Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Alma

    

      The construction of Holy Trinity Anglican Church started in the summer of 1888. The church was consecrated on October 20, 1890. The church is located on the Western Road ( Rte. 2 Hwy. ) in Alma, at the top of the hill, south, above the Currie farmstead.
      Richard Jeffery, son of Stephen E. Jeffery, use to tell the following story which appeared in the book, The Jeffery Family of the Isle of Wight and Prince Edward Island, by Betty M. Jeffery and Carter W. Jeffery, 1998. "He would also relate the story of at the age of 12 coming upon workmen building Holy Trinity Anglican Church; asking if he could help, he was given a tape measure to hold."
      The first Warden of Holy Trinity was Stephen E. Jeffery, the second Warden was William Smith.

      The following document was found at the Anglican Archives in Halifax. The family of John Currie donated the land to build the church on.

Rector's Report - Holy Trinity, Alma Sep 14, 1891

Present: the Rector Rev. I.M. Forbes, Chapel Warden Stephen Jeffery, and parishioner Joseph Bearisto
      The church building is new having been completed and consecrated last year (Oct 20, 1890). It is still unfinished inside lacking a coat of oil and varnish for the wooden ceiling and the seats. It is in other respects complete and is a substantial commodious, well proportioned and handsome church.
      Inventory. There is a good amalgum in the bell- a Bible for the lectern and a prayer book for the reading desk. As yet the ch. does not possess a surplice, or font, or altar vessels, or altar books or altar linen. The people are few and not very well off. They have done nobly in the past and doubtless will endeavour to acquire one after the other as soon as possible, as they are recommended to do, the above necessary articles.
      Land. Total area one and one half acre. A good board fence encloses one half acre for the church, and two sides of the balance (the third being a snake fence). The latter portion is used for a burial ground. This was consecrated for the purpose as far as the snake fence - commences – by the Bishop last year.
      Finances. Steps are being taken to contribute to the Rector’s stipend. There is no debt upon the church or land. The people are much to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts, which should encourage to continue till the necessary articles are all acquired.

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Rector’s Report- Holy Trinity, Alma July 8, 1893

Present Wm. Smith and Stephen Jeffery and the Rector

       The surplice is old and much worn but has been neatly repaired and is clean and good for some time yet. The church fabric is kept clean and looks bright and pretty. The woodwork and ceiling will need a coat of oil at some time but they are at present as clean and unsoiled as the day they were put in. The churchyard has been well fenced in since my last visit with a substantial board fence.

       This portion of the Parish now contributes to the Rector’s stipend and so far the people have fulfilled their promises there being no arrears. Money is now in hand to finish the interior of the church partly with paint and partly with oil and varnish. The service books are in perfect order. Much has been done of what might be called pioneer work since my visit. It is to be hoped the people, few as they are, will be encouraged by what has been done to press on, and not be content until the building is put into a perfect condition by a coat whitewash on the exterior of the walls, a coat of paint on the stone foundations, a font, altar vessels, linen, and book, and an organ. It cannot be done all at once but little by little and one thing at a time might be accomplished if all are willing workers in God’s vineyard. The services are well attended, and much appreciated.

      On the whole rector and parishioners are to be congratulated. I trust they may feel encouraged. May God grant them many blessing. There is no debt of any sort.

S. Weston-Jones 

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      Below is the earliest known photograph of the church in the background of this Sunday School Class - likely from the early 1900's.

      Below: Eva Jeffery, organist and treasurer, at the church - c. 1940s.

Below: The old, weather door. Replaced in 1997.

      Below: a West Prince Graphic article about the Jeffery's and their family connection to Holy Trinity over the years, September 1, 2004.

      Below: Holy Trinity today. This photo was taken in the fall of 2007 following a summer when many items were taken care of around the church including the painting of the church. There were new trees planted and old ones cut down. That fall the Parishioners were presented with two prizes from the PEI Rural Beautification Society for the improvements to the church and cemetery .

