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

Patrick and Annie Downey reflected pioneer spirit raising family plus involvement with church and community

Settling in Chapleau just before the beginning of the 20th century, Patrick 'Paddy' and his wife Annie Downey reflected the pioneer spirit of those times as they became involved with the church and community as well as raising their family.

Born in Sheenboro, Quebec, Mr. Downey started working for the Canadian Pacific Railway in its early years returning home from Chapleau in 1897 to marry Annie Catherine Mears. For the first few months in Chapleau, they lived with Tom and Catherine Downey, a cousin.

They first lived in a house near Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church where five of their eight children were born, but then bought large house on Lorne located  across from the YMCA, where the liquor store is today.

In an article about the Downey family written for the centennial of Sacred Heart Church, the writer who is one of the family but not identified noted that "Both Annie and Paddy were hard working energetic people who were happy to be living in a country where freedom and opportunity were available to all."

To supplement Mr. Downey's income from the CPR and to pay for their new house, they rented four bedrooms, usually to teachers. Apparently teachere were "sent" to Mrs. Downey. Renting rooms with board was a pretty common practice even the 1940s-50s when I was growing up in Chapleau. 

The artice writer noted, "Imagine the washing that entailed with no electricity and water heated by a tank near the cook stove adding that it was a "horrendous" job with family and boarders ---"scrubbing, cooking, sewing, patching..."

Much of the work fell to many wives of many railroaders who would be out on the road for long periods of time in those days.

However, the boys would go with their father to get the wood supply sometimes putting it in a boom to float down river, haul it home, saw it, pile it outside to dry, throw it in the basement, pile again...

No gym was needed, the article notes.

Despite challenges they were always secure and well cared for.

"Both parents had the pioneer spirit and became very involved with church and comunity,"

At first all children attended the public school but in due course there was a need for a separate school and Mrs. Downey and other women met with Bishop Scollard to pursue it. By 1910 it had been provided.  

Mrs. Downey was also active in the Catholic Women's League and was very involved in the selection of plays and casts for the very popular St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Mr, Downey was also active in the church.

After Chapleau High School opened in 1922, Mr. Downey served several terms as a board member, and was very active in its early years.

During the Great Depression, Mr. Downey served on the municipal council which was a great challenge with many out of work.

Another great Chapleau pioneer family. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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St Jean Baptiste Day celebration rocks Town Hall walls with "excitement and merriment" with 800 suppers served to end day's activities

Gilbert Chevigny with his lamb

On St Jean Baptiste Day activities to mark the occasion sponsored by Chapleau's French Canadian Association attracted hundreds and the day was a great success, according to  Sudbury Star report. 

The report included in the Richard Brownlee papers does not have the year, but judging by the people in the photos, my best guess is around 1959 or 1960. The younger folks were among by good friends growing up in Chapleau in the 1950s. If anyone knows the exact year, please feel free to let me know.

Headed by association president A. R. Morin, the day began with High Mass sung by Rev. Father R. Marchand at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church with special music under the direction of Robert Labelle, with Gaetan Roussel at the organ.

Although rain interrupted the plan momentarily, it did not spoil the pleasure of the hundreds of children and their parents who packed the Town Hall to capacity, following the parade.

A highlight of the parade was St. Jean and his lamb, a real one, with six-year-old Gilbert Chevigny playing the role of St. Jean. There were seven floats plus hundreds of children in the parade.

The parade went from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic School to the town hall where Paul Belair took over as master of ceremonies.

names below

Singers in solo and groups included Jeannine and Rita Morin who also played the piano. Daniel Lemieux, Cheryl Martin and Mrs. Charles Ouellette played selections at the piano while the Frappier sisters entertained with their singing, as did Norman Bosse. Group members included Jacqueline Broyeau, Rejeanne Roussel, Rita Morin and Denise St. Jacques.

The article noted that "After the concert the real uproar began in the basement and the old town hall's walls rocked with excitement and merriment of hundreds of children in high spirits. A supper of beans to end all beans was served as the final event. It was estimated that 800 suppers were served not counting those who returned for seconds."

Members of the executive committee who worked with Mr. Morin to make the day a success included Paul Belair, A. Leclerc, Claude Bourget, I. Charlebois, M. Carbonneau, Maurice Chevigny, N. Roussel and Maurice Levebvre. 

