Christ Church Museum

Established in 1854, historic Christ Church is Lakefield’s oldest Anglican church. Under the sponsorship of St John’s, the building, located at 62 Queen Street, now operates as a museum and event space. 

One of the most fascinating items in the Christ Church Community Museum is the church’s Burial Records which cover a span of thirty years from 1855 to 1886. This comprehensive documentation paints an interesting picture of life–and death–in the small village of Lakefield in the 19th century. 

Many of the district’s early settlers were buried at Christ Church, including Samuel Strickland and his family, Thomas Traill, husband of Catharine Parr Traill, and Margaret Charlotte Warren, wife of the first incumbent Rev. Percy Warren. Stroll around the church yard and you’ll also see names such as LeFevre, Lillicrap, Warren, Casement, Steele, Bowker, Dench and Hill. 

Funded by donations, the Christ Church Committee has been diligently restoring several of these historic graves - professionally cleaning monument stones, repairing degraded tombstones, and uncovering several flat cemetery stones that have been long buried.

CCCM 2026 Opening Hours & Events

Christ Church Community Museum is open from Wednesday 1st July - Monday 7th September (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily). Visitors are welcome to browse this year’s exhibits which reflect the 2026 theme, ‘Second Generation: The Moodie Family’, and can also attend several free talks and tours:

  • An Introduction to the Moodie Family, presented by Joe Latour, Thursday 9 July at 2pm

  • Susanna Moodie and Spirituality, presented by Barry Mutter, Thursday 23 July and Wednesday 19 August at 2pm

  • Stories in the Stones, a guided graveyard tour led by Joe Latour, Thursday 6 August and Wednesday 2 September at 2pm

Christ Church also offers morning Holy Communion services during the summer months. These take place at 8:30am on the Sundays of the long weekends - Sunday 28 June, Sunday 2 August, and Sunday 6 September. Everyone is welcome to attend.

We extend a warm invitation to drop by Christ Church Community Museum this summer to experience the wonder of this ‘little gem’ in the heart of Lakefield. Our guides look forward to seeing you!

Events at Christ Church

Visiting Christ Church museum is a must for visitors to Lakefield, but the church is also open for morning prayer during the summer. These Sunday services take place on the holiday weekends in July, August and September as well as the Sunday of the Lakefield Literary Festival.

Christ Church is also a popular space for ceremonies such as baptisms and weddings, as well as events including musical performances and carol concerts. Comfortably accommodating up to 48 guests, the beautiful stone chapel is a unique and intimate space in which to exchange vows or welcome a new baby. 

For further information, contact Patti McAllister 705-868-6493 or by email pattimcallister4@yahoo.ca.

Donate to Christ Church Community Museum

All donations go towards the ongoing maintenance of CCCM.

There are several ways to donate:

1. E-transfer to cccmlakefield@yahoo.com. (please put your name and address in the subject line).

2. Cheque made out to Christ Church Community Museum. Please mail cheques to: CCCM, Box 1542, Lakefield, Ontario, K0L 2H0

All donations gratefully received. Tax receipts will be issued for donations $20 and over.