Emmanuel Anglican Church (Richard's Landing, Ont.) was built in the years 1894-1895 during the incumbency of Rev. W. J. Ecclestone it was opened for services on June 23, 1895. The building was consecrated by Bishop Thorneloe on May 19, 1901. The original building was of frame construction, veneered with brick, and was built from plans designed by Mr. Alan Sullivan. Prior to the construction of the church, services were held as early as 1881 in School Houses two miles from Richard's Landing by Mr. Beer (a lay reader).
The original building was destroyed by fire on May 3, 1904. Emmanuel was rebuilt on the same site in 1926 and consecrated by Bishop Smith on April 25, 1927. In the 1950s the church underwent a number of improvements including the creation of an outside entry porch, interior redecoration, and the construction of a tennis court.
In 1961 the interior of the church building was remodeled. This included the addition of a chancel, new windows, installation of choir pews, and an oil heating unit was installed. A church hall was also purchased in the same year. A new rectory adjacent to Emmanuel Church was opened for the Parish of St. Joseph on March 27, 1962. In 1979 the parish of St. Joseph (which includes Richard's Landing) became self-supporting.
The church was used for public worship until 2007 when it was closed and sold.
Early incumbents include: Rev. W. J. Eccleston (1892-1896), Rev. R. Atkinson (1896-1899), Rev. A. C. Mackintosh (1900-1901), Rev. P. W. P. Calhoun (1901-1904), Rev. Benjamin Bean (1905-1906), Lay Readers (1906), Mr. G. M. Brewin (1907), Mr. H. Bailey (1907), Mr. H. G. Watts (1907-1908), Rev. H. Frankland (1908-1909), Rev. H. C. Dunn (1910-1913), Rev. E. G. Heaven (1914-1916), Rev. J. D. Granger (1916-1917), Mr. E. B. Ellis (1918), Rev. H. F. C. Cocks (1919-1922), Rev. Canon R. Haines (1923-1925), Rev. H. H. Heard (1925-1927), Rev. J. Armour (1927-1928), Rev. J. S. Rhodes (1929-1931), Rev. J. S. R. Sturgeon (1931?-1933), Rev. J. D. Wall (1934-1937), Mr. M. J. Dempsey (1937), Rev. J. Stewart (1937-1940), Rev. D. H. Dixon (1940-1954), Christopher Passey (Locum Tenens) (1949) Rev. N. Hornby (1954-1960), Rev. K. A. Robinson (1960-1965), Rev. T. E. Collins (1966-1968), Rev. P. Hill (1969-1976), Rev. M. C. Eldred (1976-1982), Rev. C. (Bud) Moote (1982-1991), Rev. Muriel Hornby (Assistant Priest) (1984-1985), Rev. H. Hamilton (Assistant Priest) (1989-1991) (Priest in Charge) (1991-2006), Rev. Rosalie Goos (2006-2007).
Sources:
- "St. Joseph's Island", The Algoma Missionary News 12, no. 9 (1916): 102. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_009_1916Sept.
- "Emmanuel Church, Richards' Landing, Burned", The Algoma Missionary News 20, no. 4 (1924): 51. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_013_1924AprMay.
- "Algoma Highlights", The Algoma Missionary News 79, no. 2 (1953): 16-17. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_002_006_1953MayJun.
- "Richards Landing Parish Reports A Progressive Year", The Algoma Anglican 5, no. 3 (1961): 7. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_002_1961March.
- "St. Joseph's Island New Rectory Opened", The Algoma Anglican 6, no. 5 (1962): 4A. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_002_1962May.
