St Thomas Anglican Church

28 Church Street, Shanty Bay, Ontario

St Thomas Church, Shanty Bay, Ontario is the only surviving structure of any significance in Canada built of "rammed earth". In this method of construction, wet clay, sand and chopped straw is compacted into forms. When dry it is covered with plaster or wood for protection against weather.

The church was begun in 1838 with the mud walls, 1 metre thick, being laid on a stone foundation. Construction was largely completed by 1841, although the church was not officially opened until Feb. 27, 1842.

Lt.-Col. Edward O'Brien, leading member of the Shanty Bay settlement, donated the church site and clergyman's residence, and directed the construction of the church. He and his wife, Mary Sophia, are buried in the adjacent cemetery. The first rector was the Rev. S. A. Ardagh who served from 1842 to 1867.