St. James, Wakeham
by Elizabeth Baird
The first church was
built in Wakeham in the 1840’s. It was near the river south of the present
church, and served the entire area referred to as the Southwest Arm,
comprised of Wakeham, Sunny Bank, Brassett and York. A
cross marks the site of the original church, which is near the first
cemetery that is no longer in use. At that time the
people of the south side of the river, now referred to as York, crossed by
boat in the summer to a little wharf near the church, and by horse and
sleigh in winter.
In 1886 Mr. Felix William Boyle gave a piece of land for a new church because the original church moved each year with the frost and needed continuous repair.
The new church was completed in November 1891. It was said that the shavings were swept up just in time for the first wedding, that of Francis E Annett and Charlene Jane Boyle, on November 24, 1891. The new church was consecrated January 1, 1893. This is the church that is in used yet today in Wakeham.
