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Nairn Centre (Ont.)

Rainbow Country Anglican Parish (Espanola, Ont.) fonds

Description
Start Date: 
1895
End Date: 
1995
Date Range: 
1895-1995
Physical Description: 

0.48 m of textual records and technical drawings

Arrangement: 
Fonds is arranged in four sous fonds.
History Biographical: 

The Rainbow County Anglican Parish (Espanola, Ont) consists of All Saints' Anglican Church (Nairn Centre, Ont.), Gowan Gilmor Memorial Anglican Church (Sagamok First Nation, Ont.), St. Augustine of Canterbury's Anglican Church (Whitefish Falls, Ont.), and St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Espanola, Ont.). This parish began as the Webbwood Mission, the boundaries of which extended from Whitefish, Ontario to Walford, Ontario. 

The Webbwood Mission began when it separated from Cooke's Mills in 1896 (a small settlement in what is now Welland, Ontario). The first clergyman of this new mission was Rev. S.H. Morgan, a student; his first service was conducted January 3, 1896. The mission used a schoolhouse for its services until December 1896, when they began using a local Methodist church. They built a church of their own between November and December of that same year, and their first service in the new building was held on December 25, 1896. A church of the same style and size was also built in Nairn Centre around this time.

The Webbwood building was dedicated by the Bishop of Algoma on April 2, 1897. A parsonage was built almost ten years later in 1906. 

In 1913, the Worthington and Victoria Mines churches were added to this mission, although they would not remain. 

In 1924, the parish was established with St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Espanola, Ont.) at its centre and Webbwood, Nairn Centre, and Worthington as outstations. St. George's construction was completed in October 1924. 

St. Augustine of Canterbury (Whitefish Falls, Ont.) joined the Espanola Parish during Rev. Nornabille's incumbency (between 1960 and 1971). Gowan Gilmor Memorial Church (Sagamok First Nation, Ont.) joined the Espanola Parish in 1978 after the death of Rev. Douglas Sissenah. 

Incumbents have included: Rev. S. H. Morgan (1896-1897), Mr. Thomas Scarlett (student) (1897-1898), Rev. B. Storer (1898-1899), Rev. Edward Lawlor (1899-1903), Mr. W.H.G. Battershill (student) (1903-1904), Mr. W.S. Weary (student) (1904), Rev. M.O. Smith (1904--1908), Rev. Arthur J. Oakley (1908-1910), Rev. Archdeacon Gilmor (1912), Mr. A. Arthurs (Lay Reader) (1912), Rev. G. H. Phillips (1913-?), Rev. H. F. Cocks (1924-1926). Rev. S. Turner (1926-1927),  Rev. Donald H. Dixon (1939), Rev. Edwin Wrightson (1940-1943), Rev. F. E. Jewell (1943-1947), Rev. J. Watson (1947-1950), Rev. S. Gilbert (1950-1953), Rev. C. J. Passey (1953-1958), Rev. W. A. C. Banting (1958-1959), Rev. Nornabell (1960-1971), Rev. Lorne R. A. Sutherland (1971-?).

Sources:

  • "Parochial History" in Parish Register, 1896-1983, St. George's Church (Espanola, Ont.) sous fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-152/002(001).
  • "Short History of Webbwood", in Service Register, 1896-1903, Webbwood Mission fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-145/001(001).
  • "From the Parish Register of St. John's Parish, Webbwood", (1907), Diocesan Heritage Centre History files collection, Algoma University Archives, 2013-078/010(002).
  • "A New Parish", The Algoma Missionary News 20, no. 2 (1924): 14. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_013_1924Feb.
Scope Content: 

Fonds is comprised of records documenting the activities at Rainbow Country Anglican Parish (Espanola, Ont.), specifically at All Saints' Anglican Church (Nairn Centre, Ont.), Gowan Gilmor Memorial Anglican Church (Sagamok First Nation, Ont.), St. Augustine of Canterbury's Anglican Church (Whitefish Falls, Ont.), and St. George the Martyr Anglican Church (Espanola Ont.). Includes vestry minutes, vestry books, sermons, correspondence, parish register, baptismal records, Women's Auxiliary records, financial records, youth group records, meeting minutes, blueprints, and other material. 

