Worship Times
In Person: Sundays BCP 8 am; 10am BAS sung service 10am and Coffee Hour
Online: Sunday devotions, posted at 9am, Music Mondays, Tuesday Talks, Worship Wednesdays, Funny Fridays
We have a strong sense of community with parishioners. People of all ages here are encouraged to learn about their own faith and the role of the church in our community and worldwide.
The founding of the parish dates back to 1834, only a few years after the opening of the First Welland Canal and the establishment of the village of Port Dalhousie. The first church was called St. James, a wooden structure built in 1841 where St. John’s cemetery is today. (This wooden structure was later shipped down the Welland Canal to become St. James Merritton!) With the opening of the Second Welland Canal in the 1840’s and the resulting growth of the community, a new church was planned in the heart of the village.
The new church, designed by foremost Canadian church architect James Langley was built in 1868.It was a grand building for a small village of 1500. Thousands from far and wide attended the laying of the cornerstone. In the church steeple hangs the bell of the original 1841 church that still rings weekly throughout the town today.
St. Johns has retained its historical appearance and ambience of reverence and peace, a sanctuary with its dark stained woodwork respectful of the past. Many of the church furnishings are memorials whose craftsmanship and art offer glimpses into the past of the parish and village, enriching the church’s beauty and reinforcing its connection to its history. Many descendants of past parishioners still attend the church today.
Of particular note among the many lovely features are: the beautiful stained glass window that displays a large anchor (a fitting symbol for a maritime community and now the logo for the parish); a unique window that depicts a soldier lost in the First World War; a marble memorial to a lake captain lost in a famous shipwreck; and a small alabaster font used in the 1830’s by the first missionary to this parish, who carried it in his saddlebag when he conducted house baptisms.
A church hall was built in 1912, where performances from its wooden stage have entertained for decades, and a modern accessible addition was completed in 2003. Rich in tradition but looking always to serve each generation in its time, St. Johns continues to play a central part in the daily life of the community through worship, outreach, and fellowship.
One of the defining characteristics of the church is that we worship together. We come as individuals, many of whom are different than ourselves.
We are committed to making a difference in the world … meeting a need wherever one exists. St. John’s maintains special ministries and holds regular events in support of this.
Words from the Bible (a sacred book of theological writings and stories from the history of our faith) are read in all services, by a variety of people.
Sunday May 5, 2024, 2 p.m. - 4 pm
A good time was had by all who attended the Piano Man concert on Saturday February 24th!!
135 bags were donated to Community Care!
Congratulations to Linda Youse on receiving the Order of Niagara
Linda is a powerful force at St. John’s !! A life-long member of St. John's , Linda brings her energy to every church gathering, and it is contagious. Her arrival each Sunday fills the space with joy and light and laughter. It is Linda who coordinates volunteers at special events, and she uses these opportunities to engage and welcome new members as part of “the team”. She is also an active presence in the lives of several local seniors taking them to appointments, quietly making sure their kitchens are stocked, and being a vocal advocate. Linda Youse lives the gospel and is a worthy recipient of The Order of Niagara .
(picture: Linda Youse O.N. and Bishop Susan Bell)
November 2023
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