Uncovering History at St. George’s Anglican Church

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We recently wrote about Georgina’s fascinating landmarks and history in an article called History Lives in Georgina – Connections to the Past You Can Still Find Today. We had a great time writing this piece, but there was so much more we discovered that we want to share. If history and its local connections is right up your alley, then consider this piece Part Two of our History Lives in Georgina post, in which we focus on the breathtaking stone church just outside Sibbald Point Provincial Park.

St. George’s Anglican Church is not just stunning, with its neo-gothic architecture, Norman-style crenellated tower and nationally significant stained glass window. It also holds a wealth of interesting stories that you might not be aware of. If you find yourself indulging in our Sibbald-inspired day trip itinerary, or if you simply find yourself in the area, stop by St. George’s, and take time to appreciate the myriad connections to local, regional, and even international points of interest it holds.

Hidden history at St. George’s

Daryl Urquhart, local history enthusiast and active member of the community, knows a lot about St. George’s Anglican Church. In fact, he’s written a series with the Georgina Post about his findings on the building and its parishioners of the past (we encourage you to check out this wonderful series: Behind the Hedges at St. George’s). Daryl was kind enough to share some of the insights he’s gleaned from digging into the history books and uncovering the stories behind the names on the cemetery’s headstones, as well as some interesting features of the church itself.

First, let’s start with the building. We mentioned in our History Lives in Georgina post a woman by the name of Susan Sibbald, and how she was a key figure in bringing St. George’s into being. You may recall that the church was originally a wooden structure, and that when she passed, Susan’s sons had the stone church built in her memory. What you may not know is that, as the stone church was being built, the log cabin was moved so that people could still attend service. Additionally, part of the new church was built on top of some of the old church’s existing gravesites.

To be clear, this was not a mark of disrespect for those resting eternally in these particular graves. To ensure that their location was remembered, the stones of William Bourchier and his family were set into the wall of the church, in the spot where their bones rest beneath the foundation. They can still be seen today on the north side of the building. Who is William Bourchier, you might ask? He and his family were instrumental in the settling of Bourchier Mills… an area known today by the name of Sutton.

We also wrote about St. George’s famous stained glass window, which was commissioned by Susan Sibbald. This window, designed by Elizabeth Simcoe (wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada) and hand-painted in England by her daughters, is the oldest of its kind in the nation. What we didn’t say is that for one short period of time each year, when the sun rises in just the right spot, it hits the window so that the seven Georgian crosses running up and down the centre pane are transmitted magically onto the aisle carpet. It is a breathtaking phenomenon that is only visible on certain days in early June.

Hidden histories in St. George’s cemetery

If you read our History Lives in Georgina post, then you’ll remember that the cemetery at St. George’s has quite a few famous residents, including Canadian writer and humourist Stephen Leacock, and Canadian author Mazo de la Roche. As Daryl Urquhart points out, Mazo was a particularly fascinating character, with a particularly fascinating family. Though she wrote 37 books, which were published throughout the world in several different languages, she was not overly fond of her celebrity status.

Mazo’s mother was born Alberta Louise Lundy, and if you think that name sounds familiar, then you must know your history. This is the same Lundy family of Lundy’s Lane connection, which was the bloodiest battle in the War of 1812, and one of the deadliest battles fought in Canada. Mazo’s great-great-grand-uncle was David Willson, founder of the Davidites, or the Children of Peace. This quaker sect was responsible for building the historic Sharon Temple in York Region. Additionally, Mazo’s cousin, with whom she shared a close and lifelong friendship, was H.R. MacMillan, founder of the former Canadian forestry company MacMillan Bloedel.

Canadian architect Alfred Chapman is another interesting resident of St. George’s cemetery—he is the man who was instrumental in establishing the majestic look of early Toronto. Notable achievements which he designed and built include Havergal College, the Toronto Harbour Commission Building, the CNE’s Princes’ Gates, and the Royal Ontario Museum. His son Christopher was an Oscar-winning movie producer and cinematographer. In addition to being an adventurer who sailed on the inaugural voyage of the Bluenose II, Christopher was known, along with his twin brother Francis, for a cinematic effect used in several films including Norman Jewison’s The Thomas Crown Affair. This effect was a split-screen technique called… the Brady Bunch effect.

“When you look at the name on a tombstone,” Daryl says, “it may have a statement about that person. But when you look into the depths of history and the contributions to country that this person is connected to, these stories are fascinating. It brings you in touch with our collective history, important aspects of our local culture, and it makes standing in front of a memorial stone more meaningful.”

The mystery of the church bell

Believe it or not, St. George’s may have a connection to the ill-fated Franklin Expedition. If you’re not familiar with this tragic event, here is a quick history. In the 1840s, Sir John Franklin went with a crew of 134 men, two ships, and three years’ worth of provisions to explore the last untraversed sections of the Northwest Passage. The ships were lost, and all crew on board perished, leaving behind stories of cannibalism and men gone mad from lead poisoning. Renewed exploration for the remains of the doomed ships and her crew in recent decades have turned up several artifacts, including three mummified crewmen buried in the arctic.

In her will, Lady Jane Franklin, wife of Sir John, bequeathed the funds for a bell to be placed “in the English church closest to Lake Simcoe.” There are some, including Daryl Urquhart, who make an argument for the possibility that the bell of St. George’s is that same bell. Admittedly, the inscription on the bell specifies the year 1874, and Lady Jane Franklin did not die until 1875. However, one must consider that the bell was made by the Meneely Bell Foundry of West Troy New York which operated around that time. Is this the bell that Lady Jane Franklin bequeathed? “It’s a mystery,” Daryl says, “but there is no church closer to the shores of Lake Simcoe, and the timing is bang on. There is a church in Newmarket that also claims to have a bell donated by Lady Jane Franklin, though their proof seems to have as many holes as ours does. But with the right bell foundry, the right date, and being referred to as the closest English Anglican church to Lake Simcoe, we have a claim. Whether we can substantiate it or not, we have more work to do.”

These are just a few of the incredible stories behind St. George’s Anglican Church in Sibbald Point. But there are so many more stories to uncover and histories to explore across our region. If digging up the past and bringing it to life once more is a passion of yours, then we invite you to begin with some of the churches close to you. Let’s find out what history York Durham Headwaters is hiding behind its names and landmarks.