THE ANGLICAN CHURCH The above picture is one of our very oldest churches and is among the oldest buildings within the Village of Norwood. According to a record made by Dr. Thomas Poole, written in 1866 while the Doctor was serving as an Inspector of Public Schools in this County, this Church, although not completely finished, was opened for public Worship in 1860, just One Hundred years ago. As in the case of all other denominations, of that period, the first meetings were held in the homes of the early settlers, moving from home to home as circumâ€" stances could be arranged and occasionally in the "Mill House" which was, times without number, thrown open by Mr. Pierce and his Wife, the generous host and hostess to everyone in the new and expanding community. Then, for a time, services were held in the old "Orange Hall" on Belmont street. The first Clergyman to conduct those ser, ï¬Â§es (so far as I can ascertain) was the Rev. Mark Burnham of Scott"s Plains (Peterborough); or many years visited Norwood at intervals of three weeks, and conducted services greatly ,to the satisfaction and profit of the memâ€" bers of that church in this growing neighborhood. This labor he performed gratuitously, and quite often at great personal inconvenience". In 18514- the Rev. John Hilton became the resident incumbent and it was during his brief period in that capacity, that preparations for the erection of a "handsome church of Brick" were commenced. Mr. Hilton was removed, in about two years, to another ï¬eld of endeavour and Mr. Burnham resumed his former role for a further period of some years. Other Clergymen mentioned as holding services at various intervals during those early days were, The Venerable Archdeacon Wilson of Grafton and Rural Dean Beck. The next resident Clergyman, of records, was the Rev. M. A. Farrer who came to reside at Westwood and was made Incumbent of the Three local Churches, Westwood, Hastings and Norwood. Mr. Farrer was succeeded in turn, by the Rev. Edward Soward and the Rev. John McLeary for comparatively short terms when they were followed by the Rev. John Gibson who, apparently, remained for several years for it was during his Incumbency that the present Rectory was erected in 1834. Shortly after the opening of this church, the tower was completed and, it is written, "by the exertions of an estimable Lady of the congregation, a Bell was installed which at morning, noon and evening gave forth its sonorous vibrations which were heard for many miles around in the adjacent community". The Chancel was added in 1891 and in the following year the Stained Glass Windows were installed by the Dominion Stained Glass Company of Toronto, thus this church was comâ€" pleted in a manner very much as it is at the time of this writing. It has, of course, received constant attention in the matter of renewed furnishings and the necessary decorating. with the addition of a Parish Hall, this year, the Anglican people of this community have clearly shown what has been and what can be accomplished by faithful adherence and constant toil to maintain and to increase the heritage handed down to them by their forefathers in a farâ€"away land. _4