THE CONSECRATION OF THE IRON CHURCH.
Old-timers will be interested in the following clipping giving
particulars of the consecration of St. John's Church. The year is not
given, but it was in 1860 (April 13th). It was when first built a
very ugly building, having no semblance of a tower, which was added
many years after. The first rector was Rev. R. J. Dundas, M.A. Of the
clergy who took part fifty years ago, there are, I think, only three
living, viz., Rev. Edward Cridge, now Bishop Cridge; Rev. J.
Sheepshanks, now Bishop of Norwich, and the Rev. Alexander Garrett,
now Bishop of Dallas, Texas. Of the bishops then present, both are
dead. Bishop Morris, of Oregon, who preached the consecration sermon,
died a few years ago, aged eighty-seven, the oldest bishop in the
United States; and Bishop Hills died in England soon after he left
this country, having resigned the bishopric of British Columbia, a
very disappointed man. Strange to say, he took a rectorship under one
of his former clergy, Rev. J. Sheepshanks, Bishop of Norwich.
It will be noted that the hymn-books used at the service were to be
obtained at Hibben & Carswell's (T. N. Hibben & Co.). To close the
consecration services there was to be a social gathering or
tea-meeting, which was a popular form of entertainment in those good
old days. The admission was one dollar, and the proceedings commenced
at half-past six o'clock. Just think of it, ye late birds of the
later days, when half-past eight is not too late! As the choir of
Christ Church assisted at these services, and as I was a choir-boy,
I must have been there.
The printed programme reads: "The consecration of the Church of St.
John the Evangelist is fixed for Thursday next, 13th inst. The solemn
occasion will be marked by a series of services, at which a voluntary
choir will contribute their assistance, aided by the fine organ just
erected. It is also intended to hold meetings, one of which meetings
will organize the Diocesan Church Society, and the other draw
together in a social way the friends of religion, and the
well-wishers of the Church of England. It is earnestly hoped that
these various occasions may tend to strengthen the best influences
amongst us, and advance substantially the work of the Lord.
"The following is the order of services:
"Thursday, September 13th, in the morning, consecration service at 11
a.m. Sermon by the Bishop of Oregon.
"The Holy Communion will be administered.
"In the evening service at 7 p.m. Sermon by the Bishop of Columbia.
"Friday, September 21st, service at 11 a.m. Sermon by the Rev. E.
Willis (rector of St. John's, Olympia).
"Evening service at 7 p.m. Sermon by the Rev. W. D. Crickmer, M.A.,
minister of Fort Yale.
"Sunday, September 16th, morning service at 11 a.m. Sermon by the
Bishop of Columbia.
"Afternoon service at 3 p.m. Sermon by the Rev. E. Cridge, B.A.,
minister of Christ Church.
"Evening service at 6.30. Sermon by the Bishop of Oregon.
"Tuesday, September 18th, evening service at 7 p.m. Sermon by the
Rev. J. Sheepshanks, M.A., minister of New Westminster.
"Friday, September 21st, evening service at 7 p.m. Sermon by Rev.
Alex. C. Garrett, B.A.
"Sunday, September 23rd, morning service at 11 a.m. Sermon by the
Bishop of Columbia.
"Afternoon service at 3 p.m. Sermon by Rev. Charles T. Woods, M.A.,
principal of Collegiate School.
"Evening service at 6.30 p.m. Sermon by Rev. R. J. Dundas, M.A.,
minister of St. John's.
"Collections will be made after all services towards the debt still
on the church.
"On Monday evening, September 17th, a meeting will be held in
Collegiate School-room at 7 o'clock, to arrange and constitute the
Columbia and Vancouver Diocesan Society, according to the plan
adopted in the colonies of Great Britain.
"Addresses will be delivered. All friends of the Church of England
are invited to attend.
"The chair will be taken by the Bishop of Columbia.
"On Thursday, September 20th, there will be held a social reunion of
friends, when subjects of interest connected with social organization
will be discussed. Admission by ticket, one dollar each. Tea will be
provided. Proceedings to commence at 6.30 p.m."
The following communication from a gentleman who did his part in
church work in this island in early days will interest many readers.
