Page 3 - News On 7 Feb 2022

IN THE NEWS

160 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY

The Anglican Parish of Madoc was created in 1862 although services had been carried on
previously by itinerant pastors. During the winter of 1864/65 the men of the parish held
drawing bees in the winter to bring stone to the building site that had been donated by
Sarah Russel, a lady who owned the north half of the village. The winter was the best time
of the year for hauling building materials as sleds were much easier to haul over snow
than the terrible pioneer roads in spring and summer. The architects were from Belleville
and Kingston. This was the first stone church built in the area. The new church was
dedicated as St. John the Baptist Church of England and Ireland in Canada. A grand
parade through the village from the Presbyterian Church, led by the Hastings Rifle Band
(the forerunner of the Hastings Prince Edward Regimental Band) and the Masonic Lodges
of the area ended at the site of the new church. The cornerstone of the building was then
laid with Masonic Honours. The style chosen was Early English Gothic with simple
pointed windows and an open ceiling with scissor trusses.
This imitation of a medieval church was thought to be the "correct" liturgical style of the day with the altar at the east end so
the focus would be on the sacrament of communion. The windows of the vestry are of the original diamond shaped clear
glass. Later in the 1800's the windows in the rest of the church were replaced with stained glass as finances and memorials
permitted. A large brick rectory was built beside the church in 1880. In 1975/6 a large parish hall was added to the rear of the
rectory and in 1988 the church and parish hall were connected with a foyer entrance. The exterior of the church remains
unchanged except a reproduction bell tower and spire which were erected in 1988. The interior of St. John's was changed in
2014. The pews were removed to enable a new floor to be laid and it was found the old pine pews were not in good enough
shape to be reinstalled and therefore church chairs were purchased for the nave. Several beautiful memorials including the
brass eagle lectern and the marble font enhance the interior.

A few people of note have been associated with the parish. The first Canadian choir to
sing in Westminster Abbey, was led by George Maybee of St. George's Cathedral in
Kingston. George came from Madoc and had helped maintain and restore St. John's
pipe organ. There is a plaque in the church by Professor Forneri, an adventurer who
fought for and against Napoleon, was captured by the Russians, fought for the
unification of Italy, emigrated to England where he became friends with British MP's
and later came to Canada as the first Chair of Modern Languages at the University of
Toronto in 1853. His appointment was signed by Lord Elgin, Governor General of
Canada. One of St. John's minister's adopted son, Esca Brooke, was the son of The Last
White Rajah of Sarawak. Books and a play have been written about Esca. Dave Carley's
play, Canadian Rajah was performed in Toronto and Dave has expressed interest in
having it performed in Madoc.

The parish is proud of the many years of service to the community.

613 473 1891
31 Durham Street, Madoc, ON