Attending a service at St. Andrews Church, Quebec City last month when visiting Quebec City was an important moment in my genealogy journey.
Back in 1818, on February the 4th, my 3x great grandparents Elizabeth Tipper and Robert Jeffery/Jeffrey were wed. The minister Alex Sparks wrote Tupper for the bride’s surname and it took about 15 years to figure out her surname was actually Tipper.
The first event at the St. Andrew’s Church for my family was the marriage of Elizabeth Tipper to Robert Jeffery in 1818.
A side note is that Chev. Robert d’Estimauville was a witness to both Elizabeth Tipper and her sister Anne’s marriages, and I have yet to find the connection.
I have been to Quebec City on a few occasions but St. Andrew’s, which is the oldest church of Scottish origin in Canada, is only open on Sundays for service. I have only been inside once before and that was many years ago.
On a Sunday I made my way to the church early and enjoyed sitting on the stairs outside the church, reveling in the knowledge that this is a very special place for my family.
Once I stepped inside the church a welcoming lady directed me to the pile of Hymnal books. I sat down and I waited for service to start. People continued to trickle in and I was happy to see some families with young children in attendance. I tried to picture the Jeffrey family sitting for service and fellowship.
And then the organ played. What a fantastic sound that echoed through the room. A few tears gathered at the corner of my eye as I allowed myself to bask be in the moment.
After service, I took a few minutes to photograph the interior as I don’t know when I will be back. Upon leaving I was welcomed to have fellowship after in the Manse but my travel companions were waiting, maybe next time.
Pictures of the interior of the church
My Genealogy Life 