Church of the Redeemer, Highgate
263 Victoria Street
Highgate, Ontario, Canada
N0P 1T0
On March 5, 2021, Church of the Redeemer held a special vestry to consider a motion of disestablishment. That motion passed.
263 Victoria Street
Highgate, Ontario, Canada
N0P 1T0
On March 5, 2021, Church of the Redeemer held a special vestry to consider a motion of disestablishment. That motion passed.
The History
by Don Boos
After 1873 when the Canada Southwestern Railway came through, the hamlet of Highgate increased considerably. The Methodists had a church and parsonage but the Anglicans had nothing of their own. They met, at first, in the flat above the store built by Matthew Martin and owned by William Gosnell on the site of the old Bank of Montreal. Then they moved to the temperance Hall until the present church was built. The first clergy to serve Highgate was the Rev. Dr. Newton. In 1876 the people of Highgate decided to build a church. At a committee meeting on 9 June 1876, it was decided to build a brick structure using the plans submitted by John Johnston and Isaac Morehouse with the amended size of approximately 60 feet long by 30 feet wide. They bought the land from Matthew Martin and let the contract to Issac Morehouse, the owner of the planing mill and sash and door factory, who drew the plans, also made the pulpit, communion table, railing, prayer desk and chairs. Mr. Wootton Hardy remembered that his mother owned a book from which the designs for the furnishings were copied. The seats were bought and were too low so cushions were made for them.
Highgate Mission, formally part of the Morpeth Parish, was erected into a separate Parish on July 26, 1879. The Rev. R. F. Dixon was appointed. There were then assigned three preaching stations: Highgate – Church, Duart – Township Hall and Clearville – S.S. #1 Schoolhouse for weekly services.
In 1882 Highgate Church was realigned with Ridgetown making this a two-point parish.
In April 1896 the Highgate Monitor reported that at the Annual Vestry meeting, presided over by the Rev. W. E. Scott, the wardens reported the parish clear of debt with a small cash balance on hand. Offerings increased 25%, collections 33% and attendance 25%.
In 1902 the Women’s Auxiliary was formed in the Church of the Redeemer. In 1903 Easter boxes were presented.
In 1904 J.G. Tolson, Dr. Wilson and M. Attridge were elected a committee to consider the purchase of an organ, cost not to exceed $150.00. On November 11, a meeting was held to report that the organ installed on trial by Mr. Bobier of Rodney could be traded in for another if not satisfied. Mr. Tolson’s motion to purchase lost. Mr. Ed Beattie was later paid $5.00 to clean the old organ.
In 1906 the congregation had thoughts of forming their own parish and requested this of the Bishop of the Diocese. This never materialized because the congregation was not large enough to maintain a separate parish.
In 1908 at the Annual Vestry Meeting on April 21, the Rector wondered if a parish room might be possible and whether the Duart church could be sold and the proceeds used for this purpose. A committee was named to look into this possibility. In 1917 or 18 during the incumbency of Rev. T. J. Hamilton a basement was finally built using materials from the Duart Church. All the men got busy and made tables, Mr. J. Crosby gave a lot of chairs. Dishes were rented for dinners, teas and bazaars which were held to help pay for the basement. In 1926 a pipe organ fund was begun. A passing New York Central Express killed the chief canvasser, Mr. Elgin Richard “Mac” McColl, people’s warden and station agent. The organ fund was quickly augmented and the organ installed by Lye and Sons, Toronto and dedicated to Mr. McColl’s memory by the Right Rev. Bishop of Huron, Dr. Williams. At this time the church was completely renovated and redecorated. Mottoes and lettering were painted by the Frogman artist, Mr. William Dowling.
During the incumbency of the Rev. Walter Jones, the Spring Deanery was held in Highgate on June 2, 1936, with the Rev. W. W. Judd the guest speaker.
In 1939 new hangings were purchased, the interior of the church remodeled to allow a centre aisle, the altar was made with a re-table and a reading desk was added. The cushions were recovered, woodwork varnished, new lights installed and money given for floodlights and vases. The work was done by the Rector the Rev. John Geoghagen and the men of the congregation. The money was raised by the Guild that celebrated its 60th anniversary in September that year.
In 1940 the rector the Rev. Carmen Queen, later Bishop of Huron, and the men of the Parish painted the outside trim. At this time Mrs. Gordon gave a pulpit light.
In 1941 the budget was paid 100%, the first time in 12 years.
In 1942 the Rev. C. Queen, Messrs. S. Howell, A. Miller, W. Spear planted shrubs and 4 trees in the church yard, which were donated by the Highgate Horticultural Society at a cost of $180.00.
I am sorry to say that our history died with Marion and I am now attempting to research records that no one seems to know about. Here's all I have been able to obtain thus far.
Rev. D. S. Henry 1944
The Red Cross used the kitchen for making jam during the war years. The Guild quilted for the Red Cross in the parish room. Parcels from the congregations were sent to all the boys who were in the Service.
Rev. Canon J. H. Smith 1950
In 1952, the Women's Auxiliary celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Organization. A good attendance from neighbouring churches and Anglican churches throughout the Deanery made the day very successful.
