Our History
St. John's Anglican Church is located in the heart of scenic Rockwood, Ontario, and is part of the Diocese of Niagara.
The Anglican community here dates back to 1852 and continues today as an inclusive and vibrant Christian community. The present 100 seat stone church was built in the 1880's on land donated by Squire Henry Strange and his wife Elizabeth. It is situated on the highest point of land in the village, and the limestone used to build the church was taken from the Strange quarry. The Bishop of Niagara consecrated the Church on June 7, 1885.
The church sits on a large piece of land which includes the village green, a former cemetery. The town cenotaph was erected on the corner of the church property in 1918. In the 1950's a separate Parish Hall was built.
There have been numerous renovations and improvements to the Church and Parish Hall throughout the years. Notably in 2000, through a generous endowment, an extensive addition was added to the church. More recently, in 2017 the Parish Hall was revitalized to include an accessible entrance and washroom, a new furnace system and a renovated kitchen.
Our People
Our church community
One of our greatest blessings is our family of faith. As we gather each Sunday morning, and also for special feast days and celebrations, our faith is strengthened by the community.
Our Staff
Father Michael Mernagh, Priest-in-Charge
Father Michael was born and raised right here in Southern Ontario. He has ministered in various roles since he was thirteen years old when he played the organ for his first wedding. That marked the beginning of his musical career which spanned some thirty plus years. He earned his BA in Music and Philosophy from the University of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta and his MA in Theology with a concentration in Liturgy from Saint John’s University ~ School of Theology, Collegeville Minnesota. Upon completing his degree at St. John’s, Fr. Michael lived in Jerusalem, Israel for six months where he worked and studied ritual. This experience enriched his appreciation of the diversity of spiritual liturgical expression in addition to enriching his ecumenical sensitivity. Father Michael was ordained in 2007 and joined the Anglican Diocese of Niagara in July 2020. He values and is dedicated to building community.
Tena Munroe, Music Director
Tena Munroe is a multi-instrumentalist with nearly 50 years of experience as a church organist. She has been Music Director in churches in Toronto, Scarborough, Milton, Fergus, Guelph, and at St. John's Rockwood since 2004 (excepting 2010-2016). Tena earned a BMsA in Organ Performance from Western University, and studied music therapy in London, England. Also a composer, she has tuned into the need for new music for her choirs, and has composed psalm settings, music for the Eucharist and hymns. She has taught recorder for many years at Trillium Waldorf School and currently teaches recorder privately. Tena enjoys many musical styles, but especially the music of J. S. Bach. She has hosted Bach Potlucks at St. John's that have attracted musicians of all ages and abilities.