SETTLEMENT
E. CHUMAH
The Chumah community began in the year 1883 - pioneers coming largely from Ontario (Huron County). The church began as a mission charge on a circuit stretching from Birtle to Oak River, the services were held in some of the homes in the district. After Chumah Public School was built on the farm owned at the time by Mr. Jim Hannah (later Albert Kirk), services were held here. Sunday school started in the school in 1888. It began as a union school, but was soon taken over by the Methodists. A few years later, smaller circuits were organized and Chumah was included in the circuit with Oak River and Hamiota. In these days there were prairie roads, the means of travel were by foot, horseback, ox-cart, buckboard, buggies and carts. There were no telephones, radio or television and for a time, no railway. But there were a few factors that made life very happy. The church and school had drawn the people of the district together. There was a large Hazlewood-Kirk family connection who had brought a number of musical instruments with them from the east and these they used in family gatherings and community events. Picnics and picnic suppers were common summer events and proved successful, socially and financially.

The people of Chumah had hoped from the earliest years to have a church home, so in the spring of 1902, meetings began and plans were underway to build a church. A canvass was made by the pastor, Rev. S.P. Riddell and $1,100 was promised. The site was located at the southeast corner of Mr. James Kirk's farm. Mr. Kirk gave the site with the stipulation that it belong to Chumah Trustee Board as long as the church existed on same. The Nesbitt Brothers contracted to build the church for $1,600 carpentry alone. The foundation was laid in the fall by Ernie Bishop and the building was constructed during the summer of 1903. Mr. Joe Andrew plastered the church and built the chimney. Mr. Homer Brown, school teacher, was engaged to paint the church; and Mr. W. Hazlewood and Mr. Fred Houck were appointed to procure an organ. The pews were purchased from Zion Church, Winnipeg, for $80.00. Mr. George Delbridge, Secretary-Treasurer, reported $1,780 had been subscribed.
The new church was opened November 1, 1903. Morning and evening services were held with Sunday school in the afternoon. There was a good attendance at both services. Dr. Darwin was guest speaker. On November 2 a supper was served in the school and a concert of local talent was held in the church. The opening exercises were a decided success and proceeds of the collections and supper were $145.40. The people were happy to have their own church for worship and it was a wonderful event for the young who had never worshipped in a real church.
At this time, the choir had its beginning; Mrs. Fred Houck was the first organist and Miss Jennie Kirk was leader and later organist. Members were Misses Rachel and Alice Kirk, Florence Kirk, Albert Conn, Fred Houck, Sam Hazlewood, Ed Hazelwood, Harold Kirk, Elva and Ethel Couke, Alma Irvine and Miss E. Smith.
The church remained active for 50 years. During this time, many groups were formed and contributed a great deal to the life of the church and community. In the very early days there was the Epworth League; later Mission Band, Mission Circle, W.M.S., W.A. and Y.P.U. In the year 1930 the churches in Hamiota united and country points of Chumah, Oakner and Scotia formed the Oakner charge. Mr. N. McClenaghen was the first pastor of this charge. In 1938 Chumah and Scotia linked up with Crandall and Palmerston - Rev. McFarlane came to the Crandall circuit at this time. In 1941 he moved to take work in Bermuda and Rev. William Bill succeeded.
Mr. George Delbridge retired from his position of Secretary-Treasurer in 1934, having held it since the church opened. Mr. W.R. Kirk succeeded him and remained as Secretary-Treasurer until his death in 1949. Mr. Sid Lewis took over until the church closed. Organists were Mrs. W.R. Kirk, Mrs. W.J. Pollock, Mrs. M. Hazlewood and Mrs. Herb Smith. A number of young girls acted as assistants from time to time.
In 1944 Mr. A.E. Andrew installed lights in the church. At this time also the W.A. had secured carpet for the platform.
Sunday school remained active throughout the life of the church Superintendents were W.W. Lewis, G.W. Hazlewood, S. Hazlewood, E. Hazlewood, S. Lewis and W.J. Pollock. Assistants in later years were Lloyd Hazlewood, Charles Lewis Jr., and Irvine Lewis. Secretaries and Treasurers and Sunday School teachers include names from every family in the district, as do elders and stewards of the church over the years. One of the highlights of the Sunday school year was the annual Christmas concert which was always well-attended and enjoyed by young and old alike.
A number of men from Chumah enlisted in both World Wars. The fallen heroes from World War I were W.E. Smith, Cecil Wade and F.W. Bradford; and World War II - James Kirk and J. Tocher. An Honour Plaque was placed in the church containing names of those who enlisted from Chumah in the Second World War - this plaque now hangs in Hamiota United Church.
There were five weddings solemnized in Chumah Church - November 2,1935, Doris Delbridge and William Pollock; July 8, 1941, Eileen Smith and Everett Tennant; August 13, 1942, Edith Lewis and Bernard Grafton; October 13,1951, Ina Hazlewood and Ormand Hyndman; October 4, 1952, Rena Ferns and Bill Hume.
In the spring of 1953 it was with regret that the people of Chumah found it necessary to close their church as with many more means of communication and better forms of travel congregations had dwindled down to only a few "old faithfuls". Many of the loyal oldtimers had either passed away or moved to retirement and the younger people chose to travel further from home for social and church functions. Nearly all members joined up with either Crandall or Hamiota congregations.
In 1954 McConnell Church was destroyed by fire and McConnell bought the Chumah Church and moved it to the present site in McConnell village. The church was re-opened on November 2, 1955. The people of Chumah are happy that their church is still serving the cause for which it was built. ( The church was closed on August 20, 1972 )
This history is a short summary of a book written by Mr. S.S. Lewis, "The History of Chumah Church". He concludes his book by saying, "We can never name all who have shared in the life of the district nor can we relate all the highlights. There have been Sunday School Institutes and Conventions, various campaigns, showers for the girls, receptions for the boys of two wars, presentations to boys bringing wives from other parts and welcomes to their brides, farewells to those leaving the district and welcomes to those coming in. We can never truly express our gratitude to our pioneers and to those who have lived and laboured in this community."
A cairn has been erected on the site of the church in memory of the "pioneers.
The following is a list of the ministers:

