St. Margaret’s Chapel – Cape Chin
133 East Road, Cape Chin, Ontario
A chapel built from stone and spirit—quietly resting on a Bruce Peninsula hilltop, where wildflowers bloom and worship endures.
Service Times
SUMMER SERVICES : 7:00 p.m.
* Services from July to Labour Day with special services Victoria Day Weekend and Thanksgiving Weekend.
* Other special services will be listed under News & Events page.
Welcome to St. Margaret’s Chapel
At the edge of the earth — where the land meets the vast waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron — sits a small stone chapel with a mighty spirit. Nestled in open countryside just off Cape Chin Village, St. Margaret’s Chapel is a sacred space built from the heart of the Bruce itself.
If you’ve ever taken the time to wander off Highway 6 and explore the quiet rib roads of the Peninsula, you may already know: the most beautiful stories are often found off the beaten path.
A Vision Born from Ministry and Love
St. Margaret’s traces its origins to the inspiring ministry of The Rev. R.W. “Daddy” James, who served the Bruce Peninsula from 1911 to 1934. Known for his deep compassion and legendary pastoral care, Rev. James helped organize services in McCallum’s schoolhouse at Cape Chin — until the community expressed a longing for a church of their own.
He responded with conviction: the chapel must be built with local stone, in the best Anglican tradition, and adorned with lancet windows — to honor God and the land that gave it birth.
With help from architect Major F.B. James of Walkerton (no relation, but a shared vision), plans were drawn, inspired by a chapel the architect once built in Southern Rhodesia. Construction began in 1925, using wood cut from local forests and powered by the rear wheels of Parson James’s Model T Ford.
Built by Many Hands, Loved by All
St. Margaret’s is a testament to interfaith cooperation and communal spirit. Roman Catholics and Anglicans alike contributed time, money, and labour. Inside, every element tells a story:
- Oak pews donated by a widow in London, crafted in Owen Sound
- Pulpit and prayer desk made in Dundas and gifted by Wiarton railwaymen
- Communion table handcrafted by the Principal of Huron College
- Lectern from Homesville, gifted by a closing congregation
- Solid brass bell, once an engine bell from the Grand Trunk Railway
- Stained glass windows, donated by William Davidson of Hobbs Glass Factory
Each piece was lovingly added by those who believed in this chapel — even from afar.
A Chapel of Beauty and Botanical Grace
The exterior’s dolomite limestone glows in the sun, while the chapel’s architecture — with its bell tower, sloping buttresses, and hilltop placement — gives it an almost storybook charm. Inside, the layout is harmonious, and the windows hold a striking feature: wildflower motifs inspired by the rare blooms of the Bruce.
Look closely and you’ll find Trillium, Lady’s Slipper, Vetchling, Wild Columbine, Trout Lily — and perhaps, with the help of a field guide, even Dog Violet.
Worship in the Wild
Today, St. Margaret’s is the Chapel of the Anglican Parish of the Bruce Peninsula. Services are held on Sunday evenings during the summer, when the air is warm, the skies stretch wide, and the land breathes with peace.
The chapel is still maintained with devotion, cherished not just by locals but by those from far and wide who have felt its quiet power.
You are Welcome
Whether you’re seeking a moment of solitude, a summer service in sacred surroundings, or a connection to the deep spiritual roots of the Bruce Peninsula — St. Margaret’s Chapel awaits you.
Summer Sunday Services – Evening Worship
133 East Road, Cape Chin
Give us a call here: 519-795-7440
Stay a while. Let the quiet speak.
Well worth a lingering visit.
Open daily for quiet meditation.
