The Glebe

This grassy area is called the Glebe. Owned by Christ Church Anglican Parish since 1821, it is arable land used to produce essential foods such as vegetables and grain. As you can imagine, it has been one of Rawdon’s unchanged green spaces for over 200 years!

This Anglican rectory stood on Rectory Garden Street. Built in 1836, the house was still standing until it was completely destroyed by fire in January 2024.

Source: Daniel Parkinson

The second rectory, built by Archdeacon Naylor in 1914, is located on 3rd Avenue. It retains its original function to this day.

Source: Christ Church

Traditionally, a rectory is a building or residence used to house the priest or pastor of a parish. It plays both a functional and symbolic role in religious and community life. It is often where the parish’s administrative business is managed, such as keeping the religious registers of baptisms, marriages and funerals, correspondence and managing the parish’s finances.

The rectory also serves as a place of welcome for parishioners, who come here seeking advice or a blessing, or simply to chat with the priest. This building serves as a point of contact between the church and the local community. It reflects the clergy’s accessibility and proximity to the residents. The rectory is therefore much more than just a house: it is a space that links spiritual and community life, encouraging exchanges and mutual support between the church and the faithful.

At the far end of the grounds, on 3rd Avenue, is the most recent Anglican rectory, built in 1914. The previous one, built in 1836, stood until January 2024, when it fell prey to flames.

What is the historical significance of this large plot of land? This grassy area is called the Glebe. Owned by Christ Church Anglican Parish since 1821, it is arable land used to produce essential foods such as vegetables and grain. As you can imagine, it has been one of Rawdon’s unchanged green spaces for over 200 years!

Because of its proximity to the church and its peaceful setting, the Glebe would have been ideal for meditating and preparing sermons. In addition to being a place of sustenance, the Glebe generated income for the church, which came from grazing animals or renting out certain parts of the land.

Today, the site is still a living testimony to local history and to how the church was a part of the community’s daily life. The Glebe remains a symbolic space, underlining the importance of harmony between work, spirituality and nature.

Over the years, numerous community activities have been held annually on the grounds, including the Family Fair and Auction that are very popular with Rawdoners.