Who We Are - A Brief History of The Church of St. Stephen

The parish was originally part of the parish of St. John's Church, Weston. With the rapid growth of the district during the years 1950-1952, and with about 90 Anglican families with 122 children in the area, it was agreed that there was a need for a Sunday School in the neighbourhood.

On November 29th 1953, the Sunday School held its opening meeting at the Crang Plaza auditorium with 75 pupils and 8 teachers. By 1954, there was major growth in the Sunday School. This resulted in the opening of another Sunday School in the east section of the parish at Roding School.

The first meeting of St. Stephen's was held in the home of the late Celia & Percy Watts

In 1956, the parish boundaries were set as follows: on the west side by Highway 400, on the north side by Sheppard Avenue, on the east side by Keele Street and on the south side by Highway 401.

In May 1954, Services were held in a Portable Church

In March 1954, The Rev'd. Frank Fry, of Wolfeville, N.S. was appointed as first Rector. He arrived in May (1954) and services were held in the portable church. By September of that year, a petition was sent to the bishop to establish the parish of St. Stephen. Bishop Wilkinson announced the establishment of the parish in January 1956. The cornerstone was laid in May of that year.

In November of that year, the new building was dedicated by Bishop Wilkinson. On October 4^th 1987, the Church was consecrated.

Since the late 1970's and early ‘80's, the demographics of our worshipping community has changed significantly. Reflecting the wider community, our membership is comprised as follows:

Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Canada England Ghana Grenada Guyana Hungary Jamaica

Nigeria Scotland Sri Lanka St. Kitts St. Vincent and the Grenadines The Congo Trinidad and Tobago Zambia Zimbabwe

Summary of Historic Highlights

April 1953	The First meeting to discuss the opening of a Sunday School was held at the home of Celia and Percy Watts
November 29, 1953	The Sunday School started in Crang Auditorium
March 1954	The Rev. Frank Fry was appointed as first incumbent
May 2, 1954	The Rev. Frank Fry arrives and services begin in the portable church
May 9, 1954	Services began in the portable church
May 16, 1954	The Sunday School joined the rest of the congregation in the portable church
September 21, 1954	A petition was sent to the bishop to establish the parish of St. Stephen
November, 1954	A second Sunday School was established in the eastern section of the parish in Roding School
December 5, 1954	First Confirmation in the parish
March, 1955	Fund Raising campaign (Wells Canvass) launched - goal $60,000
April, 1955	$65,000 received of the $70,000 pledged
October 23, 1955	The first sod was turned for the new church
January 1956	Bishop Wilkinson announces the establishment of the Parish of the Church of St. Stephen
May 1956	The cornerstone was laid by Archdeacon Dann
November 26, 1956	Dedication of the Church by Bishop Wilkinson
October 4, 1987	Consecration of the Church by Archbishop Lewis Garnsworthy

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50TH ANNIVERSARY

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