A Cathedral Whispers!

Seminar on the stained glass windows of St. Saviour's

By Greg Scott

photo Nelson Star
Greg

In the hushed quiet, as you walk down the centre aisle of the Nave in St. Saviour’s Church, eyes uplifted to the prisms of light cascading from the Good Shepherd window, open your ears to the whispers from the side aisles, from the multitude of stained glass windows whispering not only their traditional bible stories but the stories of their dedications and benefactors. Not only are the windows telling the stories that they traditionally tell but beckoning us to ask who were these people inscribed below? Who are these people recorded in the plaques attached to the walls and furniture? From benefactors, long serving parishioners to the recording of life lost tragically in accidents or in war, all are represented, truly a place of both reverence and memory. Many stories can be told:- how about the wife of a direct decedent of Edward lll of England or a tale of devotion and survival on the winter prairies? Pull up your chair, lean in close and let the Cathedral whisper!

By way of background, stained glass originated in a way to visually tell the scriptures to a relatively uneducated people and in some cases to put the fear of fire and brimstone into those people. The cost of the glass was so high that it became an accepted fact that most windows were donated by usually rich parishioners in memory of a lost family member either through misadventure or natural causes. This has been true with St. Saviour’s, all 16 stained glass windows are memorials, the pictures, scripture and the tag line in memory. For example the most magnificent window, the Good Shepherd Window at the end of the sanctuary, was donated by Selwyn Blaylock in memory of his parents whereas the Eperson window, located in the far northeast corner, was donated in memory of their parents by the family, a family of much more modest means.

Memorial plaques also adorn the walls and furniture. They not only memorialize lives but also gifts, donations, service and events including war. Taking all this in context, the church becomes a living history and record of not only it’s parishioners but of Nelson itself.

At least eight of the windows in the Church including the Good Shepherd window were produced by Robert McCausland Ltd of Toronto, a firm founded in 1856 and still in business today. The majority of these windows date from the 1930’s and 40’s and the cost of a side window complete with a memorial would be approximately $350. It would then be shipped to Nelson by rail to be assembled by a local contractor, usually T.H. Waters. You can easily identify which are McCausland’s by the scroll ends to the memorial words. This sum seems paltry today especially when examining the quality of the art but a wage of $20 per week was common during the depression and in 1938 a brand new car could be purchased for $600 which puts the cost in perspective. It could take upwards of 18 months from the time of ordering until installation. Brian Holmes, son of Rev. Gordon Holmes , Rector of St. Saviour’s from 1936 to 1945, remembers as a younger child attending an unveiling. The window was covered with 2 drapes that were drawn apart to reveal the window at the appointed time during the ceremony.

Other windows may be attributable to Bloomfield, some may have been produced locally by T.H. Waters who created those in the now Covenant Church on Stanley Street. There are also stained glass windows located in the basement from the former Redeemer Church in Fairview, two joined ones can be seen at street level near the stairs, the other, the main Redeemer window is in storage. Plaques in the Narthex and scrolls in the adjacent Memorial Hall are from other deconsecrated area churches at Long Beach, Willow Point and again, the Redeemer in Fairview as is some of the sanctuary furniture and alter service. This also keeps their history alive.

The “English” Church was probably the dominant Church in Nelson at the turn of the century. This building was originally built in 1899 on a design of architect Edward Curtis, who is memorialized on a plaque in the Narthex (entrance). It was built on the site of the original 1892 Mission Room which was then moved to the adjacent lot and served many years as the church hall until the Memorial Hall was built in 1922. Unfortunately St. Saviour’s church was burnt down to its existing stone foundation and then rebuilt in 1928/29 at which time it was expanded to include today’s sanctuary and transepts. The stained glass windows were donated and installed after the fire and are unique and considered collectively the best example of Church stained glass in the Kootenays and on par with those in Cathedrals in Vancouver and Victoria.

