History of Our Churches
St. Paul’s United Church
Our distinctive white church, situated on a hill overlooking Bancroft, was built on land donated by Methodist Senator, Billa Flint. The church’s cornerstone was laid in 1897, with construction following that same year. Fundraising efforts included numerous “tea meetings” that brought the community together. The dedication service took place on October 3, 1897, led by Rev. S. J. Shorey. In 1949, St. Paul’s became a self-supporting charge.
The North American Gothic frame building is a testament to local craftsmanship. It features a custom-built weathervane, a collaboration between tinsmith Robert Fair and blacksmith Peter Laundry. The tower’s unique circular window was the work of Adam Davy, who received orders for similar windows from across Canada and the United States. Inside, the vaulted ceiling was made of V-joint lumber, and the pulpit and pews were fashioned right in Bancroft by the Davy brothers’ own furniture factory. Original lighting came from oil lamps mounted on the walls, and a Methodist symbol—a dove—was painted on the chancel’s domed ceiling.
Significant updates and expansions occurred over the years. In 1931, the church was wired for electricity, followed by the availability of town water and sewer in 1957. A major expansion in 1954 enlarged the choir loft, added a vestry, created a combined choir and board room, and expanded the basement to include a new kitchen, furnace, and washroom facilities. The Afternoon Women’s Association (UCW) played a crucial role, contributing significantly to furnishings for these improvements.
Further remodelling in 1968 updated the interior with new pews, altered the balcony, and carpeted the floors. The choir loft was reconfigured to have seating on each side, and an illuminated cross became a dominant feature of the chancel. The early 1980s saw the replacement of most windows with beautiful stained-glass memorials. In 1993, the choir loft underwent further renovations to improve acoustics, and a back porch entry with storage was added. Future renovations for a new front entry were planned for 1998, addressing the need for a larger and more welcoming entrance.
St. Matthew’s United Church
St. Matthew’s United Church was originally built in 1920, overlooking Baptiste Lake, on land donated by Neil Bowen. The church was named after its first minister, Matthew Elijah Wilson. Early community activities included the formation of the Ladies’ Aid (UCW) and a Sunday School, both established in 1935, with classes initially held in the “Edenswald Cottage.”
As the Baptiste village grew, the original church’s hilltop location became impractical; becoming difficult for vehicles to get up as horse and buggy days were becoming obsolete, necessitating its relocation. In 1942, under the guidance of Minister N. R. Flower, the congregation made the decision to dismantle the building and reconstruct it at its present, more central site, a gift of land from Hiram Grant. This project saw volunteers working together, salvaging and reusing materials from the old structure, including its windows, floors, and bell.
Rumour has it, the bell originated from “The Old Mary Anne,” the first engine of the I.B. & O (Irondale, Bancroft, & Ottawa) Railroad.
Over the decades, the church benefited from numerous donations, such as an organ, communion table, and hand-made pews. Further solidifying its role as a community hub. A church hall was added in 1961, also built by volunteers under the chairmanship of Ken Fisk. This hall quickly became central to village life, hosting Sunday school, weddings, social gatherings, and the popular Annual Church Bazaar, fostering a strong spirit of acceptance and togetherness.
While Baptiste Village is not the same, the core values remain strong amongst those who are left from the earlier days. St. Matthew’s is more than a church, it’s a place of love, acceptance, and community spirit.
St. Andrew’s United Church
St. Andrew’s United Church in L’Amable began its life as a Presbyterian Church. The community of L’Amable saw growth in the early 1800s, leading families to seek a proper place of worship. The church, built on land donated by Mr. J.R. Tait, was constructed between 1879 and 1881. Services began in 1881 with a congregation of 22 families.
The original floor and homemade pine pews are still present, a testament to the care and passion of those early families.
A beautifully constructed manse, which unfortunately burned in 1955, was built across the road. Before its construction, summer students serving the congregation would stay with the family of Mr. J.R. Tait, including Mr. A.W. Gordon in 1907-1908.
In 1925, with the union of the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations, the church became St. Andrew’s L’Amable United Church. In the 1950s, when the church was nearly sold, concerned community members rallied to restore the building, ensuring its continued use despite prior periods of limited services. Their hard work allowed the church to once again become an active place of worship with regular services and a Sunday school.
In 1969, St. Andrew’s L’Amable United Church joined the Bancroft United Communities of Faith. While there have been times of limited service, the church continues to play a role in the community. After a decline in attendance, the last regular meeting was held in December 2010. However, the church remains active, hosting summer events such as a Labyrinth, a Strawberry Social with music, a Blessing of the Animals, and a Gospel Sing. The church is available to rent for special occasions, such as weddings or funerals.
Many in the community feel a strong familial connection to St. Andrew’s and hope it will continue to serve as a meeting place in the future.