Come to the church in the wildwood…

Anniversary Celebration: Sunday, August 13, 2023 • 2 pm

Our annual celebration usually includes an historical presentation as well as local musicians and singers.

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We invite you listen to two podcasts about John S.J. Watson, founder of Rockingham.

Created by Barry Conway and presented by The Opeongo Readers’ Theatre, That Man from Rockingham explores conflicting accounts of Watson’s origins, his alleged connections to Rockingham Castle, and his arrival in the Valley — as well as his many contributions to developing the area.

Part two of the podcast continues the story of John Watson’s life in England, his two wives, and the important role his second wife, Mary Martin, played in the success of his Rockingham venture.

Click here to listen to part one of the podcast or search for The Opeongo Line Podcast on your podcast listening device.

Click here to listen to part two of the podcast.

If you enjoy visiting the little brown church on the hill, please consider making a donation towards its upkeep, either on our website (through Canada Helps), or by mail. Charitable receipts are issued for all donations.

We look forward to your future visits.

Step back in time as you climb the hill to the historic Rockingham Church, a unique relic of pioneer days restored and maintained by the Friends of the Rockingham Church. Set among tall pines, the weathered wooden church is known for its simple but appealing architectural details: the round-headed windows and graceful steeple, its warm interior paneling and the original pump organ and curved pews. Surrounding gravestones mark the lives of early settlers, including John S.J. Watson, Rockingham’s founder and an early Warden of Renfrew County.

Formerly known as St. Leonard’s Anglican Church, the building was saved from demolition in the mid-1990s and is maintained by the Friends of the Rockingham Church, Inc.

Open daily spring, summer and fall, daylight hours only.

Admission is free — donations are welcome.