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

Updated third edition of 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' as legacy to Chapleau boys who served our country now available

Ongoing research since the first edition of 'The Chapleau Boys Go to War' was first published in 2015 has led to a third edition being made available, according to co-author Michael McMullen.

I co-authored the book with Michael who is my cousin through our paternal grandparents, May (Mulligan) McMullen and Lil (Mulligan) Morris. We trace our Chapleau connection to 1885 and the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway when Patrick Mulligan, their uncle arrived in the community.

"As a result of our on-going research of the past several years we felt we had enough information to produce the third edition",  Michael said.  " This is our legacy for the Chapleau Boys who served in uniform and we wanted all our information in print." 

The third edition contains updated information of the Chapleau boys, particularly in World War One including the names of four additional deaths (up from 32 to 36), additional names of enlistments (up from 283 to 293), and more letters from overseas.

There is now a separate chapter on the 227th Overseas Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, (Men of the North). Of the 293 volunteers with a Chapleau connection who enlisted for World War One with some exceptions they joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force .

By mid-1916 a Chapleau platoon had been formed with over 50 enlistments. Had we never undertaken our book I would not have  known that my grandfather Harry Morris was the first recruit to complete his attestation form on April 16, 1916. He was 26 and a railroad conductor. He never talked much about his experiences overseas in World War One. He also never said too much about his son, James Morris, my father, who was killed on active service in the RCAF during World War Two on July 16, 1943.  My grandmother and I would have chats.

Michael K and Michael J

In April 1916 after a visit to Chapleau by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hugh Lepailleur Jones the Chapleau Citizens Recruiting Committee was formed. One of its members was William McMullen, Michael's grandfather,

Of the 62 who served in the platoon seven died during or soon after the war due to war related activities or disease illness suffered while on active service.

The third edition also contains more letters from the boys on active service to the folks back home. It is  truly a moving experience to read these messages from a battlefield in Europe.

In 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' we recognize that  World War One and World War Two resulted in Canadians from all walks of life served in our country's armed forces. Our story is about the contributions and sacrifices made during these two wars, at home and abroad, by the people of Chapleau, Ontario, a relatively small community in northern Ontario in World War One and World War Two.

There are 18 more pages than in the previous editions.

Michael and I extend our most sincere thanks to Lucy Bignucolo of Chapleau Village Shops for all the assistance she had provided in promoting and sellling the first two editions of our book. The third edition is also available at Village Shops. It is also available at amazon.com and amazon.ca. You can also email me for a copy at mj.morris@live.ca..Thanks to all who have supported this project.

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

May 8, 1945: "It's all over... Germany has surrendered ... the war's over" and peace gradually prevailed

George Tremblay

World events were moving quickly in April and early May 1945 as there were growing signs that the end of World War II would come soon, according to George Tremblay in his book 'Break at Nine'.

He writes that on May 8, 1945, the day the war in Europe ended, started like any other for students at Chapleau High School. The end of the school year was approaching and exam preparation was underway as well as the annual inspection of 1181 Chapleau High School which had been founded in 1924. Mr. Tremblay noted it was the day that the boys would be fitted for their uniforms. 

They were into the  process when John McClellan, the school principal, burst into the fitting room and announced, "It's all over.. Germany has surrendered.. the war's over".

Surprisingly Mr. Tremblay noted there was no great reaction from the boys. "We listened and after a few minutes of quiet chatter we continued with the job at hand which was  to try to get the possible fit from the selection of newly arrived modern cadet uniforms. Up to that day we had been wearing archaic World War I uniforms with tight tunics and high military collars with badges, big leather belts, flappy breeches finished off with puttees around our legs."

John McClellan

He added that finally on the last day of the war they were getting new cadet uniforms.