      Below: Holy Trinity Interior. Note the history board to the left of altar - compiled by the Alberton Museum to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Anglican Parish of Alberton-O'Leary.

      Below: photo taken looking up into the steeple of the church. Note the bell to the far left bottom. Also note the square post in the middle of the Church. It is said that when building a steeple a long tall pole was stood up and the spire was built around it, then it was cut off - evident here.

      Below: The church is used seasonally during summer months. Here the church at Christmas 2009.

Islanders using Wallpaper as early as 1810

     Here's another interesting article found in The Eastern Graphic Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 2, 1976 issue that I picked-up a few weeks ago. 
     The article notes that Prince Edward Islanders were using wallpaper around the same time it was becoming popular in Great Britain.
     The following are pages 38 and 39 from the magazine.

Below:  Here's a closer look at the article above.

     Below:  The second page of the above article showing the wallpaper samples and the associated note.

     Below:  The Eastern Graphic Magazine from which the above article appeared in.

Titanic SOS heard first in Canada at Cape Bear Marconi Stn

     One hundred years ago on April 14th, 1912 the TITANIC sent out distress calls - it was first heard in Newfoundland (a British Colony who joined Canada in 1949) - the Nova Scotia office was closed so the next place to receive the signal was at Cape Bear Marconi Station in Eastern Prince Edward Island. 
     The Guardian Newspaper did a front page story on the Titanic and its connection to Prince Edward Island.   http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2012-04-14/article-2954355/A-chilling-distress-call/1

A chilling distress call

by Steve Sharratt, April 14, 2012

Marconi radio station at Cape Bear first in Canada to hear distress signal from Titanic

     Thomas Bartlett is believed to be the only Marconi radio operator in Canada to pick up the signal that the Titanic was in distress.

           The tragedy of the Titanic and its unsinkable connection to the world is a tale steeped in morality, says one of P.E.I.’s most respected academics

            “Even a century after its sinking, the Titanic continues to resonate with people around the world,’’ says Dr. Ed MacDonald, history professor at the University of Prince Edward Island.

            “It is not, I think, because of the magnitude of the tragedy — although considerable — but the plot line."

            MacDonald says the Olympic-class ocean liner touted as “virtually unsinkable,” and lost on its maiden voyage after striking an iceberg off Newfoundland, is a moral conundrum.

            “It was nature’s rebuke to the arrogance of human invention,’’ he says. “And so, Islanders valued — and still value — their connection to one of the most famous marine tragedies.”

            Michael Glover has a connection to the Titanic. The house he grew up in the Beach Point area was the original Marconi Station at Cape Bear.

            His grandparents purchased the station after it was decommissioned and his parents now call it home after moving it to nearby Guernsey Cove.

            “The original point of land where the light and the station were once situated is long gone,” said Glover, who lives in the area. “The erosion took it all away over the years. But I remember the story that this was the only station in Canada to pick up the Titanic distress call.”

            Glover says the signal was picked up in Canada’s youngest province as well, but Newfoundland wasn’t part of Canada until joining Confederation in 1949.

            “Thomas Bartlett did have a phone as part of his position, but unlike today, the news of the Titanic tragedy likely would have taken some time to make its way here,” says Cape Bear lighthouse curator Donna MacNeill, where a Bartlett radio room is featured.

            Prof. MacDonald says to the people who live on Prince Edward Island and once went down to the sea in ships; the Titanic is a grim reminder.

            “It reminds us that the North Atlantic can be a graveyard as well as a highway.”

      Above:  Image of the Marconi Station at Cape Bear - note the Cape Bear Lighthouse to the right.   The Marconi Station was moved away and today this whole area is gown-up into a spruce forest with the Cape Bear lighthouse at the edge of the cliff.  The image above comes from a story told by well-known Island historian Dutch Thompson on the local CBC Radio program Island Morning last week. http://www.cbc.ca/islandmorning/episodes/2012/04/07/cape-bear-and-the-titanic/.



