Exquisite and historic chapel

faithfully restored and rededicated

By Ana Watts

St. Anne’s Chapel-of-Ease in downtown Fredericton was rededicated to the Glory of God last fall upon completion of a major renovation project. Regarded as the finest and most significant Gothic Revival church of its size and kind in North America, it is a local architectural gem as well as a National Historic Site. As such it received a $425,000 restoration grant from the National Historic Sites of Canada cost-sharing program. A parish fundraising campaign raised the matching funds necessary to ensure this gem of a chapel, filled with the spirit, faith and memories of generations — will live on for generations yet to come. The Rev. Anthony Arza-Kwaw, present rector of Fredericton, with former rectors Canon John Sharpe and Bishop George Lemmon, as well as Deacon Joyce Perry were also present at the event. Archbishop Matthias Medadues-Badohu of our Companion Diocese of Ho in Ghana, West Africa, was a special guest for the occasion.

During the service of Holy Communion that surrounded the rededication the choir sang four meaningful hymns from the Book of Common Praise including “Restoration of a Church,” and “They Did Not Build in Vain.” The entire congregation prayed: “We thank you, Lord, for the rich heritage of churches in this land: for the Gospel which they silently proclaim, and the living history to which they bear witness. Help us to care for them aright, to adapt them wisely to their continuing use, and to preserve the spirit of those who built them; that generations yet unborn may find in them the rock from which they have been hewn, and themselves be born again as living stones in the church of God eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The chapel’s weathering stonework, windows and roof prompted the parish to initiate a fundraising and restoration project several years ago. Frank Wilson, who read a lesson in the service, chaired the project that was completed in the fall of 2011. Mr. Wilson said the federal funding made the $875,000 project possible.

Until St. Anne’s was built, those who wished to sit in a pew in church had to rent one. When Bishop John Medley, first bishop of the diocese, arrived in Fredericton from England in 1845 he brought Frank Willis, a gifted architect, with him. The bishop, who appeared to believe that Gothic architecture and Christianity were inseparable, asked Mr. Willis to “provide a place of worship with free seats for the poor.” Mr. Willis provided that and much, much more. On March 18, 1847 his exquisite building was consecrated St. Anne’s Chapel-of-Ease. Upon the consecration of Bishop Medley’s Gothic Revival cathedral in 1853 (designed by Frank Wills and with furnishing designed by William Butterfield) just a few blocks down river from St. Anne’s, the chapel was re-named Christ Church Parish Church. It replaced the original parish church of the same name that had stood on the green where the cathedral was built. St. Anne’s reverted to chapel status in 1962 when a large, modern church was built next door to it and took the name Christ Church Parish Church.

Today the historic chapel and modern Parish Church complex are connected by a short hallway. The chapel continues to be used for mid-week services and is a popular choice for intimate baptisms, weddings and funerals, especially by families with long histories in the parish.

Following the service of rededication a reception was held in the church hall. Canon Sharpe, Bishop Lemmon, Mr. Kwaw, Archbishop Miller, Ms. Perry and Archbishop Matthias cut a celebratory cake while supervised by Mr. Kwaw’s young son Jed.

 

10 January 2012
Diocesan Communications