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.
After 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).
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.
