Chapleau Roman Catholics will celebrate 100th anniversary of first midnight mass in present church this Christmas Eve

When members of Chapleau's Roman Catholic community attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve this year, they will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the present Sacred Heart Church. The mass in 1919 was celebrated by Father Romeo Gascon.

According to an article by Father Albert Burns SJ, a Chapleau native who was an altar boy at the December 24, 1919 Midnight Mass, the first church was built in 1885, on the site of what is today Collins Hardware. This church had become too small, and a larger one was built in 1891 with its final touch in 1898 on the site of the present church. Unfortunately it was destroyed by fire on December 18, 1918 just before Christmas. 

Father Albert Burns SJ

The new church was built under the guidance of  Mgr Roméo Gascon, Pastor at that time. The first Mass was Midnight Mass December 24, 1919.

Father Burns added, quoting from a book by Gemma Gagnon that the Jesuit Fathers on October 19th 1911, transferred the parish to a zealous priest, who had been two years pastor of Cochrane, Father Roméo Gascon. Later made Mgr Gascon, he was pastor 47 years in Chapleau. He died on January 25th 1958. 

To my many Roman Catholic friends in and from Chapleau, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you on the 100th anniversary of the present Sacred Heart Church. As a young person in Chapleau I was privileged to attend Midnight Mass at Christmas in your church with my good friend Louis Fortin and members of his family. One year I ran between your church and St. John's Anglican Church to attend both services. The Mass was celebrated in Latin at that time, and I still vividly recall the choir singing Adestes Fideles (O Come all Ye Faithful.). My life was made better from knowing so many of you. Thank you.

Turning to St John's Church for a moment, my aunt, Marion (Morris) Kennedy who died in 2007 once sent me a piece of writing she had done which captured Christmas at St. John's Anglican Church. when she was a child growing up in Chapleau. Aunt Marion wrote in part: "The bellows were worked by boys given the honour in a cupboard below the organ. There was many a tale of the organist wildly pumping the footpedals and calling for air. The boys carved or wrote their initials on the walls - one set belonging to the brother of the narrator (my father James E. Morris), and in times of refurbishing the church the initials were always left as is.

"At one of the Christmas services, a young girl sat with her mother (my grandmother, Lil (Mulligan) Morris), third pew from the chancel steps and below the pulpit, watching through her fingers, the parishioners partaking the Holy Communion Rite. So many came forward and at the end of the procession one native gentleman came slowly up the aisle on moccasined feet -- one could feel the pain,

"He was helped up the chancel steps by a choir member to the waiting respectful minister holding chalice and bread. The repast over. the gentleman made his way slowly back to his pew. The choir and congregation in awe, joined in humble reunion. As the church members exited, Christmas greetings were exchanged quietly. Everyone was moved by the devotion and faith of the native gentleman who had walked a long distance to attend." Aunt Marion added that she recalled this particular service every Christmas thereafter no matter where she was living.

I recall Christmas Eve in Chapleau so well as citizens of all denominations would meet and greet each other as they went to and from their respective churches. It was usually a bitterly cold clear night with the temperature at times reaching minus 50 below Fahrenheit, the smoke from chimneys going straight up to the heavens, lots and lots of snow, and everyone bundled up in their Christmas finery. But people greeted each other and the sounds of "Merry Christmas" and "Joyeux Noel" could be heard from all sections of the town as people took time from their other festivities to attend church.This also included parishioners from Trinity United Church.

The display at Dr Young's building at Beech and Lorne Streets was also a special attraction.

 To all readers, my very best wishes for Christmas and 2020 as we start another decade of the 21st century. God bless. 

NOTE --This column appears in a bit different way in the December 19, 2001 edition of the Chapleau Express as my Chapleau Moments column. I wanted to mark the 100th anniversary of the present Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

"Mustard seed sown in fertile soil" guided missionaries and pioneers in Chapleau's Roman Catholic community according to Father Romeo Gascon

RC church circa 1914

Before the first Roman Catholic church was built in Chapleau, mass was sung in the home of Mrs. Noel de Tilley, according to an article in the Richard Brownlee papers.

