Ian Macdonald reports on St. John's Chapleau as project draws international attention at 2019 National Trust Conference as Jason Rioux wins award for transformation of church into vibrant, socially useful and profitable facility

JASON RIOUX

Note from MJM: I am delighted that Ian Macdonald, retired head of the department of architecture and professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba agreed to write a column on the award that Jason Rioux won for his efforts in transforming St. John's Church into the "Chapleau Hub" bringing international attention to the project and to Chapleau. Most readers know that Ian is a Chapleau boy having attended Chapleau Public and High Schools as well as working on the Canadian Pacific Railway before becoming a distinguished professor of architecture and architect. He took the time to attend the National Trust Conference where Jason accepted the award.


Ian's continuing interest in Chapleau reminds me of the maxim that you can take the boy (or girl) out of Chapleau, but you can't take Chapleau out of them!!!! Thank you so much Ian.  MJM






BY IAN MACDONALD




Chapleau, Ontario was recently the centre of international attention at the 2019 National Trust Conference held in Winnipeg from October 17 to 19. One of the main conference events was recognition of a selected number of significant heritage projects in Canada including the remarkable efforts of Jason Rioux in transforming St. John’s Church in Chapleau into a vibrant, socially useful and profitable facility.


The National Trust for Canada in association with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals function as major advocates for promoting Canadian heritage including historic architecture, artifacts, landscapes and a multitude of specialized areas including railway heritage. Planning and community development across the country now includes heritage as a major factor in developing healthy and sustainable communities. Major international meetings such as the Winnipeg conference provide an opportunity for a wide range of successful project case studies to be presented, discussed and honoured.


 Conferences of this type remain an important part of keeping abreast of the times for planners and designers. Despite to-day’s ease of access to information, there is still no substitute for sharing experience on a personal basis. Jason Rioux, in addition to the formalities of receiving his award also had the opportunity to present the Chapleau St. John’s project in two working sessions where lessons and problem-solving strategies were shared.


Transformation from St. John’s Anglican Church to “The Hub”


The important historic cultural role of St. John’s Anglican church cannot be understated. Thanks to Michael Morris’ articles and publications, the history of the church is generally well known. The Anglicans established themselves in Chapleau even prior to the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 with services being conducted in such unlikely places as an empty boxcar and a partially completed railway depot. The first permanent church structure which was opened and consecrated on July 1 1886 was located on the south west corner of Pine and Young St. The rapidly growing community, however, would soon generate a demand for a much larger church to be built opposite the original. Plans for the building were thus developed in 1905 and construction was completed on March 29, 1908 at a cost of $18,000.00. St. John’s, in addition to serving the spiritual needs of the community, functioned in a broader role as the pro-cathedral of the Diocese of Moosonee until 1913. It would gradually play a significant and integral part of the cultural life of the community for the next century.

The church is a classic heritage building originally built in the traditional gothic revival style which was consistent with Anglican churches of the day constructed of masonry bearing walls on a rubble stone foundation. The roof structure is a vaulted timber joist roof assembly supported by distinctive specially fabricated timber hammer trusses. Interiors of the church were elegantly finished and carefully restored in the 1950’s. The basement area which was known then as Renison Hall functioned as a church hall and was used for a variety of community social activities. The church itself could accommodate congregations of over 250 parishioners.


Changing economic conditions coupled with unfortunate ideological division within the broader national Anglican community led to a steady decline in church membership beginning in the 1960s. The dwindling congregation thus found it increasingly difficult to generate funds necessary to
to maintain a building of this size properly.


Specialized work would be required to replace mechanical, heating and ventilation equipment and rehabilitate the building to allow it to accommodate new uses and meet more stringent building code requirements. Unfortunately, neither the Anglican Church of Canada nor the Township of Chapleau was prepared to step up and take responsibility and demolition seemed to be the only option. The challenge for Jason Rioux upon acquiring the building was to retain the original spirit of the building while adapting it to new purposes. The financial risk in addition to the business acumen necessary to develop a strategy for creative and innovative rehabilitation were all factors in selecting the project as an award winner.


Heritage can be a complex factor in the planning and development of communities and not always completely understood and appreciated. We are too easily prone to defaulting to demolition as an easy fix rather than face up to the more complicated task of rehabilitation. Architecture, since the earliest human settlements, has provided commodity and shelter but has at the same time been an enduring expression of cultural beliefs and values.


It is an expression of who we are. Buildings like St. John’s, in this sense, are important historical markers in this case expressing a particular set of Christian values and beliefs of the era. St. John’s along with the other Chapleau churches have co-existed beside one another reflecting a community of diverse cultural backgrounds and values. The fact that beliefs and values change over time does not automatically render something obsolete that has to be destroyed. Buildings, like all of us, can be transformed and adapt to modified values and conditions. Jason Rioux was cited nationally for his personal courage in absorbing financial risk and for mustering the imagination and innovation required to make the Hub project a reality.



