Rural Churches

Churches in small rural municipalities dot the landscape here, just like one-room schools, though more of the churches are located in small communities rather than off by themselves.  More of them, most of them in fact, are still used as churches, though many if not all are really struggling to keep the lights on!

This is the most beautiful rural church I remember, off by itself outside the village of Maxwell.  It's still in use I believe, but not necessarily every week.

This is St. James Anglican, by itself on the rural corner known as Fairmount.  Like many rural churches, it has its own graveyard.

The only other previous church I know of that is out in the country is this one, hidden quite well behind the pine tree.  A friend lives here, taking advantage of the resident pipe organ.

I should add the boarded up church at the Epping crossroads, unused for near 25 years.  Whatever group still controls it has turned down many offers to buy it.  I'm afraid it would be falling apart inside.

Now we get to the churches in small towns and villages.  This is the most important, for this is where my grandad was minister long before I was born, and where I was taken to church as a young child when we visited.  My mom lived in the manse next door, and my dad lived in the general store nearby (which still was a general store then) - guess how they met, living about 4 doors apart!

The United church in Eugenia - when I look this church up it refers to the church being amalgamated with the church in nearby Flesherton, so I'm not sure whether this is still a church or not.  But I am sure than many if not most small churches will have to amalgamate or close at some point in the future..

This old church is in the much smaller village of Rocklyn, and it's now a residence, close to the road but almost hidden behind trees.

Finally this very large church is Annesley United Church in Markdale, the church we used to attend when living at our previous home.  Its most striking feature is one of the largest pipe organs in the region, and the organist when we attended could really make it sing!  A Methodist church was built here first in 1870, but it was burned down by a man who was protesting the Methodist church's strong stand against alcohol!  A replacement was built within 2 years, and the present large brick building was erected in 1906.

This church is a good example of adapting to the shortage or members and therefore income.  They have established an active committee structure and are trying to rent out the rooms as much as they can, quite successfully I might add.  Looking at their events calendar, there are five groups, from yoga to guitar that meet 8 times in the typical week.  Unfortunately though, they have had great difficulty attracting a permanent minister.