HomeMy WebLinkAboutHomecoming '87, 1987-07-01, Page 17I THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 1987. PAGE A-17
_Homecoming '87_________ ______________ _______ _
First Brussels Anglican church built in 1864
The first weekend in July is
Anniversary time for St. John’s
Anglican Church in Brussels,
Ontario, as well as for the Village of
Brussels. The Parish Church of St.
John’s was born in the summer of
1860, in the settlement of Ainley-
ville, but Church Missionaries
were there earlier conducting
regular Services of Divine worship
in the Orange Hall.
In 1864 the first “Little church’’
was built, consecrated to Godly
use, and dedicated with the name
of St. John.
The young Church was just
beyond its infancy when the
Village of Brussels was incorpora-
ed in 1872. But it was already
apparent that the Church and the
Community were, together, grow
ing by leaps and bounds. Plans
were laid for a new building, a
larger Church to house the ever-in
creasing congregation.
Construction was begun in 1875.
When the Church was officially
opened in August, 1876, only
$1,500 of debt remained from the
total $6,000 cost. After the dis
charge of all debt, Bishop Baldwin
consecrated this building in 1894.
Generous gifts, loving memori
als, and ambition were very
happily combined in the work of the
Parish. As the 20th Century began,
the Church advanced towards its
second half-century.
Memorial gifts enriched both
the life of the Congregation and the
decor of their House of God. St.
John’s was rapidly earning a
wide-spread, andjustified, reputa
tion as one of the most beautiful
Churches in Southwestern
Ontario.
In 1924 the Church was wired for
electricity, and in 1943, the major
project of redecorating was under
taken. The fundamental principale
of keeping beauty of worship
together with beauty of surround
ing was maintained again by the
people of St. John’s.
Then tragedy struck. At 5:15
a.m. on February 25, 1947, fire of
unkown origin was discovered.
Despite valiant efforts, St. John’s
Church was almost totally lost to
the flames. Only the tower and bell
escaped the destruction.
Once again the people of
Brussels rallied together with the
Congregation of St. John’s. Both
the Presbyterian and the United
Churches offered the use of their
facilities to the burned-out congre
gation. The United Church and the
Anglicans of Brussels had once
before shared a “temporary
home’’ together when the United
Church was damaged by fire. So,
this time, the United Church were
kind hosts through this tragic part
of the history of the Church.
Members and friends of St.
John’s gave hundreds of man
hours of labour, and thousands of
News items
from Post:
Feb. 23, 1927
At W.T. Spence West End
Grocery in Ethel, seedless raisins
sold for 25 cents a pound,
Brunswick sardines could be en
joyed at4 cans for 25 cents, Aylmer
tomatoes cost 17 cents for a 2 lb.
tin, Maple Leaf Salmon Tails were
39 cents a tin, Clark’s Pork and
Beans were on sale for two tins for
25 cents, Kellogg’sCorn Flakes
went at two packages for 23 cents,
Oatmeal was 5 cents a pound, a
20-lb. pail of Schneider’s Pure Lard
was $3.60 and chocolate bars sold
for three for ten cents.*****
Mrs. Jas. Ballantyne and Mrs.
Nesbitt Hamilton hosted their lady
friends at a “500 Party’’ at the
Library. A mostenjoyable time was
spent by all.
dollars, and millions of loving
prayers to the restoration of St.
John’s Church. The then People’s
Warden, John Fischer, suffered
fatal injuries in a fall while giving
volunteer labour to the re-build
ing.
In a great Service of Witness the
Building was re-dedicated by
Bishop Luxton on Sunday, July 10,
1949. Since that time the Church
and Congregation have again
grown from strength, overcoming
every obstacle and challenge to
doingwith gladnessthe workof
God in the Community and in the
world.
Beauty is still the key-note of St.
John’s and of the worship offered
there. Visitors are always greatly
impressed with the list of memorial
gifts which continue to bind
together the work and the witness
of generations of Christian people
past and present in St. John’s
Church.
Typical of these are the wooden
collection plates, made from wood
saved from the burning Church in
1947, which continue to serve the
Congregation of today.
Construction of St. John’s Anglican Church began in 1875, and the new house of worship rapidly became
known as one of the most beautiful churches in southwestern Ontario. Tragedy struck in 1947 when fire
destroyed everything but the bell tower, but a faithful congregation set about rebuilding the present
edifice, which was re-dedicated in July, 1949.
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