Mr and Mrs de Tilley lived in a cottage next to Tom Carr's boarding house circa 1885. It was across the street from where the Algoma Hotel was later built.  Noel de Tilley had "the honour of driving the first engine into the station" in the summer of 1885.

Mrs. de Tilley is also credited by many sources as being responsible for suggesting the name Chapleau to civil engineer C. Dufresne who "found it quite a problem to select names for all the places along the line and he turned to her for inspiration."

The visiting Roman Catholic priests also stayed in their cottage.

Before the first Roman Catholic was built it was housed in a tent where Collins store is now at Lorne and Birch Streets. The second church was built where the present church stands today.

Rev Father Romeo Gascon who served as parish priest from 1906 to 1958 picks up the story of the Roman Catholic church in Chapleau in a signed article again in the Richard Brownlee papers.

Father Gascon wrote that "The early beginning of the Catholic church in Chapleau as in any other place was modest. Great and numerous were the hardships of those first missionaries who had to minister to to the few faithful scattered over such a large territory. Those who have shared the trials of these bygone days, those who have witnessed these events are the only ones who can do justice to the perseverance and self sacrifice of those first missionaries."

In 1883 Father Cote had taken charge of the vast district between North Bay and Port Arthur. He was also responsible for the first "chapel" on the Collins store site.

Father Cote said mass and administered the Sacraments in construction camps or private homes along the way.

By 1891 Father Grenier SJ took charge of the mission at Chapleau and under his guidance a larger church was built. This church served the Roman Catholic community until 1918 when it was destroyed by fire. 

Other priests came and left but it was Father Proulx who also looked after the "spiritual needs of the numerous missions on the Railway." Then Father Lefebvre came who beautified the church with by having three new altars installed. 

Father Proulx returned and 'It was under his ministry through his energy and zeal that two modern and substantial buildings were erected, the Catholic separate school and the priest's house."

Faher Gascon arrived in 2006 but in 1918 shortly before Christmas the church was destroyed by fire.

He commented: "The church and its contents, rich statuary and costly mass vestments, tribute to the zealous work of the early missionaries and the generosity of the faithful pioneers was the prey of fire on the night of December 18, 1918. In a few hours nothing was left of the work and generosity of thirty years,"

Father Gascon noted that the fire cast a gloom over the joyous feast of Christmas but this gloom was of short duration. 

Immediately the Catholic people with their Pastor, (Father Gascon) "pledged themselves to rebuild on a larger scale, to put up a church which would be a credit and proof of their unfeigned faith and generosity."

And this was accomplished.  The first mass  in the new church was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1919. On Christmas Eve this year Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church will celebrate 100 years in the new church. 

I leave you with part of a final comment from Father Gascon.  "The beginning as you may see was modest. It was the mustard seed sown in fertile soil. Through the zeal, sacrifices and energy of these first missionaries and pioneer settlers this tiny seed has germinated and grown up to be a large tree. Its branches and leaves now throw a refreshing shade...."  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Miss Teenage Canada Emma Morrison and Griffin Poetry Prize winner Liz Howard both important to sound of Chapleau story

Before I get specific about some of the sounds of the Chapleau story as I officially mark 10 years of writing Chapleau Moments, let me explain PERSIATS + G! which has been a guideline for me all my writing life, and is something I try to use as a guideline, no matter the issue.

 In 1964, I took a course in American history from Dr Charles W Paape, and he used the formula to put history into perspective. All elements of it are in every event to a greater or lesser degree.

For example, an election is a political event of course -- but it is also about economics, religion, social life, intellectual life (education), the arts, science and technology, and the "G" is geography - the place where it happens.  Metaphorically, it all happens on Main Street in the village where we live.

I have always been indebted to Dr Paape for his formula as I have used it time and time again.

