St. John's Anglican Church marks 130th anniversary in 2015 as it plans for the future

St. John's Anglican Church marks its 130th anniversary in 2015, as members of the congregation plan the future of one of the last historic public buildings in Chapleau.

St. John's was established in 1885 with the first services being held in a boxcar used by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a station. The first church building was located on the old tennis court across from the present church.

First St john's. Rev Robert Warrington in photo

The first service in the present church was held on March 29. 1908 when it was dedicated by Bishop George Holmes. From 1905 to 1913, St. John's was the Pro-Cathedral of the Diocese of Moosonee and Bishop Holmes and his successor Bishop John Anderson both lived in Chapleau.

Let's fast forward from 1885 to 1935 in the midst of the Great Depression when St. John's celebrated its 50th anniversary. It was not only a highlight in the parish history, but in the interests of full disclosure, it is of great personal interest to me.

First, family members were involved in the 50th anniversary celebration. My grandfather, George Hunt, was the choirmaster; my mother, Muriel (Hunt) Morris was a soloist at the anniversary service, and my grandmother, Edith Hunt and aunt Elsie were in the choir. My grandmother with Mrs. P.J. Collins was a convener of the anniversary banquet.

Second, the visit by Rt. Rev. Derwyn T. Owen, Archbishop of Toronto and Primate of the Anglican Church as guest preacher contributed to me being hired by the Kingston Whig-Standard some 30 years later.

Prior to the actual celebration St. John's,  Chapleau lost an outstanding citizen when G.B. Nicholson died on January 1. Mr. Nicholson was Chapleau's first reeve from 1901 to 1913, and at the time of his death was the Member of Parliament for the area.

For 25 years Mr. Nicholson. who had been People's Warden for many years, also conducted an Adult Bible Class for 25 years, returning from Ottawa on weekends to teach it.

In 1935, despite the depression and loss of members through CPR transfers after it moved its district offices to Schreiber, and other factors, the church was debt free.

Archbishop Owen preached at the anniversary service and gave address at the banquet. A vote of thanks was given to him moved by P.J. Collins and seconded by Albert Evans.

William Card spoke on the early history of the parish. Church wardens were Charles W. Collins and Albert Evans. Vestry board members included George Collinson, Charles McKnight, F.J. Morris, Jim Good, R.J. Hopper, P.J. Collins, John Corston, Fred Matters, A.C. Whybray, W. Broomhead, E. Woodard, Harry Searle, F. Bacchus and W. Card. George Hunt was Choirmaster and Miss Nettie Herner, the church organist.

The Chapleau Post reported that a "splendid banquet" in the Town Hall brought the anniversary celebration to a close. 

Here is part of the newspaper report:  ..."the hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The tables looked very pretty each table having silver baskets with yellow mum. also yellow candles, white and yellow being the colour scheme throughout."

My grandmother and Mrs. Collins were overall conveners, assisted by George Collinson and Charles Collins, decorations; Mrs. A Simpson, tables and ladies in charge of tables were Mrs. W. Card, Mrs. F. Matters, Mrs. J. Corston, Miss Swanson, Mrs. A. Whybray, Mrs. Bacchus, Mrs. C. Matheson, Mrs. Glabb, Mrs. W. McMullen, Mrs. W. McLeod, Mrs. Machan and Mrs. Encil.

Mrs. J. Coulter and Mrs. F.J. Morris were in charge of the food table while Mrs. G. Collinson looked after tickets; Mrs. Westerman, the kitchen assisted by Mrs. Folkerts, Mrs. Herbert and Mrs. Chappise.

The young men "ably assisting pouring tea" were John Woodard, Lorne Woodard, Harvey Glabb. John Way-White, Bill Pepper, ken Crowhurst, Harry Searle, David and Elbert Collinson and Percy Encil.

Rev. Harold Hesketh, Rector of St. John's was "in the chair".

I am sure it was a precious moment for my Grandpa Hunt to be the Choirmaster on this special occasion and have his daughter singing a solo. Mom, who would have just returned home to teach at Chapleau Public School sang "Now the Day is Over". Having my grandmother and aunt in the choir would have made it even more special.

