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.
Fleming served as mayor in 1905, 1906-1911, 1912 and 1913
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Item is a portrait of Brandon mayor John Fleming.
Notes
[Mr. Stuckey incorrectly noted the dates of Mayor Fleming's terms. John W. Fleming served as mayor of Brandon 1905-1906 and 1911-1913 (Barker, G.F. Brandon: a City 1881-1961. Altona: D.W. Friesen & Sons Ltd., 1977.).]
Dr. Fleming arrived May 1881 and set up his drugstore “Apothecaries Hall” in a tent. Fleming was the first medical man in Brandon, first to agitate for a hospital, and first chairman of the school board. He died November 1897.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
[St. Joseph’s Academy provided education to the children of Brandon’s Catholic community and was overseen by its own Catholic school board. Many non-secular school boards would be eliminated in Manitoba in 1890. (Mitchell, T. 1986. In the Image of Ontario: Public Schools in Brandon 1881-1890. Manitoba History, Number 12, Autumn 1986)]
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
Teaching Fathers of St. Joseph's Academy
Notes
St. Joseph's Academy was built 1883, closed 1895; Copy neg.; From St. Michael's Academy Collection
Bridge built by the Canadian Pacific Railway and presented to City of Brandon in 1904 in exchange for permission to close the level crossing at Sixth Street; Iron cantilever bridge over tracks; Two timber trestles each two blocks long running east and west connected to Assiniboine Avenue; Pedestrian stairway connected to Eight Street North
West approach torn down August 1934 and timber used to resurface East approach
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
View of original Eighth St. bridge from Christie Building, including East and West ramp approaches from Assiniboine Ave.
Notes
Photographer I.C. Barton from Chicago Illinois.
Additional historical information provided by Fred McGuinness collection (20-2009).
Contract for concrete approach from north end to replace east and west timber approaches along Assiniboine Ave. awarded to A.E. Jones and E. Fulcher for $30,590. Oct. 11, 1934. (Brandon Sun). As part of this project a Z-shaped ramp on the west side to Assiniboine Ave for pedestrians replaced wooden stairs to north end.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
View of East side of original Eighth St. bridge from Pacific Avenue; Shows pedestrian stairway to North end and CPR early 2800 [locomotive] being serviced on Train No.4