      The Cape Bear Lighthouse as seen today - still operational.  The lighthouse was built in 1881.  The Marconi Wireless Station was located here at Cape Bear between 1905-1922.  This and other 6 other stations were set-up by Marine & Fisheries. 
     The lighthouse is a tapered wood structure standing four-storeys high to a height of 36.0'
     Today visitors to this site can see the museum which features the Cape Bear Marconi Station - thought to be the first and only Canadian land station to receive and forward Titanic's distress call.

      Below: the shoreline beside the lighthouse - in this phot you can see the parking area to the left and a fenced picnic area to the right at point.

1947 Philco - "The fridge that never quits"

     This article appeared in the West Prince Graphic a week ago - they don't make appliances like this anymore!
     http://peicanada.com/west_prince_graphic/publication/fridge_never_quits

The fridge that never quits

Wed, 03/28/2012 - 04:15

Article and Photo by Cindy Chant / cindy@peicanada.com

     Long time Cascumpec resident Dorothy Raynor doesn’t quite know what all the excitement is about. She claims it isn’t that special it is just an old fridge. A 65 year old fridge to be exact and it still being used to this day.

     “I bought this Philco fridge in 1947...I can’t quite remember how much I paid for it, but I think it was around $150,” said Ms Raynor, who remembers the day well when the brand new fridge was wheeled in to replace a much smaller fridge that wasn’t very satisfactory.

     After Ms Raynor’s first husband passed away, she and second husband decided to move from Milton to Cascumpec in 1964.

     “I told my husband...I don’t think I will bother taking that old fridge with us...After all is was getting old, it was nearly 20 years old at that time,” said Ms Raynor, who went on the explain, “Oh he said you had better take it, you may like to have it...you might use it for a long time yet.”

     And that she did.

     “In those days on the farm, we had hired help, so my job was to cook for the men...So there was a lot of food that ran through that fridge.”

     Since the time Ms Raynor made the purchase from Charlottetown business Crockett and Storey in 1947, the Philco oval white fridge has not ever needed to be repaired or serviced.

     “It is a lovely machine...I was thrilled to death when I got it,” said Ms Raynor, who went on to say, “I don’t do anything to it...it just keeps running.”

     Philco Company started making refrigerators in 1939. The Company was later renamed Philco-Ford in 1966 and continued to make many original products until it was later sold in 1974.

     The 65 year old fridge proudly sits in Ms Raynor’s kitchen and looks as brand new today as it looked the day she bought it.

     “It certainly doesn’t owe me anything.”

The following is a Philco ad from Google Images.

Wood Islands Lighthouse

     Today I found a 1976 issue of "The Eastern Graphic Magazine" at an antique shop - I never knew such a magazine existed.  There are many interesting articles within.
     The following is one of the stories that tells of George Stewart, keeper of the Wood Islands Lighthouse for 23 years.  Here are pages 10-12.

     The following is a photo I took of a heritage display.

     On March 10, 2008 this photo appeared in the Guardian Newspaper showing the moving of the Wood Islands Lighthouse - it had to be moved back from the cliff as shoreline erosion was threatening it going over the bank.

     I took the following photos during a visit in April that year to assist with some drawings I was preparing for site development at the lighthouse's new location - lots of mud!

Number One Grafton Street - Heritage B&B

     Most people in Charlottetown know 1 Grafton Street as Caroma Lodge - today it is a 4-1/2 Star Heritage Bed & Breakfast operated by the Sheldon family.  The following are images (with permission) from their website: www.onegrafton.ca

  1898 - image cf. P.E.I. Public Archives & Record Office

     This house was designed by William Critchlow Harris in 1894 for Frank Heartz (later 25th Lt. Governor of P.E.I.).  The house (aka The Cottage) was constructed by Charles McGregor and completed in 1895. 
     In 1914 the house was purchased by the Hon. John Alexander Mathieson, Chief Justice and Premier of Prince Edward Island.
     In 1951 two daughters of Judge Mathieson converted the house to a guest house, naming it Caroma Lodge.
     In 2008 Graeme and Judy Sheldon purchased the home - they sensitively renovated the house with special attention to the fine workmanship of its detailing.

