The Church of St. Bartholomew is part of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa and has served the communities of New Edinburgh, Rockcliffe Park, Lindenlea and Ottawa since its founding in 1866. The stained white pine pews and the ceiling were made by early parishioner Henry Avery, cabinetmaker to the first three Governors General.
The first pew on the south side, containing five Victorian chairs and marked with the Royal arms, is the Vice-Regal pew, occupied by visiting members of the Royal family. The Queen and Prince Philip visited the church in 1982, and Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Richard of Gloucester have attended services. All Governors General, whether Anglican or not, have frequently occupied the Vice-Regal pew, as have lieutenant governors of the provinces.
In 1919, the Duke of Devonshire, Governor General at that time, decided that the seat immediately behind the Vice-Regal pew should be kept for members of the of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, when present. A regimental plaque and a small descriptive brass plate were presented to the church in November 1980 and are located on the Patricia Pew. This memorial was rededicated by the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Colonel-in-Chief Princess Patricia's Light Infantry during the centennial of the Regiment on 19 September 2014.