Here is an example of Dr Paape's formula using Rev. Father Romeo Gascon the parish priest at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church from 1911 to 1958 when he died and G. B. Nicholson.

He was active in Chapleau life far beyond his duties to the Roman Catholic community. 

Referring to research by Gemma Gagnon, Father Albert Burns SJ, noted that the Jesuit Fathers on October 19th 1911, transferred the parish to a zealous priest, who had been two years pastor of Cochrane,

By 1916 he had become involved in Chapleau sports and was the coach of the Young Elephants, a baseball team that played on a ballfield located at about the present site of the golf course. My grandfather Harry Morris was a member of the team.

In his book "Waking Nanabijou: Uncovering a Secret Past", Jim Poling Sr. notes that he was a "miniature whirlwind" interested and active in everything from architecture to painting to golf as well as hunting and fishing. Mr. Poling, who was at one time the general manager of the Canadian Press came to know about the Chapleau priest as he was researching a history of his family.

He also enjoyed woodworking and had a printing press in the rectory.

Just before Christmas, on December 18, 1918, Sacred Heart Church was destroyed by fire, but Father Gascon went to work right away and within a year a new beautiful church had been built on the same location and its 90th anniversary was celebrated on December 24, 2009 at Christmas Midnight Mass. Father Gascon had sketched out the design for the new church and celebrated the first mass in it. On Christmas Eve 2019 the church will celebrate its 100th anniversary

He was also president of the Kebsquasheshing Golf Club at one time, and enjoyed playing a round of golf with his friends from all denominations, including his good friend George Fife, the manager of the Chapleau Electric Light and Power Company who was also reeve of Chapleau from 1938 to 1942. I can recall saying good morning to both of them as they visited either on the front verandah of the Fife home on Lorne Street or the steps of the power company office on the site of the present Bargain Shop. Father Gascon greatly contributed to the sounds of the Chapleau story.

In the early years of Chapleau there is likely no one who contributed to the sound of the story in every one of Dr. Paape's formula than G. B. Nicholson

In about 1913 Guy Rogers visited Chapleau and wrote in a report that while there he made a friendship with "the real leader of life in Chapleau, a Mr. G.B. Nicholson, a fine Christian, and able man of affairs."

Rogers had been sent to Canada from England by the Archbishop of Canterbury of the Church of England to travel on the Canadian Pacific Railway to observe the work being done by the church as well as the lifestyle. He gives a glimpse into life in Chapleau at the time in the following statement: "How the early settlers stood the monotony and hardship of life is known only to them and God."

However, G.B. Nicholson, who was born on Prince Edward Island in 1868, and came to northern Ontario to work for the CPR with whom he worked for 17 years, where he also served as general secretary or general chairman for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers on the CPR eastern lines for 10 years. He turned down promotions as the man who came to be called "the father of Chapleau" had other plans for his life and the community.

In 1901, largely because of efforts by Mr. Nicholson, Chapleau became incorporated as a municipality in Ontario, and he became its first Reeve -- serving until 1913, and being returned by acclamation in the elections then held yearly for council. Chapleau experienced a remarkable period of growth during his time in office. A water works system was built with hydrants throughout the community. Two schools had been built and the high school was being planned. A town hall, described as 'a most moden building for the times' complete with theatre opened in 1913. Sidewalks were laid throughout the town, something that always amazed me as a kid seeing how early in Chapleau's history they were built. Go for a walk and take a look!

In 1910, the very efficient Chapleau Fire Department was created.

The railway YMCA with rooms and a restaurant received compliments and in 1914 the Lady Minto Hospital opened under the guidance of the Victorian Order of Nurses. The business section contained a number of special, general and department stores and the population had reached about 2,500 people.

Of course there were so many others who greatly contributed to the sound of Chapleau's story and each made it a better place to live, work and play for all of us as the greatest resource a community has is its people.I have included a photo of some from the sod turning for the new sewage system circa 1950.

