One of Vankleek Hill’s landmark houses of Christian worship recently celebrated its 170th anniversary.
On Saturday, August 3, current and past parishioners gathered in the parish hall to celebrate the anniversary of St. John the Apostle church, located atop the hill beside the Higginson Tower.
Anglican (Church of England) services were first conducted in a school building in Vankleek Hill back in 1846. The construction of the familiar, red-brick St. John’s church began in 1853 and the first service was held on August 13, 1854. The church was constructed on land donated by Colonel Thomas Higginson, who also built the Higginson Tower and lived in the house behind the tower in the woods, which is the current home of the Arbor Gallery.
Today, St. John’s is part of the five-point Parish of the Lower Ottawa Valley in the Deanery of Ontario East in the Diocese of Ottawa. The other churches in the parish are Holy Trinity Hawkesbury, St. Matthew’s Grenville, Holy Trinity Calumet and St. Michael and All Angels Maxville.
The Reverend Bob Albert is the current Rector of St. John’s Vankleek Hill.
“An anniversary provides an important opportunity to reflect and rejoice in how God has been working in and through the congregations over the years,” was part of his message at the anniversary celebration.
“We must remember that we still have a great Gospel to share, an important service to render, and praise to offer guided by God’s word,” he stated.
At the celebration, Rev. Albert also read greetings from The Right Reverend John Chapman, retired Bishop of Ottawa, who spent some of his youth in Vankleek Hill while his father served as Rector of St. John’s.
“So many storms and so much joy,” is how Chapman reflected upon the church’s history.
Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel also extended greetings at the anniversary celebration.
Various items from St. John’s past were on display at the celebration. They included items from the Sunday school, Anglican Church Women (ACW), building funds, and a collection plate from the 1850s.
The 170th anniversary of St. John the Apostle Vankleek Hill was organized by the Anniversary Committee chaired by Naomi MacDonald Mahon, and members Rev. Bob Albert, Alice Higginson MacLaurin, Jean Kerr Higginson, Donna Howes McMillan, and Donald Pollard.
Photos: James Morgan
