Trinity Anglican Church Centenary To Be Celebrated June 10 While the history of the Anglican Church in the Township of Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury, including the village of Bradford, is traced to as early as 1831, it was not until 1851 that a church building was erected in this village. The centennial of that first church is to be observed on Sunday, June 10, in Trinity Anglican Church, and for this memorable occasion preparations and plans are now well underway, and very shortly former members of the church, now residents elsewhere, will be receiving invitations regarding the services which will mark the eventful occasion. Church records have been searched and a history of the church from its earliest days has been compiled. In succeeding weeks it is the intention of The Witness to publish a major portion of this history, beginning in in 1851 and covering the century with Trinity Anglican Church, Bradford. A chronology of clergy and parishes. compiled by Rev. Canon R.W. Allan of Oakville, discloses that in 1831 Tecumseth was visited by Rev. R. D. Cartwright, Bishop Stewart's chaplain, and that in 1832-35 Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury were frequently visited by Rev. Adam Elliott, first travelling missionary of the Home and Simcoe Districts. In 1836 Mr. Elliott's work was followed by his successor, Rev. H. H. O'Neill. Rev. Featherstone Lake Osler In 1837 Rev. F.L. Osler was sent out by Upper Canada Clergy Society and appointed to Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury. His labours exteded far and wide and in absence of further information it must be concluded that he did not neglect part of one of the townships to which he had been appointed. St. John's. Tecumseth, and Christ Church, West Gwillimbury, were in existence when he arrived. In 1845 Trinity Church Tecumseth, or Trinity near the Parsonage, was built. This church has been replaced by Trinity Bond Head. In 1849 Rev. F. L. Osler was joined by Rev. Arthur Hill as assistant. Mr. Hill became Rector of West Gwillimbury and it is probable therefore that intensive work in West Gwillimbury, including Bradford and Coulson's began. In 1849 the name, Christ Church West Gwillimbury, appears in the records, and Rev. A. Hill was Rector when the first church building was erected in 1851.
