1

The Township of Reach was visited by the Rev. Adam Elliot, a travelling Anglican Missionary in Upper Canada in 1832-33. He reported that "the settlers in Reach are yet compartively few and a small proportion of them are members of the Church. I read prayers and preached in that neighbourhood three times to very attentive congregations."

The next reference to Church of England services in the area occurs in 1858 and 1859 when we learn that the village of Manchester, in the Township of Reach, was served from the early mission of Columbus in nearby Whitby Township under the Rev. Thos. Taylor. In 1861 Rev. William Grant was appointed missionary to Port Perry and the next year to the mission of Reach and Uxbridge. In the summer months of 1864, three divinity students from Trinity college, Toronto reported that after holding services in the mission "there are many anxious enquiries about the arrangements made to give them regular service after we leave, and we are continually urged to take immediate steps for going on with the building of a church at once. There can be little doubt that if an active man were to take the lead in affairs two churches might soon be erected, one at Prince Albert and another at Greenbank." By 1867 Rev. R. S. Forneri was posted to the Mission of Uxbridge, Greenbank and Prince Albert.

Rev. Forneri led the establishment of St. Agnes at Greenbank. The Port Perry Standard detailed that "quite an enthusiastic meeting of Churchmen, belonging to the Greenbank congregation, was held upon the 5th instant, in the Temperance Hall, for the purpose of taking measures for the erection of a church. Mr. Ianson rose and said that he would give a lot upon which to build a church. This, however was not the extent of his liberality, for stepping up to the table he put down his name for the handsome sum of $200. Messrs. Ganton and Tait and Dr. Knowlys followed with liberal subscriptions - others put down lesser amounts. The whole when added up showed nearly $400, exclusive of the ground, which is valued at $100. The structure will be of frame, boarded perpendicularly. The pointed window, roof and belfry sufficiently indicate the character of the building. The dimensions are nave 40 ft. by 28 ft., chancel 14 ft. by 14 ft. This is one of the best starts which has been made in this direction of which we are cognizant, and we trust to hear of the completion of the "Church of St. Agnes" as we believe it is to be called, bell and all, in the enterprising village of Greenbank."

The exact start of construction is not known but a Port Perry newspaper article from 1934 states that "by late summer of 1870 a neat church edifice was erected theron under the supervision of Alvery Beecroft." The land donated by John Ianson and his wife Margaret was transferred to the Incorporated Synod of Toronto in Nov. 17, 1870 in a deed which states "for the support of St. Agnes Episcopal Church, built on a part of the said land." The site is described in the deed as 6500 sq. ft. in the village of Greenbank, in the Township of Reach and County of Ontario, being part Village Lot No. 2 as set out by William Edward Yarnold, Prov. land surveyor of the said village of Greenbank.

By 1884 the congregation had declined so drastically that the Church was closed in 1887. It reopened in 1910 and continued until 1917 when it was again closed. In June 1920, William Phoenix offered to purchase the building for $250 to use as a community hall. It is still in use today.

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First frame school in Greenbank
c. 1885
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
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3

Greenbank Anglican Church
c. 1870
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
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4

John Ianson
c. 1880
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
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5

Margaret Ianson
c. 1875
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
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Home of John Ianson
c. 1875
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
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7

The Greenbank Hall
1868
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada
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TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Aurora Hall

8

St. Agnes Stained Glass
1868
Greenbank, Reach Twp., Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Aurora Hall