Chippawa in Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Church of the Holy Trinity

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014

1. Church of the Holy Trinity Marker

Inscription. A frame church was built here following the arrival in 1820 of an Anglican missionary, the Reverend William Leeming. It was burned on the night of September 12-13, 1839, by supporters of William Lyon Mackenzie who crossed the Niagara River from New York State. The present church was designed by John Howard and built with the aid of private subscriptions and government assistance. The corner-stone was laid in 1841 by Bishop John Strachan. Among the well known persons who worshipped here were: Jenny Lind, the famous singer, in 1851; Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), in 1860; and Laura Secord, a parishioner, who died in 1868.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 12, 1839.

Location. 43° 3.695′ N, 79° 3.436′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Chippawa. It is at the intersection of Portage Road and Norton Street, on the left when

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

traveling east on Portage Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7820 Portage Rd, Niagara Falls ON L2G 5Y8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

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 walking distance of this marker: Laura (Ingersoll) Secord (here, next to this marker); Laura Secord Home (approx. half a kilometer away); James Cameron (approx. half a kilometer away); The Founding of Chippawa (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Raid on Fort Schlosser 1813 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Fort Chippawa 1791 (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Chippawa Town Hall (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Chippawa Post Office Sign (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara Falls.

Also see . . .
1. Entry in Canada’s Historic Places website.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014

2. Church of the Holy Trinity Marker

“Holy Trinity Anglican Church is the first church in Chippawa and one of the oldest parishes in the province, thus having significant historical importance. The congregation developed in 1820 after a petition was sent to the Church of England requesting a clergyman for Chippawa. This petition led to the arrival of Reverend William Leeming, from England, who would become a very prominent and respected man in the community. He played an important role in the area’s development.” (Submitted on November 13, 2014.)

2. The Mackenzie Rebellion. “Mackenzie was a leading critic of the ruling oligarchic elite of Upper Canada. Mackenzie began to organize an armed resistance to the ruling government. In December of 1837, Mackenzie led a small insurrection against the British at York (Toronto). Following this unsuccessful coup d' état, with a bounty of 1000 £ (lira, former currency of Italy until the Euro was used) for his apprehension, Mackenzie fled through the Niagara Peninsula to the home of sympathizers along the shore of the Niagara River.” (Submitted on November 13, 2014.)

Church of the Holy Trinity image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014

3. Church of the Holy Trinity

Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 16, 2014

4. Church of the Holy Trinity Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on July 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.