Up until 1937 one Anglican Church was used to serve all the people of the city of Sudbury. Rev. P.F. Bull of the Church of the Epiphany felt that a church should be built for the Anglicans of the west end. As a result the Anglican Parish of the Resurrection (Sudbury, Ont.) began as a mission chapel of the Church of the Epiphany and small chapel was built adjoining the Anglican cemetery on Regent Street. This chapel was also used as a mortuary.
The first service was held on January 9, 1938 with regular services conducted by clergy from the Church of the Epiphany (Sudbury, Ont.). Mrs. P. Bull and Mrs. B. Scharf organized the first Sunday School in 1938, and in 1940 a Ladies' Guild was formed. The Ladies' Guild became a Women's Auxiliary group in 1953.
In 1950 the basement was renovated and plans were made for the mission to become self-supporting. The mission became independent in 1952 and the first service in the newly established church was held by Rev. George Doolan on January 6, 1952. The first Rector of the new parish, the Reverend George Honour, was appointed in September 1953. At this time the parish became known as the Church of the Resurrection Parish. Members built a 16 ft. extension to the church in 1953, and in 1954 the rectory was constructed on adjoining land.
The original church building was demolished in the Spring of 1958. In the same year construction of new church building was undertaken and the cornerstone was laid on October 1, 1958.by Rt. Rev. P.R. Beattie, Bishop of Kootenay and former rectory of Epiphany. The first service in the new building was held on February 9, 1959 and it was dedicated on February 17, 1959 by the most Rev. W.L. Wright. Designed by Sudbury architect Harold Saville the new church building design blended traditional and modern styles and was made of a combination of glass, brick, and wood.
On March 24, 1968 a memorial chapel in the Church of the Resurrection was dedicated by the Archbishop of Algoma. The chapel serves as a link between the first 'chapel' of the resurrection founded in 1938 as a mortuary chapel for the Church of the Epiphany and the new church built in 1959.
On September 24, 1975 a mortgage burning ceremony was held. In October 1983 following the last payment to the Archbishop Wright Building Fund the new church building was consecrated by the Right Rev. L.E. Peterson.
The decision was made January 22, 2005 to close the church due to decreased worshippers, insufficient funds, and inability to maintain the church; it was closed June 30th, 2005.
Rectors of the parish: Rev. George S. Honour (1953-1959), Rev. Fred G. Roberts (1959-1969), Rev. B. R. Brazill (1970-1973), Rev. Canon J. G. M. Doolan (1974-1982), Rev. J. R. Kelsey (1982-?), Rev. Perry Chuipka (?-2005)
Sources:
- "New Church of Resurrection in Sudbury Started", The Algoma Anglican 2 (1958 April): 1.
- "Archbishop Wright Dedicated New Church at Sudbury", The Algoma Anglican 3, no. 3 (1959): 4.
- "Sudbury Church Memorial Chapel",The Algoma Anglican 12, no. 5 (1968): 3. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_004_016.
- "Parish history recalled", The Algoma Anglican 19, no. 10 (1975): 3. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_010_012.
- "Parish, which began as a chapel, celebrates fortieth anniversary", The Algoma Anglican 23, no. 1 (1975): 5. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_012_001.
- "History of Church of Resurrection at Sudbury is being prepared", The Algoma Anglican 26, no. 6 (1981): 5. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_012_021.
- "Building debt all paid, consecration took place at Church of the Resurrection, Sudbury." The Algoma Anglican 28 no. 10 (1983): 3. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_013_020.
- Letter to Parishioners of the church of the Resurrection, 2005, Anglican Parish of the Resurrection (Sudbury, Ont.) fonds, Algoma University Archives.
