History of St. George’s Anglican Church Est. 1923

 Sources: History researched and compiled by Gary G. Meade “As The Last Leaf Fell” – Barb (Mason) Peart


Nestled at the base of the steep rocky crag of John George’s Mountain and guarded by the restful souls of its founding fathers, the little brown St. George’s Anglican Church, with Schooner Cove and Mason’s Point in the background, has provided the backdrop for scores of artists and passers-by over the years. During the war years, after Rev. I.E. Fraser commenced his ministry (1912- 1926), the Anglican populace at the Head of St. Margaret’s Bay was becoming more and more disgruntled with the long walk or buggy ride to the other three churches in the Parish: St. Paul’s, St. James’, and St. Margaret’s. Consequently, under the able direction of their rector, the people, including Grace (Fader) Dauphinee, whose grandfather, Squire George Dauphinee, had donated land previously for a new Anglican Church (on a small point of land known as Lowes Point), started to push for their own church. Grace held a meeting of the Ladies Guild at her home to plan for the new church. She and a young man by the name of John Bragg organized many dances to raise money. Pie socials and card games were organized by Verna and Molly Christie, picnics were held in Cliff Fader’s field in which the whole community was involved, as well as tourists who stopped by for a delicious meal. In 1922, Florence Christie was home from California visiting her family and asked her brother Bert to take her to see Lewis Miller (a staunch Presbyterian), owner of the Lewis Miller Lumber Company in Ingramport to ask for a donation to the new church, and was very pleased when he handed her $100. They were elated when Bishop Worrell accepted plans designed by William Critchlow Harris. In the meantime, services were held once a month in various homes: Mrs Billy Burgoyne, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Tupper, Frank Christie, Clifford Fader, and Miss Verna Christie, to mention some. In 1922, construction began on the new building. Morton Mason made the church an interest free loan of $700 and also donated his labour as head carpenter, with Foster Mason, John Bragg, and Joe Langille as assistants. Grace Dunlop again raised money to have two stained glass windows installed. They are dedicated to two men of St. Margaret’s Bay who had valiantly sacrificed their lives in France during World War I. – John N. Tupper, killed in Flanders, April 30,1916; 19 years, and Raymond V. Burgoyne, killed in Third Battle of Ypres, June 2, 1916, and Grace’s parents Joseph D. Fader, his wife Isabel and granddaughter Isabel Clarmont. Several other windows in the church, depicting a colourful mosaic of our Christian heritage, were donated and dedicated in remembrance of former members of St. George’s Church. Mrs. Sweeney (of Sweeney's Antiques) donated $100 for new pews and William Knickle and Bill Fader installed them. St. George’s was consecrated around the latter part of 1923. In 1961, the church was moved back about 40 feet from the road to its present location by Murray Fillmore. Lester Smith did the concrete work for the hall underneath, choir room, kitchen, etc. Mack Slaughenwhite (a half-brother to Elaine Cavicchi) donated the fixtures in memory of his mother and did the same for St. Margaret's Church. Click to edit text. What do visitors to your website need to know about you and your business?