About

Our history is largely the story of courageous and independent pioneers, strong in faith and the base upon which the community of Kingsville was built.

The Church of the Epiphany was originally a log hut erected in a forest clearing. An actual church building was planned in 1852 and hewn from nearby oak trees. The original church was named St John's. It contained box-type pews, wood-burning stoves, kerosene lamps and the choir stalls and gallery were in the back of the church. 

PRESENT CHURCH

In 1889, a new church was planned and the log hut was to become the parish hall. In January 1891, during the season of Epiphany, ground was broken for the new church. 

In June 1891, the cornerstone was laid by former Rector, Rev. J W Ashman, whose son is buried in front of the south wall of the church. On All Saints' Day, Nov 1, 1891, Bishop Baldwin dedicated the church and the name of the parish was changed from St. John's to Epiphany, to commemorate the day on which the sod was turned. Construction took six years to complete. 

The church has progressed much since that time. In 1903, the small one-manual hand-pumped organ was removed and a two-manual organ pumped by water power was installed at a cost of $1,550. In 1949, a more up-to-date organ was installed and dedicated to those who fell in both World Wars. 

Our pipe organ was entirely rebuilt and a new console, which includes a midi system, was installed in 2012.

THE PROPERTY

Buried in our cemetery behind the church are many notable figures from Kingsville's' history, including the King family. Colonel King is not only the namesake for our community but was also the first Warden of our parish. The tombstones in the cemetery mark the years from 1851.

At the northern edge of Epiphany's cemetery stood a magnificent black oak tree. In 1982 it was estimated to be at least 200 years old. In that year, this oak tree was placed on the honour roll of trees in the Province of Ontario, as the largest black oak in the province. The provincial assessment used various criteria including height, trunk circumference five feet above the ground, and the extent of the branches.

It was with much heartache and after much debate that all of the trees in the cemetery and in front of the church were removed in the fall of 2023. A number of serious storms over the course of the year had caused serious damage to the trees, including the majestic black oak. During the major storm in August of that year a number of large limbs fell from tge trees and a couple of trees fell, causing significant damage to a number of headstones. We were extremely blessed that no damage was done to the church itself. Two separate and independent consultants examined the trees and warned us of the extensive interior rot and that, combined with the weather-related damage already sustained, another significant storm would likely topple all of the trees and incur extensive damage to the church itself. 

In 2002 we added a new heating and air conditioning system to our church. A plaque in our front garden was placed by the Masons to commemorate their 100th anniversary. 

In 2003, major renovations to our chancel area brought our rail and kneelers to the entrance of the chancel.

New red carpet was laid throughout the church and our altar was brought from the wall so the celebrant may face the congregation for the Eucharist. In 2004, a sound system was donated and added to the church and the parish hall.  Brighter and more cost-effective lighting was added to the nave and chancel, completing our major worship space renovations. 

In the summer of 2012, the murals and the entire interior of the church were repainted and repaired.

In 2012, the organ was rebuilt by Pole and Kingham (with the addition of a midi system) for $65,000. Its inaugural recital was performed by Angus Sinclair on Sept 23.

In the spring of 2017, the entire church and hall were refitted with LED lighting to not only brighten our space but to help us to conserve energy.

The Kingsville cenotaph originally sat on our front lawn was built in 1934. In 1990 it was moved to the property of the Kingsville branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, on Division Street South.

Fundraising began in 1989 to build the present parish hall, completed in 1991. The lower level, which is mobility-accessible via a ramp at the back of the church, holds parish offices, a boardroom, a choir room, four Sunday School rooms, a nursery, and wheelchair-accessible washrooms, while the upstairs consists of the main church hall and the Diana Yanick Memorial Kitchen.

The church roof was redone in 2006, and again in 2022.

The furnaces for the church hall were replaced in the spring of 2008.

The kitchen received a new industrial gas stove, new flooring and paint in the summer of 2007.

The rectory was sold in August 2005.

The new parish sign was installed at Christmas 2009.

In January 2010, the vacant lot to the north of the cemetery was purchased for a new parking lot and the project was completed in December 2011. The parking lot was dedicated in June 2017 to the memory of the late Colin Bradley, who was instrumental in the project.

In July 2012, the entire church interior was repainted and cracks repaired in all the walls.

In August 2012 the pipe organ installation began: completed and dedicated in September of that year.

In 2017, all of the interior and exterior lighting was converted to LED thanks to a gift from the Remark family.

In 2018, the Church bell, which is original to the church, was repaired thanks to the Tregenza family.*

In the summer of 2018, the wood doors of the church were repaired and stained.

In the fall of 2019, the ACW purchased an industrial dishwasher for the church kitchen and our Parish hall side entryway was rebuilt to code for safety.

In June 2021, we reopened to in-person services post-pandemic; we had been working hard to record services every week and distribute them to our parish family via email and the internet.

On November 1, 2021, Rev. Canon Bryan Girling retired as the longest serving Rector in our history.

* Our church bell was found to have a problem with the hammer that with the cold weather of winter could easily crack this over century old treasure. Thanks to the generous donation from Don & Hazel the clapper was removed and sent to the original crafting company in Pennsylviania for a newly molded clapper. It was installed in time to ring Easter Sunday when we rededicated the bell with an ancient tradition of ringing it once for every year since the resurrection.

RECTORY

THE RECTORY was SOLD August 2005. Our Rector now owns a house here in Kingsville. A special Vestry voted in favour of selling the 124 year old building.

During the incumbency of Canon Matthew (1884-1891) the present brick rectory and stable (now a garage) were completed at a cost of $3,525.00. The home still has 5 bedrooms, hardwood floors, but of course has running water (!) with 2 bathrooms and a U shaped kitchen.The large decks are a joy to sit on to watch the bird life in the mature trees. The home was sold to a private owner in the Summer of 2005 when a pool and new bathroom were installed. 2013 the house was up for resale again and sold in the spring of 2014, then again in 2021