History of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Hamilton, Ontario
1955
The Church’s roots began in 1955 when the Church Extension Committee for the Diocese of Niagara decided to set up a new parish on the east mountain and the Rt. Rev. Walter E. Bagnall appointed the Rev. C.R. (Ralph) McKim, then a student, to do the preliminary work of canvassing the area for interested Anglicans. The first service was held on Sunday, October 16, 1955, in Hampton Heights School with 70 present. After a careful survey was made, a suitable piece of property was purchased at 1188 Fennell Avenue East and High Street for $10,000. The first services of St. Michael’s were held in the auditorium of Hampton Heights School.
1956
In January 1956, the Bishop of Niagara, with the Archdeacon Wallace, Canon Rigby and other Diocesan officials came and officially proclaimed the founding of the Parish of St. Michael’s, Hamilton, with the Rev. McKim as priest in charge. The Diocese also provided a down payment on a Rectory at 11 Kingslea Drive. An additional gift of $10,000 was given to be held in trust for the building of the church along with payment of interest on a loan for two years and support of our first Rector’s salary for the first year. Altogether, St. Michael’s received over $30,000 from the Diocese.
1957
On January 21, 1957, at a Parish Vestry, a plan was presented by the Diocese to erect a new building providing the parish undertook to raise the necessary funds. (Cost $67,493,00 for building and furnishings.) A Plan was adopted under the Wells Organization and a canvass of funds was conducted. In March, $42,000 was pledged on a 150-week basis. In May 1957, the building site was blessed and work started. On September 29, 1957, the Parish Hall was dedicated by Bishop Bagnall at the first service held in the hall. The building was used as a Church, Sunday School and for week-day activities.
Parish Hall, Kitchen and Fireside Room
The first part of the building construction involved the Parish Hall and adjoining Fireside Room and a wing containing washrooms, choir rooms, and offices. These facilities were constructed of cinder block and brick and were completed in 1957. The Parish Hall and associated facilities contain a kitchen and main hall which seats 152. Overlooking the hall is a stage with removable gates. This allows its use as a well-equipped nursery. The Fireside room seats 36 people comfortably for meetings. The Parish Hall was used for services until the Church, as it currently stands, was constructed. The kitchen is accessible from both the Parish Hall and the Fireside Room as well as having direct access to the parking lot. It has two user friendly gas stoves and an industrial dishwasher.
1958
In March, a building fund was set up for the construction of a church. For five years the congregation continued to use the Parish Hall for Sunday services as well as weekday meetings of the organization.
1960
Era of Women’s Fellowship, Couples Club, Junior Youth Fellowship, Youth Groups and Hi-Fi Teens (High Fidelity = Faith), Choir, Sunday School, Servers and Lay Readers.
1962
St. Michael’s Junior Auxiliary and Girls Auxiliary groups (JA/GA) are established. The Church Boys League (CBL) is established. A Boy’s Choir is formed.
1963
On May 12, 1962 the sod turning ceremony for the church was conducted by the Venerable Archdeacon W. Filer. The Architects were Charles Lenz & Associates. Gowling Construction Co. (Cost $103,000)
The Church
The church is constructed of cinder block and brick with a Florida-style roof. A 60 foot poured concrete open concept bell tower containing an electrically operated cast iron bell sits at the west end over the sanctuary. The oval shaped nave seats 300 people. The sanctuary has a stone altar. The building is equipped with an electric organ (new in 2016) and a sound system.
Church Altar (as told by Rev. David Luxton)
The church altar is made of five slabs of stone (as a sepulchre) – 4 sides and a top, the inside is an empty space – a reminder of the empty tomb of Jesus. “He is not here, he is risen”. The stones came from a quarry in St. Catharines, Ontario (J. Ridley Doolittle, crushed and cut stone business.)
On November 7, 1963, the Blessing and Laying of the Cornerstone of our Church was performed by Bishop Bagnall and Premier of Ontario John Robarts.
1964
The dedication of St. Michael’s Church by Bishop Bagnall took place on Sunday March 8, 1964.
1965
The church bell, donated by Mr. Tom Lowe, was dedicated on October 24, 1965, by Rev. Heber Wilkinson.
1967
Visitation Group is established to reach out and connect with existing and new parishioners.