Video Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY-pbRvLr6k&feature=youtu.be

Chapleau Hub located in St. John's Anglican Church introducing wide variety of projects with goal of preserving historical building

Victoria Rioux photo

The Chapleau Hub, located in the upstairs of historic St. John's Anglican Church, is in the process of becoming home for a wide variety of activities and projects, but the Anglican community also holds its services there.

Victoria Rioux provided an update on some of the activities pointing out that "Our main goal remains preserving this historical building and provide an affordable option for the Anglican congregation to remain in the building. The beautiful space upstairs is currently under-utilized. The building needs to be humming to keep the lights on".

As a matter of historical interest St. John's was established in Chapleau in 1885 with the first church building located on the site of the old tennis court beside the rectory. The first service in the present St, John's was held on March 29, 1908 when it was dedicated by Bishop George Holmes. For a time Bishop Holmes lived in Chapleau and St. John's was the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Moosonee.

Bev Hamilton photo

Stonewalls restaurant is located downstairs which is now "humming along" according to Victoria.

Victoria advised that the Chapleau that the Chapleau Hub was started with support from "MSDSB (Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board) in the form of two summer students. After Canada Day, we trialed a few community activities just to see what appetite Chapleau has. One summer student Hannah Barlow has returned on her coop term so we have been able to maintain some consistency. She is absolutely integral to our mission."

Victoria Rioux photo

Her team is running weekly movie nights, and  hosted a Community Yard Sale in September which raised $400 for the Anglican church on the day, as well as stocking the second hand store with unsold items which they can sell in the store.

Right now the major event being planned is a Children's Halloween Event scheduled for October 27 and 28. It will include pumpkin decorating, candy toss, scavenger hunt and more. Sounds like fun. The Hub is planning a major activity each month.

There are other tenants including Yoga by Kathleen Bouchard and Boot Camp by Margo Beaudoin, while the EarlyON program was scheduled to join the Hub as I was working on this column. 

Victoria noted that the "BIGGEST" news is that they are installing the first wood heating system in Chapleau. It may now be completed.

She explained  this will make the building Carbon Free!: It is a wood pellet boiler that is high efficiency and fully automatic. It is completely hands off, no handling of pellets by hand, just like an oil or propane furnace. 

Victoria Rioux photp

She added: "Why? Reason #1: Unlike propane and oil, wood pellets are environmentally friendly because it's not a fossil fuel, it's carbon neutral (bc you regrow the trees).  Reason #2: Wood pellets are half the price of oil and propane, and 1/4 the price of heating with electricity.  Reason #3:  It supports Northern Ontario's economy.  Wood pellets are made in Northern Ontario, and all the money stays in Northern Ontario with the pellet facility owners and the forestry industry that supplies the wood.  Our wood pellets will initially be coming from the Thunder Bay and Atikokan region, delivered by a special delivery truck.

"Also, Jason(Rioux) believes there's a "sustainable future" here, one that is best for the environment and saving our plant from climate change, one that creates new economic growth and jobs for Northern Ontario, and one that is more affordable to homes and businesses. 

"Nordic countries have been doing this for over 30 years. But going first has proven to be tough, we need to install a large pellet storage bin at our site before the wood pellet delivery truck can come from Thunder Bay to fill us up.  Once we have the system fully installed, we will be inviting the community to come take a look and learn about the future.  Parts of Europe decided decades ago that wood pellet heating was the long term sustainable way to go, and Europe purchases almost all of the pellets we make in Canada!  It has proven to be economically viable for them to import all our pellets, it surely makes sense for us to be using them for our own heating needs."

My thanks to Victoria for providing an update on progress at the Chapleau Hub. Other projects and activities are in the works. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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Reflections on Legion Hall in Chapleau as Branch Number Five undertake major renovation program

As the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I approaches on November 11, 2018, and the centennial of Chapleau's Legion Hall nears in 2020, it is very appropriate that Branch Number Five (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion is planning major renovations to one of the community's last historic public buildings.

After receiving a copy of the letter that the branch sent out to its members regarding the planned renovations, I contacted Nellie Mitchell, the branch president, for an update on the plan. Nellie replied that the branch had " good productive meeting" and it would now proceed with getting the renovationds underway.

I could not help but reflect on the amazing role the "Legion Hall" and the members of the "Legion" have played in the life and times of Chapleau since it was opened officially in 1920 as St John's Parish house.