When the sun rises in the morning and casts its rays through the Good Shepherd window illuminating the church, it is truly magnificent and awe inspiring. As mentioned before, the Good Shepherd window, the dominate widow in the sanctuary, was donated by Consolidate Mining and Smelting President, Selwyn G. Blaylock, a man who needs little introduction in the Kootenays. This was donated in memory of his parents, the Rev Thomas and Mrs. Eleanor Blaylock who lived in Nelson between 1907 and 1912. The Rev. Blaylock was in poor health but took part in church activities and sometimes preached in the Church. Incidentally, big business benefactors continue with West Kootenay Power’s Lorne Campbell, donating the organ in memory of Bank of Montreal manager and long time St.Saviour’s parishioner, lebaron DeVeber. This was a very appropriate choice as a memorial as DeVeber had donated the first organ, the one destroyed in the fire. You will also note a small plaque on the column to the right of the organ “In loving memory of Ida Astley for many years Organist of this church” and also a”long suffering woman” according to the 1936 unveiling of the tablet. While Mrs. Astley is the individual remembered I find her husband Willoughby one of the more interesting of the early parishioners as he was purported to be a Plantagenet and direct descendent of England’s medieval King, Edward III. Astley was also one of the founders of the lodge at Lake Louise and mountain guide to Sir John A. McDonald and the builder of the CPR, Sir William Van Horne. Talking about Van Horne, the main lectern at the front was donated in 1929 by BC Lt Gov. Randolph Bruce, whose second wife was a widow of one of Van Horne’s sons.

The only other window located in the sanctuary is in the memory of Bishop Fredrick Patrick Clark, who, at the time of his consecration in 1948, was the youngest Anglican Bishop in Canada. Bishop Clark died suddenly at age 46 while visiting Cranbrook in 1954. An overflow of 400 people attended his funeral at St. Saviour’s including clergy from throughout Kootenay, Alberta and the Northwest United States. This is the newest window dating from the late 1970’s and the wording on it commemorates his consecration as well as his memory. To give a comparison to the earlier window costs, McCausland’s unaccepted quote to produce this window was $1,120.00 in 1978. You may also note that the word consecrate is spelt wrong. (consescrate)and Judas wears a halo which some dispute it’s validity.

You will note that the footprint of the Church is in the traditional shape of a Latin cross with the transepts forming the cross arms.

A small widow containing the crest of the Anglican Diocese of the Kootenay commemorating not only its founding in 1900 but well known B.C. pioneer Edgar Dewdney, of Dewdney Trail fame, can be found behind the door in the east transept.. To the right of the organ in the west transept is located the Columbarium. From the Latin word columba meaning niches for the respectful storage of the ashes of deceased parishioners much the same that you would find in a crypt but on a smaller scale. This is a little known “graveyard” of Nelson. But what I want to draw your attention to is the children’s memorial windows located above the Columbarium. The first one on the left is for little Bobbie Latornell. While not a tragic as the death of the adjacent “Rorie” Walker, the death of any child is heart wrenching especially to the parents. Little Bobbie was taken at the age of eleven months after a short illness. Despite already having three daughters and another son this loss was profound enough for the parents to commission the window. It is recorded that a wealth of floral tributes were received and his small coffin was borne by four boys at his February 1929 funeral. Tragedy again struck the family when their other son, Maurice, a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force, was killed when his Halifax bomber blew up in a raid over Germany in what has become known as “the night of the strong winds”. . Maurice, a graduate of UBC, taught at Hume School prior to enlisting and would have been considered one of Nelson’s younger up and coming community leaders. One can only imagine Lottie Latornell’s heartache art the receipt of the “missing presumed killed” telegram. While the location of Maurice’s remains are known only to God, the family has placed a memorial plaque at the foot of Mrs. Latonell’s headstone in the Nelson Cemetery.

On the right we remember “Rorie” Walker. It is sad when older loved ones die but the death of a 10 year old boy is truly tragic especially an only son. In March of 1926 three young boys had constructed a cave in a gravel bank at the western end of Mill Street by three days of labour at noon and after school. Despite parental warnings about the untimbered cave, two of the boys were sitting inside when the earth started to move. While one boy escaped, Rorie’s feet were caught holding him prisoner until engulfed. Despite the best efforts of alerted parents and neighbors it took 15 minutes to free Rorie’s head and despite attempts to revive him by artificial resuscitation, it was too late. Caving earth hampered the recovery of his body and it was nearly an hour before it was extricated. What followed was one of the largest funerals of a child ever held in Nelson. Poignantly, at the graveside committal, Rorie’s scout troop was drawn up at attention a short distance away.

