St. Stephen's Anglican Church is an Anglican Church of Canada parish in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
History
Open air ceremonies The original Anglican air ceremonies services were held on Sunday afternoons during the summer months of 1886 in Britannia by visiting clergy from the city, Ven Archdeacon Snowdon, Canon Pollard, Archdeacon Bogert and Ven Archdeacon Mackey.Ottawa Citizen 57th anniversary to be marked by Britannia Church June 11 1943
The old St. Stephen's Church was secularized with the late Ven. Archdeacon J. M. Snowdon as one of the founders. Services were first held under the pine trees, with a nearby verandah providing the pulpit.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
By 1890 the congregation had grown sufficiently to warrant establishment of proper church organization. In 1890, Rev. W. Jemmett presided at the first vestry meeting held. A. N. McNeill, R N., whose untiring zeal led to the building of the church, was appointed first rector warden and Robert Buriand was elected first people's warden.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
Services were regularly held in a hall across the street (now Britannia Road) from the original church. A dispute over ownership of the property resulted in the Anglican residents resolving to build a church of their own. Work began on the church on July 21, 1892, in what was then the main street of Britannia Village, now Britannia Road, through the efforts of Mr. A.N. McNeil.Ottawa Citizen 57th anniversary to be marked by Britannia Church June 11 1943 On July 21, 1802, work was commenced under the supervision of Mr. McNeill, who was also responsible for the organization work, the collecting of contributions for the building and the care of finances.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Britannia On August 7, 1892, the little white church under the pines was formally opened. The Rev. F. B Norrie conducted the service. The Rev. W. J. Muckleson preached the sermon and the lessons were read by A. N. McNeill. Services were conducted that year during the summer months by visiting ministers the Rural Dean Mr. Bogert, the Rev. A. W. Mackey, the Rev. J. M. Snowdon, the Rev. F. B. Norrie and the Rev. F. R. Smith. The first board of trustees of the building were Judge William Mosgrove, Messrs. A. N. McNeill, S. Maynard Rogers. George R. Nettle, Frederick J. Graham and Nicholas C. Sparks.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
In 1893, the church was completed; The interior wails and ceiling were finished in polished ash. The steeple was erected according to plans donated by Mr. Edgar Lewis Horwood, the architect. The windows were finished with stained glass windows which were at one time in the old stone Baptist church on Queen Street. On Dominion Day, 1894 the first excursion to be held over the new Gatineau Railway Company's lines was one in aid of the funds of the St. Stephen's Anglican church. The font was donated from the proceeds of children's work. The first baby to be baptized was Morel Reid, niece of Mr. and Mrs. A. N. McNeill.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
From 1894 until 1898, the Rev. W. H. Green, rector of Nepean mission was in charge of St. Stephen's. In 1898, Mr. McNeill, who had remained as rector's warden from 1890 to the autumn of 1897, died. In 1898, the Rev. I. J. Christie became rector. He was succeeded in 1902 by the Rev. A. H. Coleman. Since Coleman was unable to conduct the services regularly owing to pressure of work in his other churches, they were taken by clergy from Ottawa.
Dr. Ezekiel Stone Wiggins, the author of several scientific, educational and religious works served as Rector's warden in 1901–1902.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican Thomas Fuller (architect) served as people's warden in 1904.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
From 1904 to 1908, the Canon J. J. Lowe was rector and was succeeded in 1909 by E. S. Anderson.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
The Rev. R H. Steacy presided at the spring vestry meeting in 1909, at which a motion to have "a good plain Church of England service" was carried. In 1909, Anderson introduced the issue of the division of the parish of Westboro-Britannia from Hintonburg. E. L. Britain attended the synod and announced that St. Stephen's would subscribe $100 per annum towards the stipend of the rector of the new parish. In 1909 the separation of the parish took place with Steacy as the new rector. In 1909, Mrs. A. McNeill donated a communion service.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
The first Rector of St Stephen's was the Rev William Jennett.Ottawa Citizen 57th anniversary to be marked by Britannia Church June 11 1943
Until 1909 St. Stephen's was part of the Nepean Mission along with All Saints Westboro and St. Matthias Hintonburg. It then became part of All Saints and yet later a joint parish with St. Martins, Westboro.
