St Andrews Church, Kingston
Encyclopedia
St. Andrew's Church is a Presbyterian Church
in Kingston, Ontario
. The church opened for service in 1822. St. Andrews was the center of Presbyterianism in Upper Canada
, and the church was instrumental in the establishment of Queen's College, later to become Queen's University
.
and Scottish immigrants
, St. Andrews Presbyterian was the first stone church in Kingston. Later renovations altered the classical Georgian lines of the structure giving it a distinctly Italianate character. The original church was built on a pine ridge considered of little value, and was “irredeemably ugly” To preside over this new church, the Reverend John Barclay of Kettle, Scotland, was selected to serve as Minister.
Up until 1831, Presbyterian Churches in Canada had no governing body, but there was pressure to create one. On June 9, 1831, St Andrew’s Church hosted a meeting of ministers and elders from four presbyteries: Quebec, Glengarry, Bathurst, and York. The result of this meeting was the creation of “The Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada
in connection with the Church of Scotland,” the forerunner to what is today the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
In 1839 it was recognized that there was a need for an educational facility in Kingston to provide training for Presbyterian ministers. Accordingly, a motion was passed at St. Andrew’s that led to the founding of Queen’s University, now one of the top ranked universities in Canada
. This motion was seconded by a young lawyer and member of the congregation, John Macdonald, who would become Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. The St. Andrew’s congregation was also instrumental in getting Queen's past the financial problems of its early years, with the second minister of St. Andrew’s, Reverend John Machar, serving as the unpaid president of this institution for seven years. In 1912 the formal connection between the university and church was severed, but many of the traditions at Queen's still have elements of its Scottish Presbyterian heritage.
On April 8, 1888, a fire sparked by the church furnace caused the structure to burn to the ground, leaving only the thick stone walls standing. These walls proved so sturdy that they had to be blown up to allow the new church to be built.
The current St. Andrews building was rebuilt in 1889, culminating with the impressive and handsome sanctuary, which can be seen today.
, many of them dating back to the building of the second church. These pieces were commissioned from Castle and Sons, a Montreal-based firm. Many were dedicated to the memory of prominent members of the congregation. One of the windows features the Arms of the Royal Military College of Canada
and the line 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
'. It was funded by alumni and friends of the college. A companion window, in a similar style, 'to the glory of God and in immortal memory of officers, noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
who fell in action the Worlds War 1914-18' and the text 'quo fas et glorius ducunt'.
The large south window, however, was paid for by the women’s home association. This window features one of the very few stories about St. Andrew
in the bible, taken from John 12:20-26. In this story, a group of Greeks ask Andrew and Phillip if they would be able to meet with Jesus.
In 1967, a smaller chapel was added on to the back of the sanctuary. This chapel contains nine stained glass windows featuring the life and acts of Jesus.
The Special Meals program at St. Andrews is most likely the best example of this involvement. This initiative commenced in January 1987, and is still running. Special Meals is a volunteer program that runs every Sunday to provide food for those in need.
In the summer of 2009, St. Andrews applied to the federal government for a grant to begin a tour guide
program at the church. This program has attracted almost 1000 people in 2009. In 2010, the tours brought in 1732 visitors. Tours were also run in 2011.
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. The church opened for service in 1822. St. Andrews was the center of Presbyterianism in Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
, and the church was instrumental in the establishment of Queen's College, later to become Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
.
History
Erected in 1830s by United Empire LoyalistsUnited Empire Loyalists
The name United Empire Loyalists is an honorific given after the fact to those American Loyalists who resettled in British North America and other British Colonies as an act of fealty to King George III after the British defeat in the American Revolutionary War and prior to the Treaty of Paris...
and Scottish immigrants
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
, St. Andrews Presbyterian was the first stone church in Kingston. Later renovations altered the classical Georgian lines of the structure giving it a distinctly Italianate character. The original church was built on a pine ridge considered of little value, and was “irredeemably ugly” To preside over this new church, the Reverend John Barclay of Kettle, Scotland, was selected to serve as Minister.
Up until 1831, Presbyterian Churches in Canada had no governing body, but there was pressure to create one. On June 9, 1831, St Andrew’s Church hosted a meeting of ministers and elders from four presbyteries: Quebec, Glengarry, Bathurst, and York. The result of this meeting was the creation of “The Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Canada
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
in connection with the Church of Scotland,” the forerunner to what is today the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
In 1839 it was recognized that there was a need for an educational facility in Kingston to provide training for Presbyterian ministers. Accordingly, a motion was passed at St. Andrew’s that led to the founding of Queen’s University, now one of the top ranked universities in Canada
Universities in Canada
Universities in Canada are established and operate under provincial government charters. Most schools are members of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada...
. This motion was seconded by a young lawyer and member of the congregation, John Macdonald, who would become Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada. The St. Andrew’s congregation was also instrumental in getting Queen's past the financial problems of its early years, with the second minister of St. Andrew’s, Reverend John Machar, serving as the unpaid president of this institution for seven years. In 1912 the formal connection between the university and church was severed, but many of the traditions at Queen's still have elements of its Scottish Presbyterian heritage.
On April 8, 1888, a fire sparked by the church furnace caused the structure to burn to the ground, leaving only the thick stone walls standing. These walls proved so sturdy that they had to be blown up to allow the new church to be built.
The current St. Andrews building was rebuilt in 1889, culminating with the impressive and handsome sanctuary, which can be seen today.
Stained glass
St. Andrews features many stained glass windowsStained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
, many of them dating back to the building of the second church. These pieces were commissioned from Castle and Sons, a Montreal-based firm. Many were dedicated to the memory of prominent members of the congregation. One of the windows features the Arms of the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
and the line 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori is a line from the Roman lyrical poet Horace's Odes . The line can be roughly translated into English as: "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."-Context:...
'. It was funded by alumni and friends of the college. A companion window, in a similar style, 'to the glory of God and in immortal memory of officers, noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery is the name given to the regular field artillery units of the Canadian Army. RCHA units are the senior units of the Canadian land field force, with a history dating back to the birth of Canada as a nation...
who fell in action the Worlds War 1914-18' and the text 'quo fas et glorius ducunt'.
The large south window, however, was paid for by the women’s home association. This window features one of the very few stories about St. Andrew
Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew , called in the Orthodox tradition Prōtoklētos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" , like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the 3rd or 2nd century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him...
in the bible, taken from John 12:20-26. In this story, a group of Greeks ask Andrew and Phillip if they would be able to meet with Jesus.
In 1967, a smaller chapel was added on to the back of the sanctuary. This chapel contains nine stained glass windows featuring the life and acts of Jesus.
The church today
St Andrews church stands today in the heart of downtown Kingston, Ontario. Home today to a church population of around 100-150, St. Andrews plays an active role in the Kingston community.The Special Meals program at St. Andrews is most likely the best example of this involvement. This initiative commenced in January 1987, and is still running. Special Meals is a volunteer program that runs every Sunday to provide food for those in need.
In the summer of 2009, St. Andrews applied to the federal government for a grant to begin a tour guide
Tour guide
A tour guide provides assistance, information and cultural, historical and contemporary heritage interpretation to people on organized tours, individual clients, educational establishments, at religious and historical sites, museums, and at venues of other significant interest...
program at the church. This program has attracted almost 1000 people in 2009. In 2010, the tours brought in 1732 visitors. Tours were also run in 2011.