Fast forward to 1965 and I went to Kingston for a job interview at the Kingston Whig-Standard as a reporter, with Robert D. Owen, the executive editor of the newspaper. Mr Owen was a nephew of Archbishop Owen, and knew where Chapleau was, and the anniversary of St. John's

In the course of the interview he asked me if I was staying the weekend. Mom was visiting in Toronto at the time, and had driven over with me. I told Mr. Owen we were and would be attending St. George's Anglican Cathedral where they had a magnificent choir. That did it. Mr. Owen hired me. Small world!

I wish the good people of St. John's and Bishop Tom Corston who has accepted position as interim priest in charge of St. John's well as  they plan for the future of this historic place in the life and times of Chapleau

HAPPY  BIRTHDAY DONALD WHITE

Mike Turner, Fred McAuley, Donald White, Doc Potts 1932 canoe trip

My very best wishes to Donald White. World War II veteran and member of Chapleau Cree First Nation, who celebrated his 102nd birthday recently.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca


Thanks to Dorothy Turner for photo from canoe trip in 1932 from Chapleau to Moose Factory.

Bowling leagues at the Chapleau YMCA alleys important part of social fabric of the community

Bowling Statistics was a regular feature in the Chapleau Sentinel during the 1960s as leagues were in full swing pretty well every night of the week at the alleys in the basement of the YMCA. However, bowling was a popular sport played at the YMCA much earlier than those years.

In fact, many long-time Chapleau citizens may recall that Mrs. Mabel Young, the mother of Dr. G.E. Young was still bowling after reaching 90 years of age. And I recall setting up pins in the 1950s. 

Ian Macdonald has noted that the YMCA became part of the "social fabric" of the communities served, confirmed by Ron Brown in his book 'The Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore' who observed that they became a sight and activity centre as much a part of the community as the gardens, sitting rooms in the stations or new water tanks.

Bowling was certainly part of the social fabric of Chapleau, and recently I discovered a Bowling Statistics column from the February 3, 1966 edition of the Sentinel.

Here are some of the highlights that for me at least, brought back memories of life and people of Chapleau, as much as their enjoyment of bowling.

In the Monday night Wildcat League, Florent Cloutier with a 262 single and a 729 triple was the top bowler in the 7 p.m. games while D. Martell with a 310 single and Roy May with a 766 triple were the top bowlers.

At this point in the season, Florent Cloutier held the high single with a 358 score while Don Martell held the high triple with 808 and Henry Desbois the high average with 215.

The standings in order were Traders, Hublit Hotel, Len's Taxi, Roadrunners, Millwrights and Lumber Kings.

In the Tuesday night league at 7 pm Georgina Teschke with a 274 single and a 599 triple was top bowler while at 9 pm Gil Turcotte with a 208 single and a 525 triple was tops.

The team standings were Theresa Ouellette, Irene Larcher, Helen Fournier, Georgina Teschke, Denise Bujold and Donna Gervais.

In the Wednesday night Victory Bowling League at 7 pm Lil Janacek with a 239 single and Alice Prusky with a 581 triple were top bowlers while at 9 pm Vi Bromley with a 263 single and Carmen May with  a 608 triple were best of the night.

The report notes that on another night in this league's play, Dora Crichton with a 228 single and 642 triple was top bowler at 7 pm while Carmen May with a 209 single and Laura Bucci with a 575 triple were tops at 9 pm.

Team standings were Vi Bromley, Lil Janacek, Laura Bucci, Dora Crichton, Carmen May and Marg Gagne.

In the Thursday night league which appears to have been mixed, at 7 pm Vi Bromley with a 295 single and 590 triple was tops for the ladies, while Frank Bucci with a 265 single and Roland Joyal with a 625 triple were tops for the men.

At 9 pm Georgette Harris and Carmen May with 236 singles and Georgette with a 590 triple and Len Harris with a 209 single was the top bowler for the men.

Team standings were Aurele Lemire, Len Harris, Frank Bucci, Don Martell, George Goymer and Terry Pratt.