See also their blog:  http://onegrafton.blogspot.ca/

The Story of Stanfield's Underwear, 1906

     This appeared in the West Prince Graphic Newspaper, March 28th, 2012 in Allan MacRae's column, From our Past.  http://peicanada.com/content/west_prince_graphic

* * * * * * * * * * 

     The manufacture of underwear for the average man and boy, commonly referred to as 'long johns', had its beginning at Tryon, Prince Edward Island in the 1870's.  Before cotton and synthetic fibers were readily available, underwear was manufactured from wool.  The Stanfield family opened the Tryon Woolen Mills and developed the first successful method of manufacturing 'unshrinkable' underwear.  A century ago every man and boy had at least on 'set' of Stanfield's underwear which after 1882 was manufactured in Truro, N.S.   The Stanfield name continues to be a household name for underwear to the present day.  This is the Stanfield story...The Guardian, 8 March 1906.
     "When the Stanfield family moved their knitted goods business from Tryon to Truro in 1882 the family set to work to not only making the best goods possible, but devoted themselves to taking the 'shrink' out of the material, although however hard they tried they couldn't take the 'scratch' and 'itch' out of the wool."
     "Using at least one ton of locally produced wool per day, the wool was sorted into which was then carded or combed.  The discarded wool was sold to makers of carpets, horse blankets and the like.  The wool was then washed and passed along a sluice-like contrivance about 80 feet long, where the wool was dried, then picked by a burring machine doing the work of ten men.  The wool went into one end dirty, unkempt and matted and emerged perfectly clean."

     Below is an image from page 129 of Meacham's 1880 Atlas of Prince Edward Island. The world famous Stanfield's Underwear had it's beginnings here on Prince Edward Island at this mill in Tryon.

     "After washing the wool then went through the secret process, and on to the carding room having 32 machines which handled 2,000 lbs daily.  The carded wool on spools was then transferred to the spinning room, then on to the knitting room, where the 'unshrinkables' assumed form and were given identity.  There were 66 knitting machines, made from the company's own pattern.  The girl attended to seven or eight of the machines, and so sensitive were they that if a thread breaks the machine stopped instantly.  The material was made into long webs ranging from fifteen to thirty inches in width".
     "The next step was to the cutting room where the material was cut by hand for greater accuracy and in order to detect and reject any material with flaws.  Here the seams were run up on sewing machines and the garments passed into the laundry and testing rooms, washed absolutely clean by pure water made from condensed steam, dried under forces air at a rate of 1,000 garments an hour, and then thoroughly tested before being sent for the finishing touches."
     "The finishing is done by a long row of fifty-four electric sewing machines operated by fifty-four bright and shining girls.  The garments passed on from one to another and are seamed, button-holed, buttoned, trimmed, packed, stamped, boxed and sent away, perhaps, to cover the brawny chest of some British Columbia miner".
     "The manufacture of underwear was slicker than the pork packing plants of Chicago, where the pig who went to slaughter with a mournful shriek emerged as sausages before the echo has died away.  There are four travellers on the road selling the goods and eleven who carry their samples in connection with distribution houses and in all cases they sell direct to the retail trade which puts them in a position to see that the dealer gets just the goods he wants.  Stanfield's underwear remains a household name to this day."

* * * * * * * * * *

     For more information about Stanfields go to: http://www.stanfields.com/ . The following is from their website:

      Charles E. Stanfield had no idea when he immigrated to Canada in 1855 that he would found the firm that is a leader in its field today. Charles, along with his brother-in-law, Samuel E. Dawson, founded the Tryon Woolen Mills in Tryon, P.E.I. in 1856. Ten years later he sold his interests to Samuel and moved to Nova Scotia where he founded the Truro Woolen Mills in 1870. It was believed to be the first factory of its kind in Canada.