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ROCKINGHAM CHURCH
High on the hill of that old Rockingham town
St Leonards Anglican church there can be found
It was built in 1875 yes back a few years
And to see its condition fills my eyes with tears
A post and beam construction with board and batten siding
As the siding is wood how much rot is it hiding
John Watson came to Canada as he married the family maid
The fee he put to good use as to stay away he was paid
He brought skilled folks with him to build the hamlet
It had a store, school, saw mill etc. and a church you bet
As the town declined with the local lumber trade
The church fell into disuse up there in the shade
The pews font and bell were taken to churches including Killaloe
Why would anyone a thing like that they would do
The last regular service was held in twenty-four
And did the folks wonder if there would be anymore
The roof was reshingled and the back wall they did repair
Then the pews were to go back in the seventies there
John deeded it to the Anglicans in Ottawa before his death
As he knew that shortly he would take his final breath
In 1882 they added a porch communion rail and organ
A stove and belfry and bell followed to make it hum
It was empty before and was the second time again
So did the local folks while looking feel any pain
In May of 67 Bishop Reed of Ottawa done the secularation
Then it became just an old building in our nation
In 1995 a group was formed to undertake its repair
So that for a few more years on the hill it will be there
The crowd was happy for couples when their hearts were entwined
There in that little church up there under the pines
Other times it was sadness they felt when they said goodbye
After carrying someone up the hill without a dry eye
In 2022 there was to be an annual anniversary celebration
To lift the locals spirits and others across our nation
It should be moved to a level spot near the old store
So that older folks wanting to go there won’t have a chore
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, Ontario
MORE images of the church: [1] … [2] … [3]
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