A Brief History of St. John's Anglican Church, Port Elgin

In the early 1850's, the Rev. A. Mulholland rode horseback from Owen Sound and held services in Port Elgin in homes and in a community hall in the north eastern part of town. In 1886, the Wardens of St. John's purchased one fifth of an acre of land at the corner of Mill and Stafford Streets. They had requested permission from Synod to build a church two or three years earlier. The land was purchased from Mr. Alexander McCannel for the sum of $125.00 and according to the deed, was to be used for a church, meeting place, rectory and cemetery. The Wardens who signed the deed were Edwin Clarke and Henry Brigden.

The Parish of St. John's has always been a two-point parish with St. Paul's , Southampton. Rev. Peter Fox was the first priest to hold regular services in Port Elgin, and services were first held in the new St. John's Church building in 1886, probably by the Rev. Valentine J. Rowe. Most early records were lost in the Great Fire of Southampton in 1886.

In 1911, a $500.00 mortgage was paid off and the church was consecrated and dedicated by the Rt. Reverend David Williams, Bishop of Huron. Through the following years, a small congregation kept the church going. In 1928 a parish hall was built. Bricks were sold for ten cents each to raise the money to brick the parish hall.

From the early days, the Ladies' Guild was the backbone of the parish, raising money from bake sales, bazaars, etc. to pay the organist, sexton, fuel, and assist with the budget. From 1928 until 1957, the Ladies' Guild carried on their social functions using an improvised kitchen in the corner of the parish hall. In 1957, a kitchen, storage room and washroom were added to the parish hall. One project was the selling of peppermint patties to raise money to purchase a piano for the parish hall and a good start on a fund for a Church Organ. The old pump organ managed to wheeze on until the $1,600.00 was raised for the Hallman organ which was greatly enjoyed by the organist and congregation. The candy was mostly sold by the children of the parish. Other donations were received from the A.C.W. which was formed in 1966 and added a substantial amount to the building fund. Also these helped to purchase a new organ and new tables and chairs.

In the early 1960's the congregation began to increase in numbers when the first Douglas Point Nuclear project got underway. The Sunday School with 58 members become overcrowded and it was decided to start a fund to raise 80 % of the cost of a new or extended parish hall. A few thousand dollars was in the fund but due to a number of factors, a change in minister, Douglas Point project having been completed, talk of Church Union, etc., they shelved the building for few years, and part of the fund was used for other Church needs. In the late 1960's Douglas Point began new building projects and families began to move into the area. The parish hall was renovated. Two or three bequeaths helped refurbish the church. Close to $16,000.00 was left to St. John's by a Roman Catholic lady who had been taken to church and to the Guild by a neighbour, on a number of occasions.

When about $35,000.00 in cash and a number of pledges were received, the Board was granted a loan of equal amount from Synod. In the Fall of 1976, the old parish hall was demolished and a very fine new building was constructed. The lounge and kitchen were furnished by the A.C.W. This building was officially opened and dedicated in May of 1977. The Lutherans shared the church and parish hall from the early 60's, first during the summer and then all year round till they build their own church in Port Elgin.

St. John's continues to be a faithful witness to the gospel and the congregation sings happily and with gusto. There are very few children in the Sunday School, but often the church itself is filled to the rafters. The congregation continues to follow Jesus Christ and are prepared to go wherever that leads them, within the community.