“For with Christ, all things are possible.”

A brief history.

Anglicans in Princeton first worshipped in homes and then in school. After contacting the Archives in Toronto and Quebec Diocese, we now have more knowledge of the first church which was built on Lot 14 on Highway #2. This was some 50 roads east of the present Princeton Cemetery. This lot was severed in April of 1832 and if the building was not already there, it would have been under construction in 1832 and 1833 and likely opened in 1833.A former Archives worker believes the church could have been built much earlier and served as a community church. According to a former resident of Princeton, it was a frame church with a small cross on it. The Rv. Canon William Bettridge, the first rector of Woodstock (Old St. Paul’s) 1834-1879, is rightly regarded as the founder of the Anglican Church in Princeton, as well as the others throughout Oxford County.

The “new” church, also named St. Paul’s, was built in 1867 and was part of the new Diocese of Huron formed earlier in 1857. St. Paul’s is a beautiful church graced by many beautiful memorial windows. A new parish hall was built in 1971 and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Carmen Queen. St. Paul’s for many years, was a learning church for newly ordained deacons and today can boast of being the first parish for two bishops: The Rt. Rev. Carmen Queen and the Rt. Rev. Jack Peck.

In 1933, St. Paul’s celebrated one hundred and sixty years of serving the Anglican community in Princeton. In later years, we involved the community by holding a “coffee hour” for the community which involved speakers, slides, crafts and many more interesting events. The Princeton Co-Op Nursery School also held their school in the parish hall for years.

In the days of ever increasing changes, one often wonders where St. Paul’s will be in the future. This question is unanswered at this time, but since the beginning of the church in Princeton, there has been a congregation that has met every challenge possible and the the presence of the Holy Spirit, we will continue to do so. We walk in faith as our forefathers did and we put our trust in the Lord. For with Christ, all things are possible.