By Anne Seymour
On Sunday, October 6, 2024, St. George’s Anglican Church celebrated the 175th anniversary through a service of baptism and confirmation for nine parishioners, including a reception of two new members and a reaffirmation of two current members.
This Anglican celebration was led by Rt. Rev. Todd Townsend, Bishop of Huron, and assisted by Rev. Canon Mark Loyal, rector of St. George’s and the Reverend Carol McCurdy, priest assistant. After the service, all attendees were invited to the Parish Hall for lasagna dinner, complete with various menu options, salads, garlic bread, cake and tea, or coffee. Much thanks to the Hospitality, Stewardship and 175th Anniversary teams.
HISTORY
Like most churches in the area of Grey Bruce, St. George’s Anglican Church has a long and varied history over the past 175 years. The church was built on its current site in 1881; however, the history of the Anglican community in the area starts from a much earlier date and has gone through many iterations since 1849.
Following completion of the survey of the Sydenham area in 1840, pioneers settled in the surrounding townships and the village of Sydenham began to take shape. The nearest settlements were at Goderich, Barrie and Elora. Bishop John Strachan of Toronto visited in 1845 but returned to Toronto believing that Sydenham was years from being ready for the appointment of a clergyman from the Church of England. However, in the autumn of 1846, Rev. Alphonsus William Henry Rose, a graduate of Cambridge University, visited the village and travelled extensively throughout the area undertaking initiatives, which hastened the formation of a Church of England congregation in the community.
In the spring of 1849, it was decided that there was a vibrant congregation of the Church of England, and Bishop Stachan moved quickly to make an appointment of a resident clergyman. During the summer of 1849, Arthur Hill Ringland Mullholland, a promising theology student and a native of County Down, Ireland, was ordained a deacon by Bishop Strachan. The Bishop sent Mullholland with a special licence to administer the Sacraments to a new missionary parish that today would cover all of Bruce and Grey Counties.
The parish’s first place of worship in Owen Sound was in a log house near what we would now find in the area of the Granite Club. The second place of worship was in a log building where the Metro store now stands. Finally, in 1852, a permanent Church facility was built on the corner of what is now 10th Street East and 5th Avenue East.
The Village of Sydenham was incorporated as the town of Owen Sound in 1857. As the town grew, it became clear that the congregation was outgrowing the small parish church on Boyd Street. Reverend Rose had bequeathed three lots in his will to the adherents of the Church of England at the corners of what are now known as 10th St. East and 4th Ave. East. These lots became the basis for plans to erect a new St. George’s Church.
Our present-day St. George’s Anglican Church was opened and dedicated by Bishop Hellmuth on August 7, 1881. In 1898, our Parish Hall was constructed, initially to house the Sunday school. Bishop Williams celebrated the consecration of the Church on October 3, 1920.
ST. THOMAS CHURCH
Meanwhile in 1867, in St. Vincent Township, Reverend Watson was holding services out of a schoolhouse. The Anglican community in that area needed a church. The first site on Lot 34, Concession 9 was chosen as a site for the St. Thomas church. The church of St. Thomas served the Anglicans in St. Vincent township until 1889. Prior to 1889, Anglicans of Sarawak and Kepler were part of the Wiarton Parish, but they separated from the main church. Reverend Bray was appointed to serve Anglicans at St. Johns in Sarawak, All Saints in Wolseley, and Brookeholm in Owen Sound north.
Due to a fire in 1890, Anglicans in the area proposed a new church. The plan was to move the original St. Thomas church in St. Vincent township to 2310 3rd Avenue West, a property overlooking Owen Sound harbour and St Thomas opened officially in 1901. Soon a new building was proposed as the congregation exceeded the space of the old church. Lots were purchased on 4th Avenue West for a modern church. The St Thomas church opened at 1331, 4th Avenue West in November 1926 until 2017 when the congregations of St Thomas and St. George’s amalgamated and now worship together at St. George’s Anglican Church.
