The present St. Paul's is the fourth structure built in Hazeldean to house the Anglican congregation. Though the first settler arrived in 1818, it was not until 1844 or 1845 that the old stone church on what is now the west side of Young Road, was raised.

Just 30 years later, the congregation having grown considerably, a new church was planned, and land was purchased from James and Alice Mulligan on February 7, 1874. The site chosen was on what is now the east side of Young Road, directly across from the original building. With the willing help of the parishioners, the building grew apace, and it was not long before a graceful, white, wooden structure arose. In the open belfry hung a bell, donated by the Hodgins family, which was heard on quiet Sundays calling the people to worship.

1935 had been a time of drought, with the countryside longing for rain. By October 20th, the shingles of the church roof were beginning to curl slightly from utter dryness, and it was then that disaster struck.

The fall day was chilly enough to necessitate a fire for the afternoon services, so the wood burning furnace was lit as usual. In the church itself, there was no hint of what was happening above. No children had yet arrived for Sunday School, and it was a mere chance of the Hand of Providence which caused a passing man to glance at the roof. Sparks had fallen from the chimney and lodged in the tinder-dry shingles. By the time the passer-by had given the alarm, the flames were already eating deeply into the roof.

At the fire, the Rev. H.O. Hodder worked along with his people, trying to save his church, but in spite of heroic efforts the fire quickly made great headway.

The congregation, stunned by this great blow in the middle of a depression, rallied its pioneer spirit and decided to rebuild as soon as possible. The loss of $6,000. was only partly covered by insurance. As the people had toiled and sacrificed for their first church almost a century ago, when money was scarce and tools were few, so they toiled and sacrificed again in the lean years from 1935 to 1937. By the fall of 1936, an excavation had already been made, on the site of the fire, and the summer of 1937 saw the foundation stone laid and St. Paul's, made of Nepean sandstone, rose again..

A 4,300 square foot addition of a hall, nursery, offices and complete kitchen facilities was done in 1985 to meet the needs of the ever growing congregation.

Throughout the years, lawn socials, box socials, suppers and other entertainment have been carried out by young and old. Many will recall the "The Christmas Tree" which was always held on New Year's Night at the old Orange Hall, across from Mr. Young's store. What a happy event that was, how many of the little ones who gazed wide-eyed at the sparkling tree are grown men and women, watching their children and grandchildren take their place in the life of the church known as St. Paul's.

Today St. Paul's is again fortunate through the generosity of it's members to be worshiping in a brand new facility designed to accommodate the growth in Kanata.  In 2004 we started an ambitious program to completely change the church.  We did preserve some of heritage as can be seen in the re-use of the stones and pews in the church.

View the photo gallery of the 1937 church being transformed into the 2004 church.