In 1817 the "Fountainhill" chapel was built of logs at the corner of Dundas St. and Cawthra Rd. to serve Protestant Christians, mainly of the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Anglican denominations. In 1837, this was replaced by a larger stone chapel which still stands.
At the same time the Anglican congregation formally organized as Christ Church, Sydenham. They continued to share space in what later became known as Dixie Union Chapel, and were serviced by the Rector of St. Peter's Erindale over the following years. In 1870, construction of St. John the Baptist, Dixie, began on the adjoining lot to the east.
Until 1951, St. John's and St. Peter's continued to share the sevices of the same rector. In 1910, the first of subsequent land purchases was made to enlarge the cemetery lands. This continued through to 1961, giving us about 12 Acres. Following World War I, additional space requirements led to the building of the basement in 1922. Then in June 1924 the church was struck by lightning and was completely destroyed.
The congregation quickly moved to rebuild, and the new edifice was dedicated on December 20, 1925. In 1938 the drive shed from the horse and buggy era to the north of the church, was sold. In 1951, the long desired separation of St. Peter's Erindale and St. John the Baptist - Dixie, took place. In 1954 the church hall was built to accomodate the 350 Sunday School pupils.
A new Rectory was built in 1984 in the northeast corner of the cemetery, followed by the construction of a Crematorium in 1990. September 15, 2002 marked the dedication of the expanded facilities of St. John's, by the Rt. Rev. Ann Tottenham, Bishop of the Credit Valley.
The addition made the Church wholly accessible to all with disabilities or in wheelchairs, provided improved washroom facilities, new offices and meeting rooms. With the dedication of the beautiful new addition, we continue our history of building at St. John's.
