© Christ Church Cherry Valley
Christ Church Cherry Valley
The History of Christ Church Cherry Valley
Our present Georgian inspired building was built in 1842, and
was consecrated on June 10, 1843. (When Bishop Inglis
arrived here in violent rain
to consecrate the church
there was no
congregation. Volunteers
rode in different directions
and after three hours a good
congregation had
gathered). Rev. Fred Downes Pauterhad been appointed by
Bishop John Inglis as the first officiating clergy person. The
petition (to build) was signed by Rev Pauter, Phillip Lane, Alex
MacMillan, Thomas K. Awley, William Storey, John Fraser,
James Harrison, C. M. Willock, Justice of the Peace, Thomas
Beers, Thomas Irving, Robb Dodd, George Irving, and John
Nelson. These petitioners and James Hayden also petitioned
for church land to be used as a cemetery and this land for the
cemetery was consecrated in 1844. Christ Church Cherry
Valley was part of the Parish of Bedford.
Cherry Valley is named after Cherry Valley, New York State,
from where the Hayden survivors of a massacre there,
immigrated to here. A Thomas Tweedy was one of the
carpenters, and a direct descendent is active here today. Now
overgrown, there is what may be a French regime cemetery in
the SE corner (Prince Edward Island was once Isle St Jean).
The church is registered as a heritage place under the PEI
Heritage Places Protection Act. Exterior large eave returns,
wide corner boards and clapboards are original, and reflect
typical architecture of those days. The interior has recently
been refurbished to period standards, thanks to generous
personal memorial donations.
From extensive and well documented records, we note that
the first marriage at Christ Church was between John Jenkins
and Mary Mellish, February 24, 1842. Margaret Willock,
daughter of Cavendish and Maria Willock was the first person
baptised on December 5, 1841. The first burial was Joseph