphasized its value as a primary source offering insights into Rev. Dickson’s life and the historical context of Galt during that period.