Gradually as the momentous news sunk in the uniform selection process was sped up .  He wrote that all the boys ran to the windows of the old Chapleau High School on Pine Street when they heard a "commotion" coming from the grounds and "stared in astonishment at the sight of the school girls doing an impromptu snake dance below. "

CHS

Someone yelled "Let's go', and "That was it. We made dash for the doors to join the girls as they weaved around the school in their snake dance." All classes were cancelled for the day,

In the community, the end of the war also marked. My aunt Marion (Morris) Kennedy, shortly before she died wrote me a letter sharing her story about  the end of the war. Aunt Marion wrote that after the news was received townsfolk started to go to St. John's Anglican Church, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church and Trinity United Church although no services had been planned. It was simply the reaction to the end of the war from people who had been affected by it since 1939.

Mr. Tremblay  was working part-time as a projectionist at the Regent Theatre owned by Cecil Smith and prepared an addition to the evening movie. It had been prepared in anticipation of the end of the war.

Regent Theatre

He wrote that after he went home following the last show he reflected on the day's events. The war was not completely over as Japan had not yet surrendered .. "we felt peace would soon prevail everywhere and we could start to look forward towards the future with some hope and confidence. A great burden of uncertainty was being removed. 

He also noted that in the following weeks, there started to appear shocking news about concentration camps and prisoner of war camps. Over the next few weeks Mr. Tremblay finished his school year and prepared to attend cadet camp at Niagara on the Lake,

He commented on the Atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan in August which resulted in its surrender. He and others did not comprehend the tremendous power of the new technology .

In due course Mr. Tremblay filed his application for his final apprenticeship exam so that he could qualify as a projectionist and start earning a salary. 

I h ave provided a summary of the chapter "War's End" from his book Break at Nine which is a wonderful look at the movie industry. Lest we forget the effect of World War II in Chapleau. His brother Neil, a projectionist at the Regent Theatre came home safely after serving in our armed forces but another projectionist was not so fortunate. Chapleau boy Jack Rose was killed in action in Italy shortly before the end of the war His aircraft was brought down by ground fire.   It was the ordeal of total war for most in the community.My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau known as 'premier sporting town' in early years but who was the best hockey player in its history!

Chapleau was once known as the "premier sporting town of the north", according to Vince Crichton in Pioneering in Northern Ontario.

The sports played were baseball, hockey , football (soccer) lacrosse, curling and softball. Vince noted that it was "remarkable that a large number of excellent players of all games came from this small community" adding that the Sudbury Star was always lavish in the acknowledgment of the ability of participants from Chapleau

The first athletic field was situated where the YMCA building and annex were on Lorme Street but it had to be moved to Grey Street north when the YMCA was built in 1908. The playing field and athletic park was on the east side of the street adjacent to the Protestant cemetery.It was an excellent location as it extended across what became Connaught Street. It was also conveniently located for people to reach as ir was within walking distance.

In the summer months there was baseball practise on the field every weekday evening. The senior and junior players would be there and paired off to form teams. Often the juniors would play the senior players and attracted a large crowd of spectators.

Despite this happy situation in 1925 the town council despite protests from the players and public divided the portion fronting Grey Street into lots for homes. Council decided to build a field in the golf course area across the river, Apparently it was a poor substitute as there were not many cars in Chapleau at the time and people would not walk there. as a result there was a decline in baseball and football.

As the effects of the Great Depression were being felt in the 1930s some form of sports was needed and the public school board permitted use of the school grounds but in the 1940s the Chapleau High School grounds were made available. It became the place for some great fastball starting after World War II. Lights were later installed. 

The high school field is the one I remember and many of the players were also on local hockey teams in an excellent town league in the winter months. The best of the best hockey players joined the Chapleau Intermediate Huskies and a Juniior team in the later 1940s . They preceded the Chapleau Intermediate A Huskies of the 1970s and the Chapleau Junior B Huskies founded in 1966.

By the 1950s Bob Grinton who had spent much of his youth in Chapleau returned as an official with the Canadian Pacific Railway and came to realize that youth were being excluded from ball teams. He obtained a large parcel of land at the east end of Elgin Street which became a Little League baseball field known as Grinton Park. The Chapleau Recreation Centre was located there in 1978.