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But in reflecting on the community's story I decided to include two very talented Chapleau citizens who brought great attention to the community and credit to themselves in the 21st century

The Globe and Mail reported that Liz Howard from Chapleau,  became the youngest winner of the Griffin Poetry Prize, receiving the $65,000 award for her collection Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent.

Liz Howard

"I sort of feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience It may seem really strange but I feel as though I actually died some time ago and [I'm] living in an afterlife," she told the newspaper.

Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent is the first debut collection to win the prize, as well.

Liz who also received $10,000 for taking part in the Griffin Prize readings, said the award would allow her to pay off her student loans and concentrate on her next book.

"I have several different projects in my mind, and it's hard to focus," she said. "All I want to do is write. All I want to do is do this one thing. And this is such a confirmation."

During her acceptance speech she said that"My upbringing was quite difficult and impoverished, and when I was young I sort of thought that perhaps it would be best to not exist "I guess I just want to say that it can get better. And for me, poetry made life possible."

At the awards ceremony, Liz said she has  several different projects in mind, and "it's hard to focus. All I want to do is write. All I want to do is this one thing."

Liz also paid particular attention to youth: "I know a lot of our youth today are struggling, especially our First Nations youth. And I guess I just wanted to say that it can get better. And for me, poetry made life possible for me. It made life tolerable for me - both reading it and writing it.

In an earlier interview Liz commented that ""My childhood in Chapleau, especially the significant amount of time I spent in the woods and lakes, are foundational to my writing. I am also very proud of my Anishinaabe (Ojibway) heritage and write about many First Nations issues."

Emma Morrison, a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation won not only the title of Miss Teenage Northern Ontario but Miss Teenage Canada,

After winning the Miss Teenage Canada title she told CBC News in an interview, "I want to stand up for all Canadians, regardlesss of gender, race, personal identity or preferences'

"Everyone needs to gain more self-love because I find today's society is more based on looks, how great you look on camera."

She admitted  her hours were long and she felt stressed over details during the pageant, but it was all worth it when she was crowned the winner. 

"At that moment, I was so shocked and so happy because  now this little, small town girl has accomplished such a big task," she says.

"It shows that no matter where you come from, you can set your goals high and big and work hard, and you will succeed. I feel like now I have a voice."

Both Emma and Liz have so greatly contributed to the sound of the Chapleau story. When reflecting on them, I realized more than ever that it was in Chapleau that I first became aware of the sound of story which has been such an important part of my life. I wish them well.

Thank you to all those who have responded to my column of July 11, especially Bobby and Margaret Rose Fortin who sent me a message and so kindly loaned me the Richard Brownlee Papers and other material.Bobby and Margaret Rose, both members of Chapleau pioneer families have helped so much. 

On a final note, Mr. Brownlee, one of Chapleau's first citizens was one of my first friends. After my father Flying Officer Jim Morris was killed on active service in the RCAF on July 16, 1943, my mother Muriel (Hunt) Morris and I lived with my aunt and uncle, Elsie and B.W. Bubs Zufelt on Beech Street. I would go through back lane to Main Street and the barber shop to visit him. He would also take me for rides in his car..

Please feel free to contact me with any you feel have created to the sound of Chapleau stories. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Fond memories of Sacred Heart School in Chapleau by Leona (Downey) Murphy from World War I years

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As another school year draws to a close, I discovered excerpts from Leona  (Downey) Murphy's fond memories of Sacred Heart School, which provide insights into school life in Chapleau as World War I began in 1914. It was prepared for the 100th anniversary of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church

Although I have been retired as a faculty member at College of the Rockies for 17 years now, each June, my thoughts return to school, and so I looked for information about education in Chapleau's early years!

Leona was a daughter of Patrick and Annie Downey, a pioneer family.

 They arrived when Chapleau  was "a hamlet with one school, the public school which all students attended, no hospital, a cluster of a few businesses mostly situated near the railway and a few outlying farms. The rest was bush," according to an article by their granddaughter Joy (Evans) Heft in Chapleau Trails, edited and published by Dr. William R. Pellow.

