After a special church service and luncheon in Astwood Hall, events will be spread throughout the year to commemorate the sesquicentennial, said Rev. Mark Tremblay, the minister at St. Andrew's since last September.

Just as the church tower was built in honour of the 100th anniversary, there are plans to replace the church organ and install new stained glass windows this year, Rev. Tremblay said.

A wine and cheese fashion show is planned in June, and it is expected a musical evening will be held later in the year.

Rev. Patrick Kerr, moderator of the West Toronto Presbytery to which St.

Andrew's belongs, is visiting for the anniversary, as is Presbyterian Record editor Rev. John Congram.

The pink church at Church and Court streets has been gradually expanded over the years, but its original character remains. "The inside of the sanctuary has a wonderful warmth to it,'' Rev. Tremblay said. "It really fosters a sense of worship.'' It was in April of 1943 that a group of Presbyterians living around Pembroke Parish wrote to the Minister of Warwick Presbyterian Church (now Christ Church) saying they were "desirous of establishing in this town a place of worship in connection with the Established Church of Scotland.'' They asked about having services in Hamilton every other Sunday.

Rev. James Morrison received approval from his Warwick congregation to also preach in Hamilton, and the first worship service was held in the Hamilton town hall on May 28, 1843. All 60 seats were full.

The church later moved to an upper room at the corner of Front and Burnaby streets before the present sanctuary was completed in 1846.

The two Presbyterian churches shared the same minister for 31 years, but the arrival of Rev. Kenneth Junor from Canada in 1874 led to a split.

Rev. Junor is believed to be responsible for removing the charge of St.

Andrew's from its mother church, Christ Church. Today, St. Andrew's is linked with the Presbyterian Church in Canada, while Christ Church belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

There were bad feelings at the time of the split, but the two churches have a close relationship today, with the Canadian minister from St. Andrew's occasionally preaching at Christ Church, and vice versa.

"The church has served a very useful purpose in the spiritual life of Bermuda, particularly the City of Hamilton,'' said church historian Mr. Ralph Gauntlett, who noted that Astwood Hall is used not only for church events, but for community activities like Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

The church serves close to 100 families, and many Presbyterian visitors each year.

SESQUICENTENNIAL -- St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church celebrates its 150th anniversary on Sunday. Pictured (from left) are Rev. Mark Tremblay, Presbytery of West Toronto moderator Rev. Patrick Kerr, and Presbyterian Record editor Rev. John Congram.