Along the way football and lacrosse disappeared from the scene with curling still on the agenda for sports minded citizens. A curling rink was built on Pine Street and moved to the recreation centre. The first two arenas were on Lorne Street with the original replaced with the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena being opened in 1951.. It became the Mrs A.W. Moore Arena as part of the recreation centre in 1978.

So much for background!!!! Over the years I have been asked who was Chapleau's best hockey player. I have left that one alone until now but recently it has been suggested to me again. I have not worked out all the details yet but this week I will include photos of some hockey teams to get you thinking about it. By the way I know my ten favourites.

If you have ideas how we might decide please let me know. My email is mj.morris@live. ca or message me on Facebook

ERRATA Thanks to Margaret Rose (Payette) And Bobby Fortin for sending me correction from column of November 7 . George Tremblay's brother was Noel not Neil as I wrote. Thanks for correction!!!

George Brecken Nicholson "Father of Town of Chapleau" served as first reeve from 1901 to 1913

The Chapleau Post reported that the town had received a "great shock" with the news that the "Father of the Town of Chapleau" had died on January 1, 1935 in Toronto General Hospital after an illness of only a few days.

Mr. Nicholson, the first reeve of Chapleau who served from 1901 when the township was incorporated until 1913, had taken ill on December 26, 1934 and was taken to Toronto by train accompanied by Dr. J.J. Sheahan and his wife Mrs. Nicholson.

George Brecken Nicholson was born at Crapaud, Prince Edward Island on March 17, 1868,  and arrived in Chapleau more than 50 years ago, the newspaper reported. 

He first worked in the construction department of the Canadian Pacific Railway for 17 years. During this time for 10 years General Secretary or General Chairman for the Brotherhood of  Locomotive Firemen and engineers'

"It is worthy to note that the railway paid tribute to his ability by offering him promotions to official positions on no less than three specific occasions but with his mind on a business career he felt compelled to decline," the Post noted.

In 1900 Mr. Nicholson entered into a partnership in the lumber business with J. McN Austin with Mr. Nicholson being the business head. The company continued and in due course became the largest supplier of railway ties in the British Empire.

But he was also very active in the affairs of Chapleau. He was a member of the board of management for the library in the Mechanics Institute. The township offices were also located there until it burned down.

After becoming reeve in 1901, he oversaw the installation of a complete waterworks system, and up to date pumping station with fire hydrants all over town. By 1910 the Chapleau Volunteer Fire Department was established.

Cement sidewalks were also constructed.

The Town Hall had been completed by 1914 when Mr. Nicholson retired as reeve, and he had also been a large part of those involved in the construction of Lady Minto Hospital the same year.

"For years he had seen the suffering entailed by long train journeys to obtain the medical care such an institution could provide and with the assistance of a score or more public spirited men and women  carried through with a plan which placed in our midst one of the town's greatest assets, 'Our Hospital', the Post reported.

During World War I he was greatly involved in activities supporting our troops. Just six days before the Armistice in November 1918, he and Mrs. Nicholson received a "staggering blow" when their only son Lorne was killed in action.

The Chapleau Post noted that  this great blow provided the inspiration for one of the generous acts, characteristic of the man, in the erection and gift of the beautiful building known as the Memorial Hall (now the Royal Canadian Legion Hall) erected to the memory of Lorne and his friends. The hall was officially opened in 1920, almost 100 years, and is still a beautiful community landmark.

On a very personal basis, when I was home in 2015 with my cousin Michael McMullen for the launch of our book "The Chapleau Boys Go To War" and we were holding a book signing in the Bisco Room, I quietly went upstairs to the main hall. I pulled back the curtain on the memorial wall and spent a few minutes looking at the photo of my father Flying Officer Jim Morris killed on active service in 1943 in World War II, and the other "friends" of Chapleau whose memory Mr. Nicholson ensured.

Mr. Nicholson also conducted a Bible Class for 25 years at St. John's Anglican Church, and when he was serving as  a Member of Parliament came home from Ottawa to conduct it. He was also involved in the building of St. John's Church opened in 1907 located where it is today, also known now as the Chapleau Hub

His funeral service was held at St John's Church conducted by Rev Harold Hesketh, the Rector. The Post reported that the church was crowded with friends "of all classes and creeds paying last respects to the man who had done so much for their community".

