The History of Christ Church
|
| |
 A HISTORY OF OUR BUILDINGS
1882-1962 While Anglican services may have been held in Stouffville earlier, we do know that they began regularly in 1879. Initially, a Congregational chapel was used, and then Christ Church was built on Main Street and opened on October 26, 1882. By the mid-1950's, growth was rendering the church too small, and plans were made, under the leadership of Rev. Jim Tiller, Lionel Foord, John Illingsworth, George Williams and Harry Bourne, to erect a Hall which would serve as a church as well.
1962-1984 The first sod for the new church was turned on June 5, 1961 by Miss Elizabeth Foote, assisted by Lionel Foord, Chairman of the Building Committee, and the first service took place in the new Hall on Dec.17 with the Rev. J.L Ball presiding. The original church was sold to Mr. Art Latcham in 1964. This building served Christ Church well as a place for worship, education, fellowship and administration. Other incumbents during that time were Rev. Fred Miller,The Rev. Frank Edney and the Rev. Phillip Poole. During many of those years, Christ Church was fortunate to have Canon Jim Puxley as Honorary Assistant who in turn was strongly supported by lay-readers Margaret Britton, Peter Parent and John McMurray., By the 1980's, growth once again necessitated further expansion.
1984-2006 In 1984, Christ Church, led by the Rev Phillip Poole and his wardens Jim Green and John Campbell, saw the completion of a large sanctuary capable of holding 250 people along with office space and a meeting room. It opened in November of that year. Through the hard work of many, Christ Church now had a church which beautifully blended the traditional with the modern, along with a full parish hall. Further commitment enabled the parish to retire the debt and have the Bishop of Toronto, Terence Finley, dedicate the Church in 1994. Following Phillip Poole's resignation, Rev. David Bolton served as interim rector until replaced by the Rev. Paul Scuse who was in turn succeeded by our present priest, Father Rob Shields.
2006 Increased growth in the Sunday School as well as lack of office space and meeting rooms, again saw Christ Church embark on a massive building project in 2005. With an "unprecedented" grant from the Diocese and a "Building In Faith" campaign in the Parish, Christ Church saw the addition of a "Great Hall", new kitchen facilities, washrooms, offices, choir/meeting rooms, stage, and Sunday School rooms, as well as additions to the sanctuary. As Father Rob Shields said, "our long-awaited dream of having adequate facilities to house our ministry has come to fruition". Another major addition to Christ Church was the arrival of a full-time Assistant Curate, Kim McArthur who was ordained at Christ Church on April 6, 2005. Father Rob Shields was made an Honorary Canon of St. James Cathedral and installed on Jan. 29, 2006. |
|
|
 |