St. Alban's Anglican Church (Restoule, Ont.) is part of the Anglican Parish of Callander, Powassan, Restoule, and Chisholm located in the Nipissing District of Ontario.
In 1905 it was noted that something must be done for the region of Restoule and the "scattering Church people" residing there. In 1908 church services were still being held in the small corner schoolhouse. Proposals were being made at this time to erect a church in Restoule, but they needed to attain a site first. Rev. C. Ryan was in charge of the mission at this time.
In 1912 property was bought to build the church on. By April of 1913 the erection of the church was delayed as there was difficulty in attaining a builder, though a site was secured and the lumber wason the ground. At the end of the summer of 1913, the church was nearing completion. In February of 1914 Bishop Algoma formally opened the building, whose completion owed largely to Mr. H. G. Watts, missionary in charge.
In 1930 it was noted that the Mission of Restoule and Nipissing is impossible to keep open all year long due to a lack of men and means (which explains the many incumbent vacancies). However, a very successful summer's work was done that year in which the church was painted and a Sunday School was established at Restoule thanks to Rev. A. Rogers.
Rev. Dalton Woodward became rector of this church in 1959 and went on to serve here for 23 years, retiring in 1982. He was quoted in saying that over this time he saw the Church change a great deal, but believed the Church should set standards for moral guidelines.
In the summer of 1961 the church was raised and a new foundation was put under the building. Much of the work was done by church volunteers and summer student Jack Rose assisted greatly in the organization of the project.
This church is currently still operational.
Early incumbents include: Rev. G. Gillmor (1885-?) Mr. McLoud (?-1889), Rev. G. Gander (1889-1890), Rev. 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), Mr. Pinnington (1906), Rev. C. Ryan (1907-1908), Lay Missionaries (1909).
Other incumbents include: Rev. C. E. Sharp (1914), Rev. R. Booth (1921-1923), Rev. W. C. Dunn (1927-?), Rev. E. G. Dymond (1929), Rev. A. Rogers (1931), Rev. G. K. Lowe (1932), Rev. A. P. Scott (1933-1934), Ven. W. A. J. Burt (1934-1938), Rev. A. E. Carding (1938-1944), Rev. R. C. Warder (1944-1947) Rev. G. A. Stone (1947-1948), Rev. 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).
Source:
- "In Parry Sound Deanery", The Algoma Missionary News 2, no. 5 (1905): 52. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_007_1905May.
- "Nipissing and Restoule", The Algoma Missionary News 5, no. 3 (1908): 30. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_007_1908Mar.
- "The Bishop in Parry Sound District", The Algoma Missionary News 10, no. 4 (1913): 40. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_008_1913Apr.
- "Diocesan Notes", The Algoma Missionary News 10, no. 8 (1913): 88. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_008_1913Aug.
- "Powassan", The Algoma Missionary News 11, no. 3 (1914): 30. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_009_1914Mar.
- "Diocesan Notes", The Algoma Missionary News 26, no. 4 (1930): 83-84. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_002_002_1930JulAug.
- "St Alban's, Restoule", The Algoma Anglican 5, no. 11 (1961): 1. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_002_1961December.
- "The Reverend Dalton Woodward retires after 23 years at Powassan", The Algoma Anglican 27, no. 10 (1982): 1. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_013_1982Oct.
