Completed 1841 Phone +1 705-722-7111 Construction started 1838 | Opened 1841 | |
Address 28 Church St, Shanty Bay, ON L0L 2L0, Canada Architectural style Gothic Revival architecture Similar Lake Simcoe, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Reptilia, Victoria Bug Zoo, Victoria Butterfly Gardens | ||
St. Thomas Anglican Church is an historic Gothic Revival style Anglican church building located at 28 Church Street, in Shanty Bay in the township of Oro-Medonte in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada.
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History
It was built of rammed earth or pisé de terre or simply pisé between 1838 and 1841 by local craftsmen. The axe marks on the hand hewn wooden forms used for the rammed earth are still visible. Its steep pitched roof, lancet windows and entrance tower are typical of Gothic Revival churches. It was consecrated on February 27, 1842, and is still an active Anglican church.
The church construction was begun by Lieutenant-Colonel W.E. O'Brien, who also was the progenitor of Shanty Bay, the village the church is in. Lieutenant-Colonel O'Brien raised the 35'th Simcoe Foresters, who will later become the Grey and Simcoe Foresters. their guidon is displayed to the left of the main door, in the main area of the church.
Current
The Rev. Sharon Johnstone is the current rector. The church's burying ground is located on its right side.
Notable Rectors
The Rev. Canon Stephen Peake was rector of St. Thomas from 1998-2005. Peake recently placed 3rd in the Anglican Bishop Election by the diocese of Toronto.
Status as a heritage site
The church is a provincial heritage site. To the left front of the church building there is a plaque erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of the Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario.