Our Parish History:

St. John's Church, Parish of Horton had its beginnings in the late 1700s through the work of the English Missionary Society, commonly known as the SPG - Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts. The first missionary in this area was the Rev'd. Joseph Bennett who lived in Windsor; he was appointed missionary of the townships of Newport, Falmouth, Horton and Cornwallis at a stipend of 70 pounds a year.
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From these beginnings, gradually lands and responsibilities were divided and rearranged until St. John's Church was built in 1818 on land donated to the Parish of Horton by Mr. Stephen Brown DeWolf.  The deed is dated January 01, 1817, and describes the conveyance of the Church lot from Mr. DeWolf to the Right Rev'd. Robert Stanser D.D., the second Bishop of Nova Scotia. 

The church was built by Mr. Jehiel Brown and was completed in June of 1818. The first service was held on June 18th of that year. The church and burial grounds were consecrated on August 10, 1826 by the Right Rev'd. John Inglis, the third Bishop of Nova Scotia.

The building was originally constructed in the Georgian architectural style, similar to St. Mary's Church, Auburn, Kings County and Old Holy Trinity Church Middleton, Annapolis County. Originally there was no chancel, the walls were plaster, and the windows plain glass, rounded at the top in the Georgian style. There was a gallery above the entrance which was at the west end with windows on either side. these have been replaced by lights which some have referred to as "window lights."

"Interior of the church prior to 1887"

​Sometime after 1887 major renovations were carried out: the gallery was removed and the plaster covered with wood, the entry-way changed, the windows were gradually replaced with stained glass. ​
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Three crosses have been erected on the church building: the Latin cross on the bell cote, the Celtic cross at the east end of the nave, and the Heraldic cross at the east end of the chancel.

Some notable firsts of St. John's:
- The first baptism in the church was of Hannah, the daughter of John and Barbara Hopkins on July 08, 1823. 
- The first marriage recorded was that of John Whidden and Lavinia Chipman, August 16, 1823. 
- The first recorded burial in the churchyard is that of Christian Jane Harris, age 44, July 20, 1825.
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All of these entries in the record book were made by the Rev'd Joseph Wright. As far as is known, this clergyman became the first Rector of the Parish of Horton in 1823. 
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In 1830, the centre of Upper Horton area, known as Mud Creek, was renamed Wolfville.

     Some notable dates:

​1884: record of the first attendance of a woman at an annual meeting of the Parish. (It was
         not until 1910 that women were granted the right to vote at an Annual Parish Meeting.)
1893: the Parish purchased land at the corner of Orchard Ave. and Main St., on which a
         Rectory was built.
1899: the Rev'd. Richard F. Dixon was appointed rector of the parish, an appointment he
         held until his retirement in 1930.  At this time the Rectory was sold to him for
         $3,500.00, and the Sir Charles Townshend property located adjacent to and east of
         the churchyard was purchased for the sum of $5,000.00. This home continues to be
         the Rectory for the Parish of Horton. 
1900: a hitching rail was located along the eastern portion of the front of the church. 
1912:  a new furnace was installed with funds collected for that purpose.
1930: insurance was purchased for memorial windows, organ, church and furniture. 
1951:  the parish became self-supporting.
1957: a committee was formed to have a new Parish Hall built. In 1960 this Hall was erected
         on the site of the old one at 189 Main St.. Construction of the new hall represented the
         largest investment in buildings since the purchase of the Rectory in 1930. 
1975: a Casavant Organ was installed through moneys provided by Miss Margaret Troyte-
         Bulloch in memory of her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Hugh A. Troyte-Bulloch.
1976: a portion of the funds received from the Primrose Bequest were used for construction
         of a cement walkway with steps and wrought iron railings to go from the church steps
         to the sidewalk. This is now known as the "Primrose Path."
1978: an addition was made to the Church and was undertaken with the assistance of Mr.
         Ronald Peck, an historical reconstruction architect. This addition features a baptistry,
         Sunday School rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen area and a large meeting room with
         skylights. It was dedicated on June 18, 1986 by the Bishop, the Right Reverend Leonard
         F. Hatfield.
1993: the 175th Anniversary of St. John's was celebrated with a special service followed by a
         Garden Party on the church grounds. 
2012: the Parish Hall was sold, with proceeds going to the renovation of both the rectory
         and the church.
2013-14: renovations took place in the church and in the communal space attached to the
         ​church.
2018: in June we celebrated our 200th Anniversary.
2021: the East (Storrs') Window was relit by the generous donation of Camille Herbin, in
         ​​memory of Jack, Gail, Fred, and Pam Herbin.
2023: Warden Cameron Finlay chaired the installation of a new AV system for livestreaming.

