The first vestry meeting was held on 23 April 1956 and 41 people were present for the first services which were held at Harvey Street Public School during August of 1957. The first Rector, the Reverend Murray Tipping came to us from St Luke's Cathedral in Sault Ste Marie. Almost immediately there were formed a Women's Auxiliary and a Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen.
The Diocese of Algoma purchased the land for Christ Church for $11,400 [plus services!]. Within 2 years there was a Parish Hall [$40,000] and an addition [$16,000] for the Sunday School. Archbishop Wright Parish Hall was dedicated by The Most Reverend William L Wright, Archbishop of Algoma and Metropolitan of Ontario, on 1 October 1958.
The Second Rector
of Christ Church was the Reverend Leslie T Peterson who assumed his responsibilities
in 1963 and remained until 1978. Rev'd Peterson moved to Holy Trinity Church
in Parry Sound and later was elected Bishop of Algoma. "Bishop Les" was
always a favourite visitor to Christ Church and the Parish honoured him
in 1994 during his "retirement tour".
The Third Rector of Christ Church was the Reverend Bill Ellam who became
Rector in 1978. "Father Bill" was ably
assisted from 1983 until 1990 by the Reverend Canon Arthur Chabot. During
"Father Bill's" tenure, the parishioners along with all former Rectors,
gathered to celebrate a mortgage burning. Over 100 people gathered to enjoy
good fellowship, good food and the highlight of the evening -- fiddling
by firelight. The firelight of the burning mortgage!
In 1991 the building was transformed from one that resembled a school to one that looked like a Church with the addition of a new roof. Of course, the warm, welcoming and accepting nature of the parishioners has never altered while the outside appearance of the building has changed radically.
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The latest change in building structure occurred in 1996 as we added a new porch and entry way during the tenure of Christ Church's 4th Rector, the Reverend Dawn Henderson. "Rev'd Dawn" assumed her position in the Fall of 1991, coming to us from her position as assistant curate at Holy Trinity, Sault Ste Marie. Rev'd Dawn has now been posted to All Saints' Anglican, Huntsville, Ontario.
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The 1st Rector of Christ Church, The Reverend Murray Tipping, has returned to us as our Honorary Assistant.
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| The Rt Rev'd Les
Peterson, The Rev'd Dawn Henderon & The Rev'd Murray Tipping at our 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving celebrations. |
The 5th Rector of Christ Church is the Reverend Douglas Parrett who comes to us via Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Montreal. Rev'd Douglas continues our tradition of excellent preaching and faithfulness to God's Word.
Our 6th and current Rector is the Reverend Marie Loewen. Rev'd Marie is a "compassionate conservative" who brings to Christ Church a sincere love of people and dedication to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And the future? As our 40th anniversary calendar suggests, our children are our future! With them, with our original members, and with our new members we are dedicated to knowing Jesus Christ and proclaiming Him as Lord and Saviour!