OurHistory - The Parishes of Waterford and St. Marks in The Anglican Diocese of Fredericton

This was actually the first church in Sussex Corner and was originally known as the Trinity Anglican Church. The lot was donated by Thomas Ainsley in1794 in exchange for a pew on the ground floor. It was built primarily by Craig Goodman, a relief parson for various Church of England churches in the Saint John area - who was also an accomplished carpenter. The first rector was Oliver Arnold, who divided his time between the Sussex Corner, Norton and Hampton congregations. (His picture, as well as his wife’s picture, can be seen here.)

When the railway was routed through Sussex during the 1850's, the general focus shifted away from Sussex Corner and many businesses and residents moved along with it. The interests of the Anglican Church congregation were no exception. In 1874, after much debate, it was decided that the Trinity Anglican Church be moved to Sussex in order to be nearer to the growing business and residential district. Of course, not everyone agreed with this decision so it caused a split in the opinions of the congregation. After the Trinity Church was moved, another church was promptly built in it’s place. The corner stone was laid in 1875 and was completed in 1876. The nearby Markham house was purchased to use as the rectory. This new church flourished for nearly 40 years; until it was left without a minister in 1911. Eventually, the St. Mark’s Anglican Church was established in 1928 and remains in active use today.