Flags were also flown at Half Mast in the community out of respect for the "Father Of Chapleau"  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Dr J.J. Sheahan referred to as "great soul and great man when memorial plaque unveiled at Lady Minto Hospital in 1963

When the Lady Minto Hospital honoured Dr. John Joseph Sheahan with a memorial plaque and officially opened the new childrens' ward in 1963. Rev. Gaston Lampron of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church  referred to him as a "great soul and great man' adding that the occasion  was a fitting tribute to his memory.

In dedicating the memorial plaque, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan of St. John's Anglican Church mentioned the affection and respect that Dr. Sheahan Was held since his arrival in 1907 in Chapleau until his death in 1942. Mr Doolan added it was in both his personal and professional life.

The memorial plaque was unveiled by Dr. Sheahan's daughter, Evelyn.

C.B. Greenlaw, chair of the hospital board welcomed the dignitaries who were present for the occasion on a day with "clear skies and pleasant temperatures which parallled carrying out the dedication service on the hospital lawns, according to Margaret Costello in the Sudbury Star.

Dignitaries included Evelyn, Dr. Sheahan's daughter;Ray Jessup, president of the Ontario Hospital Association; E.P. Everitt, CPR Superintendent; and Mrs. Lionel Nolan, a personal friend of Dr. Sheahan who had a long association with the hospital.

The Lady Minto Hospital was opened in 1914.Mr. Greenlaw outlined the history of the Lady Minto Hospital from 1914 when it was the only hospital between Sudbury and Fort William (now Thunder Bay.

Mrs Nolan commented that Dr. Sheahan's  "ready smile" won the hearts of young patients who considered him their hero"  

She added that until his death he was not only a physician but " but counsellor, father and friend. He was always available in time of need."

Mr, Everitt of the CPR said that every word he had heard would not bring out all the greatness that Dr. Sheahan possessed. His medical practice through the north country was very difficult and he travelled by dog team and horses and sleigh as his transportation.. As an aside the good people of Chapleau had bought him a Ford  to take him around town.

Dr Sheahan 1940 Carnival King, Ina Robinson, Charles Reid, Walter Leigh

Visits to the new childrens' wing were conducted by Mrs. Frances Burrows, Mrs. William Grinton, Mrs. Ross Pellow, Mrs Richard Avison,and Mrs. J.R. Keddie.

There were already young patients in the new wing which was complete in every detail.

The guests then returned to the hospital lawn for refreshments. Pouring tea was Mrs. Elsie Wilkinson, one of the first matrons at Lady Minto Hospital. Many of us will remember Mrs. Wilkinson as the school nurse.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau curling rinks considered 'worthy opponents' winning many honours in bonspiels

The Chapleau Curling Club was established in the Fall of 1885 and the first sheet of ice made during the winter across from where the liquor store is now located.

Vince Crichton wrote in Pioneering In Northern Ontario that the names of the first members were not recorded but there appears to have been a shack built with a wood stove in it to warm the players in frigid  weather. The rink was not enclosed so in order to curl shovelling and sweeping the snow was necessary. By 1904 the ice skating rink had been enclosed and one sheet of curling  was made available on the lane side of Lansdowne Street.

In 1928 the curling club was relocated to its own building on Pine Street where it remained until its move to the  Chapleau Recreation Centre in 1978. Chapleau never hosted this bonspiel again.

Chapleau actually hosted the Northern Ontario Curling Association bonspiel in 1929and did so again in 1932. In 1932 a rink comprised of Leo Racicot, Harry Morris (my Grandfather), Vince Crichton and A. Kinahan reached the finals in all events with the exception of the Consolation Trophy. Vince noted in his book that this feat was never accomplished before or since. 

However, after this success the club went into a period of stagnation during the Great Depression but in 1936 Vince proposed borrowing money to renovate the club room. Then World War II came along and by the end of the war younger members joined. 

