The Parish of St. Thomas' (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was established in 1887 as a mission of the Diocese of Algoma in the west end of the community of Fort William in an area of the city known as "Westfort". This early mission was run out of St. John's Church (Thunder Bay, Ont.) under the leadership of Rev. J. Ker McMorine. He conducted services in the 'upper room' over the telegraph office at the corner of Brown and Amelia Street.
Three years later, the construction of St. Thomas' Anglican Church began. The site for the church was purchased on October 15, 1889. And the foundation stone was laid by Mrs. Kirby, wife of the Rev. Charles Kriby who organized the parishes of St. Thomas and St. Luke's (Thunder Bay, Ont), on June 24, 1890.The first service of the church was held on November of 1890. on the first Sunday of Advent. The physical structure was twice damaged by fire and rebuilt.
In 1928 under Rev. Canon Harkinson the parish of St. Thomas' became self supporting. In 1930 the posts and sills under the church rotted out and were replaced by a proper basement which included a boarder room, Rector's vestry, and a new heating unit. In 1931 the church was badly damaged by fire.
In 1948, a rectory was purchased adjacent to the Church on Edward Street. As the Sunday school enrollment increased during the Baby Boom, the L. C. Irwin Christian Education Centre was built adjoining the main building, and a basement was added. A second home in Northwood was purchased which helped to facilitate an active Curacy training program. In 1952 a brick front was added to the building, creating a new enterance.
The L.C. Irwin Education Centre extension of St. Thomas Anglican Church (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was dedicated by Archbishop W.L. Wright in May 1957. The $40,000 extension comprised a chapel on the Ameilia Street side and a wing on the Frederica Street side, resulting in additional seating of 95.
Rectors of St. Thomas' have included: Rev. Charles Kirby (1890-1895), Rev. E.J. Harper (1895-1906), Rev. S.M. Rankin (1906-1911), Rev. J.C. Poppy (1911), Rev. A. Adams (1911-1941), Rev. F.G. Sherring (1915), Rev. A.J. Bruce (1916-1928), Canon W.A. Hankinson (1928-1946), Rev. M.L. Goodman (1946-1953), Archdeacon E.R. Handdon (1953-1986), Rev. Robert Russell (1986-1987, priest in charge), Rev. Richard Williams (1987-?)
Sources:
- "Confirmation, Dedication at Lakehead" The Algoma Anglican 1 (1957): 1.
- "Parish Profile, 1998" part of the St. Thomas Anglican Church (Thunder Bay, Ont.) sous fonds, 2009-055/001 (015).
- "Brief History of Our Church", St. Thomas Anglican Church http://www.stthomasac.com/saintNew.com/the-church-and-community-3 [accessed on 20 August 2015]
- "Lakehead Parishes Celebrate Founding", The Algoma Anglican 10, no.1 (1966): 4. Algoma University Archives, 2013-086_001_003_012 [accessed 21 August 2015]
- Jean Pendziwol, "St. Thomas' Church, Thunder Bay, celebrates 100th anniversary", The Algoma Anglican 37, no.9 (1990): 1, 2.