Next to this is Charles Westly Busk, prominent pioneer and benefactor of Nelson and its environs Busk was one of the earliest pioneers of Nelson arriving in 1888 and was initially involved in surveying and working with Ballie-Grohman of the narrows and Canal Flats fame. He subsequently founded and named the town of Balfour where he donated the land for St. Michael’s and All Angels Church. He also donated the land for All Saints Longbeach Church as well. Involved with and the promotion of Fruit ranching, Busk became the quintessential country squire on his estate at Kokanee Creek. He continued to be active in the church as a major benefactor and with an interest in youth was also instrumental in forming the first Scout troop in Nelson.

Further along the aisle is the window of Dr. William O. Rose, a contemporary of the more famous Nelson Doctors- Arthur. Medical doctor, pioneer, Mayor and Provincial Legislator, Dr. Rose can lay claim to these and many more descriptions of a life entwined within that of Nelson for over a third of a century. Eulogized in 1936 by The Nelson Daily News as “representative of every era in Nelson’s evolution except the days of tents, for he was here before the turn of the century, and he was an active figure in every one of these eras” It went on to state that he could have been Premier of the Province “there have been lesser men in high office – if fate had dealt his party a better hand”. Sounds familiar! A small plaque located on the wall near the Busk window memorializes pioneer Nelson merchant Fred Irwin, Warden of the Church for 62 years starting in 1897; Irwin’s ashes are behind this plaque making him the only person who’s ashes are interred within the actual Church walls. Between Irwin and Archdeacon Rev. Fred Graham they ran St. Saviour’s as a fiefdom for over half a century, through thick and thin, making it only fitting that his final resting place is within the walls of the church he so loved. Can you imagine 62 years? And I was impressed by Edna Whitley’s 42 plus years with Welcome Wagon. Above the Irwin plaque is the window picturing the subject "Hope, Faith, and Charity", which exemplifies the benevolence of Florence Douch, one of Nelson’s unsung heroes during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.

Other windows in this aisle memorialize pioneer businessman Louis Larsen, and Mary Spurway, mother of noted Kootenay photographer Dick Spurway. Mary was the wife of Rowland Spurway who was a true frontiersman:- graduate of agricultural college, a cowboy and a trapper. As well, he could converse in three first-nation languages- Blackfoot, Cree and Sioux. On one occasion, he drove cattle south from Calgary, across the border, then west and north again to Canada through Osoyoos, and on to Kamloops. Incidentally on his death in 1983, son Dick, who was also known for his philanthropy, set up a trust fund with the City for the upkeep and purchase of flags for all city owned buildings.

Earlier I mentioned the Eperson window located in the eastern corner and I just want to point out two things about this window. This window is the only window that is visually signed by McCausland. You will note in the bottom right corner “R. McCausland Toronto 1942”. All windows are usually signed by their respective studio but many times the signature ends up hidden when the lead is added. Our only other visible signature is on the Redeemer basement window that being “Luxfer Studios Toronto 1926”. Secondly, examine the folds of Mary’s cloak, note how life like it is, and then compare it to the Disciple’s cloak on the adjacent Craufurd window. While the Craufurd window is a beautiful piece of art in its own right, there is a great difference in the quality between it and the McCausland. Now look at the next window, the Joy window. You can easily see that there were three different artisans.

The Eperson’s were a normal working class but devout family. Transferred to Nelson in 1895 by the C.P.R. Victor Eperson was in charge of the rolling stock between Nelson & Robson and the Mechanical and Stores department at the Nelson car shops. He is purported to have restored the original 1900 carved pulpit that had survived the fire in a scarred condition. In 2001 this pulpit was dismantled and parts were used by Ean Gower to construct the small alter in the Redeemer Chapel, the remaining remnants including the stairs, are in storage.

Alice Joy, wife of another long serving St. Saviour’s member, James Joy, is also commemorated. World War One veteran James was a longtime employee of the Nelson Street Railway and known affectionately as the “Street Car Man”. James was also the brother of local historian R.G.Joy and both the brothers were involved in the fraternal group “The Sons of England” which was associated with the church.