In the Friday night Victory League Elianna Desbois with a 225 single and Dianne Gervais with a 544 triple were tops

In Les Bouts En Train League at 7 pm Jeanne Morin with a 205 single and Gert Gaudette with a 484 triple were top bowlers while at 9 pm Gert Rioux with a 217 single and 561 triple was top bowler.

In the Veit's Supermarket League at 7 pm Julie Payette was top bowler for the ladies with a 196 single and 564 triple while Arthur Raymond with a 333 single and 713 triple was tops for the men.

At 9 pm Thelma Greig with a 244 single and Sheila Demers with a 484 triple were tops for the ladies and Ian Clegg with a 231 single and a 610 triple was tops for men.

On another night in the Veit league at 7 pm Betty Edwards with a 242 single and 494 triple was tops for the women and Reg Fiaschetti with 226 single and 509 triple was tops for the men while at 9 pm Velma Morin with a 228 single and 592 triple led the ladies while Bill Payette with a 227 single and 520 triple was tops for the men.

The Chapleau YMCA was demolished in 1971 to make way for the "new" liquor store. My email is mj.morris@live.ca, and in response to requests, yes, I am on Facebook.

Summerfest Canada Week activities ranged from toddler races to pipe smoking contest to indoor tennis tournament in 1978

Recreation director Terry Bryson reported that "Summerfest Canada Week" in 1978 was a success.. Terry wrote a weekly column in the Chapleau Sentinel.

Terry thanked the Summerfest committee -- Chair Peter Bernier (also chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee); Denis Desbois (Township Clerk-administrator); Graham Bertrand (recration committee member), and Earle Freeborn (manager of the A.W Moore Arena).

Summerfest got underway after the Chapleau Civic Centre was officially opened on June 28, with the Chapleau Recreation Centre and Cedar Grove Lodge ceremonies held on June 29 and 30, respectively.

Then the activities got underway ranging from toddlers races to pipe smoking to ball tournaments, to an indoor tennis tournament,and of course a parade.

Here are some of the winners and highlights.

In the Toddlers races, Paul Bernier and Heather Lewis were the winners while Alexandra Boucher and Christine Tremblay emerged victorious.

In the 3 to 4 year old race mixed, Shannon Hatfield won. Christine Bujold won the Kick-the-Hoe race, and Connie Bujold was first in the Potato Sack race.

Rene Serre, Wiilliam Memegos

In the Kiddies races, 5 to 6, Glen Harvey (two races), Dana Vaughan, Connie Picody, Dean Harvey (three), Shelly Hughes, all were winners

Michel Babin was the big winner in the 9-10 year old races  with three wins, and Ken Groves won in the 11-12 year old race.

In the Gitls Three Legged race Pam May and Johanna Black won while Dean Harvey and Derek Hatfield took first place.

In the Carling O'Keefe pipe smoking contest George Basylec was first with Guy Martel and Gerald Bernier as runner sup. In horsehoe throwing Chapleau Intermediate A Huskies players dominated with David McMillan and Ted Swanson in first and J.C. Cyr and Doug Prusky in second.

The fire department won the bed race. Team members included Robert Moreau, Harvey Turcotte, Jacques Lafreniere, Ghislain Lafreniere, Richard St Amand, Wally Leigh and Raoul Lemieux.

The first Chapleau indoor tennis tournament was played on the floor of the new A.W. Moore Arena with Heather "Bubby" Hong winning the Ladies title with Carol Telik as runner-up. Tim Morin defeated his brother Allan for the men's title. 

In mixed doubles Fred Welch and Bubby Hong were the winners. 

As I was typing away, out of the mothballs of memory I recalled that I had played the first set of tennis on the indoor court against Carlo Cattarello, president of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, during the activities with equipment borrowed from Tim Morin. Carlo won!

The very next weekend the Good Brothers with their "joyful music" appeared at the new recreation centre. At the time they were one of Canada's most popular bands. They played packed houses from the Maritimes to British Columbia and the United States.

But they almost didn't make it. The day they were to arrive in Chapleau, it was pouring rain with lots of thunder and lightning. For a time it looked like they would be able to land at the Chapleau Municipal Airport, but late in the afternoon it started to clear up, and the show went on as scheduled. 

Now I think I may go to YouTube and listen to some Good Brothers just for old times sake!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca