A used set of pews from St Agnes Long Branch. That’s quite a detail isn’t it? Welcome to St Timothy By The Humber a church with a story as rich as its history.
St Timothy By The Humber wasn’t always the place of worship you see today. It began in 1950 with just six residents of Weston. They dreamt of a new Sunday School. They wanted it to grow from the parish of St John’s Weston. Their vision expanded. Soon a larger group met with Bishop Wilkinson. He suggested a door-to-door canvass.
The canvass revealed 62 families many already attending St John’s or St Philip’s. The group grew to an impressive 265 families. A mission a parish was established. Reverend John Roe from St John’s Weston led the way. Services were initially held in schools and basements. Not ideal but it was a start.
In 1957 Canon T Barnett became the priest-in-charge. A rectory was purchased. A temporary chapel and office were built in the rectory basement. Imagine Christmas Eve service in that small chapel. Christmas Day service was held at a nearby United Church. A testament to the community spirit of the time.
In 1958 St Timothy’s became a separate parish. Ground was broken for a new building. It was at the corner of Weston Road and Flindon Road just north of the 401. The new building opened in 1959. Bishop Wilkinson dedicated it on November 2nd. It was a major achievement. That same year they acquired those used pews from St Agnes Long Branch. A simple act with a surprisingly long history.
A narthex was added in 1964. The church flourished for a time. But demographic shifts led to a decline. By 1971 85% of new families were from ethnic groups. Original Anglican families were being replaced. This wasn’t unique. Many suburban parishes faced similar challenges after World War II.
In the mid-1970s a Presbyterian congregation began using the space. In the 1980s and 1990s it shared ministry with nearby Anglican parishes. From 1996 to 1998 theological students from Trinity College led St Timothy’s. Despite these efforts attendance and membership continued to decline. The parish was disestablished in 2010.
Today the former St Timothy’s is home to the Apostolic Christian Church. This building a testament to perseverance adaptation and the enduring spirit of community. It changed hands. It changed faiths. But St Timothy By The Humber’s legacy remains. It stands as a reminder of a vibrant community a place of faith and fellowship. A place that once housed a humble Sunday school. And grew into a significant part of Weston’s history.