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St. Mary's Anglican Church (Powassan, Ont.)

Powassan's St. Mary's Anglican Church parish history

Description
Start Date: 
1958
End Date: 
1980
Date Range: 
1958 and 1980
Physical Description: 

0.5 cm of textual record

Physical Location
Repository: 
aua
File No: 
017
Container Number: 
007
Description Level: 

Powassan's St. Mary's Anglican Church parish history

Description
Responsibility: 
Start Date: 
1958
End Date: 
1980
Date Range: 
1958 and 1980
Language: 
Physical Description: 

0.6 cm of textual records.

Media
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Scan Date: 
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Master scans folder location: 
Bibliographic Information
Publication: 
Volume: 
Issue: 
Standard No: 
Physical Location
Repository: 
aua
File No: 
017
Container Number: 
007
Legacy Restricted: 
Conservation
Custodial History: 
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Marks: 
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Conservation-Treatment
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Storage Method: 

St. Mary's Anglican Church (Powassan, Ont.) sous fonds

Description
Start Date: 
1880
End Date: 
1980
Date Range: 
1880-1980
Physical Description: 

.22 m of textual record

Arrangement: 
Sous fonds is arranged in files.
History Biographical: 

St. Mary's Anglican Church (Powassan, Ont.) is part of the Anglican Parish of Callander, Powassan, Restoule and Chisholm in the Nipissing District of Ontario.

The first service of what would become the St. Mary’s Anglican Church (Powassan, Ont.) was held in February 1883 by Rev. Gowan Gilmore in an old schoolhouse. The turnout was small and it was later learned the notices were pulled down to discourage a return. The church was built in 1891 by Mr. Edward Topps, and Rev. White was the first missioner to hold services in this church.

The first vestry meeting was held in 1893. In 1899 the church collected money to build a parsonage and it was built not long after. In 1915 the fence surrounding the church and rectory was built and in 1918 the church was redecorated throughout. In 1921 an  "Honour Roll" with names of all church members of St. Mary's in uniform (those that went to war) was put up in the church. Unfortunately this burned in the fire of 1937.

St. Mary's Anglican Church (Powassan, Ont.), front, present dayAfter 45 years, the church was destroyed by fire on the 25th of January 1937. Temporary quarters for services were acquired until the end of 1937. In June of 1937 part of the vacant lot behind Memorial Park was sold for the site of the new church. The new St. Mary's Anglican Church opened for service on Christmas Day, but it was formally opened January 9, 1938 and was consecrated July 10, 1938. Just five years later in January 1943 the church paid its debt, complete with a mortgage burning ceremony.

In 1944 a new "Honour Roll" was created and hung in the church for those from the parish serving in 

World War II. Various renovations were completed between 1951 and 1959, including the addition of a fire escape door in the basement, flooring, walls, fluorescent lighting, and exchanging a wood furnace for an oil furnace.

St. Mary's celebrated its century of Anglican services on Sunday, September 7, 1980. The service was officiated by Bishop Frank Nock and Reverend Dalton Woodward, where a commemorative plaque was unveiled and dedicated. The three families who attended the first service in 1880 were represented by their descendants. Winnifred Scarlett-Ayers, youngest daughter of John Sampson Scarlett and part of a renowned family in the area, gifted a Canadian flag to the church. Reverend Woodward and Mrs. Woodward received a scroll of appreciation and a painting by Les Whittacker for their 21 years of service. 

This church is currently still operational.

