St. Matthew's Anglican Church

(An article written by Sylvia Telford for the 90th Anniversery Newsletter Sept. 1998)

In the beginning.........the first services were held in the home of Mr. Clarke from July 19 - August 30 while the church was being built. In 1908 Sutherland was a separate town that grew along with the C.P.R. and St. Matthew's began as a mission project of St. James Anglican Church, Nutana. The Church opened by Archdeacon (later Bishop) Lloyd, on September 6th, 1908. Some monies came through as a Grant received from the Colonial and Continental Church Society of London, England in memory of Sarah Greaves.

Clergy who first administered to St. Matthew's congregation was Reverend H. J. Likeman, rector of St James Anglican Church, Nutana. The first Lay Leaders were Mr. H. M. Hutchings, Mr. F. G. Frost (Emmanuel College) and Mr. Clarke. From 1909 -1912 Mr. G. Hedley Holmes of Emmanuel College (later became rector of St. George's and rural dean of Saskatchewan) was the clergy in charge of St. Matthew's. Christ Church, Patience Lake also shared our priest. Sunday School was founded in the winter of 1909 by Mr. F. G. Frost of Emmanuel College and Mr. H. M. Hutchings a Lay Leader. Rector's Warden, Mr. Farr 1909; Mr. J. D. Hamilton 1910; Mr. Bates 1911 - 1913; and People's Warden, Mr. Gardiner 1909 - 1910; and Mr. J. D. Hamilton 1911 - 1914. Catechist was Mr. F. G. Frost of Emmanuel College, Mr. H. M. Hutchings, Mr. and Mrs. Ough, and Mr. Strick.

From the minutes of April 15,1912 arose some concern about indebtedness of St. Matthew's. The Rectory was built in 1912 but the loans secured at that time were not paid in full until 1927.

The Reverend A. C. Collier was appointed as first rector of St. Matthew's from 1912 - 1916. The Reverend D. L. Greene was appointed as curate in the winter of 1913/1914 to help out. The Rector's Warden was Mr. Bates from 1912 - 1913, Mr A. Bamford 1914 - 1915, Mr. Jessop 1916. From the minutes of March 1913, there was concern expressed over too many new hymns being introduced. Rev. Collier was asked by vestry to restrict to two new hymns on any one Sunday! In 1914 there was an addition of chancel and vestry to the church building.

St. Matthew's parish was having trouble at this time trying to sustain a rector and as a result the Reverend Collier had to resign and the parish had to accept student ministry from Emmanuel College. However, Reverend Collier stayed on for a period of time to help out. Mr. C. W. Legge (student in charge) as well as various other students from the college from 1916 - 1917. Mr. T. D. Proctor was appointed student in charge for summer of 1917. The Reverend G. A. Harding was priest from 1918 - 1922. From the minutes of this period in time.... the congregation complained about the lights, heating, church cleaning, the conduct of the Sunday School and of services not starting on time. Vestry minutes of May 3,1917...decision was made to link up with the church at Patience Lake and share a rector in order to keep Rev. Harding on. Potatoes were sown on the vacant lot and then harvested and sold. Monies were put in the Church Fund. During 1918 there continued to be ongoing financial duress. The Parish was unable to secure monies for the stipend and other expenses. The Women's Auxiliary gave generously to help with the building debts. They assisted in paying the interest on the mortgage in 1921, 1922. Sept 3, 1919 Church property advertised for sale to pay for taxes. Nov.10, 1920 a motion to discontinue morning services during the winter months due to low attendance and high cost of fuel. Morning services still poorly attended in June. July,1922, Rev. Harding resigns with regret. From 1922 - 1925 the Reverend W.S. Wickenden was appointed priest of St. Matthew's. The Reverend E. L. Hughes was appointed as rector in Jan of 1925 but he died. The Rev. Wickenden continued as rector until April, 1925. The Rector's Warden during this period was Mr. W. H. Scott (1923 - 1924) and Mr. R. Horspool (1925). The People's Warden was Mr. F. Pitt (1923 - 1924) and Mr. W. H. Scott (1925). The W. A. offered to finance the heating and lighting of the church as well as taking care of the taxes and interest on the building loans. The minutes of April 3, 1924 recorded that Reverend Wickenden received an offer of an appointment at Emmanuel College as a Junior Professor. The Reverend D. L. Greene (the curate during the winter 1913 - 1914) became rector from 1925 - 1929. During a vestry meeting of Oct.15, 1925 there was discussion re buying of Lot 23 Blk 1 Plan H.A. This was not done but the plot was purchased by Mr. Pittin Nov. of this same year. At this time the Rector's Warden was Mr. R. Horspool (1925 - 1926), Mr. G. Addison (1927 - 1928) Mr. W. H. Scott (1929) and the People's Warden was Mr. W. H. Scott (1926 - 1927) Mr. W. H. Pitt, then Mr. W. H. Scott (1928), Mr. G. Addison(1929). St. Matthew's Social Club formed in 1925 to include all members of the congregation. During the Annual Meeting of January 14, 1926, St. Matthew's Sunday School was praised by the students of Emmanuel College and described as "second to none in the city".

