St. John's Parish House completed in 1919 became 'The Legion' a lasting landmark in history of Chapleau

From St. John's Parish House completed in 1919 to the Royal Canadian Legion Hall of today, the building is a "lasting landmark" in the history of Chapleau. 

Writing about the hall in 2006 in his Snapshots of Chapleau's Past article, the late George Evans wrote "May it still be going strong  in 2019, serving the town and always reminding those who took the time to lean back and read the inscription above the door of the sacrifice and pain of the barbarous 20th century."

The inscription reads: "St. John's Parish House. In memory of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson and all those who voluntarily gave their lives in the Great War. Erected by his father and mother A.D. 1919. John 15:13." There was an official opening in 1920.

Mr. Evans noted that it is "significant" that Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson did not put their names on the inscription. They were content be remembered as the father and mother of Lorne Nicholson.

John 15:13 reads: "Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends". (KJV)

Lorne W. Nicholson. the son of George and Charlotte (Weller) Nicholson, went overseas with the First Chapleau Platoon of the famous 227th Battalion of the Sudbury Manitoulin Algoma Overseas Battalion (Men 'O the North). He was killed in action on November 4, 1918, one week before World War I ended.

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson included all those who gave their lives in the war.

His father was the first reeve of Chapleau serving from 1901 when Chapleau was first incorporated in 1901 until 1913, while his mother was one of the community's first school teachers. Mr. Nicholson also served as a Member of Parlieament and was also in the lumber business.

Mr. Evans wrote that Lorne Nicholson's parents decided to "endow the community with a lasting and useful memorial.

" In a town of small buildings made of wood they caused to be built an impressive building of fired brick..." It was designed to match St. John's Church 1908 and the Town Hall 1913. Mr. Nicholson played a major role in the construction of the church and town hall.

official opening 1920

Built as a parish house for St. John's, by 1935, during the Great Depression it became too much of a financial burden for the church, especially after Mr. Nicholson died on January 1 of that year, and in due course the building was taken over by the municipality.

After Branch Number 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion was formed in 1926 following a founding convention in Winnipeg attended by a Chapleau delegation,  in 1925, it started to use the building. By 1955, the branch officially had bought the building when B.W. Zufelt was reeve.

Mr. Evans noted that it simply became known as 'The Legion' and had fallen into "responsible hands and continued to be a great asset to the life of Chapleau."

Upstairs became known as the Cranston Auditorium named after Frank Cranston a veteran of both World War I and II who became Chapleau's last surviving veteran of World War I. It has been used for a wide variety of functions. 

Downstairs became the Bisco Room "a legenadary place" according to George Evans.

In his article George Evans hoped that it would be going strong in 2019!!  It still is thanks to all those who have been involved with "The Legion" over the past 100 years. Congratulations.

George died in a tragic vehicle accident in 2012 shortly before the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca