A HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD




Prior to 1870 there was only one clergyman of the Church of England north of Woodstock and this was the rector of Andover who was also responsible for Victoria and Madawaska.

In 1871 the Rev. Leo Hoyt became the rector of Andover and he established three or four seperate missions, one of them being the Mission of Wicklow and Wilmot which included Simonds, Peel and Aberdeen. The first missionary in charge of this mission was the Rev. William Russell Almond, appointed in 1874. He returned to England due to failing health ad was succeeded in 1875 by the Rev. J. E. Flewelling.

Under the leadership of Mr. Flewelling the Mission grew and he remained in the Mission until he resigned and accepted a call to Canterbury in 1899.

The first church to be built in the Mission was St. Barnabas in Wicklow(Greenfield) which was consecrated by Bishop John Medley in June of 1876. Eight years later, St. James Church, Centreville was consecrated by Bishop Medley.

The Rev. E. W. Simonson became rector of the Mission in 1900. At this time a new rectory was purchased in Centreville. This rectory was used until 1962 when the present rectory was constructed in Florenceville.

For many years under the leadership of the Rev.J. E. Flewelling, services had been held in Florenceville, but there was no church building. Services were held in a public hall situated over the general store, owned and operated by John L. Saunders, a member of the congregation.

Following the arrival of the Rev. E. W. Simonson as rector in 1900, the decision was made to build a church in East Florenceville. One of those instrumental in having the congregation arrive at this decision was J.(Jack) H. Jameson, local harness manufacturer. Plans and specifications for the new church were drawn up by Chas. J. Smalley of Stickney. Within a year of making their decision, a plot of land had been selected and purchased and the congregation had raised over $2,000. Then, on Sunday, November 3, 1901, Bishop T. Kingdon consecrated the Church of the Good Shepherd. It is reported that "the church was crowded beyond its capacity with church people and also their many freinds of the various religious bodies from these and neighbouring parishes". A Confirmation Service was held in the evening at which time 11 candidates received the Laying on of Hands.

Subsequently with the addition of the Church of the Good Shepherd, the Parish became known as the Parish of Wicklow, Wilmot and Peel.

Throughout the years the church has been blessed by the work of the ladies in the Women's Auxiliary, which in due course became known as the Anglican Church Women. There was also a Branch of the Junior Auxiliary for many years. Sunday School has always been a vital part of the ministry and at this point in time we have a small but active Sunday School.

The Church of the Good Shepherd has undergone minor changes since it was built. The church basement was brought to completion in 1961. Over the years the church has been heated by various means and in 1986 the oil furnace was replaced with electric heat. In 1986 it was decided to renovate the basement hall and on October 29, 1986, the Most Rev. H. L. Nutter dedicated the newly renovated Hall.

To help commemorate the 85th Anniversary, a Parish Mission was held in the Church of the Good Shepherd, October 22-26, 1986, under the leadership of the Rev. Canon Philip and Janet Williston of Chatham, N.B. and Captain Bruce Smith, Church Army, and a host of others. A truly blessed event!



The following is a list of rectors who have served in the Parish of Wicklow, Wilmot and Peel, including the Church of the Good Shepherd.

      The Rev. W. Russell Almond                             1874-1875
      The Rev. J. E. Flewelling                                    1875-1899
      The Rev. E. W. Simonson                                   1900-1906
      The Rev. Walter P. Dunham                               1906-1909
      The Rev. P. J. A. Francis                                     1910-1911
      The Rev. H. F. Rigby                                            1913-1918
      The Rev. J. Rees-Jones                                      1919-1920
      The Rev. C. R. Canam                                          1921-1922
      The Rev. J. Stead                                                 1922-1923
      The Rev. E. R. G. Bridgewater                            1924-1926
      The Rev. H. E. Keely                                            1926-1927
      The Rev. Arthur E. Coleman                               1927-1931
      The Rev. Donald M. Brown                                  1932-1939
      The Rev. Robert P. Dann                                     1940-1941
      The Rev. J. N. Marks                                            1942-1943
      The Rev. C. V. Giggey                                         1944-1952
      The Rev. Hubert Doody                                       1953-1961
      The Rev. William J Whitla                                    Summer of 1961
      The Rev. Roy E. Farnham                                   1961- 1965
      The Rev. George C. Lemmon                             1965-1969
      The Rev. E. Lloyd Lake                                        1969-1973
      The Rev. Jon R. Lownds                                      Summer of 1973
      The Rev. David Jackson                                      1973-1977
      The Rev. Canon L. J. Galey                                 1977-198?
      The Rev. Charles Smart                                       198?-1992
      The Rev. Terrance Doncaster                              Summer of 1992 
      The Rev. Chris van Buskirk                                 1992- Present