(63) The Hay Bay Church Tragedy: Faith in the Face of Loss

The Hay Bay Church

This narrative unfolds in Ontario at the Old Hay Bay Church. It holds the distinction of being the oldest Methodist structure in Canada. It was constructed in 1792 after the first settlement of the United Empire Loyalists in Quinte. It has been recognized as a National Historic Site since 1957. This serene two-acre estate and its neighboring cemetery offer a view of Hay Bay. It is located near Adolphustown on the shores of Lake Ontario.

It was Sunday morning, August 29, 1819, and some young Methodists ran late for church. On that day, 18 people gathered on the north side of Hay Bay. They hurried to reach the church before nine o’clock for the Love Feast. This was not a regular service. It was a special quarterly meeting. Every Methodist in the Quinte district had been looking ahead to it.

The gathering took place at the modest Methodist church in Adolphustown Township. The location was strategic by the shore of Hay Bay. This was convenient for summer boat traffic and winter sleigh rides. Proper carriage roads had yet to be developed. The budding farming community was still in its infancy. The church was better referred to as a meeting house. It was one of the few permanent structures amid the area’s log cabins and wooden shacks. With its plain design and barn-like appearance, it would be hard to recognize it as a church. It adhered to strict Methodist principles that frowned upon ornate architecture. There was no elaborate stained glass and no Gothic steeple. Despite its unassuming simplicity, the meeting house had become the center of the local Methodist community.

The Catastrophe

On that Sunday morning, the meeting house was already teeming with worshipers as the rowboat glided across the bay. The passengers heard the sermon and joined in the hymns being sung. They were that close when disaster struck. Meanwhile in the church, a prayer meeting was in progress. Someone prayed that this would be a day to be remembered for a long time. At that moment, screams came from the bay.

Rev. Isaac Puffer led the meeting. He looked up and saw the terrible struggle from the church. He instantly shouted, “Our friends out in the bay are distressed!” Everyone rushed out on the banks. Amidst the uplifting melodies, the fragile boat began to fill with water rapidly. Someone attempted to bail it out, but the bucket was quickly lost. Desperation set in as men started using their hats to scoop out the water. Rushing to the shore, folks were helpless to reach the drowning youth in time. Some of the parents watched in agony as their children disappeared beneath the water.

Barnard Cole and his family lived across the bay from the church. He owned a sizable skiff. This was uncommon as log canoes were still predominantly used. More people gathered to cross that Sunday morning than his boat safely held. The morning was serene. The bay’s waters were nearly undisturbed. The boat’s owner urged everyone aboard. One by one, 18 people hopped aboard. Most of them were teens and young adults. They started the mile-and-a-half row to the far shore. This was a fateful decision in an era when most people did not swim. He was confident in its capacity. Among the passengers were four family members, three of whom survived. Eighteen people were on board, mostly young members of the Methodist church. Initially, the atmosphere was joyful, with the youth singing revival hymns. Yet, halfway across, the boat began leaking badly and settling lower. A forgotten bailing dish led the men at the oars to row frantically as the situation worsened. Eventually, one attempted to use his Sunday hat to bail out water, but it was too late.

The boat was approximately two hundred yards from the shore. One of the young men claimed he was a strong swimmer. He decided to jump out to swim to shore. He hoped to ease the boat’s load. He carelessly stepped on the boat’s edge, causing it to tip and take on water. This startled the already frightened young women. They instinctively leaned to the opposite side. This caused the boat to fill with water and partially capsize quickly. Chaos and panic ensued. The young women, not capable of swimming, clung to each other and tragically drowned as a result. Some managed to hold onto the boat. They remained afloat until rescue arrived. Tragically, ten out of the eighteen individuals drowned.

The shore scenes were more emotionally intense than those in the water. Witnesses struggled with the anguish of seeing their loved ones in distress. Many expressed their grief through physical actions, while prayers and pleas to God filled the air among the gathered crowd.

Nine lifeless bodies were pulled from the murky water. Each one was a haunting reminder of the event that had just unfolded. The search continued long into the day. It was not until the next morning that the tenth body was found. It was submerged yet hidden from view. In response to the somber situation, the church was turned into a morgue quickly and respectfully. The community will come to pay their respects. All daily services were canceled. The church stood silent. It became a place of mourning for those lost. Families and friends gathered to find solace in each other during this difficult time.

The Victims

The first two, John (20) and Jane (18) German, were young siblings. They were children of Stophel German, a local preacher and one of the early supporters of the church. Their parents watched the tragic event from the shore, and the mother’s grief was unbearable. Although a talented singer, she never sang again, despite living for nearly forty more years. They resided on the north shore.

Peter Bogart (17), his parents, Abraham and “Polly” Bogart, lived on the next farm; Polly lived to over a hundred. People say Peter Bogart was set to marry Jane German. He lost his life while trying to save hers.

Mary Cole (20), daughter of Barnard Cole, lived on the next farm. She was about to marry Joseph Johnson from Prince Edward, who was also there that day, but he survived. The night before, she dreamed of his sudden death and mentioned it to Mr. Johnson in the morning.

Mary (21) and Jane (12) Detlor, the daughters of John Detlor and Jerusha Simons, were from North Fredericksburgh. They lived on a farm.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark (U) her father was Alexander Clark and mother Elizabeth McCleve.

Huldah Madden (U) lived on the edge of Fredericksburgh and Ernesttown, near the Morven brick church.

