Archives Committee
The Archives Committee was established in 2000 to organize, preserve and maintain materials related to the history and heritage of our Parish. The Committee recognizes that the Archives collection may be of value to historians and genealogists and attempts to educate and enrich Parishioners and the community through tours, displays, talks and programmes. Monthly meetings are held with Committee members Joan Connolly, Dave Hunt, Lucia Ferrara, Lucille King, Norman McMullen and Phil Shepherd.
Over the years we have participated in numerous activities within and beyond the Parish: Doors Open, Richmond Hill, themed presentations for our Sunday School children, tours and special events for community groups. We have become “custodians” of the historic Arnold Plot and were active participants on the Chapel Restoration Committee. The Committee has also published two works: Gladdening Light: A Walk Around Guide To Our Heritage in Stained Glass and St. Mary’s Anglican Church. 50th Anniversary of the New Sanctuary.
The Committee frequently arranges “Archives Moments” whereby interesting items from our collection are shared with parishioners following Sunday worship services. Memberships are maintained with the Ontario Heritage Trust. The National Trust for Canada and the Richmond Hill Historical Society.
Inquiries are always welcomed and donations to the collections are gratefully considered.
“Lord we thank you for the goodly heritage you have given us and we rejoice in the new things you do in us. Help us so to build on the inheritance of our forebears that, empowered by your Spirit, we may live your Gospel and serve your Kingdom, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”
Archives’ Anecdotes
Fun & Fellowship at St. Mary’s
Rev. Bill Prentice:
“Coming back to St. Mary’s in May of 1977, working as Associate until 1981, this too, was an exciting time for me, and I look back with joy at those years.”
“Among my memories are so many events – things like sales, “the steak-in”, pancake suppers, and Seder suppers. There was great music, both in the chapel and in the nave. The house churches (we still have a photo album given to us by the Friday night house church in 1981) and the fellowship of the Church in general stand out in my memory.”
Elizabeth Hillaby:
“We had 3 women’s groups: Afternoon Women’s Auxiliary, Evening Women’s Auxiliary and Evening Guild. I’ve heard people say our Bazaars were the best in town and were well attended. Rummage Sales were also popular as ways to raise money for the church.”
“Fragments Coffee House for teens was held on Friday nights in the basement of the old church. Rev. Don Bone and men of the Parish supervised.”
“One Church Picnic was held at Musselman’s Lake.”
“On Christmas Day, Rev. O’Neil would bring one of his presents to open and would ask the children to guess what it was. One little boy said maybe it was a model (meaning plane, car, etc.) but Rev. O’Neil rolled his eyes, and the adults had a chuckle.”
Barb Mann:
“When Rev. David McGuire arrived at St. Mary’s, he wanted to be able to call people by name as quickly as possible. On the way out of his first 8 a.m. service, he asked each one their names as he shook hands with them and hoped he would remember some of them. One very tall regal gentleman came, and he said his name was Mr. Cakebread. David thought that was a name he would remember. The next Sunday morning David was shaking hands and was trying to remember names, when he saw Mr. Cakebread coming towards him. David put out his hand and said Mr. Cheesecake, … well this gentleman stood straight up all 6 feet and 4 inches of him and said my name is Cakebread. David felt about 2 inches high and was so embarrassed but he never forgot his name.
Mike and Meg Shirlaw:
“There was a wonderful send off for (Rev.) Bern and Pauline Barrett. We gathered on the front lawn where a gas barbecue was presented as a going-away gift. Bern was delighted and exclaimed, “Holy Smoke!”
Harry Hill:
“… I would like to acknowledge the healing ministry of Reverend Gerald Loweth, the arrival of Reverend James F. O’Neil with his message of love and conciliation and our incumbent Father Matthew McMillan for his pastoral care and guidance.”
Flavia Redelmeier:
“Rummage Sales and Bazaars were busy times and many solid friendships were established as we worked together to keep the church and gardens and history going.”
“We were still worshiping in the little church but had begun to take our boys to the Nursery in the dug out crypt. The first Sunday we tried it, the congregation had settled in to listen to guest preacher Canon Armitage as he began his sermon, when “STOMP, STOMP, STOMP” up the wooden steps from the side entrance – “I want my Daddy!” Ernest rose from his pew and vanished. “The Shepherd knows his Lamb ” said Canon Armitage and everyone relaxed and laughed. And so it went.“
David Fettes:
“Reverend Jim O’Neil came up with the idea of a coffee house in the folk era (early 1960s). I was part of the confirmation class, so I was allowed to help out at this coffee house, “Fragments”, by playing the records in between the live performers. I remember some of the performers – Michael Sherman, Carol Robinson, Amos Garrett and Chick Roberts. CBC even did a shoot there once. The band that played on the special was the Stormy Clovers. I was there when Gordon Lightfoot played. The Kinfolk – Brian and Bruce Good, Marg Queen, Bill and Nancy Kerrigan, got their start at Fragments. Brian and Bruce eventually went on to become the Good Brothers.”
“I helped at the door when you had to come in at the back stairs and get your hand stamped and have a membership card. We had to close at 11:30 or midnight since there was a curfew in town. The acts who played got paid thanks to the admission fee.”