Tuesday, November 27, 2007

 

Church of the Epiphany, Kingsville, Ontario

Church of the Epiphany, Kingsville, OntarioKingsville, Ontario (2006 pop. 20,908) is 30 km from Windsor on the north shore of Lake Erie.

The congregation, orinally named St John's, was formed in 1852 and a oak log church built. This original building became the parish hall when the current church was built in 1891.

The name of the Parish was changed from St. John's to Epiphany, to commemorate the day the sod was turned in January 1891. In June, 1891 the cornerstone was laid by former Rector, Rev J W Ashman whose son is buried in front of the south wall of the church. Kingsville CemeteryOn All Saints Day, Nov 1, 1891, Bishop Maurice Baldwin dedicated the church.

Behind the church in the cemetery is a Black Oak tree that is several hundred years old. Buried in the cemetery are many notable figures from Kingsville's history, including the King family. Colonel King was not only the town founder but also the first Warden of the parish.

The current rector is the Rev. Bryan Girling with honourary assistant Rev. Deacon Jane Piercy Ballard.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

 

Christ Church, Dresden, Ontario

Christ Church, Dresden, OntarioDresden, Ontario is home to the provincial Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site. The museum is built on the site of the black settlement that fugitive slave and abolitionist Rev. Josiah Henson helped found in 1841. Rev. Thomas Hughes started his ministry in Dresden 1859. In May of the following year Bishop Benjamin Cronyn said of Rev. Hughes

"Mr. Hughes is most usefully employed with every prospect of success at Dresden. I have the utmost confidence in Mr. Hughes. I anticipate that much good will result from his ministry among the fugitive slaves. He is a man of such sound sense and a true Christian spirit."

In 1867, Hughes' seven-year-old son laid the cornerstone of Christ Church with the church being finished in October 1868. .

Since 2002 Christ Church, Dresden has been part of the 6-point Parish of the Transfiguration. The rector is Rev. Stephen Demitroff with honourary assistant, Rev. Michelle Collins-Wongkee.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

 

Trinity Anglican, Cambridge, Ontario

Trinity Anglican, Cambridge, OntarioThe Gothic Revival sanctuary of Trinity Anglican Church was built from locally quaried limestone in 1844 in Galt (Galt, Preston and Hespeler amalgamated to become Cambridge in 1973). The town was mostly Presbyterian but town founders and Anglicans William Dickson and Absalom Shade made substantial donations to build their church. The church has been added to over the years with the Norman tower added in 1885. The church complex is on the Grand River and faces Trinity Park.

There are nearly 500 parishioners on the parish roll and there is a large Sunday School and Nursery as well as a youth program. A major community outreach, Trinity Community Table, serves hot lunches, without charge, 3 days per week, all year round.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

 

St John's Anglican, St Thomas, Ontario

St John's Anglican, St Thomas, OntarioThe first Anglican Church in St Thomas, Ontario was constructed between 1822 and 1824, about 12 years after the village was founded. Old St Thomas Church, which was used continuously until 1877, was restored in 1986 and can be rented.

Among the three still active Anglican Churches in St Thomas is St John's. It was built more than 130 years ago and a new parish hall was constructed in 1986. Porter Hall is available to the public for wedding receptions, banquets, and is used on a regular basis by groups in the community.

The Rev'd Jim Innes was appointed rector to St. John's, St. Thomas effective November 1st 2007. He has been providing ministry to the parish on a part time basis since December 2006.