St. Mary's - Lifford

Lifford is a small community in Manvers Township in Central Ontario, not far from Peterborough.  Many of the Preston's settled there in the 1830's and 40's after leaving the original homestead on Amherst Island.  St. Mary's Anglican Church was built on land donated by Capt. Isaac Preston, who is buried in Vancouver with his wife Mary.  Alexander Preston's wife Mary was instrumental in getting the church built.  Unfortunately she got very sick and died before it was finished.  Her funeral was the first service held in the new building and the church was named St. Mary's in her honor.

The original church burnt to the ground in a tragic fire on Ash Wednesday 1993.  The church and community rallied to build a beautiful replica which is in use today.

We visited the site last week while on our holiday.  We were graciously greeted and given a tour by our distant relation Viola Sisson. Viola let us into the building, recalled the story of the fire, and told of the determined effort to build the new chapel.  Viola's family has been in the Lifford/Bethany area since the early 1800's and they are related to the Preston's, as are many of the old families still in the area.

It was a very moving experience.   There are five generations of my direct Preston ancestors buried there, including Isaac and Sarah, Alexander and Mary, Young Isaac and Mary, Jack "The Colonel" and Charlotte, and my very own Grandpa Preston, Allen Victor.  There are also hundreds of other relations by the names of Preston, Sisson, Hanna(h), Neals, and Johnston.  It is a very peaceful site.  Perhaps I will rest there one day.  But not too soon!!

Enjoy the video clip below.  The pictures are from our trip and the music is "For the Beauty of the Earth" arranged by John Rutter.

I am most grateful for the small group of dedicated folks who continue to exercise faithful stewardship and care for this sacred place.  Thank you all...

Peace and Blessings... Rob; in Vancouver

"For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild."

F.S.Pierpoint