Cambridge Church Unveils Missing Journal of First Minister

Volunteers at Central Church in Cambridge have successfully solved the mystery surrounding a missing journal belonging to the church’s first minister, Rev. James Dickson. The journal, which contains personal reflections, photographs, and newspaper clippings documenting Dickson’s life and work, was returned after being found by a woman who referred to herself as the “mystery woman.”

The chain of events began on October 7, 2023, when a woman contacted the church to report that she had discovered an old book she believed belonged to them. This woman, later identified as Tracy Medel, had found the journal in a Value Village thrift store. Initially thought to be located in London, Ontario, it was later clarified that the journal had actually been retrieved from a Value Village in Leamington, Ontario.

Discovery and Return of the Journal

Volunteers at the church, including Ingrid Talpak, were quick to express their gratitude upon the journal’s return. Talpak described her conversation with Medel, stating, “I could only gush over and over again in gratitude for returning the journal. I’m glad she recognized how precious it was and realized it should go back home to the church.”

Medel had returned the journal during a brief visit to Cambridge while on her time off. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the journal, a significant piece of history, was restored to its rightful place. “I didn’t do it for kudos; I just did it to make sure that it was where it was supposed to be and will be for the rest of its remaining time on this earth,” she remarked.

A Journey Through History

The journal was authored by Rev. James Dickson, who served as the first minister of Central Church from 1880 to 1914. It offers insights into his journey from Scotland to Canada and provides an account of daily life in Galt, Ontario.

The only lead on the journal’s previous whereabouts came from a letter dated October 11, 1979, written by Mrs. Alex Douma. It mentioned that the journal was on loan to a regional collection for microfilming in Woodslee, Ontario. Talpak faced challenges in tracing the Douma family until she received a call from Jay Douma, the son of Mrs. Douma, who shared valuable details about the journal’s history.

After Rev. Dickson’s death in 1915, his possessions, including the journal, were passed down to his granddaughter, Florence Pearse. Following Pearse’s death in 1979, the belongings were inherited by Judy Douma, who later donated them when her family downsized in the 1990s. The exact path the journal took after being donated remains uncertain.

Jay Douma recalled how his family cherished Rev. Dickson’s journal, with his father often reading it and even imitating Dickson’s handwriting. “It was like a regular thing out on the table for years in our house,” he explained.

Future Plans for the Journal

While the mystery of the journal’s journey has largely been unraveled, Talpak noted that the church is at the beginning of a new phase of work. “We have a lot of decisions to make,” she said, indicating that the church is actively planning to digitize the journal for preservation and public access.

There is considerable interest from the community to view the journal, and the church plans to provide updates on their social media platforms in the coming year. As the church moves forward, the return of Rev. Dickson’s journal signifies not just a recovery of history, but also a deepening connection to the community’s past.