Women also "shared the load in the preparation for the celebration and in carrying out duties to make the day a success," the Sudbury Star article noted. See photo.

names below

Once again I thank Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for loaning me the Richard Brownlee papers. In working on this column I realized that Mrs. Jeanne Brownlee, the wife of Mr. Brownlee added to the papers after her husband died in 1951.  Mrs. Brownlee was a member of the St. Jean Baptiste Day committee. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

PHOTOS

Organizers included front row left to right: Napoleon Roussel, Paul Belair, Gaitan Rouseel, Father R. Marchand, A.R. Morin, R. Noiseaux. Second row: I. Charlebois, R. Charbonneau, O. Landry, R. Morin, M. Lefebvre. Back: E. Pineault, Claude Bourget, E. Leclerc, Lionel Ouellette

Ladies group members who also assisted: Front left to right Rejeanne Roussel, Ghislaine Longchamps, Lorraine Cormier, Rita Morin. Second row: Jeanine Morin, Mrs. Eddie Gionet, Mrs. Thomas Rioux, Mrs. J. Charlebois, Mrs. Andre Morin. Third row: Mrs. N. Roussel, Mrs. Aldred Leclerc, Mrs. Albert Longchamps, Mrs. Lorenzo Longchamps, Mrs. E. Pineault, Mrs. Jeanne Brownlee, Mrs. A.R. Morin.

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Chapleau headed for some significant moments in its history of the past 100 years starting in 2018

Chapleau will be marking several significant moments in its history of the past 100 years over the next five years.

 Remembrance Day on November 11, 1918, will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, and Chapleau citizens made a significant contribution to the war effort, both on the battlefields of Europe and at home.

In our book, 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War', Michael McMullen and I produced a list of 283 volunteers, 282 men and one woman, with a Chapleau connection, who enlisted in World War I. That was more than 10 percent of the entire population of the community at the time.

We also identified 32  Chapleau boys who died in World War I, or died thereafter, due to their war related wounds/health conditions.

On the home front, citizens contributed to the war effort through the Chapleau branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society and other organizations. 

On November 4, 1918, just a week before World War ended, Lt. Lorne Nicholson of the First Chapleau Platoon of the 227th Battalion (Men O The North) was killed while on active service overseas. His parents, George and Charlotte Nicholson, both members of St. John's Anglican Church, decided to build a parish house. Mr. Nicholson, Chapleau's first reeve from 1901 to 1913, was in the lumber business while Mrs. Nicholson was one of the community's first school teachers.

The inscription on the front of the building says, "Saint John's Parish House... In memory of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson and all those who with him voluntarily gave their lives in the Great War. Erected by his father and mother A.D. 1919''.

The parish house, which now houses Branch Number 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion was officially opened on April 19, 1920. It was likely in use as a parish house by late 1919.

The Legion branch was established in 1926, one year after the Canadian Legion was formed at a meeting in Winnipeg with a Chapleau delegation led by Harry Searle in attendance.

Ian Macdonald, retired Head of the Department of Architecture and Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, writing about the building, wrote in part that the Nicholson generosity "has left Chapleau with what is probably the most elegant and distinctive of all Royal Canadian Legion properties in Canada.."

Just as World War I ended, disaster struck the Roman Catholic Church members in Chapleau when just before Christmas, the church burned down.

According to an article by Father Albert Burns SJ, a Chapleau native, 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. Under the guidance of Father Romeo Gascon, the parish priest,  the good people of the parish came together, and  Midnight Mass  on December 24, 1919 was celebrated in the new church built on the site where it is today. Father Burns was an altar boy at that Christmas Eve Service. The "new" church will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1919.

It struck me as I was researching this column that Chapleau was a busy place for construction in 1919 as the Parish House for the Anglicans and a new church for the Roman Catholics were both under construction about a block away from each other.

Finally, in my musings about some important moments in Chapleau history from 100 years ago, in 1922, Chapleau High School will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The first school was on Pine Street until 1966 when it relocated to a new building where it is today.

If interest in a 100th anniversary reunion can be gauged from a Facebook page established by Janice (Corston) Whitely is any indication of support for the idea, it now has 2,065 members.

