St. Peter's Anglican Church (Midlothian, Ont.) is part of the multi-point Almaguin Anglican Parish (Sundridge, Ont.).
The plain frame church at Midlothian was constructed between 1880 and 1884. A tower was added to the church in 1889-1890, costing $180. In November of 1895 the church, 18-20 years after being built, was still not completed. It needed lining, the roof properly sheeted, the walls needed completing, and the seats were only rough boards. The people were badly off, but united to raise money to make the church more comfortable. The interior of the church was finished by December 1895. A bell was presented by an English Clergyman, but was not installed until June 19, 1900. A stone foundation was built, and paid for, in November of 1900 as well.
By 1897, the Midlothian church, under Rev. D. A. Johnston (Incumbent), was considered the most flourishing station in the Magnetawan mission. In 1900, Rev. W. H. French (Incumbent) took over and reported in 1901 that the Church predominated the Midlothian mission and that an effort to form a Sunday-school would be made after Easter. Finally, St. Peter's was free of debt and consecrated by Bishop Thorneloe on September 24, 1902, along with St. Andrew's at Dunchurch.
Come 1923 the office was vacant. From approximately 1926 until 1941/1942 the services were likely held by Rev. G. H. Phillips, followed by Rev. E. G. Dymond of Burk's Falls. In 1938 it was also noted that the church required improvements on the outside and inside, and that the congregation was very small - consisting of only two Anglican families.
In 1944-1947 the church was led by Rev. J. S. Rhodes. The last incumbent to preach at this church was likely Rev. E. R. Nornabell of Burk's Falls (1953?-1960) as he was in office there until 1960, and by 1957 St. Peter's Anglican was closed.
Early incumbents include: Rev. William Crompton (1880-1884), Rev. A. J. Young (1884-1892), Mr. A. C. Wilson (1893), Mr. T. J. Hay under supervision of Rev. C. Piercy (1893-1896), Rev. D. A. Johnston (1896-1899), Rev. W. H. French (1900-1905), Rev. S. F. Yeomans (1905-1907), Rev. C. Ryan (1907), Rev. R. Haines (1908), Mr. H. J. Hawken (1908-1909), Rev. R. Haines (1909), Mr. P. F. Bull (1909-1912), Rev. W. H. Trickett (1913), Rev. R. M. Fairbairn (1913), Mr. J. W. Hamilton (1913-1914), Rev. J. Thompson (1915-?)
Sources:
- "Maganetawan Mission", The Algoma Missionary News 7, no. 2 (1895): 88-89. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_004_1895Nov.
- "Magnetawan Mission", The Algoma Missionary News 9, no. 4 (1897): 29. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_005_1897Apr_0.
- "Magnetawan Mission", The Algoma Missionary News 13, no. 4 (1901): 29. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_006_1901Apr.
- "Burk's Falls Mission", The Algoma Missionary News 34, no. 4 (1938): 75. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_002_004_1938NovDec.
- "History of the Mission to Magnetawan", 1969, St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Magnetawan, Ont.) sous fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-211_001_001.
- "St. George's - Magnetawan", 1963, Historical Notes, Almaguin Parish, T. B. Higginson, Algoma University Archives, 2009-220_001_018.