Rev. D. E. S. Ewald 1963
Rev. L. S. Dixon 1966
Rev. William Bennett 1970
Rev. Gary Oldridge 1976
Rev. John Marsh 1982
Rev. Steve Oldham 1984
Rev. Robert Skirving 1988
Rev. David Pickett 1992
Rev. Edward Richmond 1995
Rev. James Carr 1996
Rev. Heather Robinson 2001
Formed the Parish of the Transfiguration 2002
by Don Boos
After 1873 when the Canada Southwestern Railway came through, the hamlet of Highgate increased considerably. The Methodists had a church and parsonage but the Anglicans had nothing of their own. They met, at first, in the flat above the store built by Matthew Martin and owned by William Gosnell on the site of the old Bank of Montreal. Then they moved to the temperance Hall until the present church was built. The first clergy to serve Highgate was the Rev. Dr. Newton. In 1876 the people of Highgate decided to build a church. At a committee meeting on 9 June 1876, it was decided to build a brick structure using the plans submitted by John Johnston and Isaac Morehouse with the amended size of approximately 60 feet long by 30 feet wide. They bought the land from Matthew Martin and let the contract to Issac Morehouse, the owner of the planing mill and sash and door factory, who drew the plans, also made the pulpit, communion table, railing, prayer desk and chairs. Mr. Wootton Hardy remembered that his mother owned a book from which the designs for the furnishings were copied. The seats were bought and were too low so cushions were made for them.
Highgate Mission, formally part of the Morpeth Parish, was erected into a separate Parish on July 26, 1879. The Rev. R. F. Dixon was appointed. There were then assigned three preaching stations: Highgate – Church, Duart – Township Hall and Clearville – S.S. #1 Schoolhouse for weekly services.
In 1882 Highgate Church was realigned with Ridgetown making this a two-point parish.
In April 1896 the Highgate Monitor reported that at the Annual Vestry meeting, presided over by the Rev. W. E. Scott, the wardens reported the parish clear of debt with a small cash balance on hand. Offerings increased 25%, collections 33% and attendance 25%.
In 1902 the Women’s Auxiliary was formed in the Church of the Redeemer. In 1903 Easter boxes were presented.
In 1904 J.G. Tolson, Dr. Wilson and M. Attridge were elected a committee to consider the purchase of an organ, cost not to exceed $150.00. On November 11, a meeting was held to report that the organ installed on trial by Mr. Bobier of Rodney could be traded in for another if not satisfied. Mr. Tolson’s motion to purchase lost. Mr. Ed Beattie was later paid $5.00 to clean the old organ.
In 1906 the congregation had thoughts of forming their own parish and requested this of the Bishop of the Diocese. This never materialized because the congregation was not large enough to maintain a separate parish.
In 1908 at the Annual Vestry Meeting on April 21, the Rector wondered if a parish room might be possible and whether the Duart church could be sold and the proceeds used for this purpose. A committee was named to look into this possibility. In 1917 or 18 during the incumbency of Rev. T. J. Hamilton a basement was finally built using materials from the Duart Church. All the men got busy and made tables, Mr. J. Crosby gave a lot of chairs. Dishes were rented for dinners, teas and bazaars which were held to help pay for the basement. In 1926 a pipe organ fund was begun. A passing New York Central Express killed the chief canvasser, Mr. Elgin Richard “Mac” McColl, people’s warden and station agent. The organ fund was quickly augmented and the organ installed by Lye and Sons, Toronto and dedicated to Mr. McColl’s memory by the Right Rev. Bishop of Huron, Dr. Williams. At this time the church was completely renovated and redecorated. Mottoes and lettering were painted by the Frogman artist, Mr. William Dowling.
During the incumbency of the Rev. Walter Jones, the Spring Deanery was held in Highgate on June 2, 1936, with the Rev. W. W. Judd the guest speaker.
In 1939 new hangings were purchased, the interior of the church remodeled to allow a centre aisle, the altar was made with a re-table and a reading desk was added. The cushions were recovered, woodwork varnished, new lights installed and money given for floodlights and vases. The work was done by the Rector the Rev. John Geoghagen and the men of the congregation. The money was raised by the Guild that celebrated its 60th anniversary in September that year.
In 1940 the rector the Rev. Carmen Queen, later Bishop of Huron, and the men of the Parish painted the outside trim. At this time Mrs. Gordon gave a pulpit light.
In 1941 the budget was paid 100%, the first time in 12 years.
In 1942 the Rev. C. Queen, Messrs. S. Howell, A. Miller, W. Spear planted shrubs and 4 trees in the church yard, which were donated by the Highgate Horticultural Society at a cost of $180.00.
I am sorry to say that our history died with Marion and I am now attempting to research records that no one seems to know about. Here's all I have been able to obtain thus far.
Rev. D. S. Henry 1944
The Red Cross used the kitchen for making jam during the war years. The Guild quilted for the Red Cross in the parish room. Parcels from the congregations were sent to all the boys who were in the Service.
Rev. Canon J. H. Smith 1950
In 1952, the Women's Auxiliary celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Organization. A good attendance from neighbouring churches and Anglican churches throughout the Deanery made the day very successful.
Rev. D. E. S. Ewald 1963
Rev. L. S. Dixon 1966
Rev. William Bennett 1970
Rev. Gary Oldridge 1976
Rev. John Marsh 1982
Rev. Steve Oldham 1984
Rev. Robert Skirving 1988
Rev. David Pickett 1992
Rev. Edward Richmond 1995
Rev. James Carr 1996
Rev. Heather Robinson 2001
Formed the Parish of the Transfiguration 2002
