Tuesday 29 May 2012

Possible Problem

Today Facebook popped up with a note saying they would be blocking ALL blogspot URLs as being too spammy. So, I have been using Facebook to advertise what Posts I am putting up and linking the Blog back to Facebook to see the photo Albums of Museum Displays. That , it seems, will not be possible from now on. I can still mention new Posts but cannot give a linking address to find this Blog. From comments on Blogger it seems the .ca part of the URL is causing the block.

Monday 21 May 2012

ANGLICAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY

This E.C. Everett photo was taken in 1936.
 Built in classic wood frame style,
 the church served its parishioners for more than 100 years.

The first church in Nipigon, St. Mary the Virgin, was built in 1888, under the guidance of Reverend Robert Renison. Local people contributed about $250 toward construction, and tourists and visitors donated as well. Its solid log foundation contributed to its longtime structural integrity. At the rear of the church was a church hall that was dismantled in the 1970's.
Prior to the construction of the church, monthly services were held in the home of Newton Flanagan, junior Chief Trader at Red Rock Post. When the CPR came through in 1885, services moved to the station waiting room.

rev. Renison ministered in Nipigon from 1880 to 1894. His wife, Mary Elizabeth, and six-year-old son Frank are buried in the small cemetery beside the rectory. The oldest stone in the cemetery is 1883, and the last burial recorded is in 1924.

Rev. Renison's oldest son, also named Robert, went on to become the Bishop of Moosonee, and in later years, the Metro Bishop of Toronto.

1939
Research and article; B. Satten "A Historical Walk Through Nipigon" 2003 The Nipigon Historical Museum

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Photo by E.C.Everett
The Nipigon Presbyterian Church began its history in 1899. William McKirdy built the wooden pews, and his wife Georgina played the organ, taught Sunday School and formed a Ladies Aid. Between 1920 and 1023, the church doubled as extra classrooms for the public school across the street.

It became known as the United Church in 1925, when the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregationalist amalgamated to form the United Church of Canada. A basement, kitchen, and Sunday School room and an addition across the back were added.

In January, 1946, Rev. Tansley suffered minor injuries and a broken nose when the church bell fell from the tower while he was ringing it. Later in the year, the church bell was struck by lightning and the weather vane was knocked down.

The congregation grew, and in 1961 they built a new church, Grace united Church on John Street. This building was sold and underwent a complete renovation.
Research and article: B. Satten  'A Historical Walk Through Nipigon" 2003 The Nipigon Historical Museum

FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH

E.C. Everett photo, 1947
This picturesque little church dates back to 1906 when it was the first Catholic Church in Nipigon. The main body of the church seats about 70 people and a small gallery holds about 15 more. Its original location was the southwest corner of Second and Newton Street. In 1952, a new larger Catholic Church, Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was built adjacent to it.

The old church was then sold and became the Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Ukrainian. Mac McCullough moved the church to this site, formerly a clay tennis court. The congregation of 28 families renovated the church, putting in a new floor but retaining the original windows. In 2002, the church continues to hold services on an occasional basis.

Research and article: B. Satten, "A Historical Walk Through Nipigon", 2003 Nipigon Historical Museum

Tuesday 8 May 2012

ROYAL VISIT, 1939

When the C.P.R. carried passengers, Nipigon got to see a lot of VIPs. Now we only get to see them when the Christmas Train - bite my tongue - HOLIDAY Train  - goes through.

E.C.Everett shaking the Queen "Mom's" hand. May 23 , 1939.
"Meeting Their Majesties"









This summer, 2012, the museum had a visit from one of the little girls who watched this visit happen. She was able to find her Mom in one of the photos. Very happy memories.

Tuesday 1 May 2012

MAY DAY PARADES

Nipigon May Day Parade 1929. Photo by E.C.Everett from the watertower.

May Day Parade in front of Ovilio Hotel, Nipigon, 1929.

May Day Parade 1930, Nipigon. It looks like
 there might have been a little snow left in the hedge.
 The Nipigon Inn is at the far end of the street.
Photo by E.C. Everett