Cambridge Church Reunites with Missing Journal After 24 Years

Volunteers at Central Church in Cambridge have successfully resolved the mystery surrounding a missing journal written by the church’s first minister, Rev. James Dickson. The journal, which had been unaccounted for since the late 1990s, was returned by a woman who discovered it in a thrift store.

On October 7, 2023, a woman named Tracy Medel contacted the church, indicating that she had found an old book she believed belonged to them. Dubbed “the mystery woman” by volunteer Ingrid Talpak, Medel returned the journal after locating it in a Value Village store in Leamington, Ontario. Talpak was among the first individuals to examine the journal upon its return; she later clarified that it had originally been found in Leamington, not London, Ontario.

Talpak expressed her gratitude upon speaking with Medel, stating, “I’m glad she recognized how precious it was and she realized it should go back home to the church.” Medel herself emphasized the historical significance of the journal, noting, “I didn’t do it for kudos, I just did it to make sure that it was where it was supposed to be.”

A Journey Through History

The journal, authored by Rev. Dickson, who served as the church’s first minister from 1880 to 1914, contains a wealth of historical content. It includes pictures, newspaper clippings, and reflections on his journey from Scotland to Canada, as well as insights into daily life in Galt.

The journey of the journal began to unravel when Talpak found a letter dated October 11, 1979, from a Mrs. Alex Douma. The letter noted that the journal was on loan for microfilming at a regional collection in Woodslee, Ontario. This led Talpak to seek out the Douma family, eventually connecting with Jay Douma, the son of Mrs. Alex Douma.

Jay Douma shared stories about his family’s link to the journal, explaining that it had been passed down to his mother from Rev. Dickson’s granddaughter, Florence Pearse. “We had so many of his belongings, and they were just tools,” he recounted, recalling how a dictionary and its stand became significant in their family life.

The Path to Return

The journal was reported missing in the 1990s when the Douma family donated it to a collection center in Chatham, Ontario, as they downsized. Its exact whereabouts became unclear following that donation.

Talpak stated that while much of the mystery surrounding the journal has been resolved, there remains considerable work to do. “This is almost like the beginning of the work for us as a church, so we have a lot of decisions to make,” she said.

Central Church is actively working to digitize the journal for preservation and to facilitate public access. There has been significant interest from the community to view the journal, and the church plans to share updates on their social media in the upcoming year.

The return of Rev. Dickson’s journal not only reconnects the church with its history but also highlights the importance of preserving local heritage. This story serves as a reminder of how individual actions can lead to the restoration of community treasures.