1968 – First pictorial directory
In February, Rev. David Luxton departs. Rev. Harold Llewellin arrives in April. The first pictorial Church Directory was issued at Christmas.
1970-1977
St. George’s Hannon joins the parish. On July 6, 1970, a special Vestry was called to discuss our dire financial problems. Under the Rev. Llewellin’s guidance, a program was developed to reduce the mortgage (War on the Mortgage). Many remember the Pilgrimage Walks for the Mortgage which began in 1970 and continued until 1977. The 20th Hamilton Scout Group is established. Rev. Thistle starts the “Hi-Lite Club.”
1978
On Sunday, September 28, 1978, Archbishop J. C. Bothwell, conducted the Service of Consecration of our Church on the occasion for paying off the mortgage which was carried for twenty-five years. Truly a great day of celebration.
1980
A Memorial Room addition was added to the complex in 1980.
1981 – 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee (pictorial directory)
In January, St. Michael’s celebrates its 25th Anniversary with Bishop Bagnall attending.
1984
The Church hires a caretaker.
1986 – 30th Anniversary (pictorial directory)
The new Book of Alternative Services is introduced. Thursday night Euchre begins. The third Directory was issued on the celebration of thirty years of Christian Fellowship.
1991
Vestry passes a motion to form two teams for Outreach Ministry and forms a link with Macassa Lodge Nursing Home residents.
1994
Cannon Fred Roberts becomes an Honorary Assistant.
1996 – 40th Anniversary (pictorial directory)
St. Michael’s celebrates its 40th Anniversary.
1999
Juanita Maldonado arrives as organist. Rev. Lynda Kealey arrives as Interim Rector.
2000
In January, a campaign called “Survive and Thrive” begins. On July 16, St. Augustine’s joins St. Michael’s parish.
2001
In January, St. Michael’s became the first parish in diocese to have a Parish Nurse, Jan Pearce. On March 4, the Hamilton Mountain Ministry was formed with four mountain parishes, the first in diocese. A new Roof Fund was established on September 16 to help pay for a new roof.
2002
On April 16 a newly renovated kitchen was completed and dedicated to Dave Beckett.
2003
In the Spring, 20 bed kits were prepared for the Philippines as a Church School Outreach project. On September 30, a new outdoor sign was installed on Fennell Ave.
2004
In January, St. Michael’s hosted the first soup lunch. St. Michael’s hosts a community soup lunch on the last Thursday of every month from September to May, (except for December) from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The lunch features a hearty soup Rolls, butter, cookies and beverages are also included. There is no charge but a free-will offering basket is provided for those who can afford a donation.
2006 – 50th Anniversary (pictorial directory)
50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Cannon Fred Roberts. On May 27, St. Michael’s celebrated its 50th Anniversary featuring a Walk Down Memory Lane. On July 13, first Vacation Bible School was held. On September 24 we held a Patronal Festival as part of the 50th Anniversary and Bishop Spence helped plant an anniversary tree to mark the occasion.
2007
In January, a first Parish Newsletter was produced. St. Michael window was re-dedicated.
Four new furnaces were installed in the church complex in September 2007. At that time, air conditioning was installed in all areas except the church.
2008
On March 6, a World Day of Prayer Service held at St. Michael’s. In April, a Furnace Fundraiser begins. In August, milk bag collection begins. In October, Office Secretary, Kay Firth, celebrates 36 years at the church. In November, the Furnace Fundraiser goal is reached. Canon Lynda Kealey retires on November 23. On November 26, Canon Patrick Doran’s interim ministry begins. December is the re-dedication of Ruth and St. Mary Magdalene windows.
2009
The Hope Committee was established under the guidance of Canon Paddy Doran with three objectives: Stewardship, Awareness and Strategic Planning.
2010
Awareness – launch of a new website, a new church logo and parish brochure.
2012
Stewardship – focus resulted in agreeing to the following guiding principles:
- Stewardship is not about money but discipleship
- Stewardship is about community
2013
A Decennial inspection was completed on November 14 by Amerispec who made eight recommendations. The three immediate items were corrected (roof flashing and sealing; incoming utility line replacement; ground clamp connection). The five short term items were addressed (miscellaneous masonry repairs, downspout extensions and removal of a janitors sink that drained into the sump pump).
