Celebrating the past and looking ahead at St. James in Parham

Feb 02, 2012

Photo: Rev. Nancy MacLeod, The Venerable William Clarke, Mark Howes and Lois Webster at the special 125th Anniversary Evensong service at St. James Anglican church in Parham

St. James Anglican Church in Parham was filled to capacity on January 25 for a special Evensong service in celebration of its 125th anniversary.

The occasion gave leaders of the church and members of the congregation a chance to both look back and also forward. Rev. Nancy MacLeod, who led the service, said afterward, “It was wonderful way to kick of the anniversary celebrations. We don't very often get to hold an Evensong service, which is such an important and traditional part of our church service and it was great to be able to test our voices and to chant some of the older favorite hymns.”

Rev. MacLeod was joined by Mark Howes and organist Gary Hawley. The guest speaker for the evening was The Venerable William (Bill) Clarke, Archdeacon of Kingston, who spoke in his sermon about the service being the “first act in a year long of celebrations”. Following his sermon, which was infused with humor, he said, “You here at St. James have had a pretty long race. It's been 125 laps. An anniversary is an opportunity to look back and see where you've been, and it’s a natural thing to want to relish in the joys and the history and the challenges that you've overcome. But it is also the most dangerous point in a race, as every good runner will tell you, 'Don't look back for too long cause you might trip’.”

He spoke about the tendency at anniversaries to sentimentalize the good old days. “An anniversary, yes it’s a time to look back and celebrate but it’s also a time to look forward and to keep striving forward... to energize and renew and raise up and go out into the world. That’s what it is really all about.”

In recognition of the 125th anniversary, congregation member Lois Webster has compiled a history of the church complete with photographs, and photocopies of numerous original church records as well as recent letters of congratulations from various church dignitaries and leaders addressed to the leaders and members of St. James.

A number of other special events have been planned throughout the year, which include visits by former ministers of the church and a fish fry supper in May. For more information call 613-561-8455 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.