Shanty Bay in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

St. Thomas' Church 1838

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

1. St. Thomas' Church 1838 Marker

Inscription.
This church is one of the few surviving structures in Ontario built of "rammed earth". This method of construction utilized wet clay mixed with chopped straw, compacted into forms and covered, when dry, with plaster or siding for protection against weather. Built in a plain, somewhat Romanesque style, the church was begun in 1838 and largely completed by 1841, although not officially opened until February 27, 1842. Lt.-Col. Edward O'Brien, leading member of the Shanty Bay settlement, donated the church site and clergyman's residence, and directed the construction of the church. He and his wife, Mary Sophia, are buried in the adjacent cemetery. The Rev. S. B. Ardagh served as rector from 1842 to 1867.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 44° 24.629′ N, 79° 34.926′ W. Marker is in Shanty Bay, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from

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the intersection of Line 2 South and Church Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located near the southeast corner of the subject church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28 Church Street, Shanty Bay ON L0L 2L0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country

and specifically in Georgian Bay Country.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Black Settlement in Oro Township / La Colonie Noire du Canton d'Oro (approx. 3.5 kilometers away); The Ice Industry (approx. 3.5 kilometers away); Early Settlement (approx. 3.5 kilometers away); Site of the Village of Kempenfelt (approx. 5.7 kilometers away); The Lost Village of Kempenfelt (approx. 5.8 kilometers away); Hon. Ernest Charles Drury (approx. 6.1 kilometers away); Warming Up the Land (approx. 8.4 kilometers away); Andrew Frederick Hunter (approx. 8.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shanty Bay.

More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same English inscription.

Also see . . .
1. St. Thomas Anglican Church (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The church was built of rammed earth or pisé de terre or simply pisé between 1838 and 1841 by local craftsmen. The axe marks on the hand-hewn wooden forms used for the rammed earth are still visible. Its steep pitched roof, lancet windows
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

2. St. Thomas' Church 1838 Marker
The marker is located near the southeast corner of the church.
and entrance tower are typical of Gothic Revival churches. It is still an active Anglican church. The church is a provincial heritage site.

(Submitted on November 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. St. Thomas Anglican Church History.

Excerpt: Shanty Bay was the Canadian backwoods when the O'Brien's first moved there — they were among the earliest settlers. Edward O'Brien was one of the early leading lights in Canadian business history and a pillar of the community in central Ontario. Responsible for no less than the construction of two churches (Collier Trinity in Barrie and the rammed-earth church in Shanty Bay), he also was instrumental in the founding of newspapers, the establishment of the African-Canadian veteran settlement in Oro Township and was one of the province's early magistrates and the lieutenant-colonel of the local regiment.

(Submitted on November 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

St. Thomas Anglican Church (<i>southeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

3. St. Thomas Anglican Church (southeast elevation)

St. Thomas Anglican Church (<i>northeast elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

4. St. Thomas Anglican Church (northeast elevation)

St. Thomas Anglican Church Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

5. St. Thomas Anglican Church Cemetery

The cemetery is primarily located on the north side of the church.

St. Thomas Anglican Church (<i>east/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2024

6. St. Thomas Anglican Church (east/front elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.