South Baymouth (Ont.)

St. John's Anglican Church (South Baymouth, One.) is part of the Western Manitoulin Anglican Parish.

Before the church was built between 1950 and 1952, services were held in the school-room. The lumber for the construction was taken from the old St. John's church at Hilly Grove. 

The cornerstone was laid on July 5th, 1950 and dedicated on July 22nd, 1952. Both ceremonies were performed by Bishop W.L. Wright. 

St. John's was consecrated by the Archbishop of Algoma, the Most Rev. William L. Wright on July 29, 1957.

Source:

• "South Bay Mouth Church Consecrated by Bishop" The Algoma Anglican 1 (1957): 3.
• "History of St. John's Anglican Church, South Bay Mouth" [1955-1978], Diocesan Heritage Centre History files collection, part of 2013-078_004_014.

Western Manitoulin Anglican Parish is a multi-point parish and includes the Anglican churches on much of the Manitoulin Island: All Saints' Anglican Church (Gore Bay, Ont.), St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church (Mindemoya, Ont.), St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church (Kagawong, Ont.), St. John's Anglican Church (Sheshegwaning Reserve, Ont.), St. John's Anglican Church (South Baymouth, Ont.), St Paul's Anglican Church (Manitouwaning, Ont.), and St. Peter's Anglican Church (Silverwater, Ont.).

Missionaries of the Church of England have been recorded on the island since 1800. The efforts seem to have been more substantial in the 1830s with Rev. J.D. Cameron, Rev. William McMurray, and Rev. Adam Elliot expanding into the Manitoulin islands from their missionaries around the area. In 1838 the Bishop sent Rev. C.C. Brough to Manitowaning to begin a true presence of the Church of England.

By 1966, the Parish of All Saints' (Gore Bay, Ont.) became self-supporting and, at this time, included St. Peter's (Silverwater, Ont) and St. John's (Sheshegwaning Reserve, Ont.). The parish was ministered by Rev. Michael Dunnill. 

The Sheshegwaning church has closed.

Sources:

• "Gore Bay Moves Forward", The Algoma Anglican 10, no. 8 (1966): 4. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_003_018.
• Willis John McQuarrie, “All Saints’ Anglican Church: Parish – 1880 to 2000”, 2000, All Saints’ Anglican Church (Gore Bay, Ont.) sous fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-170_001_001.