Christ Anglican Church (Ilfracombe, Ont.) is a church within the North Muskoka Anglican Pioneer Parish.
In the early years of Ilfracombe prayer meetings were conducted by Captain Harston in a farmhouse until a log church was built in 1879. This early church was opened in July of this year by Rev. Patterson. Services were continued with Captain Harston and with the occasional visit from Rev. William Crompton. They soon received a grant from the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and gained the services of Rev. A. S. O. Sweet.
The cornerstone of the new stone church was laid on July 28, 1886 and was opened for services in autumn of 1887.
In 1888, Ilfracombe was the centre of a mission that included Hoodstown, Stanleydale, Novar, and Axe Lake. The latter two were separated from the mission in 1890 when Ravenscliff was added.
Between 1930 and 1946 the church was administered to by “the Cowley Fathers” of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, Bracebridge. They were followed by rapid successions of clergy. A church cabin was built in 1951 for their use. The congregation also managed some renovations to the church in this year. In 1956 the church hall was dismantled.
The old stone church preserves much of its history within its walls: the east window of The Good Shepherd is in memory of pioneer Mrs. Charles Smith, the nave windows commemorate early Ilfracombe families, and one window is in memory of Rev. Joseph Pardoe who served the parish from 1894-1904.
The rectors and incumbents who have served Christ Church include: Rev. A.S.O. Sweet (1880-1884), Rev. John Manning (18845-1888), Rev. Laurence Sinclair (1888-1892, 1909-1930), Rev. Harry C. Aylwin (1892-1893), Rev. Joseph Pardoe (1894-1904), Rev. Christopher Simpson (1904-1908), Rev. C. Ryan (1908-1909), Rev. Richard K. Bamber (1932-1933), Rev. R.J. Morley (1936-1939), Rev. L.E.C. Frith (1939-1945), Br. Crispin (1946), Rev. C. M. Serson (1946), Rev. E.C. Bowyer (1947), Rev. D. Curzon (1947), Rev. G.F. Heathcote (1949), Rev. A. Haldenby (1949-1950), Rev. L.R. Willis (1950), Rev. J.F. Hinchliffe (1951, 1953), Rev. D.C. Wickenden (1952), Rev. D.N. Mithchell (1952), Rev. C.C. Robinson (1952), Rev. G. Loosemore (1954), Rev. J.H. Watson (1954, 1956), Rev. H. Vallis (1955, 1966), Rev. J.S. Cunningham (1955), Rev. C. Elliott (1957, 1959, 1961), Rev. W.H. Gibson (1957), Rev. G.A. Young (1958), Rev. K.A. Minchen (1958), Rev. S.J. Armstrong (1959, 1960), Rev. K. Sites (1960), Rev. D.H. Dixon (1961), Rev. Canon C. Elliott (1962), Rev. William Cook (1962).
Sources:
- "Ilfracombe", The Algoma Anglican 6, no. 8 (1962): 4.
- "90th anniversary of Ilfracombe parish", The Algoma Anglican 21, no. 9 (1977): 2. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_011_003.
- “History of Christ Church, Ilfracombe”, 1962, Diocesan Heritage Centre Parish History collection, Algoma University Archives, 2014-019_001_053.
