Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 76 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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St. Mary Magdalene Church of England in Chelsea (continued)
by Patrick M.O. Evans
Some time later Mrs. Allen died, and as Mr. Allen's health was failing he decided to resign in the autumn of 1901. He died in 1903. The next minister was the Rev. A. St. Naylor, appointed in November 1901, whose incumbency was to last for three years. He also took summer services at Kingsmere and Meech Lake. In the spring of 1904 Mrs. Alonzo Wright died, bequeathing $20,000 to the Mission Fund and $10,00 for work in the Gatineau.
There followed a succession of incumbents including the Reverends J.A. Lackey, R.F. Taylor, F.A. Allen, W.H. Nicholson and E. Geoffrey May. Mr. May's son, Stephen, wrote about the church to which his father had been appointed early in the spring of 1925.
"The Church of St. Mary Magdalene was a gray frame structure that stood behind, or to the north of the rectory (parsonage). It had the familiar peaked roof, and windows of the type that I believe are called "Lancet". The interior was varnished throughout, and a large coconut matting ran the length of the nave. A faded red carpet covered the floor of the chancel and sanctuary. Lighting was accomplished by a number of oil lamps suspended by brackets from the walls. The meagre output of light was bolstered by various types of reflectors which fanned out behind the lamps. There was a wheezy old harmonium which made a joyful noise proportionate to the energy and ability of the organist. There was no pulpit and sermons were delivered from the chancel steps or from the lectern. Off the chancel there was a small vestry, with a robe cupboard."
In the 1930s, during the great depression, there were hard times with accompanying financial difficulties. In 1934 Mr. May left the parish to take up duties at Lachute. The elderly Rev. W. B. Morgan rector of St. Martin's, Woodroffe, in 1935, began a five year term of Chelsea visits for the Sunday services. Unfortunately, Mr. Morgan suffered failing eyesight, and although he was helped by his son, a theology student, in 1939 and 1940, he was forced to retire late in 1940. As a war measure, canon L.F. Crothers of Hull, took over the Chelsea Mission in 1940.
Matters did not seem to improve. The war was causing many family disruptions, and the membership of the congregation was at its lowest ebb. Added to this was the poor condition of the church and the many needed repairs. The reluctant decision was reached in 1943 to secularize (deconsecrate) the church, pull it down, and sell the property.
Fourteen years were to pass, during which peace was to be restored before a second St. Mary Magdalene was to be constructed. In 1948 Canon C.W. Earle replaced canon Crothers. Meanwhile arrangements were entered into to raise the necessary funds to finance construction. The erection of the church took place during the winter of 1956 - 1957 on a lot presented personally by the Rt. Rev. John Dixon of Montreal, this time on the west side of Highway 11 (105).
For a more complete history of the church reference is made to the work of Mrs. Jean Vivian from which these notes were taken.