Bishop Tom Corston spent a 'little different Christmas' in 2010 as he travelled to Chapleau and Foleyet for services through freezing rain, fog and 'beautiful bush'

Rt Rev Thomas A. Corston, who most of us from Chapleau commonly refer to simply as "Tom", spent a "little different Christmas" shortly after he became the ninth Anglican Bishop of Moosonee, in 2010.

At Christmas time in 2010,  Tom left Timmins on an historic trip down Highway 101 to preside at services at St. John's In Foleyet, and at St. John's in Chapleau. 

Writing in his blog in January 2011, he shared the story. I stumbled across his blog while doing some research recently, contacted Tom, the son of the Frances (Jardine) and the late Henry Corston, who were our next door neighbours, and asked if I could quote from it. He gave me permission. 

His little different Christmas started out a bit badly when shortly after leaving Timmins, he realized he had forgotten his wallet so had to return to the Synod office for it. 

Having left early, he had time but on the drive to Foleyet, "I encountered some light freezing rain but made the trip in good time.

"The rain created some beautiful Christmas card scenes on the surrounding trees."

The church was filled for the four p.m service. St. John's in Foleyet had been his first parish 35 years ago, in 1975. so "it was great to see some old friends in the congregation, now with grandchildren. We even had an organist so we enjoyed singing the carols and ended the celebration with everyone holding a candle and singing 'Silent Night'"

Leaving Foleyet he wrote, "I was worried for the drive to Chapleau as it was now dark. The highway was good though and I encountered no more freezing rain. Just outside town I encountered fog and as I entered town with the shops now closed and literally no one present on the main street, it was a surreal experience driving in the heavy fog.  Certainly not what one would expect on Christmas Eve in a northern community."

He noted that Chapleau was his home community and the large St. John's Church had struggled in recent years to keep its doors open. As an aside, St. John's was sold in 2016 to Jason Rioux, and plans for its future are now underway. Also for those who may not know, Tom attended Chapleau Public and Chapleau High Schools and was active in St. John's.

"What a wonderful experience it was that the old church was filled by the time the celebration began," he wrote.

"The full church unnerved the Layreader somewhat as she confessed her nervousness. I assured her that I was far more nervous than she because I recognized so many friends of my youth who came out to meet me, with grandchildren in tow.

"Christmas at home was a wonderful celebration, even with the canned music!!"

"I had not been in my home church for Christmas since 1974 and it was good to see family and friends come out to renew old acquaintances."

Tom was ordained Deacon in 1974 at St. John's, and to the priesthood in 1975.

His son Andrew  met him in Chapleau and they spent Christmas Eve at his sister Margaret's home on Borden Lake.

On the drive to Sudbury the next morning Tom related that he enjoyed "travelling through some beautiful bush, coloured with God's frosty paint brush."

As I read Tom's blog, my mind wandered back to 1885, and the first Church of England (Anglican) service held at Christmas time in Chapleau. It was conducted by Rev Gowan Gillmor, best known as 'The Tramp' who travelled the CPR line in Northern Ontario, as the "railway missionary." The service was likely conducted in a boxcar which was the first station.

Ian Macdonald collection

Rev. Gillmor was known to walk the CPR line, and at times pushed a handcar from place to place. 

Rev. Gillmor was also in Chapleau to  assist with the planning of the building of a church, which was officially opened on the site of the old tennis court on July 1,  1886.

The first service in the present St. John's was held on March 29, 1908 when it was dedicated by Bishop George Holmes.

Rev John Sanders

I also recalled reading about the travels by canoe and dog team of Rev. John Sanders (Saunders), who conducted a service at Chapleau on the banks of the river in 1882. I don't know if Rev. Sanders ever visited Chapleau in the Winter, but like Bishop Tom, am sure he enjoyed travelling through the "beautiful bush..." of Northern Ontario. Rev. Sanders may have been the first Indigenous (Ojibway) priest in the Church of England (Anglican) in Canada. 

