It's the story of a travelling preacher, a merger and a growing church congregation searching for a new home.

Ryerson's Heritage, compiled by Ancaster resident Norma Sheldrick, documents 200 years of ministry by Ryerson United Church.

The book expands upon research conducted by the late Dr. Cecil Walker and Allan Holder, a former member of Ryerson's archive committee.

After Dr. Walker's death in 2002, Mrs. Sheldrick wanted to ensure the church history would be told in its entirety. She knew the 200th anniversary was quickly approaching and there was little time to waste.

"I stepped forward, not knowing what it would take or what was involved," she said. "The ideas would come, then I would have to put it aside for a while."

A new 270-page book is the end result of nearly three years work.

Ryerson's Heritage documents Ancaster's Methodist beginnings and the events that have shaped the present church community over the past two centuries.

Ryerson's ministerial service predates the present church building by more than 60 years.

More than 120 ministers have presided over the Ryerson congregation.

In 1808, a saddle bag preacher named William Case set the foundation for the Methodist faith in Ancaster. He was responsible for an area known as the Ancaster Circuit.

Saddlebag preachers once travelled across Southern Ontario, from Kingston to Windsor and were usually responsible for multiple congregations.

They travelled by horseback, carrying only a Bible and spare clothes. They preached sometimes three of four times per day, in open air sessions called camp meetings.

"This was how they got their message to the people," Mrs. Sheldrick explained.

A wooden Methodist church was built in Ancaster in 1828 but was destroyed by fire in 1834.

In 1869 the New Zion Wesleyan Church was built from stone at what is now known as 265 Wilson St. E. It later became The Stone Church, Ancaster Methodist Church and finally, Ryerson United Church. Records show the original church was completed just under budget at a cost of $1,107.

By the 1950s the church congregation outgrew its accommodations. On May 10, 1959, a sod turning ceremony marked a new chapter in Ryerson's history, launching the church's most ambitious expansion plan to date.

Most of the present church was built after 1960, including the modern sanctuary, activity rooms and a fireside room.

Ryerson takes its name from its former minister, Egerton Ryerson, who is also credited with the creation of Ontario's public education system. He presided over the church congregation from 1824 to 1828.

Toronto's Ryerson University is named in his honour.

His parliamentary submissions led to the Grammar School Act, which formally enacted a public school system in Upper Canada.

Through a complex series of mergers, Ryerson became part of the new United Church of Canada in 1925. The union united Methodists, Congregationalists and Presbyterians. About 30 per cent of Presbyterians opposed the merger, ensuring the continued presence of churches like Ancaster's St. Andrew's Presbyterian.

Over the years Ryerson has seen many changes, but Sunday attendance has always held steady by most accounts. During a sod turning ceremony for the new sanctuary in 1959, a local newspaper pegged the congregation at 300 people.

In the 1980s, the church led efforts to create affordable housing for the town's growing senior population. The result was Ryerson Park Apartments, constructed in 1983. It was also during the late 1980s when the church received its colourful stained glass windows that now adorn the sanctuary.

Ryerson's Heritage has been professionally printed in softcover format. It can be purchased for $40 by calling the church office.

Tickets are now available for Ryerson's 200 Gala Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Waterfront Banquet and Conference Centre, 555 Bay St. N., Hamilton. Cost is $35 for adults and tickets may be reserved by calling the church office at 905-648-2731.

A special Sunday service on Oct. 19 includes a guest sermon by Dr. Peter Wyatt, principal of Toronto's Emmanuel College.