St. James Church, Amherst Island, as shown on the 1860 Wallings Map
St. James Church, Amherst Island, as shown in Meacham’s 1878 Atlas
Early History The first religious services upon the Island were conducted by that worthy pioneer missionary of the Anglican church, the Rev. John Langhorn, who was succeeded by the Rev. W. Agar Adamson, Chaplain to His Majesty’s forces at Kingston and also Chaplain to the Legislative Council of Upper Canada. The old frame church, which stood on a commanding site a mile west of Stella village, together with a glebe of one hundred acres, was a gift to the congregation by Lord Mount Cashel. It was built about 1836. The Rev. John Rothwell of Ireland was incumbent from 1845 to 1865. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Smart, who continued as rector until 1869, when the Rev. Conway E. Cartwright, M.A., T.C.D., took over the charge and so ingratiated himself with his parishioners and those of all denominations that his removal in 1874 was deeply regretted by all who knew him. The Rev. J.J. Christie, a native of Scotland, officiated from 1875 until 1877, when the Rev. Canon Roberts, Mus. B., was appointed rector and ministered to the parish until 1891. He devoted himself faithfully to his parochial work; and during his term the present St. Alban’s Church was built upon the bay shore. From 1891 to 1896, the Rev. Sterne Tighe M.A., T.C. D., was the resident clergyman and upon his resignation his palace was filled by student san others until t eh appointment of the Rev. R.S. Wilkinson in 1903. A few years before the latter clergyman’s arrival the rectory had been burned; and it was during his incumbency, which terminated in 1906, that the present one was built. The Rev. J.E. Lindsay, B.A., B.D., was rector from 1906 to 1909, when the Rev. J.E. Dixon was inducted and has continued up to the present to minster to the spiritual wants of some sixty families, adherent of the Church of England. History of the County of Lennox and Addington, Walter S. Herrington, published 1913 The records of Richard Hitchins, as agent for the Johnson family, reveal items having to do with the erection of St. James, the first church on the Island. It notes obtaining timbers for the church from Mr. Howard, the purchase of glass and putty, nails and shingles, as well as “a fraim for the cupola.” It also reveals that Mr. Fields was paid over fifty pounds for work on the church. The construction continued from the summer of 1832 until 1836, when the church, named St. James, was opened for service. As many Islanders know, this church was erected on Lot 34 on the south side of the road to Emerald, just beyond the Mud House. The body of Col. Thomas Radcliffe was one of the first interments made in 1841 after his sudden death following his rowing a boat across the Bay. The rectory was constructed on Glebe Land, Lot 24, midway from Stella to Emerald. Tales of Amherst Island, by H.C. Burleigh, published 1980
Feb 26 1880 Dominion Churchman	Dec 8 1887 Dominion Churchman