Tom made it home safely to Sudbury where he was greeted by wife Ruth, son Stephen, mother Frances, and other family members.

He retired as Bishop of Moosonee on December 31, 2013, and is now Assisting Bishop, as well as interim part time Rector of the Church of the Epiphany in Sudbury, where he previously served as Rector.

Thank you Bishop Tom for letting me share parts of your "little different Christmas." It also let me do what I really enjoy -- mixing metaphors with my references to Rev. Gillmor and Rev. Sanders!.. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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Highlights from history of St. John's Anglican Church following announcement of its sale to Jason Rioux

Plaque dedication names below

In 1882, three years before Chapleau was formally established with the official arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Rev. John Sanders,  conducted a church service on the banks of the river, which was re-enacted 100 years later.

Rev. Sanders was one of a family of 20 born to Ojibway parents at Flying Post, on Groundhog Lake, 60 miles north of Biscotasing. He became one of the first aboriginal priests of the Church of England in Canada (later Anglican), and as a missionary conducted services not only on river bank, but at St. John's Church after it was established in 1885. 

Some of his descendants still live in the Chapleau area and other parts of Northern Ontario. Sanders is also spelled Saunders.

But, it was Rev. Gowan Gillmor, who delighted in his nickname "The Tramp" who was instrumental in establishing St. John's Church in Chapleau. He conducted the first service  in a boxcar in October 1884, and in  1885 was present to conduct services and hold meetings with the first settlers about building a church. He was called The Tramp because he actually walked the CPR line between Sudbury and Fort William (now Thunder Bay), and elsewhere as a "railway missionary".

By this time land had already been purchased and a deed granted by the CPR for the purpose of building the church. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts in England would provide a grant of four hundred dollars towards its construction, but Chapleau people would have to raise five hundred dollars, a tremendous sum in those days.

The sum was raised primarily through the efforts of two teenagers, Miss Annie Nicholson and Miss Minnie Richardson. Within two weeks Miss Nicholson advised the committee that a "really strong box" would be needed as they had raised over one thousand dollars.

The first St. John's, on the site of the old tennis court, was opened and consecrated on July 1, 1886 by Bishop Edward Sullivan, assisted by Rev Gillmor. 

In 1982, when Rev. William Ivey was rector he organized a re-enactment of the service on the river bank conducted by Rev. Sanders. Rev. Canon Redfern Louttit, who had attended the St. John's Indian Residential School, and later became an Anglican priest played the role of Rev. Sanders. The service was conducted in Cree, Ojibway and English.

Rev. E. Roy Haddon, a former rector returned to play Rev. Gillmor in another historical re-enactment. 

With the arrival of Rev. Jerry Smith as rector, and as the 100th anniversary approached, Linda Tebbutt and Sharon Henderson played Annie Nicholson and Minnie Richardson, the young ladies who fund raised for the first St. John's.

By 1905, plans were underway to build the new church as St John's had become the Pro-Cathedral of Moosonee when Bishop George Holmes moved to Chapleau. With the completion of the new church, which was dedicated on March 29, 1908, it remained the pro-cathedral until 1913. Final cost of the church was $18,000.

Fast forward to 1985 and the 100th anniversary of St. John's. Rev. Smith was the rector and 100 years of faith was being celebrated, according to The Chapleau Sentinel headline.

An old fashioned hymn sing launched the activities held in June 1985 with John Way-White and Chris Ivey rendering a trumpet duet. Rev. Smith introduced the special guests Archbishop Edward Scott, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada;  Bishop Les Peterson, of Algoma, and Bishop Caleb Lawrence of Moosonee.

MJM at 100th anniversary

Then Bishop Peterson dedicated a plaque in front of the church, followed by Bishop Lawrence who dedicated one on the banks of the river. Former rector Rev. William Ivey led the procession with his bagpipes.

A public reception was held in the Legion Hall, most appropriately, as it was originally St John's Parish House built by Mrs. and Mrs. G.B. Nicholson in memory of their son Lorne and his friends, who died on active service in World War I.