Matilda Roblin (18) was part of the Roblin family living in the county, but her exact residence is unknown.

Elizabeth McCay (18) lived near Little Creek and a daughter of Samuel & Amarilla McCay. One of eight childen

All of the deceased are believed to be from U.E. Loyalist families. United Empire Loyalists were American colonists who supported the British cause and Crown during the American Revolution (1775–83). Loyalty to Britain was dangerous.

The Funeral

Carpenters were quickly summoned to start crafting the coffins, as professional undertakers did not exist in this region then. News spread rapidly, and soon, distant friends began to arrive. The funeral was held the next day, with all ten coffins lined up in front of the church. A large crowd had gathered, and only a fraction fit inside. Isaac Puffer, a well-known circuit preacher, officiated the service. Known for his eccentricity, Puffer had memorized every chapter and verse of the scripture. He was capable of reciting or finding any passage instantly. Mr. Puffer took for the text Job 19:25-27, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” He stood at the door and tried to preach to those within and without. Yet, he was profoundly affected by the catastrophe. The weeping congregation and the coffins of the dead overwhelmed him. He confessed he could not do justice to the topic or the occasion. But he offered consolation from the Gospel to the stricken families mourning. Next, the coffins of the youthful dead were opened. This allowed friends, neighbors, and young acquaintances to take a last look and say farewell. The funeral was incredibly moving. The preacher repeatedly choked up. Nearly the entire congregation was overcome with sobs and tears.

Nine graves were side by side in the old burying ground opposite the church. The tenth was laid beside some other member of her family. One, Mary Cole (in my Family Tree) was buried on the north side of the bay.

Strangely, nothing marks the location of all these memorable graves. Markers were erected in the 1970s, adding an air of mystery to the site. There are no church records showing the exact locations of the buried. Only whispers of their stories echo through the ages. They are often said to be in the middle of that historic old “God’s Acre.” The name evokes deep reverence and curiosity.

The serene and promising day turned into a harrowing experience, forever changing the lives of those involved. The memory of that tragic event left an everlasting impact on the community. It serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life. It also highlights the unforeseen dangers that can arise even on the most beautiful days. While it warns survivors not to risk their lives unnecessarily, let it impress us with this solemn truth. “In life, we are in death.” Being prepared for such a sudden change is the peculiar privilege of the good and virtuous.

The community mourned for years. A sixteen-stanza poem kept the tragedy’s memory alive, and schoolchildren recited it for over a century. The story of the drowning of ten teenagers on their way to church in 1819 has proven to have an endless fascination.

The Hay Bay tragedy still ranks as one of the worst drowning incidents in Ontario history.

This event holds both historical and spiritual significance. Reflecting on it invites us to consider the fragility of life. It reminds us of the hope of eternity. It emphasizes the enduring call to faith.

The Hay Bay Church was where believers gathered to worship and grow in faith. In the early 19th century, camp meetings were vital to the Methodist revival movement. This was a growing branch of Protestant Christianity that emphasized heartfelt preaching. It focused on community worship and personal holiness. These meetings drew large crowds. They offered opportunities for spiritual renewal. Yet, these gatherings came with risks. This was tragically highlighted by the young people who lost their lives while seeking an uplifting experience. Their deaths remind us of life’s uncertainties and the urgency of the gospel message.

The Bible often speaks of life’s brevity. James 4:14 says, Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears briefly and then vanishes. These words challenge us to live purposefully, keeping our hearts aligned with God’s will. The loss of life in 1819 was devastating. It prompts us to think about how we steward our days. We should seek to honor God in all that we do.

The spiritual implications of this tragedy are profound, testing the faith of families and the Methodist community. A challenging question Christians face is, Why does God allow such tragedies? While there are no easy answers, Scripture offers comfort and perspective. It assures us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted. He saves the crushed in spirit. God’s presence in sorrow is a cornerstone of Christian faith. The community at Hay Bay leaned on prayer and each other for strength after the event.

Christian teaching also emphasizes the eternal hope we have in Christ. In John 14:1-3, Jesus tells His disciples, Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? The assurance of heaven gives comfort, reminding us that earthly loss is not the end. The young people who perished in the Hay Bay Church drownings left behind grieving families. Their faith assures us they are now with the Lord.

Faith provided solace for families mourning their loved ones. The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 offered comfort. “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death.” We believe that Jesus died and rose again. We also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. Though grief would linger, the assurance of resurrection and reunion in Christ offered hope that transcended loss.

The drownings of 1819 were a crucial moment for the Hay Bay community. This event tested their faith and commitment to one another. History shows that the tragedy deepened their reliance on God. It reminds Christians today that our faith in Christ provides an unshakable foundation despite enduring heartache. As Romans 8:38-39 declares, nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Historically, this event shaped the Methodist church’s legacy in Canada. It serves as a solemn reminder of the risks early Methodists faced to gather in worship. Their deep spiritual hunger drove their commitment. Their sacrifice and dedication inspire us to pursue our faith with similar passion.

Reflecting on this tragedy reminds us of the call to live with purpose. We recognize the need to trust God in all circumstances and hope for eternal life through Christ. Let us honor their memory by holding fast to these truths. We should share them with a world that needs the hope of the gospel. God did not ignore the community’s grief or their pain without purpose. While they did not understand why the tragedy occurred, they were encouraged to trust God’s sovereignty. They were encouraged to trust His goodness, even in the darkest times.