About

Our history is largely the story of courageous and independent pioneers, strong in faith and the base of where the community of Kingsville was built.

The Church of the Epiphany (1852) originally was a log hut erected in a forest clearing. An actual church was planned in 1852 and hewn from nearby oak trees. The original church was named St John's. It contained box-type pews, wood-burning stoves, kerosene lamps and the choir stalls and gallery were in the back of the church. 

This picture of a school teacher on a donkey held by Rev Horton's son, was taken in front of the original St. John's Church. (Photo coming)

PRESENT CHURCH

Post War before cenotaph moved to the Legion (photo coming)

In 1889 a new church was built and the log hut became the parish hall. In January 1891, during the season of the Epiphany, the ground was broken for the new church. 

In June, 1891, the cornerstone was laid by former Rector, Rev. J W Ashman, whose son is buried in front of the south wall of the church. On All Saints Day, Nov 1, 1891, Bishop Baldwin dedicated the church and the name of the parish was changed from St. John's to Epiphany, to commemorate the day on which the sod was turned. Construction took 6 years to complete. 

The church has progressed much since that time. In 1903 the small one-manual hand-pumped organ was removed and a two-manual organ pumped by water power was installed at a cost of $1,550. In 1949 a more up-to-date organ was installed and dedicated to those who fell in both World Wars. The current 1889 church originally had the Kingsville cenotaph used to stand in front of the church; after WWII it was donated to the Royal Canadian Legion and moved to the Kingsville Branch on Division Street South.

Our pipe organ was entirely rebuilt and a new console, which includes a midi system, was installed in 2012.

We have a hand-carved stone baptismal font, and stained glass windows that depict the Christian life. 

THE PROPERTY

Buried in our cemetery behind the church are many notable figures from Kingsville's' history, including the King family. Colonel King is not only the namesake for our community but also the first Warden of our parish. The tombstones in the cemetery mark the years from 1851.

At the northern edge of Epiphany's cemetery stood a magnificent black oak tree. In 1982 it was estimated to be at least 200 years old. In that year, this oak tree was placed on the honour roll of trees in the Province of Ontario, as the largest black oak in the province. The provincial assessment used various criteria including height, trunk circumference five feet above the ground, and the extent of the branches.

It was with much heartache and after much debate that all of the trees in the cemetery and in front of the church were removed in the fall of 2023. A number of serious storms over the course of the year had caused serious damage to the trees, including the majestic black oak. During the major storm in August of that year a number of large limbs fell from tge trees and a couple of trees fell, causing significant damage to a number of headstones. We were extremely blessed that no damage was done to the church itself. Two separate and independent consultants examined the trees and warned us of the extensive interior rot and that, combined with the weather-related damage already sustained, another significant storm would likely topple all of the trees and incur extensive damage to the church itself. 

In 2002 we added a new heating and air conditioning system to our church. A plaque in our front garden was placed by the Masons to commemorate their 100th anniversary. 

2003 major renovations to our chancel area brought our rail and kneelers to the entrance of the chancel.

New red carpet was laid throughout the church and our altar was brought from the wall so the celebrant may face the congregation for the Eucharist. In 2004 the donation of a sound system was added not only the church but also the parish hall, also brighter and more cost effective lighting came to the naive and chancel completing our major worship space renovations. 

Summer 2012 the murals were repainted and repaired along with the entire interior of the church.

2012 The Organ was Rebuilt by Pole and Kingham with a Midi system for $65,000. Its inaugural recital was performed by Angus Sinclair Sept 23rd to a crowd of 222 people.

Spring 2017 the entire church and hall was refitted with LED lighting to not only brighten our space but to help us to conserve energy. Motion sensors to turn lights off and on were also a new feature.

Key Notes

The King Family plot in Epiphany Cemetery (photo coming)

The cenotaph that originally sat on our front grounds and was built in 1934, was moved in 1990 to the property of the Royal Canadian Legion, here in Kingsville.

Fund raising began in 1989 to Build the present parish hall, completed in 1991, and payments completed Jan 2002.

It now holds parish offices, a boardroom, choir room and 4 Sunday School rooms, a nursery, wheelchair accessible washrooms, a main hall and kitchen.

New Roof on the Church in 2006 complete with Copper Trim

Furnaces replaced for the parish hall spring 2008

Parish Hall received a new industrial gas stove, new flooring and Paint in Summer of 2007.

Rectory sold August 2005 - 2007 New owner sought Heritage Status

New Parish Sign Installed Christmas 2009

Lot purchased for a new parking lot January 2010 and the project completed Dec 2011. The parking lot was dedicated June 2017 to the memory of Colin Bradley who was instrumental in the project.

July 2012 the entire church interior was repainted and cracks repaired in all the walls.

August 2012 the pipe organ installation began: Sept 2012 Rebuilt organ is dedicated.

2017 Complete transformation to LED lighting thanks to a Renew gift from the Remark family.

2018 saw the repair of the Church bell, original to the church. Thank you to the Tregenza family.*

Summer 2018 the wood doors of the church were repaired and stained.

Fall 2019 the ACW purchased an Industrial Dishwasher for the church kitchen and our Parish hall side entryway was rebuilt to code for safety.

June 2021 we reopened from the pandemic.

Nov 1 2021, Father Bryan Girling retires as the longest serving Rector in our history.

* Our church bell was found to have a problem with the hammer that with the cold weather of winter could easily crack this over century old treasure. Thanks to the generous donation from Don & Hazel the clapper was removed and sent to the original crafting company in Pennsylviania for a newly molded clapper. It was installed in time to ring Easter Sunday when we rededicated the bell with an ancient tradition of ringing it once for every year since the resurrection.

RECTORY

THE RECTORY was SOLD August 2005. Our Rector now owns a house here in Kingsville. A special Vestry voted in favour of selling the 124 year old building.

During the incumbency of Canon Matthew (1884-1891) the present brick rectory and stable (now a garage) were completed at a cost of $3,525.00. The home still has 5 bedrooms, hardwood floors, but of course has running water (!) with 2 bathrooms and a U shaped kitchen.The large decks are a joy to sit on to watch the bird life in the mature trees. The home was sold to a private owner in the Summer of 2005 when a pool and new bathroom were installed. 2013 the house was up for resale again and sold in the spring of 2014, then again in 2021