Christ Anglican Church

50 Manley Street, Ayr ON N0B 1E0

Rector:   Rev. Jesse Dymond (since 27 Nov. 2008, previously he had been Deacon in Charge)

The village of Ayr, Ontario is located in the hub of the surrounding areas serviced by Hwy 401, only a short drive from Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Paris.   The Nith River meanders through the village.   We have a very important industrial and commercial base.

In 1824 Abel Mudge constructed a sawmill and flourmill at the junction of Cedar Creek and the Nith River. In 1840 the name Ayr appeared for the first time when Robert Wyllie established a post office. The name was likely due to the large number of former Ayrshire, Scotland immigrants who were drawn to Canada by promises of inexpensive, fertile land, made by the major landholder of the district, William Dickson.

In 1846-47 Daniel Manley’s mill was built, William Baker’s store established and John Watson’s foundry constructed with Watson’s Dam its power and reservoir. These three key businesses played large roles in Ayr's early success, as did the coming of the Credit Valley Railway in 1879. In 1850 Ayr's first library was established and James Somerville began the first Ayr newspaper in 1854.

The Village of Ayr was incorporated in 1884 at which time John Watson was appointed reeve. On January 1, 1973, Ayr was amalgamated with North Dumfries Township, Regional Municipality of Waterloo.

From its beginning in 1917 as a Mission Church to its present form there has been little structural change to Christ Church at 50 Manley Street. In January 2001 we undertook a major renovation project. The exterior of the building has changed very little but on the ground floor we have a new kitchen, two new washrooms, Sunday School room/hall, nursery, a lift (in the location of the old stairway) a new stairway, two new exits and natural light from the glass blocked windows. In 2002 the upper level was finished including a room for the altar guild and an office for our priest, quite an accomplishment for a small rural parish.

For many years Christ Church has also opened its doors to the Ayr Catholic Community offering them a place to worship. We have also welcomed a Y.M.C.A. Daycare Centre opening our doors further to our community.

Holy Eucharist is celebrated from the B.A.S. the lst Sunday of each month, Morning Prayer from the B.C.P. and the B.A.S. is the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, Prayer for Healing and Holy Eucharist from the B.A.S. is celebrated the 3rd Sunday. We offer Sunday School and a nursery.