The congregational meeting was called on July 20, 1885 at 10:30 a.m. It was moved "to sell the old Free Church site property and use the money to repair the manse." An amendment was moved "to sell the old Free Church site and the manse with grounds attached with a view to building a new manse", and the amendment carried unanimously. Things moved fast then. The sale of some property around the manse to John Gamble brought $100 and two lots where the manse now is were bought from J. S. Cameron for the sum of $200. James Smith agreed to lend up to $1600 at 8% per annum. Mr. James Stevenson was asked to make plans and specifications for a new manse. On September 19 arrangements were made with Mr. Pierrot to build the cellar and foundation of the new manse for $50. He was supplied with stone and lime and was to have the work completed in two weeks. The next week Mr. James Stevensons' tender to build the manse was accepted on condition it be completed on December 15, 1885. The subscription list was taken around to raise money. Evidently it was completed on time and the minister moved in because the old manse was rented to Mr. Warren until spring for $4 a month. In April that spring, 1886, a bee of the congregation was held to build a stable and shed on the manse property. This stable burned down in October 1933. In May the old manse was sold to Robbs for $300. There is no record of the total cost of the new manse. On December 23, 1886 two men were appointed "to go and settle up with Mr. Stevenson for the building of the manse" and they reported paying him $1275.12. There is no record of when the mortgage was finally paid. In 1888 Clarence and Navan were to be canvassed to help pay for the manse. There was a motion at the annual meeting in 1891, "that all receipts from lectures, socials, etc., be applied to the debt on the manse until all is paid off."

The land for the manse was no sooner bought than John Allan put in a claim for the right of way between his land and the south side of the manse property. After much arbitration this was settled by Mr. Allan paying $20 and the church giving a strip of land twenty feet wide for a public street, both parties to erect the fence.

Finally in 1920 the Auld Kirk Church site at the river was sold to Mr. Charles Fraser for $15 as he now owned the old manse. The present manse has been kept in good repair through the years. Hardwood floors were laid downstairs. In 1948 a water system and a bathroom were installed. In 1952 the white frame building was covered with insul stone siding. In the fall of 1954 the W.A. completely renovated the interior from top to bottom, the ladies doing all the work themselves with expenditure only for paper and paint and to a plasterer for repairs. The next fall an automatic oil heating system was installed. In April 1957, the woodshed attached to the east end of the manse was taken down and a new garage put up.

If the names of the members and adherents of this congregation over the years could be read, it would be a long, long list of noble men and women. Out of the congregation at least five young men studied for the ministry. One of them, Mr. M. 1. Byrnes died while putting in his first year at Queen's University. His brother, Mr. J. D. Byrnes became the well known Superintendent of Missions in Northern Ontario. Mr. Samuel S. Bums gave a long and useful ministry to the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Thurlow Fraser, D.D., spent several years as a missionary in Formosa, then spent several years in Portage La Prairie. From there he went to Owen Sound. While there he obtained leave of absence and was a padre with the armed forces during the first war, coming back to Owen Sound and then to Winnipeg. He spent the last few years in Penns Grove, New Jersey, U.S.A. Rev. Norman Somerville was a minister of the Methodist Church in the United States.

Besides those already mentioned, the elders who are now deceased were Robert Fraser, David Lough, George Robb, John J. Bymes, W. W. Dunning, J. Douglas, Horace E. Chamberlin, Charles Fraser, Alexander McLaughlin, John Somerville, John A. Gamble, James Garvock, William H. Russell, Archie Edwards, Emest Edwards, H. D. MacMillan, J. D. McMillan, WaIter Millar.

A Sunday School was first organized in June 1846 and evidently at first met in the summer months only. Mention of its fine work is recorded in 1852. and in 1858 the "elders were exhorted to bring out the children of the families under their supervision respectively as soon as the Sabbath School opens in the spring.”

On October 8, 1889 the first Thanksgiving Supper and Social Evening was held.

Much could be told of the work of the various organizations of the church. A Womens' Foreign Missionary Society was organized on October 25, 1904. Mention is made of the Ladies Aid or Women's Association which was active after its organization in February 1905. Now of course the Women's Organization is the U. C. W. The choir, the Young People's Union, and C.G.I.T., the Mission Band have all done their part to aid the work of the church.

Many interesting items appear in the minutes since 1879. There was often a consideration of ways and means to raise the minister's salary. In June 1881 it was to be raised by subscription and not by seat rent. If funds were low there would be a social evening or soiree. In 1882 subscribers were given envelopes to put their subscription on the collection plate. By 1885 they were endeavouring to pay the minister quarterly.