St. Saviour’s roots reach back to the late 18th century, when United Empire Loyalists settled in the growing community of Queenston—then a vital trading hub along the Niagara River. Early worshippers gathered as a mixed-denomination congregation, holding services in their first modest church built in 1792. After lightning destroyed that building in 1830, the resilient congregation continued meeting in borrowed spaces for decades, sustained by lay leadership, travelling clergy, and support from Anglican societies abroad.
By the mid‑19th century, renewed determination—and the leadership of several prominent Queenston families—sparked plans for a permanent church. Land donations, including a notable gift from the family of Sir Isaac Brock, made the dream possible. Construction of the present limestone church overlooking the river began in 1877, built through community effort and dedicated debt‑free two years later. At that time, the congregation adopted the name St. Saviour, the Brock Memorial Church.
to read the full, richly detailed history of St. Saviour’s Church.
This commemorative window at St. Saviour’s is a radiant tribute to peace, history, and shared heritage. Installed in honour of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, the window was given to the Glory of God by the Congregation and Friends of St. Saviour’s and dedicated on June 17, 2012, by the Rt. Rev. Michael A. Bird, Bishop of Niagara. It stands as a visual thanksgiving for 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States.
At its heart, the window features a white dove in flight above a Celtic cross—an enduring symbol of peace and spiritual unity. Beneath this central motif, the Canadian and American flags are displayed side by side, representing the enduring friendship between the two nations.
To the right, the Brock Monument rises in stained glass, honouring Major General Sir Isaac Brock. This iconic column, located in Queenston Heights, overlooks both the Village of Queenston and the Niagara River—a natural boundary that gently separates Canada and the United States. The river itself is also depicted, flowing through the design as a symbol of connection and shared stewardship.
Together, these elements form a harmonious and deeply meaningful composition, celebrating reconciliation, remembrance, and the sacred bond of peace.
Installed in 1881, the magnificent Brock Memorial Window was a gift from the York Pioneer and Historical Society in honour of the York Volunteers who fought under General Brock at Queenston Heights. Created by McCausland of Toronto, the window portrays Joshua meeting the Archangel Michael at the Battle of Jericho, surrounded by rich military symbolism, heraldic emblems, and laurel wreaths celebrating victory. Its intricate details—from the Brock coat‑of‑arms to the banners, cannons, and provincial shields—make it one of St. Saviour’s most striking tributes to courage and history.
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The kneelers at the altar were designed by Eleanor MacKimmie and dedicated to her memory in October 1980. Their needlework panels depict Major-General Sir Isaac Brock’s engagements with American forces during the War of 1812, culminating in the Battle of Queenston Heights.
The stitching was completed by the following parishioners: S. Cunningham, K. Dickson, G. & J. Ghetti, E. MacKimmie, E. McKeenan, M. McRae, M. Paul, and M. Seley. A plaque commemorating their installation is mounted on the altar rail.
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