Leona recalled her first day at Sacred Heart School "at the ripe age of five" in 1914 as if it was yesterday. In those days new classes began at Christmas, Easter and in September.

Her first teacher was a Miss Rheaume who she describes  as a "very gentle person who never raised her voice but maintained good discipline in a crowded class."

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She recalled that one day they heard a high pitched sound coming from  a coal bin. "Of course the boys had to ferret it out; it turned out to be a bat. None of us had ever seen one before. We were provided with a lesson in natural science."

During the winter months, the heat was provided from a coal furnace and the temperature was to be maintained at 68 degrees Fahrenheit. However, at one point the school was closed for a few weeks when a caretaker forgot to fire up one evening, pipes burst. "a great mess!"

The school was also closed during epidemics of diphtheria and Spanish flu.

World War I broke out in 1914, and Leona recalled students singing songs including 'Good Luck to the Boys of the Army', 'Men of the North', 'Tipperary', and 'Over There'.

There was no radio in Chapleau then and only a few phonographs, but they learned the words and tunes.

The students were also active in the Chapleau branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society making mufflers and ear tapes to be sent to Chapleau boys overseas.

"The little knitters would sit in the fire escapes with wool and knitting bags."

School principals were able to declare a picnic day or organize a snow shoe tramp.

Disaster struck on Christmas Eve, 1918, when Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church burned down and nothing was saved except the "Blessed Sacrament" which Father Romeo Gascon, the parish priest, entered the church and retrieved it.

For the next year while masses were held in the Town Hall Auditorium fund raising for a new church opened on Christmas Eve 1919 was a priority. As there were no telephones at the time in Chapleau, students became church messengers.

World War I ended before she left the school and she recalled that when the news was received that it was over, the school was closed. Again, without radio, news of the events were received at the CPR Telegraph office, and then the recipents would rush out to "Tell Everyone".

Leona also mentions an ecumenical side of life  when the separate school grades 7 and 8 hosted public school to a sleigh ride and bean supper, singing and an impromptu program".

Although I am not sure who actually sponsored it, I recall a sleigh ride when I was a kid, with many Roman Catholic friends and we sang Christmas carols, One of which was 'O Come All Ye Faithful' which Lawrence 'Ton' Comte and Raoul Lemieux taught me it  in Latin as 'Adestes Fideles'.

Leona noted that Chapleau has "always had the ecumenical spirit. It was a great place to spend our growing years."

In 1927 Leona returned to teach at the school. "I had just turned 18 and inexperienced, so it was an interesting an exhausting year --- a large class."

But it all turned out well. She didn't think that any of her pupils "went to jail" and many were successful in their professions and other walks of life."

Once again, I must acknowledge the tremendous work by the late Doug Greig for his work in digitizing and making available so much of Chapleau's history. Rest in peace my friend. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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Separate school class picnic 1917. back E. Fortin, B. Martin, A. Petrosky, C. Bouillon, H. Vezina. 2nd row H. Seymour, B. Downey, C. Martin, H. Burch, I. Mulligan, E. Perfetto. Third row L. Brunette, M. Stadnisky, E. Fortin, A. Blais, J. Stokes. Front V. Downey, L. Hertopan

Charles Mulligan takes class for sleigh ride. Charles Mulligan was a relative  of MJM

"Mustard seeds planted in fertile soil" marked beginning of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Chapleau

Father Romeo Gascon, who was mainly responsible for building the present Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, provided an account  of the project after the  church was destroyed by fire on December 18, 1918.

The first Roman Catholic church in Chapleau was located where Collins furniture store is now. In 1891, a Father Grenier arrived and under his guidance a larger church was started at its present location, 

Father Gascon noted in his article contained in the Richard Brownlee papers. Father Gascon was priest in Chapleau from 1911 to 1958 when he died.

