Series 4. St. Paul's Anglican Church (Burton) records. -- 1857-1929; predominant 1857-1860. -- 4 cm of textual records.

Historical Sketch: Following the arrival of Loyalist refugees after the American Revolution, Anglican missionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel began to make inroads in what would later become New Brunswick. In 1788, through the efforts of the Rev. John Beardsley, funds were obtained to erect a church in Maugerville, with an out-station at Burton. In 1845, the long awaited appointment of a bishop for New Brunswick led to a series of major developments including a successful church building program. In 1857 Christ Church in Maugerville was consecrated by Bishop Medley and served parishioners in both Maugerville and Burton. Burton Anglicans were determined to have their own church and successfully raised the funds to erect St. Paul's Anglican Church which was consecrated 4 Jan. 1860. Four years later, their neighbours in Oromocto erected Saint John's Anglican Church. Throughout most of their history, these three churches shared a rector, who was usually resident in either Maugerville or Oromocto.

St. Paul's Anglican Church was best known for its very large steeple, selected by Bishop Medley and patterned after the spire of a famous cathedral in England, but quite oversize relative to the building it adorned. In 1954, for safety reasons, the steeple was removed. In 1963, because of decreasing attendance, St. Paul's was closed and parishioners were relocated to St. John's in Oromocto. St. Paul's Anglican Church was deconsecrated August 1, 1967 by Bishop A.H. O'Neil. The furniture was dispersed to various churches and the building was finally demolished.

Scope and Content: This series (121 items) documents the planning and construction of St. Paul's Anglican Church (Burton), 1857-1860. The original items were compiled in a scrapbook which has been unbound, although no attempt was made to sever the documents from the pages. Included is a variety of receipts and statements which reflect the purchase of construction materials such as shingles, lumber and nails etc. as well as wages paid to the workers and the purchase of stained glass. The series also includes records of a fund-raising bazaar and organ subscriptions. Of note among the documents in this series is "A Brief History of the Associated Parishes of Maugerville and Burton", written in 1929 by a 'senior church warden' and attributed to Henry Wilmot.

Arrangement is chronological.

Notes:

Title based on content.

Finding Aids: See card index for item level description including date, content and the names of persons issuing or receiving the documents.

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