Opening of hall 1920

After World War I, Harry Searle a veteran, led a Chapleau delegation to Winnipeg for the founding convention of the Legion, and the branch received its charter in 1926 -- Number Five in Ontario, quite an accomplishment for a small community. On a personal note I have always been proud that Harry Morris, my grandfather, a World War I veteran was part of the Chapleau delegation.

But, "the Legion", was not home to the branch in the beginning. Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Nicholson had it built in memory of their son Lorne and his friends who were killed in action during World War I. It  was the parish house of St John's Anglican Church.

The late George Evans, former teacher and assistant principal at Chapleau High School wrote in a column that "It is significant that the donors of the building did not put their names on the monumental inscription: they were content that the world remembers them as the father and mother of Lieutenant Lorne W. Nicholson."

George added that on the carved transom above the front door is an inscription. It reads: "St 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".

In our book, 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' Michael McMullen and I identified a list of 283 volunteers with a Chapleau connection, not all of whom returned home. Thirty-two lost their lives.

St. John's was unable to maintain the building during the Great Depression and  in due course the municipality took it over, and Branch Five rented it, then by 1955 when B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt was reeve, it was bought by the branch. Mr. Zufelt (who in the interests of full disclosure was my uncle) was given a life membership for his efforts.

Michael and I identified 418 enlistments with a Chapleau connection in World War II, 29 of whom, including my father Flying Officer James Morris, did not return home.

Those who returned and made their homes in Chapleau, like the World War I veterans became very active in community affairs. In 1947, when J.M. 'Jack' Shoup, who had served in World War I and II. was branch president, said they had "a duty to serve" they did in all as aspects of community life with the "Legion Hall" as their central place.

Tee Chambers, Butch Pellow, Aldee Martel 1954

As I reflected on my growing up years in Chapleau I was a fan of Legion hockey and baseball teams with mostly veterans on them. I would hardly ever miss one of their games and Garth 'Tee' Chambers, a veteran, was my personal hero and friend. 

The Legion and its members became very involved in community coaching and sponsoring teams, holding annual poster and essay contests, assisting veterans and their families in need, serving  on local boards, committees and council, providing colour parties for local events, and much much more towards making Chapleau a better place for all.

Back Baisel, Mike McMullen, Mrs Broomhead, Dave McMillan, Richard Pilon, Tim Goodwin, Front Charlie White, Ken Schroeder, Boo Hong

I also went looking for photos and decided to share one of Baisel Collings, who coached the 1954 Chapleau Bantams, posing with the team. After World War II, Baisel played on Legion teams but like many he also coached. 

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross along with three other Chapleau boys: Willard Bolduc, Donald Freeborn and Lloyd 'Sparrow' McDonald.

His citation reads: "Warrant Officer Collings has at all times displayed outstanding ability and a strong sense of duty, and he holds a fine record of achievement on the squadron. His untiring devotion to duty in moments of danger has been largely responsible for the successful completion of his crew's many sorties, and by his example of cheerful courage has maintained a very high standard of morale, not only for his crew members, but the squadron in general."

To me, Baisel's citation could have been written for any Chapleau person who served in World War I or 2, and then came home and contributed to the community. They sure followed Mr. Shoup's dictum "a duty to serve."

Not too many veterans of World War II remain now, but it is great to see that members of Branch Number Five  are carrying on the good works of those who served before, and they have undertaken major renovations to "the Legion". Congratulations and thank you.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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 

Rev Phelan Scanlon appointed priest-in-charge of St John's Anglican Church in Chapleau

Rev Phelan Scanlon

UPDATE: Rev. Phlelan Scanlon is no longer at St John's. He left in February 2016

Archbishop Colin Johnson has announced that The Rev. Phelan Scanlon will become Priest-in-Charge of the parishes of Chapleau & Foleyet in October.

The announcement was made on the St. John's Church Facebook page by Bishop Tom Corston.

Fr. Scanlon's first Sunday at Chapleau will be October 25th at 10:30 am...Fr. Scanlon is a seasoned priest having served 24 years in the Diocese of Toronto before coming to our Diocese of Moosonee in 2011. 

It is  is a preliminary 18-month appointment during which he and the congregation will work together to discern if there is any possibility for growth in the Chapleau Anglican community. 

Come out on October 25th to welcome him.

Making peace "...by overcoming lies with truth and by overcoming evil with good"

Maybe, just maybe, I thought as I mused about  Stephen Harper placing members of Canada's armed forces in harm's way in foreign lands, I should share a few words about war, spoken in 1948 at a Remembrance Day service. I decided to do so.

 Harper seems desperate to have Canada involved in a war -- any war, and more scary, it seems he wants us there for potential political gain as the Conservatives face an election they may very well lose.. Never before in my life have I thought for a moment that a prime minister would so blatantly pursue such an action. .