From the minutes of the Annual Meeting of 1927...many active programs, W.A. and Jrs., Sunday School, choir, social club and tennis club. Scouts and Guides/Brownies were inactive at this time but must have been active before this. Three women were appointed to vestry... Miss Appleby, Mrs. Cownan and Mrs. Kelly. The stipend was stated as $1035 per year. The parish was still experiencing ongoing financial difficulties. September 9, 1927 was a focal point in the parish as this commemorated the "Burning Of The Mortgage". The lot adjoining the church property was given to the church by Mr. Pitt. Plays were being put on regularly by the Parish congregation. January 17, 1929 Annual Meeting has the Rector's report stating the social club is not fulfilling its original intended role of creating an interest in the real work of the church. Attendance was down during the past year. The resignation of Rev. D. L. Greene was accepted "with deep regret". At this time there seemed to be a bit of conflict between the Social and Dramatic Club members. The years from 1930 - 1935 found the Reverend W. A. Getliffe as the new rector. The 1930 average attendance was 50 people. We still had an ongoing connection with Patience Lake. The years 1935 - 1936 found the Reverend F. Vaughn Birch appointed as priest in charge. The Rector's Warden was Mr. W.H. Scott (1936) and People's Warden was Mr. F. E. Pitt and then Mr. W. H. Pitt. The Reverend Vaughn Birch resigned and this was accepted regretfully. He moved on to St. Mark's, Calgary. The Reverend S. Leslie Lockhead was rector from 1937 - 1942 when he left to become chaplin to the Forces. In Sept. 6, 1938 Mr. Albert Bamford was appointed as honorary warden in recognition of long years of service. It was noted that the population of Sutherland was decreasing in the year of 1938. World War II begins in 1939. The Reverend R. S. Newman was rector from 1942 - 1947. During this period the hall was built as the Reverend Newman felt it was needed for the young people.

This rector was described as "super" and much loved. He had cerebral palsy. World Ward II ends in 1945. Minutes were not in archives from 1942 - 1962. Archdeacon R. K. Sampson was rector from 1947 - 1950 an older very much liked man. A.C.W. was named after Sampson's wife, Violet. The Reverend D. G. Madire was rector in 1950. Emmanuel College students served the Parish from 1951 - 1957 under the oversight of Principal, the Reverend R. S. Dean. Names mentioned at this time were the Reverends, G. R.Huggill, D. S. Greighton, R. J. Maggs, P. R. Isles, and N. Goater. The Reverend Cecil B. Dawkins was rector from 1957 - 1962. He left to become chaplain in the military. He was described as being "liked by the women", and "very personable." His wife was often ill. He was invited back to speak at the 75th or 80th anniversary. During this time the Rector's Warden was Mr. E. Hughes 1958; People's Warden was Mr. H. Brown 1958. Members of Vestry were: Miss N. Addison, Mrs. A. Beaumont, Mr. J. Ferguson, Mr. H. Glynn, Mr. C. Jones, Mr. S. Leach, Mrs. L. Rayner, Mr. R. Saunders, Mr. D. Willard and Mr. P. Wright., Mr. J. Wilson was a member of St Matthew's congregation since before the church was built. The Reverend P. O. Scargill was rector in 1962. From 1962 - 1963 or 1964 the Reverend Randolph Scott Wood was appointed priest in charge. Reverend Wood encouraged the loyalty of the vestry members to the Rector and the Church and urged regular attendance and interest of vestry members. At this time the majority of vestry members appear to have been women. Finances described as "low". Attendance reported down. The Reverend Robert Lindo McCulloch from the West Indies or Jamaica was rector during 1964 - 1972.The Reverend John E. Marriott priest in charge from 1972 - 1976, became incumbent in 1974. Altar Guild persons were Meriel Bodie, Ruth Wright and Annie Lucak. Drew Smith was associate minister in 1976.