 I am told by Graham Bertrand that informal chats about the possibility are underway, and hopefully a decision will be made in early 2018. Graham chaired the 90th anniversary as well as chairing and being actively involved in all major Chapleau celebrations for more than 40 years. If interested maybe chat with Graham!

As an aside, I got thinking about Chapleau houses as I have been writing, and when some of them were built. When I was home for the launch of 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' with Michael McMullen in 2015, Ken Schroeder, my lifelong friend took me on a front street/back lane tour but we didn't establish when houses were built. Story for another day.

Speaking of Ken, he has a remarkable memory for all things Chapleau and here is a note I received about my Alton Morse column: "Good one,.....Loved it,....thanks,....noted the huge size of the logs,....wow,...Remember a school trip to the mill  pond at S&M and watched these logs floating and being pushed to the debarker,....we went for a walk on these floating logs,..could hardly believe they held us up,...You were there and we walked on them,....now,....today the logs are so much smaller,....Take care,.....Ken,......"

I also received a kind comment from Eric Morse (through Donald Swanson), who accepted the Order of Canada on behalf of his grandfather. Thanks Eric and Donald.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca and yes, I am on Facebook.

Florence and Simon Kruger played important roles in community and Sacred Heart Church in Chapleau

Florence and Simon Kruger, who both arrived in Chapleau in 1907, played important roles in the life and times of the community and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church for many years.

Florence Fitzpatrick, born of Irish parents, and Simon Kruger who was of German-Polish descent, both from the Ottawa valley, met in Chapleau, and were married in 1911.

In 1907,  she was the teacher at the public school, while her future husband arrived to be the bookkeeper at Smith and Chapple Ltd. Both were college graduates in their respective fields. A year later Mr. Kruger accepted position as clerk to locomotive chairman at the CPR, later becoming a fireman and engineer. Mrs. Kruger became the first principal of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic School.

They had four children: Rita, Lou, Joan and Helen.

From the time of their arrival they were an integral part of the life and work of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, according to an article prepared by their daughter Helen marking the 100th anniversary of the parish.

Mrs. Kruger was president of the League of the Sacred Heart and promoted its work for more than 30 years, and was a member of the Catholic Women's League for over 50 years. She was corresponding secretary of the Chapleau council, and served as president for three different terms.

click on image to enlarge

She was also instrumental in raising funds to pay off the church's debt organizing the first St. Patrick's Tag Day and tea. She also compiled  the history of the Chapleau Council from 1921 to 1964.

At the Diocesan level she served as president for three different two years terms and also as treasurer and secretary.




In 1964 it was a memorable occasion for Mrs. Kruger when at the Diocesan level she was honoured by receiving the first life membership.

Mr. Kruger was a charter member, honorary member and Grand Knight of the Msgr Gascon Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was also well known within the church for his rendition of "The Magnificat" at Sunday Vespers while a member of the church's mixed choir.

He served for many years as a trustee on the separate school board including time as secretary-treasurer and chairman, and as Roman Catholic representative on the high school board for 25 years.




He also served as chairman of the Grievance Committee for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers for many years.

While researching this column it was interesting to learn that in 1911, Mr. Kruger and my grandfather Harry Morris, played on the hockey team that won the McEwen Cup, for the town championship. In an article, Mr. Kruger was described as a "rugged defenseman" for years on the CPR Shops hockey team.

 He was also an avid tennis player and was involved in implementing the gym equipment in the St John's Memorial Hall in 1920. (now the home of Branch 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion)

Mrs. Kruger was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary to Lady Minto Hospital, the Canadian Club and the Chapleau branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society, especially during World War I and World War II.

I extend my most sincere thanks to Ann (Bedford) Midgley for her great assistance in providing me with information fro this column  about her grandparents. Much appreciated Ann. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Names for hockey team

Chapleau Hockey Team and executive in 1912. This was the days of a seven-man hockey team.
Back row left to right: Fred Leclair, Dr. J.J. Sheehan, Oliver Lesak, B.E. Lewery, Fred Knox, H.S. Meller.
Centre row left to right: Simon Kruger, Tom Thomson, Oscar Tremblay, Omar Royal, Gordon Sheppard.Front row left to right: D.O. Payette Ernie Cressey, T.H. Wolfe