Canadian Anglican First

Today the Canadian church calendar commemorates the first Eucharist celebrated in Canada. It was in 1578 at Frobisher Bay. It was part of the English exploration of the area when the captain of the ship Judith noted that they celebrated Communion together:

Tewsdaie, the xxiiith daie: we did receave the Communion altogether, contynewing that daie in prayer and thanks giving to god." 


The odd thing about the commemoration is that it was celebrated on the 23rd of July. Not exactly sure why we are celebrating on the 4th of September.

John Stuart, August 17 Commemoration

I meant to post this yesterday:

John Stuart died in 1811. He is remembered as an Anglican missionary among the Mohawks and the first resident priest in Upper Canada. He has been born in Pennsylvania and raised a Presbyterian, but became an Anglican and ordained a priest in 1770. He was sent to northern New York by the SPG where he won the trust and affection of the Mohawk people. During the American Revolution he remained loyal to the British crown and in 1781 fled to Canada. He also did much to keep the Mohawks loyal to the British crown. He became the priest in Kingston which meant that for years he was the only priest in Upper Canada. Today he is remembered as the “father of the Episcopal Church in Upper Canada.

(Information taken from All the Saints p 250)