On the third Sabbath morning (of the month) service is at Port Hill twelve miles to the North West of St.Eleanors. The difficulty of getting to Port Hill is greatly increased by a very badly attended ferry at Ellis or Grand River a mile in width. There are at this place no conveniences for transporting a horse and nothing better than very miserable log canoes for passengers so that in stormy weather the river is altogether impassable. It is in contemplation to erect a small Church on the Glebe at Port Hill but I much fear the means of the people are not equal to the undertaking. (Millman, p.3)

In a letter to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, dated August 18, 1841, Bishop John Inglis advised that a small church had been erected in the mission. Later in 1841, a missionary by the name of Rev. William Roche was appointed to Port Hill. Due to his dissatisfaction with the lack of a parsonage, he resigned this mission in just over a year’s time.

Having chosen to live in Charlottetown and make the fifty-four mile journey by horseback each

weekend to Port Hill, he found the arrangement most unsatisfactory.

The first episcopal visit was made to Port Hill on Friday, June 23, 1843. Bishop John Inglis held a service in St.Eleanors and later journeyed to the banks of the Grand River where

he spent the night with a Mr. and Mrs. Cambridge. Bishop Inglis describes this first visit as

follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Cambridge joined us, and we were rowed in a little boat to the ferry—house on Port Hill side of the river (two miles). From thence we drove to Mr. Yeo’s, a settler from Cornwall, and much respected (four miles). Having an hour to spare, I occupied it in walking over a glebe which has been given by Sir George Seymour, a principal proprietor in this parish, who takes a lively interest in its welfare, and feels that this welfare will be best promoted by aiding the influence and promoting the prosperity of the Church. A part of the Glebe has been cleared, and will have an increasing value. We next proceeded to the Church at Port Hill, which, though small, is compact, and suitable to the place, to which it is very creditable. Mr. Yeo’s subscription to the building was £50. It was consecrated, with its burial ground, and named after St. James. Fifteen persons were confirmed, and notice was given for the administration of the Lord’s Supper, for the first time. I addressed the people on all the employments of the day, and found them very attentive. Dr. Wiggins gives the best attention in his power to the little flock which has been gathered here, by God’s blessing upon his exertion but it is most desirable that a resident missionary should be placed among them. (Millman, p.5)