In 1948 Vince became president and curling enjoyed a long period of prosperity. The Club rooms were expanded, a heating system installed and by 1962 an artificial ice plant was completed. Washroom facilities were also installed and in due course it took on a very inviting and pleasant atmosphere which attracted the public to watch the games.

D Matheson, T J Godfrey, T Therriault, G B Nicholson circa 1927

By  1954 school boy curling was initiated and a year later Herb Riley donated the Riley Trophy for high school curling. I curled for a couple of years in the 1950s and was able to use my grandfather's rocks.

 Later high school girls started curling and became a major part of the success enjoyed.

Vince noted that over the years Chapleau rinks were considered worthy opponents -- the only honour escaping them was the McDonald Brier.

George McCord who had been an ardent curler was once asked to name the best rink that played together from the Chapleau club.. Apparently without hesitation he replied: Leo Racicot, Harry Morris, Vince Crichton and Tommy Therriault. adding that there had never been another rink to compare with them. They curled together 12 years and they won many honours.

It took some years for women to be accepted as members but when they were approved , they had a "vibrant, growing organization and have ever since been a very vital and worthy part of the curling club".

NOTE -- In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that until today when I was thumbing through Vince's book again I was unaware that my grandfather was such an excellent curler. Of course I knew he liked to curl but not as successfully as Vince revealed.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau Hub project wins National Trust Ecclesiastical Insurance Cornerstone Award

The 2019 National Heritage Awards will be presented on October 18, 2019 at the Millennium Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba during a ceremony held as part of the National Trust’s Annual Conference (in association with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals).

Jason Rioux will travel to Winnipeg to accept The National Trust's Ecclesiastical Insurance Cornerstone Award which celebrates exemplary projects, places and people that contribute to the quality of life and sense of place, and illustrate the viability of heritage buildings and sites for traditional or new uses.

Back in the summer of 2016, Jason and his wife Victoria started the journey of taking on the St. John’s Anglican church building with an unknown destination.  It is Jason’s home town and he wanted to work on something that was good for Chapleau.  So they did a deal with Anglican diocese of Moosonee to buy the church building, which was one of the last historic buildings left standing in Chapleau but in serious disrepair.  The congregation had shrunk to very small numbers such that heating the building and keeping up with the necessary repairs was no longer financially viable.

"It seemed like every year another building was getting knocked down in Chapleau and people weren't trying to repurpose what was there, and some of the character that was in town was getting lost," Jason said.

The building has been transformed into the Chapleau Hub, a community hub to spur and support local entrepreneurs, that now hosts a licensed restaurant in the lower level with a wood fired pizza oven, and shared use on the main floor with yoga lessons, fitness programs, children and youth programming, women’s shelter meetings, weekly movie nights, and most importantly we have kept the church congregation full use on Sundays and special events, so the place of worship has been retained even though now privatized with multiple shared uses. 

The building has also been converted to a modern wood pellet boiler system, getting the building off of diesel and now a proud carbon free building, which sources its wood pellets from northern Ontario supporting the local economy. 

This has been a journey with lots of stories and lessons learned to share, which Jason will share with the rest of Canada at the conference in Winnipeg this month. 

Jason and his wife Victoria are honoured to receive national recognition for the Hub’s successes and would like to thank all the tenants, contractors, volunteers, and people that have touched or had a role to play in the success of the Chapleau Hub coming to be. However, since Jason and Victoria live so far away, they need more help to grow the activities and uses at the Chapleau Hub and manage the building, for the benefit of Chapleau, and encourage anyone interested in getting involved to reach out to Jason.rioux@gmail.com.  They also thank Jason's parents Heather and Robert Rioux.

The 2019 National Heritage Awards will be presented on October 18, 2019 at the Millennium Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba during a ceremony held as part of the National Trust’s Annual Conference (in association with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals).

