Near Napier in Middlesex County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

St. Mary’s Church

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

1. St. Mary’s Church Marker

Inscription. In 1832 and 1835 a considerable number of retired veterans of the British Army and Navy, some of whom had commuted their pensions for land settled in this area. Largely members of the Church of England, their spiritual welfare was at first cared for by the rector of Adelaide township, the Reverend Dominick Edward Blake. In 1840 one of these settlers, Lieutenant Charles Preston, donated land for a church and burying ground, and this frame building was constructed about 1843. St. Mary's is the oldest remaining church in Middlesex County. It was consecrated by Bishop Benjamin Crony in 1860, and many of the original setters lie buried in the adjacent churchyard.

Erected by Archeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 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 1843.

Location. 42° 52.95′ N, 81° 45.802′ W. Marker is near Napier, Ontario, in Middlesex County. It is on Melwood Drive 1.4 kilometers west of Kerwood Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1418 Melwood Drive, Napier ON N7G 3H5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

markers are within 14 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Mary’s Anglican Church (here, next to this marker); Burns Presbyterian Church, Mosa (approx. 9.1 kilometers away); Burns Presbyterian Church Mosa (approx. 9.1 kilometers away); Strathroy United Church (approx. 13.8 kilometers away); The Hon. Edward Blake (approx. 14 kilometers away); General Sir Arthur William Currie (approx. 14 kilometers away); Strathroy Cenotaph (approx. 14 kilometers away); Founding of Strathroy (approx. 14 kilometers away).

Also see . . . Historic Church a Marker of Time (Toronto Star).

The church was consecrated by Rev. Benjamin Cronyn, Bishop of Huron, in 1860, at which time it received the name "St. Mary's". "We have now 140 families," reads an 1844 diary entry from Rev.

Dominic Edward Blake. Yet, as time progressed, the congregation dwindled. St. Catherine's Church in Katesville, which was built around the same time as St. Mary's, was closed and used as a school in 1880.

The days of St. Mary's were numbered, too, and the last service was held 29 January 1920.

(Submitted on June 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

2. St. Mary’s Church Marker

St. Mary’s Church and cemetery in 2025 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 30, 2025

3. St. Mary’s Church and cemetery in 2025

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.