Prior to the building of the first church, Father Gascon wrote that Mass and the administration of the Sacraments were conducted in construction camps and private houses. "Great and numerous were the hardships of those first missionaries who had to minister to the few faithful scattered over a large territory,"

Roman Catholic Separate School

It was under the ministry of a Father Proulx that the priest's house was built around 1906 as well as the separate school. In 1925 the Sisters of St. Mary built the convent.

Priest's house, back of church and steeple at United Church

Disaster struck when the church became "the prey of fire" and the "church, and its contents, rich statuary and costly Mass vestments, tribute to the zealous work of the early missionaries and the generosity of the faithful pioneers" were lost."

"In a few hours nothing was left of the work and generosity of thirty years," Father Gascon wrote. "It cast a gloom over the joyous feast of Christmas.."

However, this was of short duration. "Immediately the Catholic people with their pastor pledged themselves to rebuild on a larger scale, to put up a Church which would be a credit and proof of their unfeigned faith and generosity.

"And this was accomplished. The following Christmas, Midnight Mass was sung for the first time in the new church."

Father Gascon sketched out the design for the new church and supervised the construction.

Alfred Leclerc, who arrived in Chapleau in 1915, in an article prepared for the church's 100th anniversary, said he had helped built it. He also was actively involved in other ways over many years.

Georgina and Alfred Leclerc

Writing his account in December 1932, just before Christmas,  Father  Gascon added that since the new church was opened, almost every year something is done to  "beautify the church so today it  stands as one of the nicest churches in the district."

In his conclusion, which he then signed "Romeo Gascon" he noted that the beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church in Chapleau were modest but were "mustard seed sown in fertile soil.

"Through the zeal, sacrifice and energy of these first missionaries and pioneer settlers this tiny seed has germinated and grown up to be a large tree.  Its branches and leaves now throw a refreshing shade."

He invited the people to the church to rest and regain lost strength. Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church will celebrate its 96th anniversary in the "new" church this year at Christmas.

I extend my thanks again to Margaret Rose and Bobby Fortin for loaning me the Richard Brownlee papers.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Selling shamrocks on the street and a three act Irish play marked St Patrick's Day in Chapleau

Happy St. Patrick's Day! At one time in Chapleau's history, March 17 was considered a "big day" for all citizens.

Always sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women's League, the highlight of the celebration of St. Patrick's Day was a lighthearted three-act Irish play presented in the auditorium of the Town Hall on Pine Street.

Writing in 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario', Vince Crichton wrote that the day started with "charming young ladies selling shamrocks on the street and from house to house. Everyone, regardless of race, colour or creed, wore this emblem of Ireland on that day".

In the afternoon, the ladies of the Catholic Women's League held their annual tea in the Town Hall basement at which baking and articles such as aprons were sold, "every piece having been made and donated by the members."

The dress rehearsal for the play got underway at 4:30 p.m. with a matinee for all school children at a reduced ticket fee -- and I still recall the auditorium was packed for the occasion.

After the matinee, cast members had supper downstairs prepared by the CWL, followed by final preparations for the play which Vince called  the "piece de resistance" of the day.

"It began at eight in the evening to a packed house, and always in the front row sat Father Romeo Gascon, that wonderful parish priest." Father Gascon was parish priest at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church for 47 years. He died in 1958.

Vince noted that the play was culmination of many weeks of practice and was a highlight of the year for dramatic productions. There were actually several drama productions in any given year all produced, directed and acted in by local talent.

Following the play, there was a party for all those involved, which included a dance, and if my memory serves me right, Alf Comte and his Orchestra often provided the music. Father Gascon was always present and part of the porgram

From the time it opened in 1914, just as G.B. Nicholson the community's first reeve was retiring the Town Hall was a central place for activities throughout its history. If only the walls could talk!

Vince suggested that the other major celebrations in Chapleau early years were Dominion Day on July 1 and the Orange Lodge activities on July 12.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca