St. Peter's Anglican Church and Cemetery

St. Peter's Anglican Church and Cemetery. . Welcome to St Peter's Anglican Church and cemetery! The church building to your left was first opened for worship late in 1837 - Queen Victoria had just come to the throne the previous June! The nation of Canada had not yet been conceived, the American Civil War was still twenty-four years in the future and the land on which you stand was part of the Loyalist founded colony of New Brunswick., We invite you to take a few minutes to admire St Peter's Georgian Church architecture and to stroll through our historic cemetery. St Peter's Church was built in 1837 by the local black community who were the descendants of Loyalist slaves brought to the area after the American Revolution. St. Peter's is the oldest Church building in the greater Fredericton area which has been in continuous use since its completion in 1837. As such, its story spans three centuries of our history and has witnessed a great number of events both sad and celebratory., Not surprisingly, St Peter's graveyard is the final resting place of individuals who have played a significant role in both our community's and our nation's history. Highlighted this year, during the 200th anniversary of the "War of 18 12-1814, is Charles Rainsford , the hero of the 104th Regiment of Foot. Captain Rainsford, his wife Deborah and their three children were members of this congregation. Another military connection is Captain Francis deLancey Clements, Military Cross, of the 24th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. (world war one) As for cultural history, St Peter's is unique for its relationship with the local black community. William Leek, the lead black carpenter responsible for the construction of St Peter's is buried in the cemetery. This is significant for St Peter's is the only local 19th century instance of black and white burials together , the usual pattern was, sadly, separate and/or segregated cemeteries. Scattered throughout our graveyard you will discover memorials to other black founders including; Payne, Taylor, Henry, McCarty, and Dymond. Another significant burial is that of Dean Francis Partridge, the first Dean of Fredericton's justly famous Christ Church Cathedral. Although the head clergyman of that church, his dying wish was to be buried at St Peter's where the shadow of the Church would daily cross his grave., We hope you both enjoy and learn from your time spent wandering among the graves of the famous and not quite so famous former members of our Parish. We wish however to stress that we are a living, active, worshipping Parish. Sunday services at 8 a.m. (said) and 11 a.m. (with music) are open to all. So too our Wednesday midweek service at 7 p.m. is another opportunity to worship Almighty God where, and in a manner very similar to, that of Captain Rainsford, William Leek and Dean Partridge., Memorial Inscription on Captain Rainsford’s tomb: , In Memory of , Captain Charles Rainsford , 104th Regiment , Born April 5, 1788 , Died April 24, 1882 , In a blinding snowstorm he tramped alone for fifty miles returning next day with food and help to the aid of his famished comrades. , Also in memory of his wife and children.. , Can you also find the final resting place of these people: , William Leek , Dean Partridge , Captain Clements , Mary Ann Glenie, (consort of George Garden, Esc) , Major General James Kilner.