Since Maggie made me discover the St Clements Anglican Church this week and since I had to go to Verdun, I brought my camera and took these pictures. The church is still looks in good shape despite the fact that the original section was built in 1900, the 1st enlargement in 1910 and the 2nd in 1923 although it could stand some painting and renovations but one has to wonder what will eventually happen to these old churches who are suffering from a lack of worshippers thus a lack of funds.
I also took these photos of the area behind the church. There is a large vacant lot directly behind the church and facing the other vacant lot across the street where the old Woodall and CKVL radio station was situated. Does anyone remember what was at that lot. The lane is between Gordon and Rielle and all the old sheds are now gone. Boy, I bet they could tell us a lot of stories of what went on inside, if ghosts could only talk.
I talked to an old timer so that he could tel some old memories. He remembered milk being delivered with horse drawn wagons. He said the horses were withdrawn in the middle of the sixties. He also recalled a building that collaped at the intersection of Wellington, LaSalle and Lafleur due to stolen lead that was stored illigally. I plan to do this again as those old stories are simply fascinating.
Guy
7 comments:
Guy, St Clements looks exactly the same as when we got married there almost 48 years ago!
Rev. Kettleborough was the Minister then and he also lived on 3rd Ave in a house just up from Bannantyne. Richard was Roman Catholic, I was Anglican and our best man, my brother-in-law Benny was Jewish...our own joining of the Faiths! My aunt Lydia attended St Clements well into her nineties and told me they occasionally had church suppers. The new members of the congregation were from different places, including Africa. Wonderful experience for my Aunt to finally meet people from other cultures at such a late age!
The horse drawn milk wagon carried the most delicious milk in glass bottles with a layer of cream on the top! I also remember it wasn't a good idea to rollerskate behind one of the wagons too closely! ....Those were the good ole days!....Diane
Guy. Thank you so much for the pictures. They are always appreciated. Keep up the good work. Helps us old timers to remember those days we now long cherish!!!!! Winston Allison (835 3rd avenue.Now of Vancouver, Washington
Rev. Kettleborough (Teapot) was the earliest Rev I remember at St. Clements. I sang in the choir from 1965 until I was married there in 1977 and moved out west. As long as I can remember, there was an empty lot (parking lot) behind the church across the laneway on Gordon Ave. We had wednesday evening choir practices and always used the back door (on Gordon) to enter the church. I spent a lot of my time at the church with choir, youth group, folk group and sunday services. Christmas Eve Carol Service was always a favourite and folk mass sundays. We also had a Fall Supper and Bazaar in October each year. As kids we really enjoyed a church member's contribution of "dollar" pancakes.
"Teapot" was a very nice man from memory. Although I didn't attend church and just before marrying, he told me Richard was a better Protestant than me, because I wasn't confirmed and he was! Needless to say, my future R.C. husband found that very amusing.
Maggie, Diane and John:
I am glad to see that my photos are bringing back memories, that's the magic of photos and it is interesting to read you anecdotes of your days living in Verdun. That's what this site is all about. I wanted to take other photos of the area but I had trouble with the batteries of my camera but I will be returning for more photos. I get the impression that the St Clements Church is the most important english protestant church in Verdun, am I correct. There was some kind of bazar going on inside the church and the old gentleman I spoke to outside told me he went to see it. I'm sorry I didn't go inside myself to take photos. Maybe the next time. Don't hesitate to visit my photo albums wich I am sure will also bring back memories.
Guy
I can only recall houses behind the church Guy,.I used to cut through the lane to go to 'Dube's' store,which was on Rielle. I lived btwn: Gordon & Galt on Wellington right in the middle of the block.The building was destroyed by fire in the mid 60's ...Nice old photo's Guy Thanks for posting them. It is a good idea to talk to any of the old folks still around Verdun,as they would have a wealth of interesting stories. HF&RV
I seem to remember one of our old members,saying exactly this,to go to the old Verdun Manoir ( Woodland on the old boardwalk) & just talk to some of the older residents,...it's a good idea & I'll bet they'd love to have someone talk to them.
but I sort of do remember a few vacant lot's immediately behind the church & the row houses starting a little past the CKVL building. (across the street from it of course)
I think you're probably correct in assuming St Clements Church was the major English Protestant church in Verdun. I don't know about today in Verdun, but I think Anglicans were more numerous than the other Protestant religions in those days. Protestant and Catholic kids alike, all attended the movies in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church on 5th Ave. It was a very active church because it had activities for kids like "The Explorers" etc. Guy, I always enjoy your photos and look forward to my next visit in 2010 or 2011, when I'll take my camera and spend a whole day walking around Verdun taking photos. Hope I will still recognise most of it!...Diane
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