In 1868 the first services of St. Thomas' Anglican Church (Ullswater-Bent River, Ont.) were conducted by Rev. W. Mosley in the school house located behind the church property. Land for St. Thomad' was purchased on October 31, 1882 from Frederick and Mary Richardson. St. Thomas' was built in the same year at a cost of around $8,500, which included the cost of a fence surrounding the churchyard.
The church was consecrated by Bishop Sullivan on February 28, 1885 and the burial grounds on January 21, 1888.
Under the leadership of Rev. R.J. Inshaw, who arrived in 1953, Bent River (where services were held in the school) joined the Ulswater parish. During this period St. Thomas' was repainted, re-roofed, and oil heating and electricity were installed.
Incumbents: Rev. W. Mosley, Dr. Newton (1871-1874), William Crompton, Rev. Mr. Chowne (1880-1892), Archdeacon Gowan Gilmore (1892-1907), Rev. Frost (1907-1918), Rev. William Hankinson (1918-1928), Rev. Jethro Norman (1928-1929), Rev. W.T. Swainson (1929-1952), Rev. Joseph Ditchburn (1952-?), George Menzies, Rev. R.J. Inshaw (1953-?), Rev. Robert G. Charles (1959-1982).
Sources:
- Isobel Swainson, "The Churches served by the Rector of Rosseau", The Algoma Anglican 26, no. 10 (1981): 4. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_012_025.
- "St. Thomas' Church, Ullswater, marks 100th anniversary", The Algoma Anglican 28, no. 2 (1983): 5. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_013_012.
