Anglican Christ Church 1845

The Anglican Christ Church, built in 1845, is located in the village of Ashton, Ontario, approximately 40km south west of Ottawa. It was named for the birthplace of John Sumner, the founder of a general store and later post-office established in the early 1820s. The area was primarily settled by former members of the 100th Regiment of Foot, raised in Ireland in the early 19th century, they later fought in the war of 1812. Rather than returning, they were offered land in Upper Canada, including the township of Goulbourn (Carleton County) in which the village of Ashton is located.

The church was constructed by members of the congregation, led by the mason John Bobier and the carpenter John W. Shore. As recorded in the 1879 Atlas of Carleton County, both families still had land in Goulbourn. The primary material for construction was stones collected from the Jock river, which runs through the village. It is a single room building, approximately 40’ by 30’, the ceiling is vaulted grandly, and there is a raised pulpit that may have been a later addition. In reflection of the availability of materials, the walls are solid uncoursed rubble, with the largest stones reserved for the north façade facing the road, and the smaller (and less aesthetically pleasing) stones laid into the rear wall. The windows, inset into the walls with a gothic pointed arch, are symmetrical; three run along either side of the nave, two on either side of the front door and the final, largest window is behind the altar facing out to the cemetery.

The building was used actively for 70 years, until it was outgrown by the congregation and a larger church building was built. The building continues to watch over the cemetery, including the graves of the mason, laid to rest on the west side of the church, and the carpenter on the east. It was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act by the Township of Goulbourn in 1987.