About the Trinity United Church Century Club
Purpose: The purpose of the Century Club is to recognize people who have been actively involved in Trinity United Church and / or other congregations of the UCC for an extended period of time. This Program is being launched by the Stewardship Team at Trinity as part of our congregation’s celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada.
On June 22, the first members of the Century Club were inducted. Every three months following this initial induction, additional new members of the Century Club will be inducted during special church services.
Eligible candidates for the Century Club will be those active members of Trinity whose age combined with their length of time as members of Trinity United Church or other UCC congregations totals 100. During this anniversary we will begin by recognizing those with the highest total years (age and time as a TUC / UCC member).
The first Century Club inductions took place during the church service on June 22, 2025. Three to Four recipients will be recognized during these services. Each recipient will receive a certificate and a reader chosen by them will briefly review highlights of their biography which could include highlights from their church life.
Over the coming year, three more Century Club induction services will take place. The Century Cub will continue for the coming years as a permanent program to recognize members of our congregation.
Century Club Inductees: Charlene and Ellsworth Campbell
On behalf of the family of Charlene and Ellsworth Campbell, we are truly honoured to share this special moment with them today. We are grateful for the opportunity to say a few words about their lives, their family, and their many years of dedication to Trinity United Church.
Ellsworth Campbell was born on May 14th, 1932, to Heath and Hazel Campbell. He was the third child, with an older sister and brother, as well as a younger brother.
Ellsworth grew up in Long River, Prince Edward Island, where he attended and was baptized at Long River United Church.
Charlene Campbell was born on February 7th, 1935, to Charles and May Frost. She was the oldest of nine children and grew up in Springhill, PEI, where she attended and was baptized at Springhill United Church.
As a young teenager, Ellsworth joined the Navy and went on to serve during the Korean War. Around that same time, Charlene was heading off to attend Business College in Ontario, but prior to this they met through mutual friends and family, while at a gathering at Ellsworth’s sister and brother in laws house in Borden PEI. They enjoyed each other’s company and dated for a short time, when they traveled by train together to NB, and separated there, Ellsworth going on to BC, and Charlene to Ontario.
Ellsworth’s next leave from Navy, he did what many might consider the proper way — he met with Charlene’s parents and asked her father for permission to propose.
They were married in Prince Edward Island on October 31st, 1951 — in full Navy and bridal attire, not Halloween costumes.
After Ellsworth left the Navy, they lived and worked in PEI for a few years, then packed up their four kids at the time, Charles…aka Chuck, Debbie, Nancy and Marilyn, moving to Ontario for work, while there they had 3 more children, Karen, Betty-Jean who sadly passed at birth, and their youngest Lela.
Today, Charlene and Ellsworth are blessed with 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
After a few years working in Ontario they made their home in Summerside, where Ellsworth worked driving cement trucks before beginning a long career with the City of Summerside. Eventually retiring as a supervisor in the Water and Sewer Department. He is also a lifetime honorary member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Charlene worked for many years in the business office at Holman’s Department Store before accepting a position as an accountant with Central Guarantee Trust, where she completed her career.
Since moving to Summerside, Charlene and Ellsworth have faithfully attended and volunteered at Trinity United Church. Over the years, their service has included ushering, and Ellsworth also handled audio and video recordings for many church events. Charlene has been a strong and active member of the UCW and the Women’s Institute, and she helped with CGIT, Messengers, fundraising efforts, and countless meal preparations for church gatherings.
There is no doubt that there is much more that could be said, but this gives just a glimpse into the lives of Charlene and Ellsworth Campbell — their love, their family, and their unwavering dedication to their church community.
Today, as they are honoured with the Century Club Award, we thank them for their lifelong commitment to faith, family, and service.
Thank you.
Century Club Inductee: Lois Mollins
Lois Newhook was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 10, 1935, where she grew up.
Music was always an important part of her life. As a young person, she sang in the Junior and Senior choirs at St. Matthew’s United Church. She also performed on the radio, first as part of the Halifax City School Music Program which was broadcast into city schools, then as a choir member in the “Your Children Sing” choir which performed live every Friday night over radio station CHNS.
As a young person Lois was actively involved in her church through CGIT and Young People’s Group as well as the choir. Athletics were also important. She played basketball at Queen Elizabeth High School and was a “Squad” leader in gymnastics.
She met her husband Duane while he was a student at Dalhousie University through her one and only blind date. They married on Aug. 17, 1957.
