St. John’s was the first Anglican Church in Port Arthur, built in 1872. St. John’s, however, was a long distance from the settlement in the north end, and so the first services of what would become St. George the Martyr (Thunder Bay, Ont.) were held in private homes. The first service was held on January 25, 1911 in the home of Mr. J. Edwards and conducted by Rev. Charles Hedley. Other services were also conducted by Rev. F. G. Sherring.
A mission hall for St. George was built in 1912 with thanks to donations by the community, although the parishioners were still dependent on St. John's for clergy and financial support. The building was moved to its present location in 1924 and by 1926 the parish of St. George had a Sunday School of 75 children, a boys' choir, a women's guild, and a girls' guild. In 1926 St. George's took over its financial obligations and the mortgage was paid off at the time of the 25th anniversary. The rectory opened in 1926 as well, and during Rev. Graham’s incumbency the lower floor was used for meetings and social activities while he lived upstairs.
In 1933 Rev. Rocksborough Smith (Bishop of Algoma) came to St. George’s to give confirmation. The parish became ambitious during the 1930s and wanted to build a new church. Rev. Greene went to England to ask for financial assistance, but unfortunately was unsuccessful. He received many promises for donations at a later date, but received few immediate cash donations. The Massey Foundation Fund did donate $3,500 by 1945, which went toward the construction of a basement.
Until 1957 the church received financial support from the Diocesan Expense Fund, but at this point Wells Fund Raising Company began working for St. George’s. The church became a self-supporting parish and was able to contribute $3,000 to the Archbishop Wright Church Extension Fund.
The congregation of St. George the Martyr celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1986.
The following are gifts made to the church over the years and in memory of various members of the Parish: the brass eagle lectern, The Good Shepherd Window (East Window), the organ, font, litany desk, sanctuary chairs, altar alms dish, altar candle sticks, missal stand, missal (or altar prayer book), sanctuary lamp, memorial chalices and patens, ciborium, pyx, choir stalls, pulpit, sedilia, hymn board, the crucifix, memorial pews, the font window, St. George’s window, chalice window, cross & crown window, holy spirit (Dove) window, war memorial tablet, brass vases, collection plates, and funeral pall.
Incumbents have included: Rev. Roland F. Palmer (1917-1919), Rev. T. V. L’Entrange (1920-1922), Rev. Keppell W. Hill (1924-1928), Rev. Gordon C. Graham (1928-1930), Rev. I.L. Greene (1930-1937), Rev. B.A. Wood (1937-1939), Rev. N.M. Post (1939-1943), Rev. T. Cann (1943-1949), Rev. Stephen Turner (1949-1959), Rev. James Turner (1959).
Sources:
- Florence Travolo, "St George the Martyr congregation, Thunder Bay, begins celebration of parish's 75th anniversary", The Algoma Anglican 33, no. 4 (1986): 3. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_014_1984Sept.
- “The Church of St. George the Martyr: 60th Anniversary 1911-1971”, 1971, St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Thunder Bay, Ont.) sous fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2010-190_001_001.
