The following narrative of the first years of the Anglican Church in Meaford was written by Mr. Peter Fuller and copied by D.J. Caswell from the Meaford Monitor newspaper of June 2, 1876, in which it was published soon after the laying of the corner stone of the new church building that year.
"In connection with the account of laying the cornerstone of our new church, it has been suggested to me that a short history of our progress as a congregation would be interesting.
I find from an entry in my journal that The Reverend Mr. J.M. Hutchinson (Rector, 1859-66, pictured here), who was the first minister of our church settled here, preached the first time on Sunday, 7 August, 1859. The Presbyterian body very kindly allowed us the use of their old building, that is the old octagon church, and our services were held alternately with those of the Presbyterian minister and the Congregational minister, Mr. Duff.
The number of families belonging to our church at that time was very small, probably not more than ten or a dozen, and our first vestry meeting was held on Friday, December 30, 1859, when Mr. Corley, Sr. and Mr. James Smith were elected wardens.
The possibility of building a church was discussed and Mr. Corley and myself were appointed a deputation to visit on Mr. Purdy and see if we could obtain the gift of a piece of land for a site. We did not succeed at the time, and the matter was allowed to lie over for some months.
On the 8th February, 1860, the late Bishop Benjamin Cronyn (first Bishop of the Diocese of Huron, pictured here) held the first confirmation service here, in the Presbyterian church. About thirty were confirmed, which was very satisfactory considering the feeble hold which the church had on people at the time.
In March of this year, 1860, we obtained leave to use the schoolhouse regularly for worship, and we must take this date as the one on which we really made a beginning as a separate congregation.
Through the kindness of Mrs. Albery we now organized a choir and a small melodeon (organ) of mine was regularly carried to and fro to the school house on Sundays.
In March, 1861, the subject of building a church was again discussed, but it was not until August that we let the contract for the building, which as first built was only 40 feet long by 24 wide; costing complete about $600.
It may perhaps cheer up some of the despondent ones just now to add that when the contract was signed by myself as Treasurer, I had $6 in cash on hand and a subscription list with some $200 signed for.
Since that time the progress has been gradual, the building having been lengthened at both ends and the income having increased from about $100 in 1862 to something over $700 in 1875"
(Note: A wooden church building was constructed in 1862, followed later by the stone church building in 1876 - see below - on the same property.)
Mr. Peter Fuller (d. July 21, 1890, Age 64), former treasurer of the parish, is one of only two individuals buried on the parish grounds of Christ Church, Meaford.
The original wooden church building from 1862 (left) and the stone church building from 1876 (right). The wooden church was removed in 1909 to make way for a parish hall and cloister, that presently stand.
"The cornerstone of the new Christ Church was laid on Saturday last (May 27, 1876) by Mrs. Allan McLean Howard of Toronto, in the presence of a large assemblage of spectators, the Meaford brass band lending additional attractions to the ceremonies. There had been a very neat little bower improvised out of the derrick that heed the stone into position, and around this the interest of the audience centred. Shortly after 4 o'clock, The Rev. Mr. Hill, the incumbent, commenced the proceedings by reading an appropriate chapter from (the book of) Haggai.
(Note: Mr. & Mrs. Allan McLean Howard sponsored the creation of the Great East Window of the parish, pictured here, which includes the Howards' heraldic crest at the bottom-centre.)
The cornerstone on the Northeast corner of the 1876 church building, as seen in 2024.
Mr. Fuller then placed in a receptacle underneath the stone a vial containing, as he then announced, copies of the Globe, the Mail, and the Monitor newspapers, the Canadian Almanac, and a scroll containing the following inscription:
In the name of God and by the favour of God Almighty, on the 27th day of May, 1876, and in the 39th year of the reign of our gracious Queen VICTORIA, Queen of Great Britain, Ireland, and the Colonies, Empress of India; the Right Hon. Sir Frederic Temple, Earl of Dufferin, K.P., K.C.B., Governor General of the Dominion (of Canada); The Hon. Donald A. Macdonald, being Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario; The Hon. Alexander MacKenzie, being Minister of Public Works and Premier of the Dominion;
James Steward, Esq., Mayor, Alex Thompson, Reeve, J.J. Johnston, D. McCann, E. Thompson, F. Lann, C. Burns, W. Stewart, C. Watt, J.A. Purdy, J.D. McGee, Councillors of the Town of Meaford; John Albery, Clerk, and Peter Fuller, Treasurer;
The Right Rev. Isaac Hellmuth, D.D., D.C.L., Lord Bishop of the Diocese; the Rev. Jeffery Hill, M.A., Incumbent of Christ Church; F.F. Harris and J.W. Chapman, Churchwardens; James Gedded, Organist; T.G. Ponght, Vestry Clerk; H. Muckleston, R. Kerr, F. Clark, R. Helstoop, Sidesmen; J. Chapman, Sexton;
The Building Committee being comprised of Peter Fuller, Treasurer, F.F. Harris, Secretary, W.D. Pollard, A. Boice, Dr. Maclean, J. Geddes, C. Sheppard, Johnson Montgomery of Meaford, and Allan McLean Howard of Toronto;
The Architect being R.C. Windeyer of Toronto; the Contractor, Messers. McCann and Sparling of Meaford;
This cornerstone of Christ's Church was laid by Mrs. Allan McLean Howard of Toronto, which may God ever protect and prosper.
The mortar bed was then laid and spread by Mr. T. Aris; and a beautiful silver trowel having been put into Mrs. Howard's hand she lightly spread a part of the mortar, the stone was lowered into position and pronounced well and truly laid. The Rev. Mr. Hill then read prayers, the band struck up, and the ceremony was over.
The Rev. Mr. J. Hill, Rector - 1874-1880
The building will be a wonderful addition to the church architecture of the town. The style is Gothic, and on the architect's plan looks well. This, however, provides for a tower, which will at present be dispensed with. The size of the building is 36x76, the height of the walls is 12 feet, and the length of the rafter is 34 feet. The walls will be of our common boulder stone with freestone sills, facing, etc."
Meaford Monitor newspaper- June 2, 1876.
"Dec. 31, 1876 - Preached morning and evening in the new church - Christ Church, Meaford - to overflowing congregations. Confirmed and addressed 53 candidates and administered the Holy Communion."
Extract taken from Huron Synod Journal, 1877, pg. 136, from "Summarized List of Episcopal Acts, ect." prepared by The Rt. Rev. Isaac Hellmuth, Bishop of Huron. (Pictured here)