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.
