Colonel James Keating as commander of the Army establishment encouraged the building of the church for the use of the troops.

The first rector, Rev, George Hallen served as incumbent for 36 years and is buried in the cemetery adjoining the church.

[4] Worship continued in the church with the congregation consisting of townspeople, farming settlers and military pensioners who had been granted two acre plots in the area.

The church was protected as a historic site by the Ontario Heritage Trust in 1981 and the congregation raised funds from donations and government grants to restore and repair the deterioration of the building that had occurred.

[1] The west, main, entrance door has ornate wrought iron hinges designed and made by one of the artisans from the military establishment.

One side commemorates a Lieutenant William Glascott who froze to death after falling from a cutter while returning from a "night of festivity" in the village.

The other side is left blank, the most common explanation is that it was intended to commemorate a companion officer, who was expected to die as a result of the same accident but who eventually recovered and was posted elsewhere.