Our History
The history of Stroud Presbyterian Church extends back to 1822 when the earliest pioneers had their spiritual needs addressed by itinerant preachers who crossed the area on horseback. As settlements like the village of Stroud began to spring up and various denominational streams of the Christian church arose to serve the people, congregations were established. The first organized Presbyterian service in Innisfil took place in 1836. The Presbyterian Church in Canada was formed in 1875 and in 1909 construction began on Stroud Presbyterian Church.
On May 24th of 1909 the cornerstone was laid at a service of dedication conducted by the Rev. Dr. D.D. McLeod of the Presbytery of Barrie and Rev. Lachlan McLean minister. Inspired by a church building on Fifth Avenue in New York City, the building was designed by Toronto architect James Thomson originally from Barrie. Through the course of the intervening years of the 20th century SPC has been associated with Essa Road Presbyterian Church. In the 1980s the congregation became self-supporting and, in 1990, called their first full-time minister, Rev. Doug Crocker.
With highway improvements and developments in neighbouring areas, the congregation has come to serve a diverse population. Today Stroud Presbyterian Church is in a strong position geographically to minister to the rapidly growing populations of south Barrie and Innisfil.
While Stroud Presbyterian is a historic church the outlook of its people is very much up to date and welcoming to everyone.