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.
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
Scope and Content
CPR No. 3, the westbound "Dominion", with engine 2829 under 1st Street Bridge
Notes
View includes former Empire Brewery, [then] in use by Bell Bottling Co.; Safe crossing over the CPR eliminated the need for a flagman. "Telltails" warn switchmen riding on top of railcars of low overhead clearance. Old Empire Brewery was (late 1950's) a feed mill, making grain feeds for livestock.
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
After demise of the streetcars, a transit system was started by MacArthur Transportation Co. with three routes, an east end loop, a south end loop, and a west end loop, with terminal at 8th St. & Rosser Ave. The E & W was operated as a continuous route with two locally built coach bodies on new Maple Leaf trucks. A secondhand, larger, Leland coach was acquired for the S. end, which was replaced by a large GMC about 1938.
Custodial History
For custodial history see the collection level description of the Lawrence Stuckey collection.