Pictures taken from Saint John’s Church, Parish of Horton, Wolfville, Nova Scotia 1818 - 1968 by Basil Courtney Silver.

Rectors Past & Present

Rev'd. R.F. Dixon
Rev'd. G. A. Ernst
Rev'd. F. W. Fry
Rev'd. W. R. Martell
Rev'd. J. A. Munroe
Rev'd. W. A. Trueman
Rev'd. Canon H. D. Hergett
Rev'd. Cathy Lee Cunningham
Right Rev'd. Sandra Fyfe
​Rev'd. Nicole Uzans

1899-1930
1931-1936
1936-1954
1954-1962
1962-1968
1968-1972
1972-2000
2000-2008
2009-2020
2021-

The History of Our Stained Glass Windows

NEW PROJECT - WINDOW LIGHTING

On April 7th, the Wardens announced a new project for the windows on the north side of the church to be backlit so that the stained glass might be better appreciated by congregants in the pews. This project, fully funded by an anonymous donor, will highlight the beauty and memorials of these north windows - an original geometric design, the St John memorial window, and the St Dorcas memorial window. In the sunroom beyond these windows, the glass will be covered by lighting and a panel, which might be made of wood to blend in with the existing wooden walls, made into notice board areas, or made into places for art.

This project should be completed by Summer 2024.

​Questions? Ask the wardens at [email protected].

The east window over the Altar was given by The Very Rev'd. John Storrs, Dean of Rochester Cathedral, and his brothers and sisters in memory of their parents - The Rev'd. John Storrs, Rural Dean Avon and Rector of Cornwallis and Horton for 35 years and Melanie, his wife. The two cherubs are pictures of Dean Storrs' sons, one of whom was Sir Ronald Storrs, one time civil Governor of Jerusalem, and the other was Captain Gerald Storrs who was killed in the Gallipoli campaign.
          In 1891, the Mite Society fitted the church with plain stained glass windows. The Mite Society was a women's group which collected mites to pay indebtedness on repairs to the church. In 1944 this group was re-organized and renamed the Sanctuary Guild.
          Over the years most of the stained glass windows donated by the Mite Society have been replaced with memorial stained glass windows. One original side window remains, along with the stained glass window at the rear of the church.
          The stained glass windows tell their own story.  Only a few of them have the date they were installed but one can surmise the approximate dates by the death dates of the persons honoured.

Mary and Martha
To the Glory of God, and in Honour of the women, past and present who have served this parish. This was a gift of the ACW on the 175th Anniversary of the opening of the church.  Dedicated in 1994.

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Dorcas: Full of Good Works
To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of Georgina S. H. Wheaton, who departed this life August 28, 1946. Installed by her family June 15, 1986. 

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West Window

Saint James 
In memory of Frederick Brown who died January 10, 1896 and his wife Lydia who died Oct. 10, 1903.

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Saint John
To the Glory of God, and in affectionate memory of Thomas Tuzo, who for 40 years was an earnest and devoted member of this church. This window was placed by his many friends. Easter, 1899.

They Shall See His Face
To the Honour and Glory of God, and in loving memory of Joseph Dwight Sherwood: born 1880, died 1926.  

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Children's Window 
To the Glory of God and in celebration of the children of St. John's Anglican Church. Gift of the Sunday School. Dedicated in 1999. 

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In addition to the stained glass windows, one should note the memorial plaques which line the walls on either side of the church. There are also two Honour Rolls celebrating members of the congregation who gave their lives for Canada during the two World Wars, 1914 -1918 and 1939 -1945. In our memorial book, found in the church, the names of merchant seaman from this area of Nova Scotia who served during World War II are recorded.

Historical information for this page compiled by H. J. Whidden.