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| 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