The following are not my words as I was only seven years old at the time, but I was at St. John's Anglican Church in Chapleau when they were spoken by the Rev. Canon H.A Sims, the Rector, a veteran of World War I.

It is a message that rings as true today as it did three years after the end of World War II, not just for the prime minister and politicians, but for all who would contemplate war or participate in wars today.

Canon Sims said:

"There is not the slightest necessity for civilized men to destroy their civilization in warfare. Nothing is settled by warfare which could not be better settled in some more reasonable, humane and decent way.

"Warfare is caused by men  who have allowed the spirit of the devil rather than the spirit of God to determine their thinking.

"Peace does not come through wishing for it or through praying for it: peace comes only from those who make it; who work harder at making peace than men working at making war.

"We must make peace by working hard at overcoming ugliness with beauty; overcoming meanness with generosity; overcoming lies with truth and by overcoming evil with good."

I was at the church that night with my family because a memorial prayer desk was being dedicated in memory of my father, Flying Officer James E Morris, who was killed on active service in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 during World War II.

In his incredible book, 'The Ordeal of Total War', Gordon Wright tells us that Sir Winston Churchill once commented that the effects of World War II, will be felt by those affected by it for at least 100 years. Trust me, Churchill was right. I am just shy of 74, and have lived with that war every day of my life.

Every time I hear of the death of one of the member of our armed forces, or for that matter police officers, firefighters, and other first responders, my heart goes out to their family and friends. I know. I care and I understand.

Be careful prime minister and members of parliament. The consequences of your actions will be felt for a very long time. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Living 'Underneath the Mountain' at Christmas

When Good King Wenceslas looked out and saw the snow with the moon shining bright in about the year 1000, he could have been describing  the weather in any Canadian community on almost any Christmas Eve in our history.

Before I go any further with King Wenceslas though as revealed in the popular carol 'Good King Wenceslas', I have only recently discovered that he was not really a king, but the Duke of Bohemia, and he was looking out on the Feast of St Stephen, the day after Christmas. To me it doesn't really matter as the carol brings back fond memories and delivers a message that applies any time.

Some readers will recall that my mother Muriel E. (Hunt) Morris directed many concerts and musicals during the 32 years that she taught at Chapleau Public School, and she was also the choir director at St. John's Anglican Church for years. Music was an important part of our home, and that's how I became acquainted with King Wenceslas as a boy. Mom would sing at home.

It became the carol that to me applied most to our weather at Christmas time. Looking outside before leaving for Christmas Eve service, "the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel..."

As we headed to St. John's, I would hum the carol and think to myself that all that needed to be added to it was the smoke going straight up into the skies, the temperature hovering at Fifty degrees below Fahrenheit and the music and wonderful display at Dr. G.E.Young's office. To this day I remember walking with Mom to the church exchanging  friendly greetings with those heading to the Roman Catholic and United Churches -- an ecumenical moment in the village.

The lyrics were published in 1853 by the English hymn writer John Mason Neale.

Now, the carol addresses a subject that I never thought about much as a child growing up in Chapleau. I had my family, friends and a community where people cared about and helped each other in times of need. 

Even though there were times when I missed my father James E Morris who was killed while on active service in the RCAF in World War II, I had my mother, my grandparents George and Edith Hunt and Harry and Lil Morris as well as my aunt and uncle, Elsie (Hunt) and B.W. 'Bubs" Zufelt and my cousins, and my aunt Marion (Morris) Kennedy. And I had my friends, many of whom are still part of my life today.

My Mom and Dad 

But as the King walks with his page, "a poor man came in sight, Gathering winter fuel." The page tells him that this man lives "underneath the mountain."

On Christmas Eve in Chapleau those many years ago, as we greeted people on the street who were going to or coming from their respective churches, I never really thought about those who may be homeless and without food--- living underneath the mountain, so to speak.

The good King took immediate action though, telling his page to gather food and wine and pine logs that they would take to the peasant and see him dine, "through the rude wind's wild lament, And the bitter weather."

The page was ready to give up as the night grew darker and wind blew stronger, but the King encouraged him and they made it to their destination.

At this Christmas time, I extend my very best wishes to my family and friends who have shared moments of their lives with me during the past year. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas.

My thoughts also turn to all those good people, past and present, who at this Christmas time, reach out and care for those who live "underneath the mountain" in Cranbrook, and in all communities.

 I leave all of you wherever you may be with the last words from 'Good King Wenceslas', 

"Therefore ... be sure, Wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor, Shall yourselves find blessing." 

As many of you know, especially my former students, I love metaphor and have been collecting them all my life. I hope I have not mixed them too badly as I have talked about the Good King Wenceslas.

Here is "Good King Wenceslas" by Choir at Yorkminster. My Mom would like this rendition.


Merry Christmas! my email is mj.morris@live.ca