Extract from the _Union_, London, December 7th, 1860:
"A correspondent in Vancouver Island sends an interesting account of
the first consecration of a church in that far-off colony by the
Bishop of Columbia. It is situated at Victoria and is dedicated to
St. John the Evangelist. It is of wood, encased with corrugated
iron plates, lined and panelled inside with redwood. It was sent from
England by the bishop, and placed by him at the disposal of the
people of Victoria, where a second church was needed. The interior,
which is stained dark with the fittings, is extremely tasteful. There
is a beautiful carved stone font, given by a late parishioner of the
bishop's; a fine organ, also a gift; a bell, altar cloth, and east
light of stained glass. The consecration took place on September
13th. There was a numerous congregation, including clerical and
lay representatives of the Anglo-American Church, who came from
Washington Territory. The bishop and clergy robed in the vestry, and
a procession being formed they proceeded round the church to the west
entrance, where the bishop was received by the Rev. Edward Cridge,
B.A., the incumbent of Christ Church, his church wardens and a
committee of laymen, the chief promoters of the work. The petition,
praying to consecrate the church, having been presented, the bishop
signified his assent and proceeded up the centre aisle, followed by
the clergy, the church wardens and committee following. The 24th
Psalm was recited by the bishop and clergy as they proceeded up the
church. The bishop took his seat within the altar rails attended by
his clergy in the north choir seats, the service being full choral,
and the effect very marked. It was, indeed, a privilege to join in
such a service ten thousand miles from home. The communion service
was said by the bishop, the epistle was read by the Rev. D. E.
Willis, the Gospel by Rev. J. Sheepshanks. The bishop preached from
Matt. 26:8, 9, subject, "Works of Faith and Love." The offering
amounted to $358."
[Illustration: Iron Church.]
The Jubilee of St. John's.
Certain misleading remarks having been made at the jubilee of St.
John's with respect to Christ Church not having been consecrated for
long after being built, and that it was a log building, etc., I,
after getting facts from Bishop Cridge and an early resident who
attended its opening, replied:
"_To the Editor of the Colonist_:
"In reviewing the rather interesting article in Sunday's
_Colonist_ on the jubilee of St. John's Church, which contained
a deal I had already given some years ago, I noted particularly the
reference to the first Christ Church, and thought I could throw a
little light on the matter, especially after a conversation with an
early resident who attended the first service in the church in 1856.
The original building that was destroyed by fire was named 'Christ
Church' by Bishop Cridge, after Christ Church in London, of which he
was incumbent up to the time of his leaving for Vancouver Island in
1855.
"After Mr. Cridge had been established here as resident minister and
chaplain to Hudson's Bay Company, Governor Douglas had Christ Church
built for him, and when the congregation had increased, Mr. Cridge
wrote to the Bishop of London, telling him that there were twenty
candidates for confirmation, and asking him what he (Mr. Cridge)
should do under the circumstances. In reply Mr. Cridge was advised to
write to Bishop Scott of Oregon, asking him to come to Victoria and
confirm them. This was done, and Bishop Scott came.
"Thus took place the first confirmation on Vancouver Island, and in
this 'unconsecrated church.' The church is spoken of as being built
of logs. This is not so, as it was a frame structure, weather-boarded
on the outside, and lathed and plastered on the inside, with a stone
foundation.
"The church had a low tower like a dove-cot with two bells.
Altogether it was a pretty church. The building was put up by William
Leigh, an official of the company, under the superintendency of Hon.
J. D. Pemberton, who drew the plans and was architect. It was opened
first for public worship in August, 1856, prior to which services
were held in the fort. Later on, as the gold rush from California
took place, and thousands came to Victoria, Mr. Cridge, being
overworked, he (Mr. Cridge) wrote to England to the Church and School
Society, asking for help. As a result of this appeal, St. John's
Church was sent out by Miss Burdett-Coutts.
"I might further state that the Catholic Church was established here
prior to the arrival of Mr. Cridge, and for some time services under
Bishop Demers were held in the bishop's residence until a church was
erected. This pioneer of Catholic churches is still in existence,
having been moved from Humboldt Street south and east of St. Joseph's
Hospital to the rear of St. Ann's Convent, being there encased in
brick. As before stated, I was at the laying of the corner-stone of
St. John's Church in 1860, as also was Mr. Alexander Wilson, of Broad
Street, and we both remember the occasion, especially the music by
the fine band of H.M.S. _Sutlej_. I might here state that what I
have said has been to throw a little more light on an interesting
subject."