The Tower on the Church was demolished in 1975 and a new porch was added the same year. Joint services were being held with St. Paul's United Church. A Lenten Study was held in 1974 on the work of the "Diocesan Planning and Action Committee. Communion in Church was opened up to baptized children five years and up. The congregation made up of 125 individuals with an average Sunday attendance of 35 persons. The Reverend Joseph Neville Crichlow was appointed as incumbent from 1976 - 1987. He was part time at Rosthern Church and also worked at the Psychiatric Centre. He was well loved and left St Matthew's to take a Professorship at the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. Honorary assistants: Drew Smith and Stan Cuthand. Graham Simpson was vestry secretary. The new church was built in1984. A door to door distribution of brochures describing the activities of St. Matthew's was carried out in Sutherland, Forest Grove, and Erindale, in conjunction with the Lutheran, R.C. and United Churches. St. Matthew's Church was described as a family church with a 75% ministry, and a desire to be a Pastoral Church. The average Sunday attendance for 1986 was 48 and in 1987 the total was 43. Daycare opened in the Parish Hall in 1984. Extensive lay involvement in the worship services was noted in 1987. B.A.S. introduced in 1987 and was well received by most parishioners. Interim priest in charge in 1988 was the Reverend Drew Smith. Rector's Warden was Loretta Kolbinson; People's Warden Kathy Storrie, Treasurer Robert Palen, Envelope Secretary and Auditor was Audrey Smith, Sunday School Co-ordinator Chris Cuthand. Vestry members: Sylvia Telford, Eric Rusling, Graham Simpson, Margarete Simpson, Audrey Smith, Peter Cameron, Cheryl Reynolds, Ray Humphrey, Richard James, Robert Palen, Annie Lucak, Thordy Kolbinson. Also very involved was the A.C.W. President Kay Rusling, Loretta Kolbinson, Audrey Smith. The Altar Guild: Meriel Bodie and Kay Rusling. There was ongoing financial struggle. The Parish Roll was 90 confirmed, 40 identifiable Givers and 70 Households. During this time the appointment of male and female Eucharistic Assistants became into being.

From 1988 - 1992 the Reverend Neil Gregory was rector of the parish. Rector's Warden Loretta Kolbinson 1988 - 1989, then Geoff Strong. People's Warden Casey Jones then Kathy Storrie. Many names on vestry as per previous incumbent. Student Intern from College was Wayne Sturgess in 1990 with his wife Janet and son Jeff. Ivy and Lawrence Tronstad long standing members of the parish (matriarch/patriarch, ongoing). The average Sunday attendance in 1988 was 48; 1989 was 51 and 1990 was 52. In January of 1989 there was a fire caused by a "fire bomb" at the rectory. The rectory was rented out at this particular time but due to the destruction from the bomb and general "run down" condition the rectory was demolished. During April of 1989 St. Matthew's again found itself in financial crisis. A Church directory was done in 1990. The Parish was involved in Diocesan Step-Up Program assisted by a $500 per month grant from the diocese. Outreach was done re Racism. In 1992 the Reverend J. Neville Crichlow was appointed priest in charge and was well loved by the parish. The Rector's Warden was Geoff Strong; People's Warden was Kathy Storrie. Vestry: Lil Kalinocka, Loretta Kolbinson, Peter Cameron, Bruce and Roberta Mansell, Robert Palen. Eric and Kay Rusling long standing members of our parish(matriarch/patriach ongoing). The Reverend Susan Pittendrigh was appointed as incumbent at .5 time in 1993 which was increased to .65 time in 1996. The much loved Susan Pittendrigh left St Matthew's in January of 1998. Rector's Warden Geoff Strong; People's Warden Shirley Schultz, then Wendy Olson. Treasurer Virgil Lenton/ Roberta Palen, Envelope Secretary Meriel Bodie. Sunday School Co-ordinator Laura Smith, Nursery Gail Sajtos, Diocesan Youth Group Shirley & Virgil Lenton, Roberta & Bruce Mansell. A.C.W. Gail Sajtos; Outreach Chris Cuthand, Kathy Storrie, Shirley Schultz. Altar Guild Meriel Bodie and Kay Rusling, Servers Guild Jessica Mansell, Betty Townsend. Organists Audrey Smith, Kathy Storrie, Roberta Palen and Sylvia Telford. Cantor Margaret Wist. Prayer Chain Madge Myers. Roster Greeters Readers Shirley Schultz. Bulletin Secretaries Jacqueline Brooks, Sylvia Telford & Geoff Strong. Newsletter Sylvia Telford & volunteers. Maintenance Linda Williams, Harold Townsend, Vince Rogers & Merv Brand. The Daycare in the Hall discontinues. We sadly said good bye to Peter Cameron who died in 1993 and Robert Palen who died in 1996. Both members were very active and dedicated to St. Matthew's. They are still greatly missed.