Repository: 
aua
Admin
Access Restriction: 

May be restrictions on access based on the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Diocese's Policy on Privacy and Archives. Subject to all applicable privacy legislation.

Repro Restriction: 

May be restrictions on use based on the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Diocese's Policy on Privacy and Archives. Subject to all applicable privacy legislation.

Conservation: 

Minor conservation performed on fonds. 

Description Level: 

All Saints' Anglican Church (Nairn Centre, Ont.) sous fonds

Description
Start Date: 
1912
End Date: 
1995
Date Range: 
1912-1995
Physical Description: 

0.03 m of textual record

Arrangement: 
Sous fonds is arranged chronologically by record type.
History Biographical: 

All Saints’ Anglican Church (Nairn Centre, Ont.) is a church within the Rainbow Country Anglican Parish (Espanola, Ont.).

The community was known as Nelsonville in the early years until the township was officially declared in March 1896. Just a year later the All Saints' Anglican Church was built. The bell was part of an old C. N. R. engine and was donated by Mrs. Hazel Jefferies. The church and cemetery land was donated by J. B. Hammond. In these formative years, Nairn Centre was part of the Webbwood Mission and administered to by Rev. S.H. Morgan. 

In 1908, the building was painted and a basic parsonage was built for the incumbent to use when making visits to the neighbouring lumber camps.

The congregation celebrated its 50th anniversary on September 28, 1947. Two years later in 1949, the church received and had dedicated gifts in honour of loved ones. A cross and candlesticks were donated by Edwin Lahti in memory of his sister Elsi; a sanctuary rug was gifted by Mr. and Mrs. Hilliard Smith in memory of James Henry Smith; a font was donated by Mr. J.A. Bird; riddlestands and sanctuary light were donated by Rev. J.H. Watson. 

The All Saints' Anglican Church continued to be kept in good condition and renovated. In 1953 the basement was enlarged to the full size of the building. The floor was also painted.  

Sources:

  • Albert Crick, “The history of Nairn: 1896-1966”, 1966, Diocesan Heritage Centre History files collections, Algoma University Archives, 2013-078_007_001.
  • "All Saints Now 50 Years Old" in Parish Register 1896-1983, St. George's Church (Espanola, Ont.) sous fonds, Algoma University Archives, 2009-152/001(001). 
  • "Webbwood Mission", The Algoma Missionary News 10, no. 1 (1898): 6. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_005_1898Jan.
  • "Webbwood Mission", The Algoma Missionary News 11, no. 8 (1899): 8. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_005_1899Aug.
  • "Webbwood Mission", The Algoma Missionary News 5, no. 11 (1908): 6. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_001_007_1908Nov.
  • "All Saints' Nairn", The Algoma Missionary News 75, no. 5 (1949): 12. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_002_005_1949SeptOctNov.
  • "All Saints' Nairn", The Algoma Missionary News 79, no. 3 (1953): 5. Algoma University Archives, 2009-081_002_006_1953JulAugSept.
Scope Content: 

Sous fonds is comprised of records documenting the activities at All Saint's Anglican Church (Nairn Centre, Ont.). Includes vestry minutes and vestry books. 

Repository: 
aua
Admin
Custodial History: 

Accrual 2009-179 transferred from Laurentian University Archives to Algoma University in May 2009.

Access Restriction: 

May be restrictions on access based on the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Diocese's Policy on Privacy and Archives. Subject to all applicable privacy legislation.

Repro Restriction: 

May be restrictions on use based on the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Diocese's Policy on Privacy and Archives. Subject to all applicable privacy legislation.

Conservation: 

Minor conservation performed on sous fonds. 

Description Level: 
Geographic Access: