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The Anglican Parish of Saugeen Shores, consisting of St. Paul's in
Southampton and St. John's in Port Elgin, celebrated its 150th
birthday on Sunday, July 19th.
Despite cool winds, approximately 90 people turned out at Pioneer
Park in Southampton's harbour area for the special service that
included readings from the 1662 St. James bible that would have been
used in 1859. Reverend Margaret Greenhow, arrived in 1859 style in a
cart, that at that time, would have been horsedrawn. Greenhow was
dressed in a simple black cassock with a biretta on her head.
The first Anglican worship services in Southampton were held in the
early 1850's by the Rev. A.H.R. Mulholland but no permanent
congregation was organized. Mullholland traveled a circuit from Owen
Sound through Bruce and Grey counties, an area that comprises much
of the present deanery of the Saugeens.
The parish was officially founded on September 20, 1859 when a
meeting was held in the Southampton schoolhouse. At that time,
Reverend John Curran was appointed incumbent and authorized by the
Bishop of Toronto to establish a Church of England parish in
Southampton. When it was formed in 1859, the parish became part of
the Diocese of Huron and the first parish roll included 34 families.
The great fire of Southampton on November 4, 1886 destroyed a large
part of Southampton, including St. Paul's. The following month, a
meeting was held to organize building a new church. Except for the
organ, font and communion vessels, all the contents were destroyed
in the fire and it was decided that the new church would be
constructed of brick. Until the new church was completed, services
were held in the Southampton Town Hall and sometimes in Port Elgin.
The two churches have been one parish since 1886. (next column)
20/07/2009 11:48 PM
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Jane MacDougall (L) with friends Jim & Doreen Ellis of London
Anglican, Canadian and Union Jack flags hoisted by Doug Johnson fly in
the winds |
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