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685860 Oxford Highway #2, just East of Woodstock Sunday Services scheduled at 10:15 am Click here for a video tour of the Flower Festival
St. John's Eastwood is one of three churches that with Christ Church, Oxford Centre and St. Paul's Princeton form a Parish.
The original building was a rough cast structure situated just a bit to
the east of the present church and we are told that between 250 and 300
members attended church on Sunday The present church was originally a white frame building however, it was covered with brick in 1893. During the time of the brick construction, services were held in the Community Hall in the village. The newly bricked church was re-opened on October 25th, 1893 with Bishop Baldwin as special speaker. The church was heated by woodstoves and the lighting was oil lamps and candles; it was not until 1922 that electricity was added to the building.
In preparation for the 125th anniversary in 1956, the interior was again renovated and the pews rearranged to form a centre aisle. The Chancel was covered with hardwood floor, a gift of Mr. S. Potter Sr. and family. In 1958 a major step was taken when the basement was excavated for a Parish Hall with a great deal of volunteer help, tractors, scrapers, bulldozers, etc. The hall was dedicated on November 2, 1958. In 1977, panels with hand rails were made and placed at the steps of the chancel by Melvin Balls. The display-case was installed in 1981 with a guest book for visitors. A platform was built in 1984 by Mr. Cyril Depper to raise the Baptismal Font, and in 1986, railings were made and installed to enclose and enhance it.
In the winter of 2010 - 2011, a committee under the leadership of Mr.
Frank Gordon saw to the rebuilding of the narthex - a renovation which
gave
the church a kitchenette and an accessible washroom as well as a
proper cloakroom. It also opened up the church interior to make it
more airy while preserving the dark wood panels from Cathcart. The physical parts of our church have undergone changes as we have continued to grow, and with the help of many parishioners and priests along the way, we have created a congregation we can all be proud of. St. John's now stands quietly amid the resting places of those who have gone before us, and is surrounded by a grove of trees, a fitting place to worship Almighty God, and a spiritual home to welcome all who come through the doors.
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Before 1836, part of the congregation of Old St. Paul's Woodstock,
consisted of the community of Eastwood. It was felt that there
were enough families in this area to support their own place of worship.
Early records show that the land for St. John's Church was donated by
Henry Vansittart whose home, "Eastwood Park" was one of the
centres of Oxford County's early history. The Admiral donated £25
and the Rector put in £50 from the fund raised probably in England in
1837. Rev'd Wm. Bettridge conducted services in the church on
alternate Sundays.
evenings. In spite of bad
travelling conditions, these people came by ox carts, horse and
carriage, and by sleigh in winter. Some people even walked
considerable distances.
The church was redecorated in 1936 in preparation for its centennial
celebration. A new chancel window was presented by Thomas Perry in
memory of his mother and father, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Perry Sr., who
were very active in the early stages of the church's development.
The church received many gifts and memorials which helped to furnish the
interior of the building. A new electric organ was presented to
the church by Mrs. Chisholm in 1964 as well as three stained glass
windows, two of which were in memory of Mr. Shelby, given by his son
Car. and the other in memory of Henry and Eliza Balls by their family. 
