St. Stephen's Anglican Church

About

St. Stephen's Anglican Church is an Anglican Church of Canada parish in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The original Anglican air ceremonies services were held on Sunday afternoons during the summer months of 1886 in Britannia by visiting clergy from the city, Ven Archdeacon Snowdon, Canon Pollard, Archdeacon Bogert and Ven Archdeacon Mackey.

The old St. Stephen's Church was secularized with the late Ven. Archdeacon J. M. Snowdon as one of the founders. Services were first held under the pine trees, with a nearby verandah providing the pulpit.

By 1890 the congregation had grown sufficiently to warrant establishment of proper church organization. In 1890, Rev. W. Jemmett presided at the first vestry meeting held. A. N. McNeill, R N., whose untiring zeal led to the building of the church, was appointed first rector warden and Robert Buriand was elected first people's warden.

Services were regularly held in a hall across the street (now Britannia Road) from the original church. A dispute over ownership of the property resulted in the Anglican residents resolving to build a church of their own. Work began on the church on July 21, 1892, in what was then the main street of Britannia Village, now Britannia Road, through the efforts of Mr. A.N. McNeil. On July 21, 1802, work was commenced under the supervision of Mr. McNeill, who was also responsible for the organization work, the collecting of contributions for the building and the care of finances.

St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Britannia

On August 7, 1892, the little white church under the pines was formally opened. Rev. F. B Norrie conducted the service. Rev. W. J. Muckleson preached the sermon and the lessons were read by A. N. McNeill. Services were conducted that year during the summer months by visiting ministers Rev. Rural Dean Bogert, Rev. A. W. Mackey, Rev. J. M. Snowdon, Rev. F. B. Norrie and Rev. F. R. Smith. The first board of trustees of the building were Judge William Mosgrove, Messrs. A. N. McNeill, S. Maynard Rogers. George R. Nettle, Frederick J. Graham and Nicholas C. Sparks.

In 1893, the church was completed; The interior wails and ceiling were finished in polished ash. The steeple was erected according to plans donated by Mr. Edgar Lewis Horwood, the architect. The windows were finished with stained glass windows which were at one time in the old stone Baptist church on Queen Street. On Dominion Day, 1894 the first excursion to be held over the new Gatineau Railway Company's lines was one in aid of the funds of the St. Stephen's Anglican church. The font was donated from the proceeds of children's work. The first baby to be baptized was Morel Reid, niece of Mr. and Mrs. A. N. McNeill.

From 1894 until 1898, Rev. W. H. Green, rector of Nepean mission was in charge of St. Stephen's. In 1898, Mr. McNeill, who had remained as rector's warden from 1890 to the autumn of 1897, died. In 1898, Rev. I. J. Christie became rector. He was succeeded in 1902 by Rev. A. H. Coleman. Since Rev. A. H. Coleman was unable to conduct the services regularly owing to pressure of work in his other churches, they were taken by clergy from Ottawa.

Dr. Ezekiel Stone Wiggins, the author of several scientific, educational and religious works served as Rector's warden in 1901–1902. Thomas Fuller (architect) served as people's warden in 1904.

From 1904 to 1908, the Canon J. J. Lowe was rector and was succeeded in 1909 by Rev. E. S. Anderson.

Rev. R H. Steacy presided at the spring vestry meeting in 1909, at which a motion to have "a good plain Church of England service" was carried. In 1909, Rev. E. S. Anderson introduced the issue of the division of the parish of Westboro-Britannia from Hintonburg. E. L. Britain attended the synod and announced that St. Stephen's would subscribe $100 per annum towards the stipend of the rector of the new parish. In 1909 the separation of the parish took place with Rev. R.. H. Steacy as the new rector. In 1909, Mrs. A. McNeill donated a communion service.

The first Rector of St Stephen's was Rev William Jennett.

Until 1909 St. Stephen's was part of the Nepean Mission along with All Saints Westboro and St. Matthias Hintonburg. It then became part of All Saints and yet later a joint parish with St. Martins, Westboro.

In 1915 Rev. N. H. Snow presided over the vestry meeting since Col. the Rev, R. H. Steacy had gone overseas as director of chaplain services of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. In October, 1915, St. Stephen's Church Guild was organized. In 1916 the church was consecrated by Charles Roper, then Bishop of Ottawa, the mortgage on the building having been paid off and the mortgage papers burned. The rector returned from the war in 1917 and Rev. Norman Snow was appointed curate at All Saints', Ottawa.

Electric lighting was installed in 1920. The vestry considered the advisability of conducting services throughout the winter months. On December 6, 1926, a resolution at a special vestry meeting called for the establishment of a new parish of St. Martin's, Woodroffe, and St. Stephen's, Britannia. On May 1, 1927, the separation of these churches from Westboro took effect with the rector, Rev. W. B. Morgan.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church in June 1936, the preacher at the morning service was Ven. Archdeacon Snowdon, who, as a young Curate, was one of the first to hold these services which took place in the open or under the shelter of a verandah according to the weather. The preacher at the evening service was Col. the Rev, R.H. Steacy. C M.G., who was in charge of the parish in 1909. A birthday tea was held; the cake was cut by Mrs. George Perley. A parochial evening reception was held for invitees who were identified with the activities and interests of the church during the fifty years. The chairman was Rev C. 0. Hepburn and the guest speaker Mrs. George Black, MP.

An honour roll was unveiled and dedicated at a service in June 1943, lists names of parishioners in the armed forces during World War II including Dennis Foy, who was killed in action.

On May 8, 1951, the St Stephen's Men's Association of St Stephen's Anglican Church Britannia held a dinner at Ye Old Forge, then owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Winthrop. The turkey dinner was provided by the ladies of St Stephen's Guild. After the former rector, Rev. W. B. Morgan spoke; the Rev. K. R, Cowan, then rector of the parish, announced that the transfer had been completed and the deed received for the new church property recently acquired for the site of the new St Stephen's Church, situated on the southwest corner of Main street (now Britannia) and Cameron avenue in Britannia, one block south of the train tracks. Mr. Haughton made many suggestions regarding the future of the church in Britannia. Pesker Dee a Clark of Christ Church Cathedral, was introduced by G. Orval Skuce and gave a short address on "People".

Mayor Charlotte Whitton was St Stephen's Honoured Guest at the fall tea and bazaar on November 22, 1952. She gave a short address on the need for church work in all spheres of life. In 1952 the decision was taken to create a separate parish due to the growth of the Britannia area. A number of sites were considered before a final choice of the current Watson Street site was made.