Lois worked at the CBC for a number of years – she could write a book about the many characters she met during those years. After she met Duane, she took an interest in dentistry and developed dental skills for the years ahead.
Duane graduated from Dental school in May 1958. As a member of the Canadian Officers Dental Corps Lois and Duane were posted first to Camp Gagetown, N.B. then to Summerside where they settled permanently.
Duane and Lois had two children, Stephen and Scott.
- Stephen (who passed away in 2022) and his wife Cindy (Graham) had 2 children, Megan and Morgan.
- Scott and his wife Heather (Dennison) had two children, Andrew and Chris.
Lois and Duane were active volunteers. They were deeply involved in the Boy Scouts of Canada and local Cub packs in Summerside and received the Boy Scouts of Canada Medal of Merit. They were involved in the local Y’s Men / Y’s Menette Service Clubs. Lois was also deeply involved in the various aspects of Duane’s professional life and political life through his involvements the provincial and national dental associations as well as his many years in municipal politics.
The church has always been central part of life for Lois. The Mollins family have been deeply involved in all aspects of the life of Trinity over the years. Following the passing of Dr Duane Mullins, the family established the C. Duane Mollins Memorial Scholarship which is awarded annually to graduating high school students planning to attend post-secondary education and who have been deeply involved in the life of Trinity.
Century Club Inductee: Alex Campbell
Alex, as he prefers to be called, was born in Summerside on December 1s1, 1933, the son of Thane and Cecilia Campbell. After graduating from Summerside High School, he attended Dalhousie University, graduating with degrees in Arts and Law returning to Summerside where, in 1958 he opened a law practice and served as Secretary to the local Board of Trade. He was a Scout Leader, enjoyed Curling and joined the Y’s Men’s Club, serving as its President. Alex married Marilyn Gilmour in 1961. They have two sons Blair and Graham and a daughter Heather and five grandchildren.
He was elected to the Legislature in 1965 and Premier in 1966, an office he held for twelve years, becoming the youngest and longest serving Premier of PEI. He was called to the PEI Supreme Court where he served until his retirement in 1994. Alex was a strong believer in Community service. At Trinity, he served as elder, member of the finance committee and the building committee for the Strong Memorial auditorium. He loved to sing and over the years sang with the Boys, Mens and Senior choirs. He was President of the YMCA for ten years, Charter President of the Summerside and Area Historical Society, Honourary President to the Prince County Caledonia Society, Charter Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Leader of the PEI Liberal Party, Trustee Wyatt Foundation, Director Institute of Man and Resources and Director of the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation.
In 1994 He and Marilyn acquired a winter home in Florida where they spent 26
winters in retirement enjoying golf, organizing the Ranchero Highland Society and the annual PEI Day gatherings. Alex sang with and managed the Heedless Hoarsemen Men’s Chorus entertaining audiences throughout Pinellas County.
In his role as Premier, he provided leadership and energy directing the affairs of the Province. Among his achievements as Premier were the establishment of The University of PEI, Holland College, PEI Heritage Foundation, the Council of Maritime Premiers and The Comprehensive Development Plan.
He was the recipient of many prestigious awards including Member of the Privy Council, Officer of the Order of Canada, Order of Prince Edward Island and Honourary Degrees from McGill University and University of PEI.
Alex now enjoys his leisure time with family and friends, especially summers at their cottage in Stanley Bridge where golfing, gardening, sailing and biking are his favourite memories.
Century Club Inductee: Layton Schurman
We are very pleased this morning to announce Layton Schurman as one of our first Trinity United Church Century Club inductees.
Layton has lived his entire life in Summerside. He was born on June 14, 1931. He is married to Marsha Schurman. They celebrated their 70th Anniversary last November. They had four children: Bill (deceased), David (who lives in Summerside), Steven (who lives in Moncton) and Susan (who lives in Rustico). They have five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Layton began his career as an accountant for PEI Produce. For most of his career though he served as Sherrif, serving as Chief Sherriff of PEI for many years before retiring.
Layton grew up in Trinity and was confirmed in the church in 1947. He was always very active in his church, serving in many roles over the years. He served as the Trinity United Church representative on the Summerside Christian Council for ten years.
In his volunteer life, Layton served on the Summerside Town Council for two terms, as a charter member of the Summerside Lion’s Club, and as a volunteer fire fighter with the Summerside Fire Department.
