We dedicate this book to the Christian pioneers of Cumberland, who built their churches to the glory of God that their community would be founded upon Christian Faith
And to those who through the years have been faithful in their service to God and His Church.
We hope that as you read this history, you will appreciate the important contribution of this church in the past and be inspired to devote your lives more deeply to the service of Christ and his Kingdom.
The Illustrated Atlas of the Dominion of Canada published in Toronto in 1881 by D. Macdonald, C.E., has a section on the history of Cumberland. It is the oldest settlement on the Ottawa River between Ottawa and Montreal. It is recorded here that the first settler came in 1801 and the next in 1807 and 1808. There were few settlers until 1817 or later, but by 1844 Cumberland was created a post Office. The Methodist saddle bag preacher was the first in missionary work but the great majority of the settlers were from Scotland and the north of Ireland and in religion they were Presbyterian. The Atlas states that the Old Kirk, a stone church on the river bank, was erected in 1828, and some time later a manse was built beside it. Across the river in the Province of Quebec was the township of Buckingham largely inhabited by Scots. This church in Cumberland served a large population on both sides of the river as far down as Lochabar and Clarence as well as up the river.
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