Ajax in Durham Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
St. George's Anglican Church & Cemetery
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
1. St. George's Anglican Church & Cemetery Marker
The parish of St. George’s Anglican Church was founded at Duffins Creek (now known as Pickering Village) in 1832. The first incumbent of the parish, the Reverend Adam Elliot, originally met with his parishioners at their homes in an area that extended from Pickering to Whitby and north to Uxbridge.
The present historic church was built by local craftsman in the style they brought from England, known as Gothic Revival. The bricks were obtained from the Grand Trunk Railway in exchange for land belonging to the church. The building was completed in 1859. The church underwent exterior renovations in the 1980’s and interior renovations in the 1990’s to incorporate 20th century technology such as lighting and heating systems. The historic church continues to offer worship services each Sunday.
St. George’s Cemetery surrounds the historic church. Many prominent families are buried in this cemetery that dates back to the early 1830’s. The burials were recorded by the parish and researched by the Whitby-Oshawa Genealogical Society in 1989. This remains an active cemetery.
In the early 1960’s, a Parish Hall was added to the church property for education and community gathering. The Parish Hall was expanded into a modern Worship Centre and day care facility in the early 2000’s.
The site continues to be an important
this page online
Erected 2014 by Heritage Ajax.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 43° 51.225′ N, 79° 3.49′ W. Marker is in Ajax, Ontario, in Durham Region. Marker is at the intersection of Randall Drive and Kingston Road West (Durham Regional Highway 2), on the left when traveling north on Randall Drive. The marker is located beside the sidewalk at the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 77 Randall Drive, Ajax ON L1S 6L4, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Founding of Pickering (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Village Bell (about 120 meters away); Whitby’s Name Change, 1847 (approx. 9.4 kilometers away); Traditional Territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island (approx. 9.5 kilometers away); Merryweather Steam Fire Engine, 1872 (approx. 9.5 kilometers away); The Terrace (approx. 9.6 kilometers away); Carnegie Public Library, 1913
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
2. St. George's Anglican Church & Cemetery Marker
Also see . . .
1. The Founding of St. George’s. Excerpt:
St. George’s was founded as an Anglican parish in 1832, but people have lived in our area for millenia. A Royal Ontario Museum archeological dig done in Pickering Village in 1959-1960 revealed it as an Ancestral Huron-Wendat village. The C-14 analysis of a sample indicated a date of 1125 A.D. The ROM report estimated occupation of the site between 800 to 1000 A.D. Those in positions of power in 1832 saw our area as wilderness. The Anglican Diocese of Toronto did not exist, nor did the Anglican Church of Canada. Our first incumbent, Adam Elliott, was sent by the Anglican Bishop of Quebec.(Submitted on March 27, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. The Historic Church. Excerpt:
Our heritage building was built circa 1856. It was designed by a Scottish architect named Alexander Hay. Hay had a young apprentice named Henry Langley. Langley later became the foremost ecclesiastical architect in Ontario, and also designed many of the(Submitted on March 27, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)heritage buildings of Toronto. The historic building has been restored, inside and out, to its original look. Many layers of paint were removed to discover the original paint colour inside. It’s a warm terra cotta, which would be unusual today, but gives richness and coziness. The stained glass windows are in traditional style. The east window shows Christ enthroned, adored by saints and angels. The saints include our patron, George, directly below, with Adam Elliott and Eliza Howells on his sides. The west window shows Easter morning, with a surprised Mary meeting her Master. The other windows follow the story of Christ, from the Annunciation onward.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 20223. Town of Ajax Designated Heritage Property Marker(marker mounted on left side of north entrance)
Designated
Heritage Property
Town of Ajax
circa 1856 No. 019
Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
4. St. George's Anglican Church (1856) (north entrance)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
5. St. George's Anglican Church (1856)
(southeast elevation)
(southeast elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
6. St. George's Anglican Church (1856)
(northeast elevation)
(northeast elevation)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
7. St. George's Anglican Church & Cemetery (north elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 98 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 27, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