St. John's Peoples Warden Tom O'Shaughnessy was master of ceremonies introducing the guests and reading letters from those who were unable to attend.

Special tribute was paid to Mrs Amy Green on her many years of faithful service as church organist.

Father Jerry with Mrs. Green

The Sentinel reported that the Thanksgiving Eucharist "from the Processional to the Recessional, an hour and a half later, it was a service to remember,"

Bishop Peterson with Velma Morin, treasurer

Some of the participants included Archbishop Scott as guest preacher, with Bishops Lawrence and Peterson celebrating the Eucharist assisted by Rev Smith and Rev Tom Corston, a Chapleau boy, later a bishop of Moosonee.. The junior and senior choirs under the direction of Mary Winter were excellent.

"It was a truly memorable occasion," the Sentinel reported. It was!!

And now, Tom Corston,  the retired bishop of Moosonee, advised in a Chapleau Express article on May 5, 2016. that St. John's has been sold, effective June 1 to Jason Rioux. 

In the article it is noted that with the sale, it does not mean that the Anglican congregation is to vacate.  It quotes Mr. Rioux as saying that "We are most excited to be accommodating the current congregation to use the church as its place of worship and continue with their long standing pride of ownership for years to come."  A lease agreement has been reached with the Diocese of Moosonee, the report notes.

Obviously a new era is beginning for St. John's after about 131 years of serving the Anglican community of Chapleau. It will be most interesting to watch the progress, and I wish all parties well in their endeavours. I am most delighted that the decision was not made to demolish St. John's.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Plaque unveiling  Unveiling of plaque at waterfront marking spot where early services were held. From left are Bishop Peterson, Primate Ted Scott, former rector Rev William Ivey (with pipes, layreader William Walker, Bishop Caleb Lawrence, Rector Rev Jerry Smith

NOTE: I wrote history of St John's, 'Sons of Thunder... Apostles of Love' at the time of the 100th anniversary 

Mileage 615.1 becomes Chapleau as Canadian Pacific Railway contruction makes impossible dream a reality

Chapleau Plan 1886. courtesy Ian Macdonald

Just imagine for a moment that you were moving to Chapleau as the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks were nearing Mileage 615.1. The train stops seven miles east of the fledgling community, and you are told that is the end of the road. Pack up your belongings and children and walk the rest of the way pushing a cart that is provided. Or, perhaps, you might have enjoyed the experience of walking the entire CPR line from Sudbury to Chapleau, and maybe even as far as Port Arthur, a distance of about 2,000 miles.
CLICK ON DIAGRAM TO ENLARGE FOR BETTER READING
 Maybe you were coming to Chapleau from James Bay by canoe with some family members walking along the shore as there was only limited room in the small crafts. Just imagine!

You have learned that Sir John A. Macdonald's government had decided to turn the impossible dream into a reality. Across this vast land called Canada, a nation only since 1867, a transcontinental railway was being built to link it from sea to sea. The Canadian Pacific Railway would stretch from settled sections of the young nation, through the forests, muskeg and rock of Northern Ontario; across the flat lands of the Prairies; through the Rocky Mountains into the valleys of British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean.

First station. courtesy Ian Macdonald

 Welcome to Chapleau. In 1885, instructions were given to put a spur for a car to be set out at Mileage 615.1 on the CPR line, which was in the centre of the new community of Chapleau. This car became the first station, office building and train dispatcher's office. In no time, or so it seemed, a roundhouse with turntable and water tank had been built. A station and office building were under construction and Chapleau had become a town made up of surplus boxcars and tents with a population of about 400 people, ninety-five percent of them men as 1886 began.

 Reports from the time indicate that the first winter was very strenuous for the early citizens of the community. That is really an understatement as they had left their old way of life to build a new one far from any comforts they might have known. Apparently it was also one of those bitterly cold winters, to which Chapleau citizens became accustomed, and disease was also rampant.

