Carolee Hogue attributes her career choice to experience at Knox United

Norma-Jean Johnston
Special to the Record

Carolee Hogue is the youngest daughter of Clinton and Doris Park. Her memories of Knox United Church, a generation later, reflect the growth and prosperity of the community and the Church during the 1950’s and 60’s.
“I loved all the kids things, the big Sunday School, the music, CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training) and Bible camp,” said Carolee. When they went to Sunny Cove, they drove to Fort Frances and then took a boat because there was no Causeway. She recalled spending two weeks there because her mother was the cook.
“When I was young I just about lived over at Knox. There were lots of baby boomer kids and everybody was involved. Mr. Hammond was the leader of the older kids. You knew you were graduating when you got to his class.”
Mrs. Bourre led CGIT and Carolee loved the annual candlelight service.
She happily remembered Reverend Earle Armistead who, “always made me laugh with all his stories!”
Special people she recalled from that time were the Hammond kids, Maureen Wilson(Downs), David McInnes, Gwen Brunn(Hyatt), Laureen, Dennis and Becky Brunn, Carolyn Robinson, Eileen Martinson, Cheryl Marquardt, and Colin and Bill Murray.
“As a child, church seemed just an ordinary part of life. The overall feeling was nice. It was a safe place to be. As a teenager, teaching the little kids in Sunday School probably inspired my teaching career. I heard the message of helping people, of service.”
“The Church was a big part of my journey through childhood to adulthood. It was there during my journey away from God and back to God. I am so happy with the inclusion that the United Church, and especially Pat White, practices now. It is so open and welcoming. You go to church and people are talking to each other. It is more child centred. I especially appreciate Pat’s message that “It’s the belief in God not the proof of God” that we put our faith in,” concluded Carolee.