Trinity Anglican Church south of Tavistock receives long-awaited repairs

Carl Clayton repairs windows and frames on the south side of Trinity Anglican Church, two miles south of Tavistock, last week in the warm sunshine. Gary West photo

By Gary West

The historic Trinity Anglican Church, located on Highway 59 just south of Tavistock, was getting some much-needed attention last week from one of the area’s most dedicated caretakers.

Many of the region’s older church buildings have closed over the years due to declining congregations, leaving few members to maintain weekly services and building repairs. Though regular services are no longer held at Trinity Anglican, the church and its adjoining cemetery continue to see care and maintenance ahead of two annual services and the occasional family wedding for descendants of former parishioners.

That ongoing upkeep is thanks to 72-year-old caretaker Carl Clayton, who continues to repair and preserve the small church much as it was during its decades of active worship. When we stopped by, Clayton was busy repairing windows and applying fresh coats of paint under the late-summer sun.

His connection to the church runs deep. Clayton’s wife, Sharon, is the daughter of longtime local resident Clifford Irwin, a skilled carpenter and lifelong church member who worked hard to keep the historic building in good shape over the years — from repairing the roof and installing new eavestroughs to maintaining the foundation.

A retired industrial designer, Clayton spent his career working for companies such as Timberjack in Woodstock, Dominion Chain in Stratford and Union Gas in Chatham. His attention to detail and craftsmanship are clearly visible in the care he’s given this church, which was built in 1847 and now nears its 200th anniversary.

With a family wedding scheduled in the near future, Clayton said his focus is on finishing last-minute details and “sprucing up” the building to ensure it looks its best for the special occasion. Judging by his steady pace and clear pride in the project, Trinity Anglican Church remains in good hands.