Anglican Communion News Service

In 1874 Whitfield was a thriving Canadian village that was enjoying prosperity from the lumbering trade and its strategic position on a busy transport route. But just a quarter of a century later, changes in farming and industry, and a general movement of population to cities had seen a big change of in the fortunes of the village. The final nail in the coffin came with the rail line that bypassed Whitfield.

In 1925, two of the three churches in Whitfield closed, leaving just the Anglican Christ Church. This small brick church had been built by local volunteers in 1874 when the community was over a hundred strong. But in 1982 the fight against the falling population was lost, and regular services at Christ Church ceased.

However, a dedicated group of local residents determined to maintain the church building and hold an annual reunion service. In 1989, a blocked chimney that covered the inside of the building with soot might have spelt the end of the road for Christ Church, but instead it inspired a restoration project.

Over the next decade, the inside of the small church was completely restored and rewired, an electric organ was installed, and new stained glass was donated for the windows. The original steeple, which had been torn down in the 1950's, was replaced with a newly designed one complete with cross.

An 8am service is held every Sunday at Christ Church from Palm Sunday to November, and at Christmas. A reunion is held each September. Whitfield is now a thriving church and part of the three-point parish of Shelburne, Dundalk and Whitfield in the Diocese of Niagara.

Article from: Niagara Anglican