2014
Strategic Planning – was met with the approval of the “Church Accessibility Renovations Enhancement” (CARE) Campaign to raise funds to address the challenges to achieve accessibility. The Corporation developed an action plan with an approved Building Committee. A Project Scope document indicated the dates for the start and completion of the project and its major milestones.
The church introduced the “Bill Payment Challenge” to meet fiscal challenges.
2015
In April, an application was submitted to the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) for a $20,000 two-year grant. In May, $10,000 was received with another $10,000 expected in 2016. The campaign raised $42,000. Phase One provided level walkways and new automatic doors to the church and buildings.
2016 – 60th Anniversary (pictorial directory)
Phase Two of our multi-year Accessibility Project included installing a new fully accessible/barrier-free washroom and the installation of non-slip flooring at the newly installed door entrances. The property is generally in good condition and has been enhanced by the accessibility project. We have accessible entry doors on all sections of the building (church, office wing and parish hall) and a new accessible washroom in the Parish Hall section. Lighting and electrical upgrades have been ongoing, which reduce our energy consumption. The seventh directory was issued and the church celebrated 60 years of active service in the community of east Hamilton Mountain. The addition of accessible entrances to our church and parish hall made us even more welcoming, not only to our own members but to the community at large.
2017
A Stewardship campaign was launched to address the challenges of the budget deficit. Theme of INSPIRE-ASK-THANK took place from September to November. The Envelope Secretary reported: 82 people responded, 47 people kept the same donation, 28 people increased their donation. Total for increased giving was approximately $10,000.
2022
Work began on a Mission Action Plan to meet the diocese request to develop a plan that identified church initiatives for the new years. A Plan was submitted to the diocese on November 28. St. Michael’s received a Diocesan Mission & Ministry (DMM) rebate of $3,496. St. Michael’s welcomed a new interim rector.
2023
Mission Action Plan Update. In June, Parish Council proceed with a plan to seek support for a Community Fridge and Pantry to be hosted at the church. A community meeting was held November 7 and the project was added to the 2024 budget. A major expense in 2023 was the replacement of the Parish Hall roof. The roof was an emergency repair that required the transfer of funds from our Capital Trust Fund. To replace the funds, “Roof Repair” was added as part of the bill payment challenge.
2024
A letter was received from the Diocese informing us that our parish is on the schedule to receive a Decennial Inspection of its building next year in 2025 and advised that we need to budget for this expense.
St. Michael’s welcomed a new rector, Nicola Zhang on August 1. A Mission Action Plan initiative became a reality with the opening of the Community Fridge and Pantry on August 28.
In October, the church replaced two of its four furnaces, another major expense for the parish. The security alarm system was also upgraded.
In December, we received a grant of $1,500 from the Diocesan Food Security Appeal to supplement food donations through the year. We received multiple pantry fills from Ace Family Restaurant, Sherwood Secondary School, St. Elizabeth Nursing, Mountain Kidz Klub Food Security Program and from many donors in the community and St. Michael’s. We also received financial donations from Emmanuel United Church to donations in memory of a friend and in celebration of a special anniversary. We have heard from people in the community who are very grateful for the food that is available and very happy that St. Michael’s is hosting this food security site. In December, the church also received a grant of $1,000 from the Hamilton Community Foundation (Martin Fund) to supplement our Soup Lunch outreach program.
Church Rectors
1956 – 1960 Ralph McKim
1960 – 1961 Bruce Gifford
1961 – 1968 David Luxton
1968 – 1976 Harold Llewellin
1976 – 1986 William Thistle
1987 – 1999 Kenneth Patterson
1999 – 2008 Lynda Kealey
2010 – 2019 Sheila Van Zandwyk
2020 – 2022 Jonathon Forbes
2024 – Nicola Zhang
Church Pictorial Directories 1968 – 2016
1968 – The first pictorial Church Directory was issued at Christmas.
1981 – The second Directory was issued on our 25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee.
1986 – The third Directory was issued on the celebration of thirty years of Christian Fellowship.
1991 – The fourth Directory was issued.
2003 – The fifth Directory was issued.
2009 – The sixth Director was issued.
2016 – The seventh Directory was issued on the celebration 60 years of service in the community.
(History collected from Church pictorial directories, Vestry Reports, 1975 Jean Elliott presentation )
- Gagne – Deputy Rector’ s Warden
Dec 31, 2024
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