Another long time Church Warden, this time of only a paltry 25 years service, Leslie Craufurd is memorialized in a window that not only memorializes him but his son, Canadian Army engineer Lt. Robert Craufurd, who lost his life in England during World War II in a tragic accident.

Further along, Leslie Vivian Rogers and his wife are memorialized. Rogers was a “Home Child”, meaning he was an orphan or unwanted and sent to Canada from England. Rogers later served as a Boer War drummer-boy and was Principal of Nelson High School for 24 years. Of course, the larger memorial to him exists in upper Fairview, L.V. Rogers High School. John “Cap” Carruthers who is also mentioned on a plaque next to the Columbarium was a Quartermaster Sergeant Major in the 54th Kootenay Battalion in World War 1. The Nelson Daily News said when the popular Carruthers enlisted in 1916 that he “set an example to the eligible young men of Nelson who have not yet taken to the colours”. Upon his death in 1948 a large military funeral was held with his flag draped casket borne through the church followed by a graveside service at the Nelson Cemetery. Interestingly, to be so remembered by a window and a plaque yet his grave in the Soldier’s section remains unmarked by a headstone. Hopefully this can be rectified sometime in the future.

Incidentally, the Church being the parish Church of the 54th Battalion, a number of military funerals were held here including, in 1923, that of Lord Aylmer, former Inspector General of the Canadian Army, The plaque next to LVR commemorates Major Gilbert Anderson, and was donated in affectionate memory by the men of his platoon in the 54th. Anderson, a Boer War veteran was wounded in the 54th’s first fighting action of World War One and later served as a prisoner-of-war camp commander in Alberta. He was a prominent member of the Church and led many of the military parades originating at the Church including the dedication of the Memorial Hall and the “Laying of the Flags” when the battle flags of the 54th were placed in the Church in 1922 flanking the entrance doors.

Unfortunately only the burnt remains of the Battalion flag remain due to the fire of 1928. This flag was presented to the battalion by King Albert of Belgium in 1918. It’s remains and the replacement flag sown by the women of Nelson can be seen in the permanent exhibit of Touchstones museum. Lastly and as Monty Python says, for something completely different, I draw your attention to the “Last Supper” framed crochet on the entrance wall. Picture yourself as a young nurse visiting family on the bald prairie during the depression. You are dressed in your finest waiting for your Saturday night date to arrive to take you to the local dance. Word arrives of a young child, sick with a fever of over 104, who needs nursing, date cancelled you are rushed by sleigh, covered in furs, through a bitterly cold night to a lonely farm to emerge days later thanking God for his help in saving the child. The impoverished parents, unable offer anything but thanks press upon you a treasured crochet of “The Last Supper”. Unable to refuse without insulting them you receive it with thanks. Many years later, after the death of your beloved husband, you retrieve the rolled up crochet from the cedar chest, have it mounted and framed and donate it to St. Saviour’s in remembrance of your dear Bob. This is how that wonderful framed “Last Supper” on the back wall came to be. Donated by LLewella Walton: - “In loving memory of Robert Walton, Dec 13 1987, Llew, Pat, Bruce and families. I must finish with a little known story told to me by Llew Walton prior to her passing away in 2006. Llewella Walton was born in Cupar Saskatchewan and married Nelson’s Bob Walton of the Walton boat building family in 1942. However, prior to that, while she was working at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria she nursed Emily Carr. Emily had a number of “rests” in hospital in her late years and was known as a poor patient, this is being kind to her. Especially to new and student nurses she could be deadly sending them crying down the hall after an encounter. This would bring Llew, the duty nurse, to the ward where she would calm Emily down and make sure she was well tucked in. This earned her the nickname “flannel” from Emily who was well known for her giving people nicknames, both affectionate and not. Once Emily returned home nursing visits from Llew also took place. Out of affection Emily subsequently presented one of her paintings to Llew, a painting that was later sold by Llew and husband Bob during “hard times”. Who knows which of Emily’s paintings that it was and what it would be worth today?

In summation, the Church continues not only to be a place of worship but a visual record of our history and I repeat our history. It is important to remember the families and to preserve their stories as well as the memorials as it is integral to the town we call Nelson.

Thank You for your patience with my ramblings.

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St. Saviour's Pro-Cathedral 723 Ward Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1T3 Canada