Tuesday, October 09, 2007
St. John the Divine, Arva, Ontario
The Anglican Church of St. John the Divine, Arva, is just outside the northern boundary of London, Ontario. This year it is celebrating the 185th anniversary. The first service was on July 28, 1822 and conducted by a travelling minister, the Rev. Charles James Stewart, who in 1825 was appointed the second Bishop of Quebec. About 250 people attended the service. The following year a church was erected replaced with the current building in 1875.Rector Rev. Wendy Murray and Honorary Assistant Rev. Earl Leiska are leading anniversary observances and celebrations, planned by an anniversary committee, to take place almost monthly throughout the year. A parish dinner in October will have a strong commemorative theme, and there are plans for a recital featuring the new organ, closer to the Advent season. As their special contribution, late in the autumn teachers and children of the Sunday School will carry trowels into the garden to plant bulbs as symbolic 'Seeds for the Future'.
