Christ Church Port Albert
136 Years of Community BuildingFor 136 years, Christ Church has stood at the heart of Port Albert, not just as a place of worship, but as a living reminder of the resilience, and togetherness that built this community. Long before the brick walls were raised in 1889, neighbours gathered in log homes and schools to mark life’s most important moments; baptisms, weddings, and farewells.
Today, Christ Church remains an anchor of community life. It holds our shared history, celebrates our milestones, and offers a quiet space for reflection and belonging whether you belong to the congregation or simply pass by its doors. Small rural churches like this one remind us that community spirit doesn’t depend on size or membership. Community grows from shared care, open doors, and the continuity of people coming together across generations.
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Help keep Christ Church at the heart of your community.
Read the article from the Goderich Signal Star written by David Yates for the Christ Church 135th Anniversary.
135+ Year History of Christ Church
Late 1830’s
Christ Christ Congregation
The roots of the congregation is closely linked with one of the earliest settlers of Port Albert, John Hawkins. The Village was surveyed by W. Hawkins in the late 1830’s.
1841
Log house & mill
John Hawkins and his family arrived in 1841 and he soon constructed his log house and mill. As there was no clergyman available for several years, he conducted funeral services for friends, and neighbours.
1859
Rev. Robert Roberts
With the number of Anglicans in the area growing steadily, a petition for a clergyman was answered in 1859 when a Missionary Priest, the Rev. Robert Roberts, started to minister to the parishes of ACW. Services were held in log houses and schools and the Union Church (see below).
- First Baptism – Feb 26th, 1859 – Margaret Jane Dougherty.
- First Wedding – Jan. 12th, 1860 – John McClean & Elizabeth McQuillin.
1867
The Union Church
The Union Church was built in approx. 1867 on Hwy 21 (#88352) where Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians came together to worship.
From 1868 – 1924 it was the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and on June 10th, 1925, church union was consummated and it became known as St. Andrew’s United Church of Canada. This church was closed in 1969, torn down, and the land returned to farmland. There is a cairn erected on the former church site – #88352 Bluewater Hwy – east side – south of the Village, right past the treed area – approx 1/2 to 3/4 mile on Hwy 21.
1889
Christ Church
The building of Christ Church was led by the Rev.J. Carrie, and completed in 1889.
- First Baptism in Christ Church – Apr. 13th, 1890 – Sarah Ethel McConnell, daughter of Edward and Charlotte McConnelll
- First Marriage in Christ Church – Wm Johnston and Elizabeth Simpson on June 18th, 1890.
Christ Church has always been combined with several other congregations with one clergyperson. Over the years other churches in this union have been St. Peter’s Lucknow (now closed); St. Pauls, Ripley (now closed); St. Pauls, Dungannon (now closed) and the Church of Ascension, Kinlough (now closed).
A major turning point came in 1972 when a decision was finally made to close St. Pauls in Dungannon, with many of its congregates came to join Christ Church. At the same time, this church became a two-point charge with St. George’s Goderich. This arrangement is still in effect today.
The Treasures Within and Around Christ Church
Over the years, Christ Church has been shaped by the hands and hearts of its congregation. Each feature tells a story of faith, generosity, and remembrance. Many of these cherished pieces were donated in memory of loved ones or to mark milestones in the life of the church. Together, they form a living record of the community.
The Bell Outside: formerly in the steeple of the church was installed in its present location in 1964.
The Cross on the top of the Church – was installed in1964.
The Wrought Iron Lamps on either side of the Front Doors were installed in 1988 and were gifted by Tom and Margaret Young and Viola Petrie.
The Stained Glass Windows within the sanctuary, and the chancel were given as memorial gifts with the names of the giver, and in whose memory named on the base or beside each window.
The large ‘Come Unto Me’ stained glass window over the main door, a gift of the children & grand-children of Agnes Foster in honour of her 100th birthday on Oct 25, 1988.
The Baptismal Font a gift of the congregation in 1920.
The Quilts hanging on the back walls of the sanctuary quilted by the ladies of the church to commemorate & celebrate our years as a congregation.
Please read the plaque beside each quilt.
The Oak Wall Cabinet on the left side of the Sanctuary donated by the congregation of the Nile United Church when it closed in 2011. This cabinet was made by Graham McNee, the father of Donna Hayden. The contents (chalice & paten) were given in memory of John Green in 1950.
Baptismal Gown – in glass case hanging on the wall was worn by the children of Thomas Hawkins and his wife, Christine Bennett. Their children were born between the years of 1856 & 1878. There were 12 children all born in Port Albert and christened in Christ Church. One of their children, Walter Bennett was the first person ordained from Huron County.
The Lectern Lamp (right side) was a gift of Fred & Marnie Pulham.
The Lectionary Book was a gift in memory of Ross & Betty Berlet.
The Keyboard: was purchased in 2011 by the ACW Ladies.
The Altar Cross in the chancel was given in 1950 in memory of Isobel Hawkins Tigert.
The Large Brass Plate on the right hand front of the chancel was given in memory of George & Mae Adams by their children – Harold Adams, Harbourn Adams, Charlie Adams & Margaret Young.
The Oak Cabinet on the left hand side of the chancel was given by Isabel McBride in memory of her parents, Ila & Walter Tigert.
The Red Hanging Chancel Lamp was given by the congregation in 1992.
Wooden Cross – on the wall at the front of the church: The cross was originally donated by the McMillan family to the St. Andrew’s United Church of Canada, Port Albert (see below) then to the Nile United Church. When the Nile United Church closed in 2011, the cross was offered to Christ Church and consecrated in July 2011.
The Banner – on the wall at the front of the church: This was presented to our church to commemorate the 150 Anniversary (1857 – 2007) of the Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Huron.
The Following Poem was written by a former Rector – Rev. H. L. Jennings on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary.
Christ Church Up on the Hill
A hundred years ago,
A Minister came to the Port,
To bring the Word of God,
To serve the living Lord.
Down the road the Union Church stands,
Built by folk so long ago,
Keeping watch along the highway,
As the travellers come and go.
Wherever I may wander,
By vale or rippling rill,
My thoughts return to twilight
To Christ Church up on the Hill.
There it stands in holy grandeur
On land that had been given
With the turret pointing upward,
Like a finger up to heaven.
When the bell will call for worship,
On a lovely Sunday morn,
I’ll be hastening to the service
From the house where I was born.
Here within this sacred building
I gave myself to God
Placed my soul within His keeping
As the way of life I trod
Now today I see the faces
I have seen so oft before,
As we gather here to worship
As we did in days of yore.
Methinks I hear the music
Of the organ soft and low
As they bore our precious loved ones
Through the old familiar doors
I recall the solemn service
As we bid our last good-bye,
E’er we laid them down so gently
In the sacred plot near by.
When we gather home in glory,
In the land where all is well,
We will thank the Lord who gave us
This Christ Church up on the Hill.
Help Keep Christ Church at the Heart of Our Community
For 135 years, Christ Church has been a place where neighbours come together to celebrate, to grieve, to give thanks, and to find peace. Generations have gathered within these walls, marking life’s most meaningful moments.
As with many small rural churches, maintaining this historic building and supporting its ministry depends entirely on the generosity of those who care about keeping it alive not only for worship, but as a place that continues to serve the wider community.
If Christ Church holds a place in your heart, your family’s history, or your vision for Port Albert’s future, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps preserve this beautiful landmark and ensure it remains a welcoming presence for years to come.
Donate online or send eTransfers to: christchurchportalbert@diohuron.org