St. James the Apostle, Fenelon Falls

(The following history was written in 2002; writer unknown)

Looking back over almost 190 years, we are grateful to the small group of Church of England settlers on Sturgeon and Cameron Lakes. For it was these devoted pioneers who, after clearing their own lands and erecting humble dwellings, looked to the task of providing a suitable place of worship for all concerned. Each gave as his fortune dictated, be it land, money or labour and a small log church was built on the hill above the present St. James.

Anne Langton’s letters in the book “A Gentlewoman in Upper Canada”, tell us of congregation meetings often in the Langton home at Blythe Farm on Sturgeon Lake. These were enjoyable occasions and often necessary because of weather and road conditions, even after the church was built.

In the beginning, not having funds to pay a resident clergyman, certain men or women took turns conducting services and, only occasionally, were able to have a journeying minister to officiate at baptisms, weddings and funerals. Later, with money subscribed by friends and relatives in Great Britain, they secured the services of an ordained man and regular worship became the custom.

The silver communion service was presented to the congregation in 1838 when the original log church was opened, and continues in use today.

No one can be sure whether the log church was destroyed by fire or whether it was decided to replace it, but, in any case, a second frame building appeared on the hill around 1852. The congregation walked or rode in buggies up a winding trail from Bond Street or used a flight of eighty steps, with three landings, erected to the east of the present church. This sufficed for almost fifty years when it was felt to be too strenuous a climb for some members and, although there was much controversy over the expense as well as the move, the third and present St. James was built during the summer and fall 1902, the services being held on December seventh. This church serves the Anglican community today.

In 2016, a renovation was completed to join the parish hall and sanctuary, making both fully accessible, more environmentally sustainable, and more welcoming to people of all abilities.

A Centennial History of St. James Anglican Church, Fenelon Falls, 1835-1935
Originally Published in the Fenelon Falls Gazette, September 5, 1935

One hundred years ago, in the far away days of 1835, a staunch little group of worshippers was given a site for a church on a hilltop overlooking the clustering of homes that marked the settlement of Fenelon Falls. After a couple of years, the first Anglican Church was built and when, some years later, it was destroyed by fire it was replaced by a larger frame building, which although unused, stands today as one of the landmarks of the village, visible for miles around [Note: This second church could not have been built until 1852, according to the author]. A fine brick edifice at the foot of the hill is now the church home, and here, on Sunday, September 15, the centennial will be marked by special services.

The site on the hill, Bond Street east, was bought out of the wilderness by the firm of Jameson and Wallis in 1835, and three acres were given by Mr. Wallis for the church site. For a couple of years, Mr. Wallis kept up service on Sundays for the settlers. The church, a lot structure, was built and opened on May 6, 1838 by Rev. C.T. Wade as an endowed parish. In 1839, Rev. G.C. Street held services twice. A sketch of the church made in 1839 by Miss Anne Langton whose family resided at Blythe Farm shows a sturdy, one story log building with small porch and belfry, surrounded by a burying ground with fenced-in enclosures, standing in a clearing against the background of tall trees. Miss Langton also gives a description of the service in the church on Sunday, July 21st, 1839, in a letter to relatives in England: “About ten, two boats-full put off from the landing, and wended their way up the river to Fenelon Falls, and as soon as there was an appearance of the congregation assembling, we walked slowly up the hill to our little church. After morning service, at which from about eighty to a hundred people might be present, nine children were brought and baptized. … When this ceremony was over, the time before evening service was so short that some of us preferred remaining in the church to encountering another walk, and the gentlemen were so good as to bring up some sandwiches and a pail of water, which was extremely refreshing, for we have now hot summer weather. Mr. Street, who was very quiet and unaffected both in and out of the pulpit, gave us an excellent short sermon in the afternoon, and about five we reembarked on our homeward course. What an event in our lives! And once we went to church every Sunday.”

A sum of money had been collected in England sufficient to pay L60 per annum to a clergyman and in October 1839, Rev. Thomas Fidler assumed the charge of the church. A paronsage was built for him on Francis Street West, near the lake, on two acres of land. Some years later Mr. Fidler met a tragic death when he was swept over the falls in his boat. He was succeeded in August 1848 by Rev. Robt. Shanklin, who remained until 1859. It appears to have been during Mr. Shanklin’s term that the log church was destroyed and the new frame building was erected. The latter bears no date, but family records place it at 1852. This church served until 1902 and today is in a good state of preservation. It was vacated because the steep, winding approach was found to great an inconvenience to the older members of the congregation.

In the old cemetery adjacent to the church sleep many of the pioneers of the district, men and women who lived and toiled and gave their best to this new land. Although the graves are overgrown with grass and bushes, and many of the headstones are broken or marred, they give an interesting record of the families of the time. The first burial is said to have been an Indian child. The earliest dated headstone is that over the grave of Martha Jordan, who died in August 1835, at the age of 75 years.

In 1859, Rev. Shanklin was succeeded by Rev. William Colin Clark. Other incumbents of the church on the hill were: Rev. Henry Hayward 1866; Rev. Benjamin Samuel Hoskin, 1868; Rev. William Logan, 1872; Rev. William Farncombe, 1892; Rev. Richard Macnamara, 1902. During Mr. Macnamara’s term, the new church was built and opened in 1902. It was not, however, dedicated until November 1919.

In recent years, the church on the hill has been used by the Farncombe family as a summer home, but was vacated this summer as both Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Farncombe have passed away.

Incumbents of the present church following Rev. Mr. Macnamara have been: Rev. Alfred Sidney Dickinson, 1903; Rev. William Henry Alexander French; Rev. Henry Grasett Kingstone B.A. L.L.B, 1916; Rev. Pierre Bernard DeLom, L.T.H. F.R.G.S, 1918; Rev. Wiliam Thomas Johnson, 1921; Rev. A.E. Daviss, 1925; Rev. H.G. Blake, the present rector, 1934. Other officials of the church at the present time are B. Pogue, rector’s warden, H. J. Townley, vestry clerk.

The same communion service which was presented to the church in 1838 by Mrs. Kirkpatrick is in use today, providing a link with that first church, which unpretentious thought it may have been, served those early worshippers who formed the nucleus of the Anglican denomination in Fenelon Falls.

During these many years, the Anglican churches have made a rich contribution to life in the community and members of all denominations will join in facilitating the congregation on this centennial occasion, and in wishing the church continued blessing in all its activities.

The anniversary services will be conducted by Rev. H.G. Blake, with Rev. H.T. Archibold of Haliburton as guest preacher at the morning service, and Dr. R.B. McElheran, Principal of Wycliffe College, Toronto, as guest preacher in the evening.

For uncropped images and captions see:
https://maryboro.ca/story/a-centennial-history-of-st-james-anglican-church-fenelon-falls-1835-1935/