ST. LUKE'S HISTORY

Robert Maconachie, in 1896, was instrumental in starting the first Church of England services in the Burnt River community. They were held in the “Orange Hall” under his leadership. Having been initially licensed as a lay Reader in London, England, upon his arrival in Canada he was similarly licensed by the Bishop of Toronto on December 6, 1896. He was placed under the supervision of the Rev. W. Farncombe of St. Peter’s (Bury’s Green), the home church, who also attended to the administration of the sacraments. On March 10, 1899, his son Rowland Maconachie was licensed as a Lay Reader and in effect took over these duties from his aging father. Rowland was licensed under the guidance of the Rev. Soward of the parish of Galway/Kinmount. It was during this period that a friend of the Maconachies, the Rev.Rowland Batement, a missionary from India, came to visit. He stayed for some time, visiting families in the surrounding countryside and those living in lumber camps, hunting camps, etc. He held services and baptized the children of settlers who had not seen a clergyman for years. During his stay, he helped the Maconachies establish a Sunday School for children in their home, the manor house. Parties for the children, particularly at Christmas time, became a tradition and it was here that many of the local youngsters saw their first decorated Christmas tree, complete with burning candles. It was also a tradition that every child in attendance would receive a Christmas gift (usually an orange or a small book) from under the tree, compliments of the Maconachies.

ST. LUKE’S BECOMES A REALITY

The desire for a church home was soon felt, and before returning to England Robert Maconachie was instrumental in committing the villagers to assisting with the construction and the financing of the new church. The land in the village was donated by John Hodgson, who, at the same time, gave Mr. Maconachie a lot (two lots north of the current public beach) on Four Mile Lake.

The Fenelon Falls Gazette reports that “the building committee consisted of Mr. Rowland Maconachie, Mr. Joseph Handley, Sr., Mr. William Shuttleworth and Mr. Sam Suddaby. Sam Suddaby designed the small 37 x 25 foot building with a 10 x 18 entry hall and vestry. It was reported that it would be large enough for many years to come, as only nine or ten Church of England families live near enough to attend it. The entire walls were to be stone, and the total cost was not to exceed $750.!”

Construction of the new church was begun in 1903. A “bee” was arranged and in very few days the necessary limestone was cut and drawn to the site by horse and wagon from parishioner Sam Suddaby’s quarry located by the railway track south of the village (later to become the Burnt River Quarry). The cornerstone was laid on a Friday in late May. The Fenelon Falls Gazette notes that a few residents of the “Falls” (not as many as expected) arrived on the 12:25 P.M. Friday train for the event. A large number from the community turned out to see the cornerstone laid by Brother H. Holland, Grandmaster of the Loyal Orange Lodge of Canada East. The local Orangemen were in attendance accompanied by their fife and drum band. Brief speeches were made by Mr. Maconachie and some of the visitors, with the main speech delivered by Brother Holland. In the drizzling rain, he delivered a lengthy oration on the merits, duties, and obligations of Orangemen. A time capsule was placed in a cavity beneath the cornerstone part way up the wall in the south-west corner. At the conclusion of the ceremony a collection was taken amounting to $55., which was put toward expenses. There is a framed photograph hung in the narthex depicting this gala occasion.

Construction seemed to be under the supervision of a local stonemason, Mr. Wm. Shuttleworth. However, a stonemason from Irondale, Mr. Richard Carr, was originally hired to do the major work. Mr. Car was a master tradesman and rumour has it that he was taking too long to cut and shape the limestone pieces. Consequently, he was let go, and a local tradesman, probably Mr. Wm. Shuttleworth, finished the job. The difference in workmanship can easily be discerned, as the stones near the top and at the back of the church are much rougher and not as well shaped. However, the end result continues to reflect a beauty unique to St. Luke’s, and a source of pride in the Village of Burnt River.

The new Church of England building named after the apostle, St. Luke, was ready for services in the spring of 1904. Unfortunately, not much is known about the official opening service other than an announcement in the Fenelon Falls Gazette reported “there will be a celebration in connection with the opening of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Burnt River on Tuesday, May 24th. Dinner will be served at noon in the Orange Hall, followed by tea and entertainment in the evening. There will be a 25 cent admission charge to each event with the proceeds devoted to the building fund”. Annually, thereafter, an Anniversary Service has been celebrated on the long weekend in May.

From 1903-1906 St. Luke’s continued to operate with a Lay Reader under the direction of a priest in church, the Rev. Soward of Kinmount, who would attend to the sacraments on an infrequent basis. The Fenelon Falls Gazette reported that “Mr. Rowland Maconachie, the main Lay reader, delivered sermons fully equal to those preached by many an ordained clergyman”. He in fact, went on to become an ordained priest.

In 1906, St. Luke’s officially became part of the Parish of Kinmount, Burnt River and Irondale. From 1941-1946, when there was no priest in Kinmount, St. Luke’s was attached to the Parish of Fenelon Falls. It again rejoined the parish of Kinmount in 1946 when they welcomed a new priest and remained so attached until diocesan restructuring in 1992. At that time St. Luke’s became a part of the Parish of Bobcaygeon and Dunsford, which is the current status.