Name/Title
Photograph: Christ Anglican Church, Ashton, 1976Entry/Object ID
000.11.18PDescription
Christ Church - Ashton (Anglican)Context
Almost across the street from the Shore House is an old stone church and cemetery, with a newer stone church just up the street on the same side. The original Anglican Church building in Ashton was built in 1845. The first permanent church structure in Ashton, it was built due to the demand created by increased population growth. It was in use until 1915 when the new church, just down the road, was built. lt is one of the oldest remaining original stone churches in the region.
First included in the Diocese of Toronto and served by the clergy of Richmond with two services per month, Christ Church Ashton was incorporated into the Diocese of Ottawa when the Diocese was formed in 1863, and in that year received its first parish rector, Reverend Thomas Taylor. However, for such a small parish, the financial difficulties of independence forced the church to unite with the Franktown church by 1871 and eventually to join with Richmond until 1890, when Munster and Prospect joined with Ashton and Ashton had its own clergyman again.
The simple lines and relatively small size are typical of the rural churches of the time period and the arched windows, decorative woodwork and the vaulted interior ceiling show the skilled craftsmanship of several prominent Ashton citizens, adding to its charm. The limestone for the rubble walls was taken from the Jock River by the volunteer labour of the parishioners and hauled by oxen. John Bobier was the master mason, and it was John Shore who did the carpentry, even to the extent of a fully furnished interior. The building is of Classical lines, with a pediment in the north gable end, separated from the lower masonry by a wooden architrave.
The building's use has been limited since the construction of the new church, other than as the location for a few socials and church dinners. in recent years it has been boarded up and has sat unused. However, it is being preserved for the future with restoration work undertaken at the instigation of the current Christ Church Ashton congregation.
The new Christ Church Ashton was built in 1915 after the parishioners had decided to overcome the inherent difficulties of such an under taking in a parish of approximately 40 families. In 1907, the parish was informed that $1000 worth of repairs were required for the old church, and a new larger church at $5000 seemed a better investment.
The new church is also of unfinished stone laid in discontinuous courses. It has a rounded apse and a spire rising above the main doors, set off centre on the street facade. The tin roof has been pressed to mimic a shingle pattern, as was popular at the time.Collection
Goulbourn Township Historical Society CollectionLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsCopyright
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Credit line: Goulbourn Township Historical Society Collection