St. Mary’s is engaged in actively sharing God’s unconditional grace and love.
Parish Story
St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Russell, Ontario traces its roots to 1856, when land was donated for Anglican worship and a frame church and cemetery were established to serve early settlers. The original church building served the parish until 1887, after which it was sold and relocated in 1894, becoming a Baptist church. That congregation closed in 1978, and the historic building was later preserved by the Township of Russell and reopened in 1989 as the Keith M. Boyd Museum, a testament to the community’s early faith and heritage.
Today, St. Mary’s is located at 139 Castor Streets and continues as an active parish within the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, faithfully serving the Russell community while maintaining its historic cemetery and strong connection to its past.
Remembering that the Diocese of Ottawa was founded on the unceded, ancestral territory of the Algonquin-Anishinabe people, we give thanks for them and for all who have walked these lands on which we worship.
We seek to nurture our relationship with our Indigenous members and neighbours, and to share responsibility for their homelands
Meet the Clergy
Rev. Tom Hubschmid grew up on a small ranch in Alberta, where he learned faith in Christ in a non-Anglican church. He loved looking after dogs and cows and learning western leathercraft from his father, a custom saddle maker. Later, he took a huge interest in literature, philosophy, and theology, which led him through an English degree in Calgary, to a PhD in Theological Studies at the University of Toronto. In Toronto, he met his wife Tania. They live in Ottawa.
While studying theology and philosophy, Tom discerned a call to ordained parish ministry. He brings to his preaching and leadership a passion for understanding the scriptures and interpreting them in a way that is relatable, powerful, and life-giving. He believes strongly that the possibility of belief in Jesus rests entirely on the Holy Spirit’s active impact on people’s lives. Wrestling with the scriptures, contemplative prayer, and receiving the sacraments (baptism and communion) are the ordinary ways he sees the Spirit actively drawing himself and others to Jesus. He promotes a deep relationship with God through Christ that is transformative for all who deal with despair, suffering, or shame. The result of deep Christian faith, he observes, is a life more connected to God, oneself, others, and the created world.
Rev. Tom is also passionate about local agriculture and takes an active interest in horsemanship. He will soon defend his PhD thesis in Theological Studies entitled God Only Knows: Truth and Prayer According to Mark McIntosh and Michel Henry. He loves to sit down with people and talk about matters of faith and searching.
Safe Church
St. Mary’s is deeply committed to ensuring as much as possible that our church family is safe and welcoming to everyone, no matter who you are. If you experience or see any inappropriate or abusive behaviour, no matter who or what, please inform our “safe church friends” parishioner Anne Mains (613) 455-8225
The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa’s Parish Violence & Harassment Prevention outlines prevention policies for employees (clergy and lay) and for parishioners, volunteers, and tenants. Email Ven. Rhonda Waters if you experience or see any inappropriate or abusive behaviour at the Diocesan level.
St. Mary’s Anglican Cemetery
St. Mary’s Anglican Cemetery is located on 2nd Ave Russell ON; the original deed indicated that lot 6 or part of lot 11, con. 3, was composed of one half acre, bounded on the east side by Duncan Street and on the south by Liffey Street. Both these streets have since disappeared. James and Janet Turnbull sold this land in the sum of five shillings for the on-half acre of land to the Diocese of Toronto in 1856.
The cemetery contains 66 stones which are widely dispersed over the one-half acre. A number of stones have fallen or toppled over and in some instances cannot be read due to the weight of them. The earliest death shown on the inscriptions is that of Catherine MORROW, born in 1745 and died in 1807 (stone no. 6). It is doubtful if this was the scene of the first burial as no other deaths occurred until 1869, that of Catherine KEAYS at the age of 76 years (stone no. 19). The oldest person to be buried here here were both 100 years of age. Mary BIRMINGHAM, born 1781 whom died in 1881 (stone no. 31) and William FITZPATRICK, born 1773 whom died in 1873 (stone no. 43).
Three stones indicate military service: Peter GRIFFIN (stone no. 59), Russell E. YOUNG (stone no. 65), Arthur SAVAGE (stone no.66).
There are more people buried in the Anglican Cemetery who reached the century mark than in the other three Protestant cemeteries:
1875 – 1976 Mrs. Thomas (Bollis) Kinchen (stone no. 58)
1773 – 1873 William Fitzpatrick (stone no. 43)
1781 – 1881 Mrs. John Birmingham (Mary) (stone no.31)
1826 – 1927 Mrs. Thomas Fielding (Ann (Oaks)) (stone no. 28)
To find the graves of ancestors, create virtual memorials or add photos, virtual flowers and a note to a loved one’s memorial, please contact us at infostmarysrussell@rogers.com.
Page Updated:2025/12/28