I extend my most sincere congratulations to Victoria and Jason on winning this national award, as well as their efforts to "save" St. John's Anglican Church which was consecrated in 1907. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Dr Karl A Hackstetter, John McClellan and Michael on overcoming hate

With a federal election looming on the horizon in Canada, and the politics of hate on the rise, not only here, but in other countries I decided to wade into the issue based on one of  the most significant events in my life. I overcame hate.

Before going any further I need to make it clear that hate of any kind is not part of my life, and other than one attempt at it when I was in Grade Nine at Chapleau High School, it has not played a role.

Those of you who have read 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War" which I co-authored with my cousin Michael McMullen, may already be aware of my "hate event" described in the chapter "Dr. Karl A Hackstetter, John 'Mac' McClellan and Michael" will be aware of it.

I quote from it as I share my story on hate.

Dr. Hackstetter arrived in Chapleau in 1954 to teach at Chapleau High School, nine years after the end of World II. I entered Grade Nine in 1955, and although Dr. Hackstetter was a most intimidating person, from the first day I planned to hurt him.

Dr. Hackstetter had been an officer in the German Army during the war and my father. Jim Morris, as many of you know was killed on active service in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943. Needless to say perhaps, I was a hurting kid, and he was going to share it ----- even though I thought he was a great teacher.

One day, it struck me how to do it. I would place a photo of my father in my binder, and when Dr. Hackstetter stopped by our desks to look at our work. he would see it. So I placed the photo, and sure enough he made his rounds. As he peered down, I moved my arm so he could see the photo of my father in uniform.

He asked, "Who is that man? I do not know that man".

Dr Hackstetter far right leaving field behind CHS

"My father, I replied. He had fallen into my trap. 

"Where is he?'

"He is dead. He was killed in the war".

Dr. Hackstetter never said a word. He looked at me for a moment, and now I was terrified. He walked over to the window, looked at me again, then looked off outside. He shed a tear and then left the room abruptly.

Dead silence in the classroom.

Moments later, John McClellan, a veteran of World War I, the school principal entered the room and said quietly, "Come with me Michael ."

We went to the office and as best I could told him what I did. He then said, "Dr. Hackstetter wonders if you would be willing to have a talk with him."

I agreed, terrified as I was, in tears as I am at this moment all these years later as I type. Dr Hackstetter and I had a great chat and then Mr. McClellan returned and the three of us went down to the landing where the memorial wall of photos and plaque honouring the 17 high school students, including my Dad was.

Ad there we were side by side: World War I veteran John McClellan, me and former German army officer Dr. Karl A. Hackstetter. We stood in front of the plaque in silence for a few minutes, and then quietly went our separate ways.  I was 14 years old and had just learned a lot about forgiveness.

From that day forward Dr. Hackstetter and I were friends, even though I was never very good in Mathematics! In fact at a school dance in June 1957, he came over to me and said, "Morris, you are a lucky ******. It is a good thing I like you,"  We both understood.

1956-57 l to r G. Mino, G. Lemon, J. Riordan, G Bowles, C Fiaschetti, Dr Hackstetter

Dr. Hackstetter left  but returned a principal from 1963 to 1966. We stayed in touch f or many years.

I leave it to Carole Futhey and the staff of CHS yearbook AD ASTRA to sum up Dr. Hackstetter

The Chapleau High School yearbook 'Ad Astra' paid tribute to departing principal Dr. Karl A. Hackstetter for setting a high standard for students and "trying to kick us over it."

The editors of 'Ad Astra', led by Carole Futhey dedicated their yearbook to Dr. Hackstetter as their way of saying thank you for setting high standards, expressing the hope that "we hope that we will not disappoint him. They were exciting years."

The tribute said that Dr. Hackstetter "terrorized and goaded us, stretched us and pushed us. The experience often left us limp, but it also left us stimulated.

"Because he immensely enjoyed every activity, he tried to teach us to find satisfaction in everything we did. He not only tolerated non conformity, he loudly demanded it.

"The greatest crime was shoddiness. the most prized qualities were originality and a sense of style."

Vote as you wish but there is no need to hate!!!!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca