Dunchurch (Ont.)

Irregular services were held before the building was begun in 1890, but due to insufficient funds and debt, the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church (Dunchurch, Ont.) was not completed until December 25, 1896. The money was raised through community fundraisers and grants given by Toronto W.A. and the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge. Through a series of donations the church was fitted with windows, alms basin, alms bags, candlesticks, banners, stove, and surplice.

In March 1897 Rev. Thorneloe, Bishop of Algoma, visited Dunchurch and performed baptisms and administered Holy Communion. Later, on November 17, 1897 the first wedding in Dunchurch was officiated by Rev. D. A. Johnston of St. George’s Anglican Church (Magnetewan, Ont.). On September 24, 1902 St. Andrew’s Anglican Church was consecrated by Bishop Thorneloe while Rev. W. H. French presided.

After years of disuse, St. Andrew’s was reopened and renovated under supervision of Rev. C.H. Peto, Rural Dean of Muskoka. In 1957 it nearly doubled the amount of services being held at Magnetawan. But in 1961 it was found that the attendance had dwindled to a tenth of Magnetawan, and so was closed.

Incumbents have included: Rev. William Crompton (1880-1884), Rev. Arthur John Young (1884-1892), Mr. A. C. Wilson (1893), Mr. T. J. Hay under supervision of Rev. Charles Piercy (1893-1896), Francis R. Godolphin (1897), Rev. D. A. Johnston (1897-1899), Rev. W. H. French (1900-1905), Rev. S. F. Yeomans (1905-1907), Rev. C. Ryan (1907), Mr. Richard Haines (1908), Mr. Herbert J. Hawken (1908-1909), Mr. R. Haines (1909), Mr. P. F. Bull (1909-1912), Rev. W. H. Trickett (1913) Rev. R. M. Fairbairn (1913), Mr. J. W. Hamilton (1913-1914), Rev. J. Thompson (1915-?); visited by: Rev. A.J. Cobb (1895), Rev. A.O. Tarrant (1895), Dean Thomas Llyyd (1896).

Source:

• T.B. Higginson, “Historical Notes”, [1992-2007], Alan Knights fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-220_001_018.
•  “Clergy”, [1992-2007], Alan Knights fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-220_001_027.
• “St. Andrew’s, Dunchurch”, [1992-2007], Alan Knights fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-220_001_038​.

Almaguin Anglican Parish is a multi-point parish in the Anglican Diocese of Algoma within the Deanery of Muskoka. Active churches in this parish include Grace Anglican Church (South River, Ont.), St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Magnetawan, Ont.), and St. John's Anglican Church (Eagle Lake, Ont.) (seasonal). Inactive churches within the parish include St. Andrew's Anglican Church (Dunchurch, Ont.), St. George's Anglican Church (Amyot-Heron Bay, Ont.), St. John's Anglican Church (Dufferin Bridge, Ont.), St. Paul's Anglican Church (Seguin Falls, Ont.), St. Paul's Anglican Church (Sundridge, Ont.), St. Peter's Anglican Church (Midlothian, Ont.) and All Saints’ Anglican Church (Burk's Falls, Ont.).

The earliest recorded church erected was St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Magnetewan Ont.), pioneered by Rev. William Crompton. The church was founded in 1880 and was later considered the centre of the area’s mission. The church later united with Burk’s Falls. Rev. Crompton was responsible for starting two other churches in the Almaguin Anglican Parish: All Saints’ Anglican Church (Burk’s Falls, Ont.) and St. Andrew’s Anglican Church (Dunchurch, Ont.). The former was established in 1882 and has unfortunately been destroyed by fires twice: once in 1884 and again in 1908. The church was built for the third time on November 1, 1909. As for St. Andrew’s, it was not built until the end of 1896 even though services were being held as early as 1890. The church went through a period of disuse until a peak of attendance in 1957. This did not last long and the church was closed in 1961.

Rev. George Gander was responsible for opening most of the other churches in the parish; he remained in the area until approximately 1900. One of these churches was St. Paul’s Anglican Church (Sundridge, Ont.), opened on December 30, 1888. The church was destroyed by fire on March 5, 1960 and rebuilt May 26 later that year. St. Paul’s in Sundridge is closely associated with Grace Anglican Church (South River, Ont.), another Rev. Gander church. The South River church held its first service on July 3, 1892, and was later rebuilt in 1903. The last church on record opened with Rev. Gander’s help was St. John’s Anglican Church (Eagle Lake, Ont.). This church was built in 1888 largely with thanks to the Quirt, Smythe, Ardiel, and Ralstone families. The first service was held on July 22, 1888. This church is currently operating during the summer only.

Finally, not much is on record for St. Peter’s Anglican Church (Midlothian, Ont.), aside from its short life; it was consecrated in September 1902 and closed in 1957.