Layton was always a sports enthusiast, playing hockey and baseball in his youth and by volunteering as a coach with may teams as an adult. Sports was entwined in many important aspects of his life. For example, on the day before his confirmation he played in the Maritime Hockey Championship in Sydney Nova Scotia as a member of Summerside Kinsmen hockey team. Summerside won! He presented himself in church for his confirmation the next morning with a big shiner. Reverend Sullivan asked him how the other guy made out.
As another example, Layton met his wife while coaching the Summerside Ladies Softball Team. Marsha played third base.
Layton’s hymn request this morning is “Take Time to be Holy”. He fondly remembers his father, who was a tenor in the Trinity Quartet, singing this song
Please join us in recognizing Layton Schurman as one of our initial members of the Trinity United Church Century Club.
Century Club Inductee: Phyllis Baglole
Phyllis was born in 1932 and grew up in Wilmot Valley. In 1955 she married Thane and they moved to Summerside. Thane passed in 2014. This year they would have celebrated their 70th anniversary. Phyllis and Thane had two children – Herbert and Joanne (Brown) and have 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Phyllis is a life member and charter member of the UCW, involved with the organization since 1962. Over the years she has also served on the Unified Board, Board of Trustees, Chaired the Finance and Property Committee, and taught Sunday School.
Phyllis was very active in the community as well. She served on the Village of Wilmot Council for 17 years, co-chaired the Cancer Drive in Wilmot for 17 years and collected for the Heart and Stroke for many years.
Phyllis worked for Gardiner Real Estate as an agent and opened the Meadow Heights Subdivision. Phyllis also has a great passion for bridge, which she has been playing for 60 years, playing in the same club since 1959.
Phyllis’s hymn request this morning is “In the Garden”.
Please join us in recognizing Phyllis Baglole as one of our initial members of the Trinity United Church Century Club.
Century Club Inductee: Anne Murphy
Anne was born in 1935 and grew up in Fredericton New Brunswick. Growing up she attended the Brunswick Street Baptist Church in Fredericton. In 1960 she met Ernest Murphy at a leadership Camp at Holland Cove and they married in 1961.
After they were married, Anne and Ernest settled in Summerside. Ernest passed away earlier this year at the age of 95. This year would have marked their 64th wedding anniversary. They have one son, Alvin, and two grandchildren.
Anne became very involved in the life of Trinity. She is a life member and Charter Member of the UCW. She joined the Webber Unit of the UCW in 1961, which then evolved into the Epworth Unit.
Anne has many fond memories of her times in the UCW and of their many activities at Epworth Hall. One her stories involved a UCW rummage sale. It seems that there was a beautiful fur coat hanging on a coat rack which was mistaken for a sale item. A very well known member purchased the coat and used it to make a lovely set of seat covers for her son’s car.
Anne was very involved in her community as well. Always active in the MS Society, she helped establish a PEI Chapter.
Anne’s hymn request this morning is “What a Friend we Have in Jesus”.
Please join us in recognizing Anne Murphy as one of our initial members of the Trinity United Church Century Club.
Century Club Inductee: Brad Clark
We are very pleased this morning to announce Brad Clark one of our first Trinity United Church Century Club inductees.
Brad was born on December 14, 1932, grew up in Wilmot and lived his entire life in the Summerside area.
Brad married Phyllis Drummond, a local girl from the Drummond Road in Freetown. They married on July 16, 1960 and moved into their home in Wilmot where they raised their family.
They had three children: Vicki, Lisa and Myles.
- Vicki and her husband Robin live in Victoria, BC with Robin’s son Nate.
- Lisa and her husband Troy live in East Bideford.
- Myles and his wife Shelley live in Chelton. They have one son, Devon who lives in Charlottetown.
Phyllis passed away on Feb 14, 2023. This year would have marked their 65th Anniversary.
In 1963, Brad and Phyllis opened the Sunny Isle Motel, starting with four units. Together they built a successful family business, which they operated for over 40 years. In addition to the Motel, Brad had a number of occupations over the years. He farmed for a few years before his marriage, then worked with the Canadian National Railway out of Summerside for 16 years. From there, he went on to work as a school bus driver for 16 years.
Brad has been a member of Trinity his entire life. He attended Sunday School as child, then Young People’s Group later on. Brad has fond memories of Epworth Hall, and many of his teachers and leaders during those times. Brad, Phyllis and their family have been active members of Trinity over the years. While the commitments of work and running a family business did not leave much time for Brad and Phyllis, they were involved in square dancing and had a wide circle of friends.