By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Trinity United Church in Cookshire is set to commemorate its 161st anniversary this September with a series of events that honour its long-standing history and the deep connections it has fostered within the community. The church, which has stood as a cornerstone of Cookshire since 1863, will host a special service and a concert that blend music, history, and a strong sense of community.
Music and memories
On Sunday, Sept. 8, at 2 p.m., Trinity United will host a free concert featuring musicians Jim Robinson, Susan Fowler, and Ronny Haseltine. This concert is not just a musical performance but a tribute to the community and its people. Jim Robinson, a songwriter and guitarist with deep ties to the area, shared Aug. 30 how his music reflects the lives of those who have shaped him.
“A lot of the songs that I write are about people that I knew during that period of my life, from that particular community,” said Robinson, recalling his youth spent in Bulwer, near Cookshire. He described how the local church played a significant role in his life, not only through weekly services but also through community events like choir practices, weddings, and funerals. “It was a very formative time in my life,” he said.
The concert will feature a mix of original songs by Robinson, traditional hymns, and cover songs, with Fowler providing lead vocals. “Susan’s an excellent singer. She’s sort of the singer in the duo,” Robinson noted. Ronny Haseltine will join them on the violin, adding a touch of traditional sound that resonates with the church’s celebrated acoustics. “Ronny will be playing some fiddle tunes, and he also plays backup fiddle in some of the songs I’ve written and some of the covers we do. It adds that dimension of variety,” said Robinson.
The connection between music and community is a central theme for Robinson, who views this concert as a way to reconnect with the place that shaped him. “While my music isn’t spiritual or presenting any message per se, I think that we connect through music, and that’s the link I’m hoping to experience with those people,” he explained. This connection is what Robinson hopes to foster during the concert, bridging the church’s historical significance with its current role in the community.
