St John’s Anglican Church Cemetery
Location:
2464 Dundas Street, Burlington, Halton Region, Ontario, Canada.
Concession 1 SDS (South of Dundas Street), lot 16, Nelson Township.
GPS:
Latitude: 43.37548°N
Longitude: -79.84112°W
History:
In the early 1830’s, William Spence, Joseph Ireland, and J. Wettenhall petitioned the Bishop of Quebec for a new parish in Nelson (formerly Hannahsville). Services began in Bally Kilbeg, the schoolhouse, on November 15, 1835, conducted by Rev. Mr. Mack of St. Luke’s, Burlington.
On November 9, 1838, William McKay was named chairman of a building committee for a new church on three-quarters of an acre donated by Thomas Atkinson. The contract, let to William Grant, John Malcolm, and Alexander Brown for 378 pounds, was completed in 1842 for dedication by Rev. Dr. Thomas Green.
Some of the furniture installed in the new church were pews with gates at each end. They were auctioned to the parishioners at one pound each but were still subject to an annual rental fixed at the vestry meeting each year. Six pews were free and available to anyone.
One of the first donations was a communion service consisting of a chalice, two plates and two cruets given by the Stuart Mission Society in 1841.
In 1859, Rev. W. Hunter, assistant at St. Luke’s, took charge, followed by Rev. H. McCollom, Rev. E. Clark, and Rev. Canon W. Belt, until 1887, when it became associated with Waterdown.
After two years, St. John’s was united with Lowville and Nassagaweya, served in turn by Rev. Motherwell, Rev. Morton, and Rev. Seaman. After being closed for a year and a half and having lay readers for a short time, it was reunited with St. Luke’s in 1895.
In 1900, a new organ was purchased for $90.00 and new seats and carpets installed. In 1909, the beautiful chancel window was dedicated, a new ceiling put in and the roof shingled.
From 1910 till 1922, Nelson, Palermo and Omagh were united under Rev. Canon R. L. Weaver. From 1922 till 1975, St. John’s was reunited with Waterdown.
Written by the Late Rev. Gordon Brownell
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