George Campbell Pidgeon
1872-1971. First moderator of the United Church of Canada.* Born in Quebec, he was educated at McGill University and Presbyterian College, and served as pastor of influential churches in Ontario for over fifty years, except for an interval teaching practical theology (1909-15). He was a key figure in the foundation of the United Church of Canada, being its first moderator and also the last moderator of the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Canada before the union. Pidgeon provided much of the spirit and direction for the new church in its early years. As scholar, preacher, and writer he was vitally concerned with the application of the Social Gospel* to the poor of the cities.