 Lambert Lafrance arrived in Chapleau in 1885 and was joined by his wife Adele Roy and children in 1886. According to a biography of Father Albert Burns, their grandson, the train stopped seven miles east of Chapleau and they had to walk the rest of the way pushing a cart with all their worldly belongings. Members of the family still live in Chapleau.

 Rev. Gowan Gillmor, commonly called 'The Tramp' because apparently on many occasions he walked the railway track from Sudbury to Chapleau and on one occasion at least to Port Arthur. Rev. Gillmor, who was in Chapleau in late 1885, conducted a meeting in the partially completed CPR station which resulted in the decision to proceed with the building of St. John's Anglican Church. The first St. John's was on the old tennis court and was opened and dedicated on July 1, 1886 with Rev. Gillmor in attendance.

 As an aside Rev. Gillmor was also instrumental in the establishment of Church of the Epiphany in Sudbury where Thomas Corston was the rector before becoming Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee. As many readers will know, Tom was born and raised in Chapleau, the son of Frances (Jardine) and the late Henry 'Chicken' Corston.

 Rev. Gillmor provided an insight into his life and the situation along the CPR line. "I ministered to the construction people numbering about 5,000, holding services as I went along in camps, shanties and box cars and sleeping in these overnight; my experiences were the roughest. These people were from all parts of America and Europe. "Typhoid fever was the scourge of railway construction. Hospitals (Note: Not in any sense, a hospital as we would know one today) were filled with the sick and dying. My experiences ... were varied, solemn and awful."

For many years, he literally lived with the railway men, often pushed a handcar from section house to section house, drank tea from the same pan, ate green bacon from the same plate and often slept under the same blanket, according to Archbishop Robert J. Renison. Although First Nation people had travelled through the Chapleau area, they now began to move to the new community and settle there. Although Rev. John Sanders, perhaps the first aboriginal Anglican priest in Canada, never lived in the the community, members of his family have moving from James Bay by canoe. One of his trips after becoming based at Mattagami, was to go to Flying Post and then reach the Loon (Borden) Lake portage to the Chapleau River into Chapleau. He did conduct services at Chapleau.

 Although there were a number of Roman Catholic Jesuit priests in Chapleau, Father Louis Cote may have been the first to live in Chapleau, and helped establish Sacred Heart Church.

 Notwithstanding the horrendous challenges facing them in the beginning, by the summer of 1886, the tents and shacks which had comprised "Old Chapleau" -- a term used by the settlers to distinguish it from the "New Chapleau" -- were being replaced with permanent structures. The thoroughfares of the community were being set out, as land was cleared and replaced the forests.

John Young who became Earl of Lisgar

 The CPR prepared a diagram of the community including the streets -- north and south after Governors General of Canada and east and west after trees. Interestingly, and I only discovered it as I was examining a copy of the diagram, provided to me by Ian Macdonald, Chapleau has two streets named after the same Governor General -- Young and Lisgar. John Young became the Earl of Lisgar.

 Meanwhile, general stores were established as well as private residences. The CPR had completed its station and office building. It had also built a general store, fueling plant, freight sheds, two boarding houses and residences for local officials. Life was not easy. For example in 1888 an outbreak of diptheria struck and several, including young children, died during the epidemic. Fire was also a constant threat.

 However, these amazing pioneers, who really did carve a community out of the wilderness, never looked back as they established churches, a school, curling and skating rinks, a town band, sports teams, organizations, businesses, and continued to lay the foundations of their community in so many ways despite the obstacles.

 By 1901, with the leadership provided by George Brecken Nicholson, as the first reeve, Chapleau became incorporated as a municipality, and continued to move forward, demonstrating so often that the greatest resource any community has is its people.

 Ian Macdonald, who is always so helpful, has kindly agreed to share his research into the building of Chapleau in a future column. Ian who lived in Chapleau and attended Chapleau Public and Chapleau High schools also worked for the CPR. He is retired head of the department of architecture and professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba. My email is mj.morris@live.ca