Become a Patron for St. Mark's Archives Committee's Latest Project
An 18th Century Notebook From the Library of Robert Addison
St. Mark's first rector, the Reverend Robert Addison, arrived in July, 1792 with a collection of over 1,500 volumes, which is the oldest library in Ontario. In 1862, Addison's grandsons presented the library "To the Rector of St. Mark's Church, Niagara, And his Successors in perpetuity." Two of the volumes in the Addison Library are manuscripts. One of them, a collection of 18th century sermons, has already been published by St. Mark's Archives Committee. The scholars who catalogued the Addison Library said about the other, "One of the most interesting and valuable items that may have been added to Robert Addison's library before his departure for Canada is not a printed book but a MS [No. 1254] filled with notes on sermons, and records of sermons preached from early in 1756 to the end of 1780, kept in a neat 18th century hand."
St. Mark's Archives Committee plans to publish the Notebook as a companion to the 18th Century Sermons so as to make it more available to scholars studying the English Dissenters and in particular their community in Hackney in the latter half of the eighteenth century. Like the Sermons, the Notebook will be published as a limited edition. Carruthers will print the 188-page text on 70lb. natural text stock and Van Huizen will complete the volumes with Smyth sewn pages and marble endpapers, bound & trimmed to 8-3/8 x 10-7/8 with calf leather covers and gold stamped spines.
We invite those interested in supporting this project to become patrons. Patrons' names will be listed in the front of the limited-edition publication of the Notebook. Patrons may choose either to sponsor the donation of a copy to a library, or archive, or to receive a copy for their personal library at a reception for all patrons in St.Mark's Addison Hall.
Patrons two hundred dollars ($200)
For further information contact:
Susan Peacock at 905.262.0869, or speacock23@hotmail.com
Donald Combe at 905.932.4175, or donaldcombe@me.com
St. Mark's Archives Committee, Addison Library, and Cemetery
For over thirty years Ann Lindsay, Betty Magnacca (deceased), Sandra Woodruff, Donald Combe, and Fred Habermehl worked to collect, preserve and make available the rich history of this, the first parish of the Diocese of Niagara. From a few files and some books and photos, the group managed to gather enough materials to fill four large filing cabinets and two large cupboards as well as publish numerous newspaper articles, countless pamphlets and brochures, and publish 13 books all on the history of St.Mark's. They compiled an exhaustive inventory of the church and its treasures. The committee oversaw the restoration of the 1840 plaques which are at the front of the chancel. They undertook the restoration of the WWl plaque, which was restored to its rightful place in the sanctuary. They contributed substantially to the restoration of the bells as well as the refurbishment of the stained glass windows.
Many of the Archives Publications are still available.
COMPLETE LIST HERE
Cemetery
Although the Cemetery Board is a separate group, the Archivists were responsible for remapping the cemetery and updating all cemetery records as well as assuming responsibility for the shelving and cataloguing of all the materials in the Addison Library. The Archivists work closely with Peter Babcock, Murray Wilcox, and David Antscherl and their on-going work in the Addison Library.
St. Mark's Archived materials now reside with the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
In order to ensure its on-going preservation and accessibility, the entire archive of St. Mark's materials and objects was transferred to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum in 2023.
All historical and genealogical enquiries should be addressed to the:
Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
43 Castlereagh Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0
Phone: 905-468-3912
Fax: 905-468-1728
Email: contact@nhsm.ca
Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum - Collections and Research
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum holds one of Ontario's most significant local history collections. Their Online Collections Database features many pieces from their collection and is constantly growing as more material is digitized. Click on the Collections Database link to explore what's accessible online!
Please note that digital images ordered through the Museum's online database are subject to a $15 fee. In addition, images requested for commercial use are subject to additional fees. You will be contacted by Museum staff regarding your request and pricing.
Onsite Research Services
The Museum's Research Room is open by appointment only. It provides visitors with access to thousands of photographs, the museum database, research files and more.
A $15.00 service charge will be applied for non-members. Contact the Museum to book your appointment.
Please note that all prices are subject to change and current information can be found on the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum's website or by contacting the Museum directly: Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum Collections and Research
