St John's Anglican Church

Dundas Street, Thamesford, Ontario

St. John's Anglican Church, Thamesford, Ontario was built in 1861, under the direction of Rev. William Brookman, rector from 1858 to 1863. Services for The Church of England, in Thamesford, began in 1845 and were held in various available homes, barns or schoolhouses until the current building was constructed. Stonemason, John Forbes selected and gathered the stones from John Halpin’s farm, one mile south of the village. They were hewn with such dexterity and laid with such precision that major repairs have been unnecessary to the present. The hand-axed beams and rafters were hewn and drawn from the pinewood lot of Robert Rutledge by Charles Corbin. The building enclosed by James Keys and was ready for the first service on January 27, 1862.

In 1867, ten acres was purchased across the road from the church and a rectory was completed. Two years later, the rector Rev. Samuel Belcher went to England to collect funds from the Mother Church and was successful in paying off the church and rectory debt in Thamesford, Ontario. In later years, at various times, St. John’s has been a joint parish with Christ Church, Lakeside; St. Georges, Thorndale; Grace Church, Evelyn and St. Luke’s, Crumlin.

Over the years, many improvements have been made to St. Johns. In 1880, a horse shed was built along the west edge of the church lot. In 1887, a bell tower was completed for the Queen Victoria Jubilee. In 1899, a new, two-storey, yellow brick rectory was built across the street from the church at 223 Dundas Street to replace the original house, which was used for the parish hall until it burned in 1921, destroying many valuable records. Parts of the rectory lot were sold, but the bowling greens established by Rev. Davis, rector from 1920 to 1925 remain on the west side of that original lot. At various times additional land was purchased, north of the church, to enlarge the cemetery.

In 1954, the yellow brick rectory at 223 Dundas Street was sold and a new house built at 162 Stanley Street North. In 1961, a forty-five foot extension was built on to the parish hall, to the west. As with most other construction, the parishioners all used their special talents of woodworking, plumbing or electrical skill to complete the necessary project. The church and rectory and grounds have been maintained or renovated, over the years, by willing, volunteer workers.

The traditions of Christmas Eve Candlelight services and shared celebrations with other villages denominations as well as Christmas tree sales, turkey suppers, chicken barbeques, ham dinners, garage sales and other parish events point to a thriving Christian membership.

The Parish-of-the-Thames became the name for the amalgamation of four congregations in 2002 - St. Johns, Thamesford; St. Georges, Thorndale; Christ Church, Lakeside; and St. Lukes, Crumlin. These churches share a rector and lay readers for worship services and special events.

St. Johns Anglican Church, in Thamesford remains a village landmark. Its parishioners, although decreasing in number, continue to display a devoted mission with a dedicated rector, capable musicians and a faithful congregation.