Rev. Baker - 1883-1884 Rev. Myers - 1884-1886 Rev. G.H. Long - 1886-1887 Rev. Osterout - 1888 Rev. W.P. McHaffie - 1887-1888 Rev. W.H. Taylor - 1888-1890 Rev. W.R. Hughes - 1890-1892 Rev. W.B. Cheguin - 1892-1893 Rev. J.B. Beynon - 1893-1894 Rev.W. Somerville - 1894-1895 Rev. J.J. Cruikshanks - 1895-1898 Rev. P.W. Davies - 1898-1901 Rev. S.P. Riddell - 1901-1905 J.F. Palmer Assistant

Rev. W.E. Egan - 1905-1909 Rev. W.A. McKim Young - 1909-1913 Rev. S. East - 1913-1915 Rev. F.C. Middleton - 1915-1918 Rev. R.E. Spence - 1918-1921 Rev. R.A. Sweyers - 1921-1924 Rev. E. Lund - 1924-1930 Rev. N.B. McLenaghen - 1930-1934 Rev. Jn. Dunnett - 1934-1938 Rev. J. McFarlane - 1938-1940 Rev. Wm. Bill - 1940-1945 Rev. J.M. Wilson - 1945-1950 Rev. J.B. Francis - 1950-1953

CHUMAH SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 401

The exact date of the beginning of Chumah School is not known, but the earliest records would indicate 1887 or 1888.
The first school house was built on the farm of James Hanna, SE 22-14-24. This farm is now owned by Bob Kirk. The original building was used as a granary for many years.
In 1894 the school was moved to SE 16-14-24 to the farm owned by James Kirk and presently owned by his grandson, Donald Kirk. The schoolhouse became the centre of the community and many concerts and social evenings were held there. Church services and Sunday School were also held in the school house until 1903 when the church was built nearby.
The school was closed in 1917 when consolidation divided Chumah with some going to Crandall and the others to Hamiota. This building was bought by Mr. Fred Houck and moved to SE 21-14-24 to be used as a granary, In 1948, when Wilmer Kirk bought that farm, he remodelled it and it became their home for several years. Later the farm was bought by Barry Strickland and again the "old school" was moved to be used as a shed.
Many of the residents of the district served on the school board and Mr. George Delbridge was the secretary-treasurer for many years.
A list of those who taught at Chumah would include: Miss Kadey (Mrs. Joseph McLean, Hamiota), Miss Baker (Mrs. Fred Houck, Chumah), Mr. Homer Brown, Mr. W.J. Robinson, Miss Telfer (Mrs. [Dr] Fraser, Crandall), Miss Waddell, Miss Good, Miss Rachel Kirk (Mrs. John Smith, Chumah), Miss Alice Kirk (Mrs. Ab Conn, Marchwell, Saskatchewan), Miss Annie Fraser (Mrs. Charlie Steel, Hamiota), Miss Gerty Delbridge (Mrs. Perkins, Brandon), Miss Katie Venables (Mrs. Joseph Kirk, Hamiota).