Incumbents and rectors who have served St. Mary’s include: Rev. William Crompton (1880), Rev. G. Gilmore (1881-?), Mr. McLoud (?-1889), Rev. G. Gander (1889-1890), Mr. W. C. White (1890-1891), Mr. F. Ulbricht (1892-1894), Mr. W. Hunter (1895), Rev. C. H. Buckland (1896-1898), Rev. A. J. Cobb (1898-1899), Rev. D. A. Johnston (1899-1903), Rev. H. King (1903-1905), Rev. E. M. Rowland (1905-1913), Rev. P. A. Paris (1913-1918), Rev. Canon R. Haines (1918-1923), Rev. H. Peeling (1923-1928), Rev. J. H. Evans (1928-1929), Rev. L. Sinclair (1929-1930), Rev. L. A. Sampson (1930), Rev. C. B. Harris (1930-1933), Rev. A. P. Scott (1933-1934), Ven. Archdeacon W. A. J. Burt (1934-1938), Rev. A. E. Carding (1938-1944), Rev. R. C. Wader (1944-1947), Rev. G. A. Stone (1947-1948), Canon A. E. Minchin (1948-1954), Rev. P. G. Docksey (1954-1959), Rev. D. L. Woodward (1959-1982), Rev. R. Duncan (1982-1986), Rev. M. Clark (1986-1994), Rev. G. Churcher (1994-2003), Rev. J. Lockyer (2003-2008), Rev. J. Cavanaugh-Clark (2008-2011), Fr. G. Kwari (2011?-2013), Rev. J. Locke (2013-2018), Rev. J. Morris (2018-present).St. Mary's Anglican Church (Powassan, Ont.), interior, colour

Sources:

  • "The New St. Mary's, Powassan, Opened", The Algoma Missionary News 34, no. 1 (1938): 4. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_002_004_1938JanFebMar.
  • "Deanery of Nipissing", The Algoma Missionary News 34, no. 3 (1938): 55. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_002_004_1938JulAugSeptOct.
  • "Century of Anglican Services in Powassan Area Commemorated", The Algoma Anglican 26, no. 2 (1980): 3. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_012_017.
  • “St. Mary’s Anglican Church Parish History:1880-1980”, 1980, Diocesan Heritage Centre History files collection, Algoma University Archives, 2013-078_007_017.
Scope Content: 

Sous fonds comprises records documenting the activities at and the functions of St. Mary's Anglican Church (Powassan, Ont.).  Includes registers, minutes, cash books, and other materials.

Repository: 
aua
Admin
Custodial History: 

Accrual 2009-146 was transferred from Laurentian University to Algoma University in May 2009 by Ken Hernden and Robin Isard. Accrual 2014-069 was transferred from the church to Algoma University by the Ven. Dr. Harry Huskins in 2014.  Further accruals are expected.

Access Restriction: 

May be restrictions on access based on the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Diocese's Policy on Privacy and Archives. Subject to all applicable privacy legislation.

Repro Restriction: 

May be restrictions on use based on the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Diocese's Policy on Privacy and Archives. Subject to all applicable privacy legislation.

Conservation: 

Minor conservation performed on sous fonds.

Geographic Access: 
Description Level: 

Marriage Register

Description
Start Date: 
1945
End Date: 
1954
Date Range: 
1945-1954
Physical Description: 

1.8 cm of textual records

Physical Location
Repository: 
Algoma University
File No: 
004
Shelf Location: 
2009-146-001
Container Number: 
001
Legacy Restricted: 
N
Description Level: 

Bank Books

Description
Start Date: 
1940
End Date: 
1945
Date Range: 
1940-1945
Physical Description: 

.2 cm of textual records

Physical Location
Repository: 
Algoma University
File No: 
003
Shelf Location: 
2009-146-001
Container Number: 
001
Legacy Restricted: 
N
Description Level: 

Cash Book and Records

Description
Start Date: 
1937
End Date: 
1946
Date Range: 
1937-1946
Physical Description: 

1.7 cm of textual records

Physical Location
Repository: 
Algoma University
File No: 
002
Shelf Location: 
2009-146-001
Container Number: 
001
Legacy Restricted: 
N
Description Level: 

Service Register

Description
Start Date: 
1919
End Date: 
1942
Date Range: 
1919-1942
Physical Description: 

1.2 cm of textual records

Physical Location
Repository: 
Algoma University
File No: 
001
Shelf Location: 
2009-146-001
Container Number: 
001
Legacy Restricted: 
N
Description Level: