Magnetawan (Ont.)

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.

St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Magnetawan, Ont.) is part of the multi-point Almaguin Anglican Parish (Sundridge, Ont.).

St. George the Martyr was founded by Rev. William Crompton in 1880 and was later consecrated in 1887. The church began as the centre of a Mission that also included St. Paul’s (Sequin Falls, Ont.), St. John’s (Dufferin Bridge, Ont.), Holy Trinity (Pearceley, Ont.), St. Peter’s (Midlothian, Ont.), and later, St. Andrew (Dunchurch, Ont.).

Construction and additions to the church were carried on through the 1880s which consisted of replacing stove pipes with chimneys, improved furniture, the addition of a font and organ, carpeting, siding, a fence and entrance gate, fresh paint inside and out, the old porch torn down and a new one of stone foundation built; the church also acquired a 400 lbs bell from Mr. Shane of Baltimore.

St. George’s underwent extensive repairs in 1917 and the Hall, which was built without a proper foundation, was torn down. The church later united with the All Saints’ Anglican Church (Burk’s Falls, Ont.) in 1926.

Due to its close location to the United States, the parishioners recognized a sizeable population of American worshipers during the summer months and raised an American flag in 1953 as a welcoming.

The church is the subject of a famous painting by Group of Seven artist, A. J. Casson, which hangs in the National Gallery. In 1980 Casson gave permission for the production of prints to celebrate 100 years, and in 1981 the painting was produced on a limited number of plates by the Franklin Mint. Also in marking the centennial of the church, the front was redone and new stained glass windows, dossal curtains, and chancel steps were installed.

Incumbents and rectors who have served St. George’s include: Rev. William Crompton (1880-1884), Rev. Arthur John Young (1884-1892), Mr. A.C. Wilson (1893), Mr. T.J. Hay (1893-1896), Rev. Arthur James Fitzpatrick Cobb (1895), Rev. A.O. Tarrant (1895), Mr. T. J. Hay under supervision of Rev. Charles Piercy (1893-1896), Rev. David Abraham Johnston (1896-1899), Rev. William Henry French (1900-1905), Rev. S. F. Yeomans (1905-1907), Rev. Charles Ryan (1907), Mr. Richard Haines (1908), Mr. Herbert J. Hawken (1908-1909), Rev. Percy Francis Bull (1909-1912), Rev. W. H. Tricket (1913), Mr. R.M. Fairburn (1913), Mr. J.W. Hamilton (1913-1914), Rev. J. Thompson (1915-1921), Rev. Wallis. F. Smith (1921-1926), Rev. Arthur Preston Scott (1928-1930), Rev. John Selwyn Rhodes (1943-1947), Rev. Frederick Elmer Jewel (1947-1956), Mr. Horace Wilson (1950-1951), Rev. Robert Cuyler (1962-1968), Rev. Lloyd Hoover (1968-1974), Rev. Gregory Lynn (1974-1976), Rev. Duncan Lyon (1976-1981), Rev. Elliott Alton Sheppard (1981-1991), Rev. Alan Eric Knight (1992-?).

No rector between 1952-1956 & 1958-1960; communion was administered by Archdeacon Linsell from Gravenhurst & Canon H.W. Garbutt from Emsdale.

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.
•  “St. George the Martyr Anglican Church”, [1992-2007], Alan Knights fonds, Algoma University Archives, part of 2009-220/001(047).
• “Notes on Past Clergy”, [198-?], Almaguin Anglican Parish (Sundridge, Ont.) fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2012-010_001_006.
• “The mission of Magnetawan”, 1969, St. George the Martyr Church (Magnetawan, Ont.) sous fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-211_001_001.