In 1783 Loyalist Settlers came to Rawdon, in Hants Co., NS. They came from North and South Carolina, where they served under Lord Rawdon, during the American Revolution.
Reverend William Colsell King, who was one of the earliest Anglican preachers, came to Rawdon in 1797. He recounted to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He stated that the Township of Rawdon was a wilderness, about 15 miles square, with about 45 families.
Reverend King also said that there was a nice little Church lately erected, at the expense of the Government. The little Church that Reverend Kings referred to was the first Church built in Rawdon. It's cost was £102.
On March 28th, 1809, the Church was partially consumed by fire. Although the immediate damage was repaired, the Church seemed to be in constant need of repairs from then on.
When Reverend Thomas Maynard arrived in 1843, he found the Church in a decaying condition. He resolved to build a new one. He would certainly have had the support of his congregation, because he was very interested in visiting, and very earnest in preaching, his whole flock [was] sincerely attached to him.
On March 18th, 1845, a special meeting was planned. Reverend Maynard chaired the meeting, with the wardens and vestry. The vestry members were: Mr. Thomas Fenton, Mr. William Withrow, Mr. George Weir, Mr. Thomas Moxon, Mr. Isaac Withrow, Mr. William Guthrie, and Mr. David Withrow. This meeting was called to make plans for the construction of the present St. Paul's Church.
A building committee was appointed, consisting of Mr. Isaac Withrow, a member of the vestry, and Messr's Thomas Fenton and John Smith.
It was planned that the new Church be erected and completed with as little delay as possible. Also that it should be built near the South East end corner of the present burial ground as possible. It was also planned that said Church should be built as near as possible to the plan submitted by Mr. William Withrow.
Mr. William Withrow was a member of the vestry. He may have been a builder, but this was unlikely as he was not appointed to the building committee.
Further plans also stipulated that the building should contain a vestry, and that there should be a spire attached to the new church.
To finance construction of the new Church, a subscription list signed by 80 families was drawn up. The pledges totalled £125 and much of the sum was to include donated items, such as shingles, lumber, and work.
On July 29, 1845, the frame was raised. At a special meeting less than a year later, on April 3, 1846, it was decided that the inside of St. Paul's was to be painted and paid for by subscriptions.
The new Church was officially consecrated by the Bishop on the following year, June 13, 1847.
The old Church was taken down and on June 19th was sold in lots, to various persons, for seven pounds, five shillings and five pence. This money was used to repair the barn on the Glebe property.
In 1864, the first mention of a choir was made. Notice was given that The New Versions of Hymns used the past months be continued, instead of psalms that were previously used.
In 1865, a special meeting was called in May to consider a notice from the Diocesan Church Society proposing to sell "The Glebe Farm" in Rawdon. A paper was drawn up and signed by the Wardens, Vestrymen, and Parishioners and fowarded to the said society.
In reply the Parish of Rawdon stated "that the said farm and Rectory was valued at two hundred dollars on salary." The value of the same was between one thousand and fourteen hundred dollars, which sum put on interest at six percent would be at most but eighty-four dollars. After mature consideration it was not deemed expedient to sell, as it might at some future date (owing to its situation as being on interesting roads, and being in the neighbourhood of several places of worship) be much more valuable than at present.
It was then agreed to sell a lot of Glebe land in South Rawdon, and the Rector was asked to apply to the Diocese for permission [for] wardens to sell some. This was done and the land sold later.
In 1867 a new barn was built on the Rectory grounds costing $233.00.
In 1880 the grant to Clergy was raised to $175.00 providing the Parish gave a corresponding raise.
A paper was drawn up listing the amount each Church family was willing to pay for the support of the Parish, some to [pay] half-yearly.
In 1880 Reverend Mr. Sargent resigned and Reverend Mr. Ancient, well known for his heroic efforts in saving lives from the S.S. Atlantic, wrecked near Halifax, was elected.
The Church was shingled and painted by a two year loan from Mr. James Casey, who paid one-third of the cost.
In 1886 the Parish experienced a deep loss when two of her most zealous workers, Mr. James Casey and Mr. Daniel Anthony, were called to their rest. Also gratitude to God by whose guidance they were led to place the Parish among their legatees, thus providing spiritual need for those who came after them.
In 1887 plans were made for the new Rectory. Subscriptions were solicited to extend over four years, payable half-yearly. The new Rectory was completed, and in 1890 the Rector resigned and Reverend Mr. Spencer was elected. A horse barn was built the following year, work, money and materials were solicited and it was placed near the Church for the Parishioners horses.
In 1893 the removal of Mr. Joe Moxon from Rawdon was a [loss] to the Parish, where he had been Vestry Clerk and a zealous worker for many years.
News of his death a few years later was a grief to his many friends and Church workers. Letters of sympathy were sent to Mrs. Joseph Moxon and to Mrs. Thomas Moxon. A letter of heart felt thanks to Mrs. James Casey was sent for a most generous contribution to the funds.
In 1896, Reverend Mr. Spencer resigned and Reverend Mr. Ambrose filled the vacancy for a few months, when then Reverend Mr. Parry was elected. The Church and Rectory were insured, fund for the same being invested.
1783-1896 | 1903-1941 | Early Customs | The Church