ARTEFACTS AND STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS
St. George’s Anglican Church contains many historical artefacts and stained-glass windows that demonstrate the legacy of the many churches of the older Anglican community. Most windows at St. George’s were designed by Robert McCausland. The most famous window is the one called Fishers of Men, located on the north wall in the St. Thomas Chapel. This window won a bronze medal at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893.
However, many others are equally impressive, including The Lord’s Supper located behind the altar in the sanctuary and the Sermon on the Mount on the west wall of the nave, to name a few.
As with all Anglican communities, music within the services is central to our practice. We are blessed with the presence of our organist and choir leader, Kati Gleiser, a world-renowned pianist and musician. Her selection of music that accompanies each service and her work with the choir is inspiring. Music that is uplifting and engaging us in faithful service, is a positive support to our weekly liturgy. The organ was built by the Cassavant Freres Company and donated to the church in 1914. In 2006, the organ was enhanced with digital technology and is one of the finest “north of Toronto.”
OUR PRESENT AND OUR FUTURE
Over the past number of years, St. George’s Anglican Church has extended itself within the community and has engaged in much outreach. This year the church participated on August 24, 2024 in the Doors Open, Ontario event. The emphasis on this year’s agenda was in what ways heritage buildings are community connected, or re-invented. St. George’s church has always been community-based. For many years, we have hosted a Mariner’s Service and Blessing of the Great Lakes Fleet every spring to celebrate the contribution of the Great Lake sailors. The Great Lakes sailors work with the rector to create a special service that brings visitors, sailors and community together.
Mudtown Community Outreach has sponsored monthly dinners in the Parish Hall by donation, hosted a Summer Festival, as well as a weekly Open Door, a drop in with coffee and treats for the community. These activities are led by parishioners and community members together. This year, a weekly Neighbourhood Cupboard, has started where our parishioners donate and provide bags of non-perishable food items and toiletries to our community. We also receive donations through our local food Hub, OSHaRE, and another church. Only two questions are asked: Do you have access to a kitchen facility? Are you picking up for yourself, or a family? The program has expanded greatly over a few months with the support of over 20 parishioner volunteers that run the program.
Our Quilters, “Martha Quilters” are open to the community and our parishioners. Last year, the group attracted many visitors, who were able to view over 150 quilts that were hung throughout the church and chapel. Donations that were collected from this show contributed to offset an operational budget deficit for our church. Our Parish Hall offers opportunities for permits to different community groups and the church has also provided a venue for concerts and a six-part concert lecture series over the past few years.
St. George’s not only does outreach within its own walls, but also supports different agencies within Owen Sound through donations and active participation. The Pastoral Team under the leadership of our Rector, Mark Loyal, works with a number of parishioners in different care homes to provide caring and ongoing support, as well as communion services.
St. George’s also participates in the Backpack Program sponsored by the United Way of Bruce Grey whereby backpacks and supplies are provided to the agency for students within the community, who require support. Safe and Sound has also been supported by St. George’s with donations of sleeping bags, tents, coats and other items. Finally, St. George’s supports a local Food Service, OSHaRE, and has also partnered with Second Harvest through the Food Share program to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as condiments and toiletries. Sleeping Children Around the World, the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund and other Anglican Church charities that contribute to those in need across Canada and the world are also generously supported by parishioners.
Throughout the past 175 years, the Anglican congregation within the Owen Sound area has changed with the community. Church buildings have come and gone throughout that lengthy period, but the faith that infuses our parish is constant. The focus has always been on worship and building a faith community: our church worships together on Sunday mornings and enjoys our Eucharist service with readings, prayers and hymns. However, there is an increasing focus that shifts from acts of faith within our church walls to outreach within the larger community. There are many churches and faith groups that share much in common with St. George’s. In fact, we all share advocacy and support of those who need it most. Our vision for the future 175 years at St. George’s will lead us further in collaborating with others to seek peace and prosperity for everyone in our shared community.
Anne Seymour is St. George's Deputy Warden & Chair of the Finance Committee