Brighton's Churches
by CHARLES WHEELER
Churches Historical Information taken from Pictorial Brighton (1859-1984)
Photography by Charles Wheeler


St. Paul's Anglican Church
48 Sanford Street

St. Paul's Anglican Church was established in 1862 but traces of the Anglican Community date back to 1836. Lancet pointed arched openings characterize the church as Gothic Revival.

Prior to the erection of St. Paul's, services were held in the Old Presbyterian Church on Young Street. Following a fire in 1914, which destroyed early records of the church, electricity was installed and a Choir Vestry was added.

A Parish Hall which was built in 1951 was torn down and rebuilt in 1991 to accommodate the various church organizations. The furnishings are donated by members of the congregation in memory of loved ones. The present Rector is Reverend Dudley Walker.



Brighton Baptist Church

143 Main Street

In 1876, The Baptist Congregation was organized. Constructed in 1850, the present Church was purchased in 1883 at an auction from the Episcopal Methodists. Eave returns at the gable ends and Gothic windows with heavy moldings provide a decorative element of this structure. The Choir and Baptistry were added in 1897. The addition of the Sunday School Hall was officially opened by Mrs. Peter Covell in 1954. In 1955 renovations were made to the interior of the church with the installation of new pews. The final touch was an electric organ donated in 1962 by James Simpson as a memorial to his wife.



Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church

40 Centre Street

Holy Angels Roman Catholic Church under the direction of Father Thomas O'Connell was built in 1884 on the present site by Thomas Atkinson whose family donated the land. In October of the same year, the Church was blessed as the Holy Angels by Bishop Jamot of Peterborough. The design of the tower and Gothic arched windows as well as the buttresses are main features of the construction of this Church.

In 1909 the bell was placed in the belfry and since that time much renovating has been done. The stained glass windows were installed in 1948, the electric organ was placed in the loft in 1958 in memory of the deceased Veterans of World War Two. The stations of the cross were added in 1964 and a Parish Hall was built recently. The Priest serves both the Brighton and Wooler Parishes.



Evangel Pentecostal Church
30 Butler Street

The Evangel Pentecostal Church under the direction of Pastor Keith Running was dedicated to the Lord in Januaray of 1955. Prior to this the Home Theatre and the basement of the Town Hall were used for Sunday Services. Because the Evangel Temple on Meade Street became too small, a new Church was built. So, on Sunday March 11, 1990 Sister Greta Chambers turned the first sod on the new building site at a special ceremony. Just a few days later on March 15, the new building was staked out and construction began on Butler Street East. The first service in the new Church was held on July 15, 1990. David Mainse of the 100 Huntley Street Christian TV Show replaced Reverend Keith Running in 1958. The present Pastor is Reverend Bob Donnan.



Trinity St. Andrew's United Church

56 Prince Edward Street

Trinity St. Andrew's United Church, then known as Trinity Methodist Church, was erected in 1849 on the present day site which was donated by William Butler of Brighton. The structure is purely Gothic except for the Classical eave retuns. The construction of a Sunday School Hall and the installation of the pipe organ took place in 1902. In 1925, the Church became Trinity St. Andrew's United when the Methodist and Presbyterian Congregations entered into a union. In 1972, the Christian Service Centre was built and just recently the Church has undergone exterior renovation and a new stained glass window. Reverend Bradley Ford is the present Minister.



Fellowship Christian Reformed Church

204 Main Street

The Fellowship Christian Reformed Church was established in Brighton in 1979 with Case Vink as Pastor. Before they built their new Church on County Road Two, West of Brighton, Services were held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Main Street. The present Pastor is Reverend Ray Praamsma.



St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

90 Main Street

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church served the Congregation until 1925 when the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches united. Those who were opposed to the union met at various Halls and Schools. In 1930 Sam Nesbitt paid Trinity St. Andrew's $800 to regain possession of the Main Street Church building, this returning the Presbyterian Church to its Congregation. In 1973, the Church was renovated after the tornado caused severe damage to the tower. The present Minister is Reverend Ruth Draffin.

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