History

History of St. Paul's Anglican Church

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St. Paul's is the Anglican Church in Almonte. We are approaching our 150th anniversary in 2013. The fine stone church and rectory are beautifully located on the Mississippi River.
 Prior to 1863 services were held at the Temperance Hall on Union Street, rented at $1.25 a month. Mr. Bennett Rosamond, who brought a small melodeon with him from his own house, provided music.
 At the Vestry meeting held in April of 1862, it was resolved on a motion by Mr. James Rosamond, seconded by Mr. Thomas Smith, "... that the new church be erected in the village of Almonte and be named St. Paul's." Its design has been described as 'English Parish Gothic'.
 Campaign chairman James Rosamond laid the first stone on the 7th of May, 1863. The cost of the site, the building and the bell was settled at $3749. The church was consecrated on St. Peter's Day, June 29th, 1864, with the Rev. Peter Slade as Rector at the princely stipend of $200 per annum.
 From the original group of 12 families, we have grown to over 200 individuals and families who are active members of our parish.
 Photographs of all the Rectors of St. Paul's may be found in the north transept, affectionately known as  "the rogues gallery".
 The stained glass windows and many of the the furnishings of the church were offered to the glory of God and in memory of founding families of both parish and town.

St. Paul’s Today
Today we are a community of people who are learning to follow Jesus. To this end we:

  • Worship — On Sunday, at 8:00 am we celebrate the Eucharist using the Book of Common Prayer. This is usually a quiet, meditative service with no music. At 9:15 am our Choir and Organist add the joy of music to our celebration, which is a Eucharist, following the form of the Book of Alternative Services on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month, or the Book of Common Prayer service of Morning Prayer on the second and fourth Sundays. At 11:00 am we celebrate with a contemporary format of the Eucharist, and music led by our Praise Team. A Nursery and Sunday School are offered at both these services. We also have a variety of occasional mid-week services.

  • Study — We have several daytime and evening Study Groups, looking at the Bible or at aspects of our faith. The times, locations and focus of these groups change from time to time so for details please phone us. The ALPHA course has become an important and regular part of our Parish life.

  • Pray — A Prayer circle continues to hold before God individual needs as requested, as well as the welfare of the parish as a whole.

  • Serve — Through individual giving of time and money as well as through the fundraising efforts of various groups within the parish, we support local needs, such as the Lanark County Food Bank and the community groups which use our facilities, as well as needs further afield through programs such as the Primates World Relief and Development Fund. Active groups such as the Altar Guild, the Pastoral Care Group, the Servers, Ushers, Choirs, Music Group and Readers provide other ways in which our members offer their talents in the service of God.

  • Build Community — We draw closer to one another as we work, worship, and study together. But parties also help so we have our coffee hours between the 9:15 and 11 o’clock services and on Tuesday mornings, our pot-luck suppers and talent nights, our soup lunches, and all the other excuses we find to get together and enjoy ourselves.

God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him should not die but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)