Since there has been great discussion about St. James Anglican Church I have decided we should all know a little background about the church. Above photo- St. James Thanksgiving 1884

The Anglican Church in Carleton Place was served for a few years from Franktown– one of the original rectories by Royal patent. In 1883 it was made the centre of a new mission and Rev. E J Boswell was the first missionary. During his incumbency, the first St. James church was built. There were originally unshapely masses of windows and galleries of the early Canadian order of architecture. The unattractive structure was replaced in 1881/1884 with a seating capacity of 500. The following year the debt was paid off. In 1887 there were 256 families and a bible class with 300 names on the roll. Mr Brice McNeeely Jr. (his father owned the tannery)was the superintendent.

St Mary’s Catholic Church on the other hand was built in two parts with some of the masses held in Lee’s Hotel in 1884. Half of St. Mary’s was built by the local congregation, with even some of the Protestants helping out. They had 75 families and the church seated 400.

Elliot Hall was named after Canon Elliot. It was built across the street in 1923 on land originally used by the Canada Lumber Co. Across the street is St. James Park which was once home to the other half of the Canada Lumber Co and the proposed site of the Rosamond Woolen Mill. Carleton Place was once going to host the Rosamond Woolen Mills before the owner had a disagreement with an early village council. Angry, he moved his mill lock stock and barrel to Almonte, where in turn, the Penman Mill owners argued with Almonte’s town council, and they moved to Paris, Ontario.The Canada Lumber Co. was torn down in 1908 and a hydro electric dam was built there. The hydro dam was removed in 1973.

St James Anglican Church presently offers twice-weekly Eucharist services, weekly youth group and Bible studies, several women’s groups, a variety of youth activities, a choir, and an ever-expanding Outreach program to help the less fortunate in other parts of the world. Father David was once at the helm— and, if don’t know who he is by now–you can read about him here.

Father D just retired last year-photo by Linda Seccaspina

Guide to Church Services in 1870 in Carleton Place:

St. James’ (Church of England) – ½ past 10 o’clock a.m. on each alternate Sabbath, and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the other Sabbath. St. Andrew’s (Church of Scotland) – 11 o’clock a.m. every Sabbath. Zion Church (Canada Presbyterian) – ½ 2 o’clock p.m. every Sabbath. Reform Presbyterian – 11 o’clock a.m., and 3 o’clock p.m., on alternate Sabbaths. Wesleyan Methodist – ½ past 10 o’clock on alternate Sabbaths, and ½ past 6 o’clock on the other Sabbath. Baptist – ½ past 2 o’clock every Sabbath. Roman Catholic – occasionally, of which notice will be given.

Photos- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum and Linda Seccaspina

John Edwards This was the first sale of land of “The Clergy Reserve”. It was originally 200 acres of land running from Ramsay 7 to Ramsay 8. It was the historic land allocated to the Church of England by Crown. Whne the Clergy Reserves were abolished in the 1850’s, St. James Anglican Church purchased the land for 100 British pounds. It was and is home to massive white pines which are still the defining element of the CP ‘skyline’ when the sun sets in the West. One only need to look up.

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