Dedication 1877 Deanery West Quebec Province Ontario | Parish Eastern Outaouais Phone +1 613-623-3882 | |
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Denomination Anglican Church of Canada Rector The Rev. Jeannie Loughrey
("Anchor" Priest In-Charge) Curate(s) The Rev. Rick Gariepy
(Buckingham Curate) Address 3794 Woodkilton Rd, Woodlawn, ON K0A 3M0, Canada Diocese Anglican Diocese of Ottawa | ||
St. Thomas Anglican Church is a small country church located at the corner of Range 5 West and Montee du Quatre in Lochaber-Partie-Ouest, Quebec. Built in 1877, the church is a simple, one room log structure with no running water or telephone. Electricity was brought to the premise in the mid-twentieth century and is now used to heat and light the facility.
Contents
Current Worship Schedule
2nd Sunday of Month - 9am Holy Eucharist
4th Sunday of Month - 9am Holy Eucharist
Church History
St. Thomas' began as an offshoot of St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Buckingham, Quebec. Under the direction of the Anglican Diocese of Montreal, ministers from Buckingham began making regular Sunday trips to Silver Creek by horse and buggy - or sleigh if necessary - in the 1850s and 1860s. Congregations initially gathered in the local school house before the community came together to erect the current structure, which was built primarily of hemlock logs on a lot donated by Joseph C. Storey in 1877. The white board and batten exterior that currently graces the church dates to the early 1900s.
The Diocese of Montreal formally transferred responsibility for the Parish of Buckingham, comprising St. Stephen's and St. Thomas', to the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa in the mid-twentieth century. The Diocese of Ottawa continues to administer affairs at St. Thomas' to this day. St. Thomas' and St. Stephen's are currently part of the Parish of Eastern Outaouais, a multi-point parish where liturgical and administrative services are also shared with St. George's Gatineau, St. John's in the Wilderness (Glen Almond) and Christ Church Poltimore.
Sadly, St. Thomas' storied history has included a number of burglaries and break-ins. In 1995 burglars stole the building's antique windows and all of the church's contents except the altar and the pews. In 2007, burglars again stole all of the church's linens, as well as communion chalices, an antique brass cross, and the church's two Memorial Rolls of Honour for veterans of The First and Second World Wars. In early 2009, the church's antique wooden door was damaged by vandals.
Despite these challenges, the Silver Creek community continues to rally together in support of its "little white church." New windows, lecterns, and an antique pump organ were donated by local Anglicans following the 1995 burglary, and new silverware and linens were donated following the 2007 incident. A hand carved wooden cross made by one of the church's long time members, Ron McDermid, now sits proudly at the front of the church in the place of honour once occupied by its brass predecessor. On November 8, 2009, the congregation formally rededicated two restored Memorial Rolls of Honour with the support of Veterans Affairs Canada and The Royal Canadian Legion. Over 70 people, including many surviving veterans, their families and local political leaders were in attendance for the rededication.
Throughout its over one hundred and thirty-nine year history St. Thomas' has maintained a consistent Sunday congregation of approximately 10 to 15 parishioners. Major feasts and special events such as Easter, the Thanksgiving Harvest Festival, and the candlelight Christmas Eve service draw larger groups of worshipers. The church can comfortably seat 45 people and visitors at "The Creek" are always welcome. Local folklore holds that the one room church is considered to be "the church hall" until the ringing of the ceremonial bell at the beginning of every service - at this point the church becomes "the church" and the designated leader begins to lead the service. Following the benediction, dismissal, and a further ringing of the bell, the church reverts to being "the church hall" and becomes a focal point for the discussion of local affairs and upcoming events in this small farming community.
The Church Today
Regular services are still held at St. Thomas' on the second and forth Sunday of every month at 9am. Both services are led by an Anglican priest and include a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Occasionally, the congregation chooses to hold a Morning Prayer service following the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer. The church is also available by request for weddings, baptisms, confirmations, funerals, and other special occasions. As it was at the time of the church's founding, music continues to be provided by the antique pump organ and all members of the congregation are invited to sing in place of a formal choir.
The Parish of Eastern Outaouais' current "Anchor" Priest In-Charge is the Rev. Elizabeth Jeannie Loughrey, who also serves as Incumbent of the Parish of Chelsea-Lascelles-Wakefield in the Gatineau Hills. The Rev. Rick Gariepy is responsible for the Parish of Eastern Outaouais' Buckingham Curacy and leads sacramental ministry at St. Thomas', St. Stephen's and St. John's in the Wilderness.
Camp ARK & Ecumenical Youth Activities
St. Thomas first sponsored an ecumenical Daily Vacation Bible School called "Camp ARK: Acts of Random Kindness," for children ages 5 to 13 from August 9 to 12 2010 at St. Stephen's Church Hall, Buckingham. The camp, which was a great success, also received financial support from St. Stephen's and St. John's Glen Almond. In total, fourteen children attended the first camp. The second edition of Camp ARK was held from August 8 to 11 2011; forty-five children attended the second rendition of the program. Camp ARK 2012 was held from August 13th to 16th 2012 at St. Andrew's United Church and included fifty-one students. In 2013, Camp ARK returned to St. Stephen's and hosted a record seventy-five students between August 12th and 15th. After a one-year hiatus, Camp ARK returned in 2015 and hosted a further fifty students. Building on the camp's many years of success, three of Buckingham's English speaking Christian communities (Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic, St. Andrew's United and the Anglican Parish of Eastern Outaouais) now offer a joint youth group on the first Friday of every month, "The Friday Night Faith Buddies," and an ecumenical Sunday School on the first Sunday of every month. Parents desiring information about the programs should contact their churchwardens or visit the parish's Facebook page.
Harvest Festival
On September 18, 2011 St. Thomas successfully relaunched its Harvest Festival, a once annual event that in past generations was the perennial highlight of the fall social calendar. The 2011 event, which featured a lamb roast and potluck, was very well attended and built upon the tradition of the earlier festivals by helping to reinforce the strong bond between the church and local farmers.
135th Anniversary Celebration
In 2012 St. Thomas celebrated its 135th anniversary as a worshiping congregation. A special service was held on Sunday September 30th 2012 to mark the occasion. The service was led by The Right Reverend Dr. John Chapman, Bishop of Ottawa, and included the confirmation of three parishioners, followed by a reception at St. Stephen's church hall in Buckingham.