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Christ Church in Markdale is celebrating 175 years of being a voice for God’s word.
We welcomed the Rt. Rev. Todd Townsend, Bishop of Huron, on Sept. 7, 2025 to lead the celebratory service. Interesting to note is that Todd’s father led Christ Church’s 150th anniversary service while he served as Bishop of Huron and Todd’s grandfather led our 125th anniversary service while also serving as Bishop of Huron. Quite a family connection to Christ Church.
We have much to be grateful for to those who came before us with their vision and support of the church as there were many roadblocks - or more like no roads but only trails in the early 1840’s. The only Anglican missionary, Alfonso Henry Rose, who resided in Sydenham (now Owen Sound) serviced the sparsely populated Grey and Bruce counties. It took all day on horseback to reach Markdale. The 35’ deep bog on the trail between Markdale and Berkley was particularly treacherous.
Church services were initially held in the old log school just south of Markdale on the Sydenham Road. George Walker donated an acre of land and a log church with gothic style windows was erected on the lot in 1860. In 1880 the existing brick church was built on the same lot followed by the manse in 1890. A cemetery surrounded the church.
When the Sydenham Road (Hwy 10) was being widened the Church was told that it would be better for the church to exhume the buried than leave it to the road construction workers. It was a heart-wrenching task. Between 1908 and 1914 most of the remains in the graveyard were moved to the Markdale Cemetery. Unfortunately, headstones that were being stored in the church’s driving shed over a winter were taken and were never seen again.
In the mid-1900’s memorial stained-glass windows started to replace the original windows. Christ Church is now lighted with incredible stained-glass windows depicting Jesus’ life and ministry. The Good Shepherd stained-glass window above the alter was gifted in memory of the St. Matthias church in Berkley.
Christ Church has a rich musical ministry. A Breckles and Matthews pipe organ that first appeared in 1908 originally needed a child to pump the bellows. In 2007 a beautiful baby grand piano became part of the church’s musical liturgy. Gerard Wilmes is our current incredibly gifted music director.
The church has always had a strong ACW (Anglicana Church Women) presence. Their fundraising efforts have supported needed improvements within the church as well as local and international causes.
Good leadership is a key component in a flourishing church. We have been blessed over the decades with very dedicated, inspiring ministers. James Ward was the minister at Christ Church when the brick church opened for services in 1880. He gifted the eagle lectern which is still in use today. Rev. Jeffery Kischak is our presiding minister and has an active presence in the community. Throughout the years our ministers have also been charged to preside over other local Anglican churches such as Maxwell, Eugenia Falls, Dundalk, Inistoge, Berkley, Durham, and Fairmount.
We are currently seeing growth in our congregation as newcomers to the community feel a welcoming home to praise God’s unconditional love, opportunities to be an integral part of the service, and a time to share in Christian fellowship.
Tess Winget
(Photo: Jim Griffin)