GPS: 43.350970,-80.806065

Nestled at the bottom of a knoll on “Pork Street” north and east of Tavistock is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Perth County. Located at 1956 Line 33, one concession east of Road 107 between Tavistock and Shakespeare, St. Anthony’s is a gem of early architecture. Its walls were built of field stones carried from the fields by the early settlers and the lumber for the hand-hewn altar, wide-planked floor and sturdy pine pews were all wrested from the primeval forest. Erected in 1863, the simply-designed edifice has one entrance and three large windows on each side. A delicate, fan-shaped transom rises like a sun above the double doors and a steeple is topped with a stark, black wrought-iron cross of interlocking hearts.

The stone church replaced a log chapel that was built there in 1839 on a plot of land gifted by local parishioner and farmer, Joseph Dietrich. Few Roman Catholics ever lived in South Easthope and services ceased in 1871. St. Anthony’s is now part of the Avon-Thames Catholic Family of Parishes.

______________________________

Capacity Crowd Sees Church Re-opened

By Alice Hartleib, November 27, 1938

Restored after many weeks of work by interested parties in the community. the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered in St. Anthony's Church. South Easthope Sunday morning for the first time in many years. Celebrant was Rev. W. T. Corcoran, pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception to which St. Anthony's is attached. while an appropriate sermon was preached by Rev. J. J. Dantzer of the St. Columban. a son of the little mission church of St. Anthony’s. There is something indefinably impressive about a service in a rural church coupled with the comforting ceremony of the Catholic Church send one away with a feeling of richness in things spiritual. Long before the time set for the service people began to gather about the door of St. Anthony’s. The roadside one Concession south of the paralleling No 7. highway in the South Easthope was lined with oars. an unfamiliar sight in that district in recent years. Mother Nature as it smiling her approval of the efforts of those who toiled to restore the church giving rays warming the atmosphere penetrating, the windows of the little church and injecting a spirit of peace and serenity. In harmony with those who in earlier months toiled with shovel and spade, with hoe and rake. with carpenters tools and painters brush, the same Mother Nature provided a beautiful blanket of white snow, obliterating by the workmen and removing the bleakness so often felt when grass is no longer green and trees have shed their summer raiment.

Inside the church everything was in order. Members of the community had brought flowers and potted plants for the altars and carpets and rugs were spread on the floor. The little stove. rather begrudging gave off its heat. but an air at simple fervour prevailed. Miss. A. Dietrich of New Bamburg presided at the recently contributed organ and J. J. Berger also of New Hamburg led the choir in singing. The offering was taken in the long handled collection box, used when regular services were held in the church. Fresh linen adorned the alter and the little tabernacle door was opened once again to receive the Sacred Host consecrated during the service. When the service commenced the church was filled to over flowing expresses thanks.

In asking Fr. Dantzer to address the congregation Fr. Corcoran took the opportunity to thank the different people of the community and others interested for putting the Church and cemetery grounds in order. The cemetery, he said is now a fitting place for your dead. Fr. Corcoran explained that considerable expense had been incurred in restoring the property and that all bills had not been met, and that the collection of the day would go for that purpose. After expressing his pleasure in being present Fr. Dantzer took his text form the 23rd Psalm, second and third verse.

"How lovely are the tabernacles Lord of Host" I take text to pay tribute to those noblemen and woollen who left their homes to come to this country so many years ago, said Fr. Dantzer. They settled not only here but all over Canada. Many of them are buried beneath the sod in God’s Acre awaiting the call on judgement day. These people possessed a strong conviction, in pioneer days. They showed courage and great bravery in facing the creatures then living in this part of the country. My grandfather settled here more than a 100 years ago, locating in what is now the 3rd concession of South Easthope. I have heard him say be picked the property on the top of the hill where there was a stream so he might catch fish and thus not starve. The speaker referred to the cairns along the highway marking the arrival of early settlers the Fryfogel and Seebacks in 1828. In many instances only parts of families came at first to be followed by others. Likened to David.

When we speak of the hardships and trials endured by these people, I feel their hearts were tilled with the same sentiments and feeling as David at old. His desires and theories· seemed to have permeated the heart and souls of those who came here. Without distinction of race or nationality they left their native homes to get away from tyrannical rulers today we have similar trouble in Europe. Canada is the happiest country in the world. These pioneers were men of God. It meant no difference whether they were Catholic or of other faiths. They asked God to direct and be their aid. We are here today to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the building and dedication at this mission church, the work of pioneer men built under the direction and inspiration of Rev. Eugence Funcken of the Resurrection Order. The people of this district were mostly German and attended largely by German priests. In their zeal to have this church built they acknowledged God to be creator at all things. To give him the highest supreme worship as an act of thanksgiving for their safe arrival here and as an atonement for their shortcomings, they built this Church. Christ died on the cross and they knew this sacrifice would continue until the end of time. I am proud to be here today and see the work so well done by willing hands, concluded Fr. Dantzers. I was baptized in this church and my grandparents are buried in the church yard. You have done something that is pleasing to God and to man. God bless you all. The service ended, the congregation intermingled and exchanged greetings, many not having seen one another for sometime. Worshippers were present from many parts of the district including Stratford, Kitchener and New Hamburg.

___________________________

CLICK THE PDF BELOW!
For stories from local newspapers chronicling the history of the church.