The Anglican Church first became active in Virden in 1882. At that time services were held in the home of one of the parishioners. In August of 1885, the Canadian North West Land Company gave the Anglican community a parcel of land at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Queen Street. In December of 1885, a wood frame Church was constructed on the property. The parish of St. Mary the Virgin was officially created on April 20, 1886
The original church remained on the site until 1891, at which time it was sold and removed. The present church was then constructed on the site using field stones from the Assiniboine River valley. The stones were hauled to the site, split and put in position.. Construction began in 1892, with the corner stone being laid by Mrs. Nina Gertrude Watts, wife of the rector. A tin box containing newspapers, building plans and other items was also placed in the foundation at that time.
It is believed that the building's architect, Walter Chesterson of Winnipeg, designed St. Mary's from a small church located on the Isle of Wight.. The resulting structure is a basilica styled Church with a large stone tower at the south east corner, numerous stained glass windows and beautiful woodwork throughout.
It took some years to completely pay off the debt incurred in building, but the congregation persisted and as a result, the church was consecrated in 1905 by the Archbishop of Rupert's Land, the Right Reverend Samuel Prichard Matheson.
Since then, there have been additions built onto the original building, but during each expansion, great care was taken to preserve the look and feel of the original building. Included in these expansions were a fieldstone fence, the addition of a clostier and a entension of the roof to protect the sidewalk. The last major work done was upgrading the foundation under the tower. This was finished in the late 1970's.
The church is located at 633 9th Avenue South.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the church and manse.
Notes
Corresponds with negative RA - CPR Broadview Sub [41a]. There is a common misconception that this house was the Anglican manse. Although it was built around the same time, it was never owned by the church and was always a private residence. (Source: Natalie Griffith, Virden resident). History/Bio information taken from the St. Mary's Anglican Church history page on the Community of Virden website, available at: http://virden.cimnet.ca/cim/187C2_3T178T4T628T5T1176.dhtm (August 7, 2008).
Repro Restriction
The McKee Archives is the copyright holder for the Stuckey materials.
See collection level description of the Maureen Johnson collection (10-2009) for custodial history.
Scope and Content
Photograph of three female students standing on the front drive in front of Clark Hall. The student on the far left may be Eileen McKenzie. A portion of a car is visible in the background.
Clark Hall Reception Room (?) Student Activities - supposed to be the ministerial students of 1911-12, but other students crept in. Top Row L-R: J. Sieight, F.W. McKinnon, E.H. Clarke, W.L. Wright, R. Edwards, R. Harvey; Front Row L-R: H.E. Green, J.L. Jordon, D.A. McGibbon, S.H. Potter, A.J. Radley
Brandon College resident students seen walking away from Clark Hall. The student body was going to the CPR station to meet Dr. McDiarmid on his return from Winnipeg, where he sought unsuccessfully to obtain a charter for Brandon College
Brandon College resident students walking down the streets of Brandon on their way to meet Dr. McDiarmid at the CPR station after his return to Winnipeg, where he sought unsuccessfully to obtain a charter for Brandon Charter
A group of male students pose in costumes. Back Row-L to R: Erlandson, ?, Johnson, Ole Larson, Watson. Middle Row-L to R: Archie Gordon, J. B. Nield, Ernest Vincent,?, ?. Last Row-L to R: J. L. Campbell, Philip Duncan, Calhoun
Brandon College students and professors. Back Row- Potter (holding a Brandon flag). Fourth Row- Professor Wright, R.G. Edwards. Third Row- Philpotts, Professor D. A. McGibbon, Robert Harvey. Second Row- ?, Arthur Ridley. Front Row- James Jordan, H.E. Green, F. W. McKinnon, Ernie Clark