In 1915 the Rev. N. H. Snow presided over the vestry meeting since Col. the Rev, R. H. Steacy had gone overseas as director of chaplain services of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. In October, 1915, St. Stephen's Church Guild was organized.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican In 1916 the church was consecrated by Charles Roper, then Bishop of Ottawa, the mortgage on the building having been paid off and the mortgage papers burned. The rector returned from the war in 1917 and the Rev. Norman Snow was appointed curate at All Saints', Ottawa.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
Electric lighting was installed in 1920. The vestry considered the advisability of conducting services throughout the winter months. On December 6, 1926, a resolution at a special vestry meeting called for the establishment of a new parish of St. Martin's, Woodroffe, and St. Stephen's, Britannia. On May 1, 1927, the separation of these churches from Westboro took effect with the rector, the Rev. W. B. Morgan.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church in June 1936, the preacher at the morning service was the Ven. Archdeacon Snowdon, who, as a young Curate, was one of the first to hold these services which took place in the open or under the shelter of a verandah according to the weather. The preacher at the evening service was Col. the Rev. R.H. Steacy. C M.G., who was in charge of the parish in 1909. A birthday tea was held; the cake was cut by Mrs. George Perley. A parochial evening reception was held for invitees who were identified with the activities and interests of the church during the fifty years. The chairman was the Rev C. O. Hepburn and the guest speaker Mrs. George Black, MP.The Evening Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario Saturday May 30, 1936 50th anniversary of St. Stephen's Anglican
An honour roll was unveiled and dedicated at a service in June 1943, lists names of parishioners in the armed forces during World War II including Dennis Foy, who was killed in action.Ottawa Citizen 57th anniversary to be marked by Britannia Church June 11 1943
On May 8, 1951, the St Stephen's Men's Association of St Stephen's Anglican Church Britannia held a dinner at Ye Old Forge, then owned by Mr. and Mrs. William Winthrop. The turkey dinner was provided by the ladies of St Stephen's Guild. After the former rector, the Rev. W. B. Morgan spoke; the Rev. K. R, Cowan, then rector of the parish, announced that the transfer had been completed and the deed received for the new church property recently acquired for the site of the new St Stephen's Church, situated on the southwest corner of Main street (now Britannia) and Cameron avenue in Britannia, one block south of the train tracks.Ottawa Journal Wed May 9, 1951 Mr. Haughton made many suggestions regarding the future of the church in Britannia. Pesker Dee a Clark of Christ Church Cathedral, was introduced by G. Orval Skuce and gave a short address on "People".St Stephen's Men Britannia Hold Turkey Dinner –Ottawa Journal Wed May 9, 1951
Mayor Charlotte Whitton was St Stephen's Honoured Guest at the fall tea and bazaar on November 22, 1952. She gave a short address on the need for church work in all spheres of life.Ottawa Citizen - Nov 22, 1952 In 1952 the decision was taken to create a separate parish due to the growth of the Britannia area.Ottawa Journal 13 February 1956 Page 3 A number of sites were considered before a final choice of the current Watson Street site was made.
St. Stephen's Anglican (Watson Street near Pinecrest) The Ottawa architecture firm of Burgess, McLean & MacPhadyen designed St. Stephen's Church in 1953, which is representative of church architecture in the 1950s with its daring lines, sleek mass, contrasting surfaces of brick walls, metal uprights, shingle roof, glass window walls, and laminated support beams inside.Diocesan Archives by Glen J Lockwood Crosstalk Oct 2013 The architectural drawings pertaining to Burgess, McLean & MacPhadyen architectural projects 1900-1990 are in Library and Archives Canada.McLean and MacPhadyen fonds architectural drawing The basement hall seated 350 persons, with a chapel accommodating an additional 40 worshippers. There were Sunday School classrooms, kitchen and washroom. The later church addition seated a congregation of 450 to 800 persons.Ottawa Journal 13 February 1956 Page 3
The lower hall was built in 1956 and was used for services for six years with the Rev. Edwin Allsop as rector. The first services' were held in the new church home on February 12, 1956, with a temporary altar and communion rail, set up in the basement of the new Church. The official opening was on February 20, 1956. Ven. Archdeacon C. O. Hepburn preached at the morning service, and Rev. William Robinson, rector of St. John's Anglican Church, spoke at evensong. The new church building will be used for divine worship on Sundays and as a hall for social functions connected with the life of the church during the week. The new church was constructed to accommodate an increasing congregation. It was designed so that a minimum of alterations will be necessary when sufficient funds are available to continue with the superstructure.Ottawa Journal 13 February 1956 Page 3
The official opening ceremonies were held Monday, February 20, 1956, at 5 p m. Rev. J. Edwin Allsopp was inducted as rector by Rt. Rev. Ernest S. Reed, Bishop of Ottawa. The guest preacher was Rev. C. K. Graham, rector of Almonte and rural dean of Lanark.Ottawa Journal 13 February 1956 Page 3
A parish supper was held February 13, 1956 in the new hall, with Ven. Archdeacon J. C. Anderson. Synod secretary, as speaker. Other services were held Wednesday evening, when Rev. K. R. Cowan, rector of St. Martin's Church, was the speaker, and on Sunday the preachers were Ven. Archdeacon C. C. Mills, Diocesan Commissioner, at the morning service, and Rev. Douglas Christie, rural dean of Ottawa, at evensong.Ottawa Journal 13 February 1956 Page 3