1924 Cornerstone Ceremony for St Paul's Church in Kamloops
In 1924, the Anglican church in Kamloops moved St. Paul's Church from its original location on Main Street to its new, present location on the corner of Fourth Street and Nicola Street.
On Wednesday, October 15, 1924, an elaborate cornerstone ceremony took place, drawing the attention of a large crowd. That Friday, The Kamloops Sentinel newspaper published a page 1 article detailing the ceremony. The full newspaper can be found on the Thompson Nicola Regional Library's free news archive. I've written out the article here too. Enjoy!
The Kamloops Sentinel
Friday, October 17, 1924
Anglican Church Cornerstone Well Laid with Elaborate Ceremonial
-
Religious and Masonic Services Held at Site of New Edifice
-
BISHOP MAKES STRIKING ADDRESS
-
Grand Lodge Officers Take Part in Ceremony Which Draws Crowd
-
PROMINENT FIGURE AT THE CEREMONY
Rev. John Leigh
Who has been indefatigably associated with the new church movement and who superintended the details of Wednesday’s elaborate ceremony
-
With full religious and elaborate Masonic ceremonies, the cornerstone of the new St. Paul’s Anglican church at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Nicola Street was well a truly laid on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering of the general public, whose interest was manifested by a reverent demeanor throughout the proceedings which lasted until close on 4 o’clock
The Rain Kept Off.
The weather was not [perfect], but the rain fortunately held off during the ceremonial. All classes in the community were represented; the city council, which was expected to attend in a body, were present as individuals and Free Masons from the outside and the city were there in large numbers.
Rev. John Leigh opened the Anglican service by announcing the hymn “The church’s one foundation,” which was led by the full surpliced choir of the church under the leadership of A. Cullen, with Mrs. Palmer at the organ. This was followed by canticles and the LXXXIV Psalm, “O how amiable are Thy dwellings, O Lord of hosts.” The apostles creed was then recited by the gathers, led by the rector. Then followed the Lord’s prayer and a prayer by Rt. Rev. A. U. dePencier, Bishop of New Westminster and Cariboo, during which he laid his hand on the cornerstone. The hymn “O Lord of hosts whose glory fills” was next sung and the bishop led other canticles the closing hymn being “Christ is our cornerstone,” during which a generous offertory of upwards of $240 was collected. The doxology brought the religious ceremony to a close.
Grand Lodge Officers.
After the Anglican service the laying of the cornerstone was carried out by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Stephen Jones of Victoria, assisted by E. L. Berry, grand marshal; J. H. Hughes, grand tiler; Harry H. Watson, grand treasurer; Rt. Rev. A. U. dePencier, Bishop of New Westminster and Cariboo, grand chaplain; Senior Grand Warden George C. Derby, M. L. Orimett, deputy grand master, anointed by pastmasters of Kamloops Lodge No. 10 and Mount St. Paul Lodge, Kamloops, No. 109.
The hymn “Hall Masonry divine” was sung, James Grisdale presiding at the organ.
This ceremonial proved highly interesting, the corn, wine and oil, signifying plenty, gladness and peace and contentment, being poured from the Masonic vessels; the implements of the craft being employed by the officers, who reported the stone well set and the work of the builders well done.
Address by Bishop.
Bishop dePencier, as grand chaplain, then addressed the gathering in a vigorous homity suggesting that the symbolism of the construction of the building had its analogy in the upbuilding of character. The foundations, wall, door and roof were each mentioned, with elaboration, as the integral essentials of Character, without which there could be no real progress, commercial, moral or religious. The address was a moral exhortation admirably suited to the occasion and the assembly listened intently to the words, delivered so urgently and precisely by a leader of the Anglican church whose work is so well known from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and whose upright form has become so associated with Anglican and other ceremonies throughout the dominion.
List of Articles.
Following is the list of articles deposited in the cornerstone: All that was deposited in the cornerstone May 24, [1888], were re-deposited, viz., 50c (1881); 25c (1883); 10c (1886); 5c (1887); 1c (1886; a copy of the Grand Lodge constitution, May 1886; a copy of the Inland Sentinel May 19, 1888; a copy of the Vancouver Daily News-Advertiser, May 23, 1888; a plan of the church by Mr. J. P. Burnyeat; a paper signed by the worshipful master, etc., and a paper signed by Mr. Burnyeat. (The paper signed by the W. M., etc., the plans of the architect and the paper signed by him, are in a very sad state—in flakes in fact. The documents had been deposited in a tin which had rusted through, hence the decay of the documents. The documents deposited on October 15 were placed in a copper receptacle made by A. E. Sjoquist, gratis, for the occasion.)
The following new material was also deposited on October 15, 1924: A 25c dominion of Canada bill [B002030] dated Ottawa, July 2, 1923; coins 50c (1919); 25c (1918); 10c (1920); 5c (1922); 1c (1921); a brief history of the church from 1880 to 1924; copy of the service used in 1888 at the laying of the cornerstone owned by D. Power and from which the service used Tuesday was printed; S. Paul’s, Kamloops, Parish Leaflets for the months of March, April, June, August, September and October, 1924; the order of procession of Masons of the lodge to the church grounds, to be followed Oct. 15, 1924 with names of officers; letters as follows: to the Rev. John Leigh, relative to the ceremony of the 15th; one from Bishop dePencier dated Oct. 9, 1924; Grand Master Stephen Jones, Bearing date Oct. 4, and a second dated Oct. 10; from the grand secretary, De Wolfe-Smith, dated Sept. 26, and a second dated Oct. 8; a letter from the Kamloops Municipal authorities dated Oct. 10; a copy of the constitution ceremony of Mount St. Paul Lodge No. 109, Kamloops, B.C. Monday Sept. 1, 1924; a copy of the plans of the church bearing the seal and signature of the architect, Edgar C Thrupp.