St. Margaret's History

Sources: History researched and compiled by Gary G. Mead “As the Last Leaf Fell” – Barbara (Mason) Peart

St. Margaret’s Anglican Church was built to meet the needs of the people. The nearest Anglican churches at the turn of the century were located at French Village, St. Paul’s, and Boutilier’s Point, St. James’, which was a 7 to 8 mile return trip by horse and wagon and for many people, by foot. The church, named for St. Margaret’s of Scotland was built on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Dauphinee. An early reference was made about it in the “Halifax Daily Echo” November 13, 1901. “The foundation of the “new Episcopal church at Tantallon” had been completed, and the cornerstone was laid on November 4th. “The frame is already on the ground and the work is being rushed along so as to have the church ready for opening by the New Year. The work is being superintended by James H. Slaughenwhite.” During the time of the building, the pastor had been Rev. F.P. Greatorex. The church was consecrated January 15th, 1906, with incumbent Rev. Samuel Trivett. The bell in the steeple pealed for the first time on April 8, 1907. Kenneth Russell Slaunwhite, born July 14, 1902, was the first to be baptized on March 22, 1903, by Rev. Trivett, and James R. MacLean, then of Granville Ferry, Annapolis County and Mabel G. Rankine of St. Margaret’s Bay were one of the first to be married – September 7, 1904. From the “Nova Scotian” newspaper – December 19, 1902 New Church Opened at Margaret’s Bay Bishop Courtney Preaches His First Sermon to the People of Tantallon French Village – Dec, 17 – More than a usual number of Clergy of the Church of England are in this vicinity on Monday and Tuesday of last week His Lordship Bishop Courtney and his chaplain, Rev. K.C. Hind, drove out from Halifax, the Rev. H. Hakenley came the same day from New Glasgow and the Rev. J. L. S. Foster from Hubbards Cove. On Monday the Rev. S. Trivett was inducted at St. Paul’s, French Village, the Bishop preaching a most instructive and helpful sermon, which was enjoyed by all. On Tuesday morning the new church of St. Margaret’s, Tantallon, was opened by His Lordship. The weather was the severest that has been known in this neighbourhood for many years, and scarcely any outside the Tantallon people were able to get out to the service. A great deal of credit must be given to Mr. Elias Dauphinee, for the erection of this beautiful church, he having persevered in the work in spite of numerous difficulties. The church is 40 feet long, 25 wide with the chancel 16 by 16 and having a nice vestry entrance porch. The building will seat 200 and was erected by Mr. A. Warger, of French Village, who made all the furniture, excepting the seats, which were made by Rhodes & Curry, of Amherst. The linen and hangings for the altar were made by Miss Jennings, Mrs. Trivett’s sister. The church is beautifully lighted by handsome lamp stands, each holding three lamps. Mrs. Brown presented the church with a beautiful Communion set, in memory of her late husband, who for many years laboured most zealously in this parish before it was divided. The plan of the church was presented my .E. Keefe, M.P.P. The congregation is grateful to the Bishop for the font. One of the chairs for the church was given by the Junior Guild of St. Luke’s Parish. The East and West windows are filled with Scripture subjects, supplied from the celebrated Glacier Works of Stevenson McGaw & Co., of Belfast, Ireland. Amongst the subjects are “The Resurrection”, “The Ascension”, “Angels with Trumpets announcing the Same” “The Woman of Samaria” and “Our Lord at the Well”, “The Sower”, “The Incredality of Thomas”, also beautiful pictures of St. John, in the centre of the west window; at the top the three large lower panes being filled with St. Paul, St. Andrew, and St. Peter. The colour of all is perfect, the colour in the evening when the sun is setting being a glorious sight. It is, as one of the visiting clergy said, a lovely little church, the people are delighted at its completion. The service in the morning was opened with a voluntary offering followed by the Processional hymn, “The God of Abraham Praise”. Mrs. Garrison, the organist of St. Paul’s most ably conducted the musical part of the service in the morning and Miss Josephine Dauphinee taking her place at the organ in the evening. This was the first time Miss Dauphinee has played, but all were much pleased with her and St. Margaret’s need not fear that the musical part of the service will suffer whilst she presides at the organ. The service in the morning was taken by Rector, the Rev. J.L.S. Foster reading the lesson. The Bishop preached the sermon which was listed to with rapt attentions. Before giving out the text he praised the people for their energy and hoped that he would soon be called upon to come down and receive it free of debt, that he might hand it over as an offering to the Lord, their God. After the sermon Mrs. Isaac Dauphinee entertained the Clergy at dinner, after which the Bishop and Mr. Hind left for Halifax. Evening service was held at 7:30 when the Rev. H. MacKinley, a former rector of the parish, preached a most able and helpful sermon. The collections at both services were for the building fund.

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