The first Episcopal services in Canton were held in 1840 by the Rt. Rev. Leonidas Polk, who was Provisional Bishop to the south and southwest. Bishop Polk, soon to be elected the first bishop of Louisiana, (who later served as a General in the Confederate Army) wrote in his journal, "On Sunday, April 26th, I performed the service and preached to a very large congregation at Canton. This is the county seat of Madison County, and ought to be furnished with the service of the Church. A missionary should be sent to them, and I have but little doubt that an earnest laborer would soon gather a congregation."

 The missionaries came. Occasional services were conducted by priests from Yazoo City, Clinton, Brandon and Jackson. In October of 1847, the Rev. Elijah H. Downing was appointed missionary to Madison County. Settling at Kirkwood, northeast of Canton at the plantation home of William McWillie, Mr. Downing organized St. Phillip's Church, Kirkwood, and Grace Church, Canton, on February 25, 1848. Later that year, Grace Church called its first Rector in residence.

The good priest, the Rev. Edward Fontaine, left a priceless record of his ministry as he wrote of his trials and tribulations, of his hopes and dreams in the first official record book of the parish. Grace Church is fortunate in having a full collection of its official record books from 1848 to the present. Scribed in the beautiful penmanship of many of its rectors are chronicled not only the names of the members but the crises and challenges of life as faced by parishioners and passers-by.

Both the exterior and interior of the church are essentially unchanged from the original construction in 1853. Restoration and extensive repairs were undertaken in 1961.

At that time, the stained glass windows at the back side of the church were rebuilt, thereby preserving the original medallions (dating from the mid-1800s). The two sanctuary windows, given in 1917, are apparently of English origin.

The Hart window on the Gospel side of the altar depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus.
 
 

The Howcott window on the Epistle side of the altar depicts an adoring angel holding lilies and palm branches symbolizing the Passion and Resurrection.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Although the dates of the wooden reredos and pews are not known, they may be pre-Civil War in origin. The pewter plates on many of the pew-ends reflect the early custom of raising funds for the church through "pew rents." Four outstanding examples of ecclesiastical brass are displayed in the church: the pulpit, the lectern, the altar cross and the prayer (litany) desk.

Another example of artistry and workmanship exists in the fourteen Stations of the Cross. These handcarved plaques, depicting the Good Friday journey of the Lord from Pilate's courtyard to Calvary, were designed and executed by two of our Grace Church artisans, Mrs. Mary Jane Dow and Mr. Oliver K. ("Sparky") Belote, Sr., in 1983. Throughout its history, Grace Church has been fortunate to number among its members and friends many outstanding artists. Their works are frequently displayed in the Parish Hall at the spring and fall Flea Markets.

Though the building is almost 150 years old, Grace Church, Canton, lives today, not as a monument to the past, but as a vital, energetic witness to the saving, redeeming love and power of God, through the person of Jesus the Christ. Even though the history of this congregation goes back to the early days of Mississippi, God's Spirit falls fresh each Sunday on His people gathered here to worship and pray and praise.

The church is always open for all to pray or rest, or for one to find a peaceful, quiet, beautiful spot for one's own refreshment and meditation. If you need prayer, counseling, or assistance, the rector is available to you. In an emergency he may be contacted by calling the church.