A Short Parish History

The Anglican community in the town of Tofield came into being as a mission of the original Anglican church in this area, the Church of St. James the Apostle, Logan.

Canon Newton, who arrived in Edmonton in 1875, visited the area occasionally between then and 1890. In 1892 he brought Mr. Deasum, who stayed three years. Logs were cut and a church was built in 1893 and named St. James the Apostle, Logan. Bishop Pinkham of the diocese of Calgary formed and dedicated this parish on January 20, 1896. The church building was located approximately 5 kilometers north and east of present-day Tofield, between what is now Highway 834, and Beaverhill Lake.

The cemetery associated with this early location is still in existence, but with limited physical access. A transcription of the Holy Trinity parish register of burials from 1896 - 1937, which includes many burials in the Logan Cemetery, is available on the Town of Tofield website.

On May 4, 1912, the parish of Holy Trinity, Tofield, was formed by Bishop Pinkham. At the time this included both parishes, St. James and Holy Trinity. It was not until November 1913 that the Diocese of Edmonton was formed by splitting away a portion of the Diocese of Calgary, so in fact Holy Trinity Parish is actually older than the Diocese of which it is a part.

Then... (1912)

Services were held in private homes before the present church was built. Two lots for the church were purchased from the town, by the Ladies' Aid of Tofield, who were a very active group founded in 1911. Construction of Holy Trinity Church was completed in June, and dedicated by Bishop Pinkham on July 18, 1912. It was the first church built in the Town of Tofield. In the early years of Holy Trinity, worship services were also held at Bathgate on the east side of Beaver Lake, and at Deville, Ardrossan and North and South Cooking Lake.

The Sunday School room was built in 1938 under the leadership of the Rev. Tom Teape. Mr. J.W. Robinson designed the bell tower and Mr. Baptist and the Rev. Teape installed it. Our church bell was originally from the old church of St. Mark's in Edmonton.

The caption on the photo reads: "W.A. Meeting at the Lancaster's farm home, Lindbrook, July 2, 1942. Left to right: Mrs. McKenzie, Mrs. Edith Bailey, Mrs. Isabel Robinson, Mrs. Gladys Gill, Mrs. Pearl Sinclair, Mrs. Annie Lancaster (with Calvin, Maxine and Ernest), Mrs. Emma Logan, Leda Baptist, Mrs. Margaret McHeffey, Mrs. Nettie Baptist, and Mrs. Edith Barden."

In 1975, an addition was added to the Sunday School room, and in 1986 both the Church and hall were lifted and replaced over a preserved wood foundation. In 1991 a cedar ceiling was installed in the church, and more recently extensive insulation and exterior siding added.

However, the church retains the interior appearance of years past, the charm and warmth of carved wood, stained glass and the loving care of generations of church-goers.

Our 90 ^th anniversary in 2002 was celebrated in joyful remembrance of the many people who have contributed to this parish over the years.

And now...(2004)