A new roof is put on the church in the summer of 1997 with funds being raised by the parish. There is much lay involvement in worship and life of the church. Many outreach programs within parish and community. The average attendance in 1993 was 50, 1997was 52. Average envelope monthly giving for 1997 $2,713.13.

As I sit and type this outline of the happenings of St. Matthews various thoughts come to mind. There has only been mention of one intern coming to St Matthew's and I personally know of many more. In fact this information of the Church's history is the work of our latest intern, Pat Langlois. This project was part of her studies at Emmanuel/St. Chad and we have been fortunate enough to have been given permission and access to this information through her Professor Beth Marie Murphy, to whom we are forever grateful. The Reverend Beth Marie Murphy was interim co-ordinator of ministries between the departure of the Reverend Susan Pittendrigh and the appointment of the Reverend Colleen Stonhouse in August, 1998. There are many connecting threads that are weaved throughout this history that I wish to make mention of. St. Matthew's has had strong ties with the College of Emmanuel/St Chad since the beginnings of the parish. Many students have come through our doors as well as many priests have left us to go and teach at the college. These people have worked with the Sunday School, the Servers Guild, filled in when we did not have a rector, provided interns and at times both students and staff have been members of the congregation. Another thread that is woven through this story is that of ongoing "financial duress" from the beginning to now! The W.A. and then A.C.W. were always there to help out with the finances. The many bake sales, fall suppers and dinners put on over the years have all contributed greatly to the continuance of this church. The potato garden was used to raise funds years ago for the church and in recent years again it has produced produce for the "Food Bank" and our own parishioners. There have been many and varied ministries ongoing over the years from Social Clubs to Bible Study groups. This Newsletter has been in production for the last few years being published 3 - 4 times a year. Our Prayer Chain is very active and although I haven't seen mention of it in the early years I'm sure some similar aspect of it was there. Our Sunday School was described as "outstanding" very early in its growth and continues to serve the needs of our children due to the dedication of all the teachers that have passed through the halls. Vacation Bible School carries on each summer and is thoroughly enjoyed by all who attend and teach. Music has always played an important part of our services and we have had everything from piano, organ, flute, guitars, drums, violins etc. to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Junior and senior choirs, pageants and plays with many members giving of their time and talents. Maintenance and cleaning of church and grounds has always been and still is an important ministry and the men and women of the church have kept this ministry a priority as you can see from this history.

A prominent thread that has been woven and seems to prevail as much or more than most because of its importance is the "money struggle"! It appears obvious to me that God's will prevails as by faith, trust and a huge amount of generosity opened the doors of St Matthew's 90 years ago and have, by the grace of God, kept them open through all the years of struggling and dealing with the many difficulties that have arisen. We trust and pray that we will continue to carry on as our predecessors have done and we join with everyone in wishing St. Matthew's Anglican Church a very Happy 90th Anniversary and a hundred more to come! I will quote from Pat Langlois... "The people of St Matthew's are caring and generous with a strong desire to serve God in the world." This quotation fits at the beginning of this history as well as the end. Much thanks to Pat Langlois for all the work she put into this record and that we have been able to share it with you.........

Sylvia Telford.