1
Area ChurchesPresbyterian
The Presbyterian Church, the first protestant church in the area, was first established around 1882 near the site of the existing Forest View Cemetery. Prior to it's commencing around 1885, a Presbyterian Minister from Pembroke would occasionally visit the areas, and carry out services in the homes of the parishioners. With continued growth of the village and more regular services, the need for a larger building soon became evident.
The mission hall which was located near the corner of Wilson and Main Streets in the village, prior to the building of a new Presbyterian Church, provided extra space for the overflow population. As the mission hall also became overcrowded, a new Presbyterian Church was built near the old mission hall in 1906.
Reverend George Campbell, who eventually married Mable Fields, ( a local girl) was one of the area's first ministers, and presided over the villages Presbyterian congregation between 1899 and 1912.
In 1925 this building became the United Church Of Canada with three protestant religions worshiping in the same structure, however as time progressed the congregation became smaller as other faiths decided to build churches of their own in the village. After the Atomic Energy Development became a reality, there was a need for a larger church which was built on Joseph Street East in 1962. The old church situated on the corner of Wilson and Main Streets was sold to a firm which used it for a short time as a toy factory and still later converted it to an apartment building which exists to date.
Early in 1930 the Presbyterian congregation decided to own a church again . Mr Wm. Kennedy was instrumental in this undertaking and a new church was built just off Main Street near the ball field. This Church remained in service for well over 30 years. In 1975 the Council of the Village Of Chalk River bought this building and renovated it to serv as a Municipal Hall, Office and Library.
Lutheran
As far back as 1894 a Lutheran congregation existed in this area. A Reverend P. Schuelke from Rankin Ontario served as pastor. At that time the Lutherans like most other religious denominations held their services in homes. Later the Lutheran congregation built a church on the same site as the present Lutheran Cemetery. This church burned down. With fewer members and little money the congregation had to get along without a church until 1909. At that time a log church was being dismantled near Petawawa as the military had purchased the area around Brindle Road. This site is located approximately 2 miles West of Petawawa, on the North side of Highway 17, where a small monument has been erected to commemorate the early German settlers. The Lutheran congregation purchased this dismantled church and erected it on the same site as the one which burned. It remained in service well into the sixties and served the first Lutheran worshipers of the newly established town of Deep River as well until it became necessary to have a larger church. At this time the Faith Lutheran Church was constructed in Deep River , and the Chalk River congregation joined it. In 1965 the old Log Church was again dismantled and donated to the Ottawa Valley Historical Society for the Champlain Trail Museum in Pembroke to be re-constructed as a pioneer church.
Roman Catholic
As far back as 1872 a Father Lynch from Chapeau , Quebec came up by way of the Ottawa River to the Balmers Bay area , (known later as Robert's Warf) to say Mass for the Roman Catholics in the district. At that time James Hawley owned the Robert property. This was before a church was built in Wylie, the area now called Deep River.
A Father Dowdall from Pembroke , and Father Lynch would occasionally visit the Chalk River area around 1883 and say Mass at the home of one of the faithful. Father Lynch very often stopped at the Hurtubise home which was situated across from the Municipal Hall.
In 1897 a portion of land on the North west side of Main street, opposite the new Catholic Church of today was purchased from Mr Michael McCarthy. Here the first Roman Catholic church of Chalk River was erected. In later years parts were added to the original building. The bell which is still in the new church was shipped up to Robert's Warf by water , and was brought down to the village by horse and buggy.
Priests from the Wylie Parish served the congregation as often as they could, however with poor traveling conditions and the need to serve other parishes, the only priest at Wylie did not get to Chalk River too often to say Mass. Until cars were introduced the priest would come to say Mass once every three or four weeks in winter. In summer the visits were more frequent.
By 1957 the Chalk River congregation grew large enough to support a parish of its own. A priest's house was built next to the original Church with Father Kadziolka, a polish immigrant as it's first parish priest. He humbly tells today (1979) of being one of the priests in Poland who attended seminary with Pope John Paul II.
Previous to this Reverent Father J.R.McElligott served this parish until his death. Father McElligot came to Wylie in 1930 as a curate. Another young curate also served this parish was Father A.T.Harrington. He helped Fathers McElligot and Kadziolka. After serving in various parishes, Father Alfie Harrington, a very familiar face in Chalk River, returned as St. Anthony's Parish Priest.
In 1964, under the able direction of Rever and Father J.S. Flynn, then parish priest, a new Catholic Church was built on Main Street opposite the priest's house. The old church was carefully dismantled and the material used to build a house on Spruce Street in Chalk River.
Father J.J. Quinn served as Parish Priest , replacing Father Flynn from 1971 to 1978 when he was transfered to Deep River.
Anglican
Unfortunately there is no established date of when an Anglican church was first built in Chalk River. Records show that services were held in homes located in the area now (1979) occupied by the Federal Forestry , by ministers from Petawawa. In 1892 it was published in the Petawawa Mission Magazine that regular services were held in Chalk River. At that time the Church Wardens were Thomas Field and Thomas Bryant for Chalk River , while A.H.Field, Thomas Tennant, and B. Moore were wardens for the occupied area known as the Tennant Settlement.
St Oswalds Church, when completed was dedicated in honour of King and Martyr St. Oswald from the seventh century. It is thought that this church may have been built around 1909, a few years after the erection of the Presbyterian Church across the street.
The Anglican congregations of Chalk River and Deep River worshiped in this church until the new St. Barnabas Church was built in Deep River in 1952. The Chalk River congregation decided to close their small church in the mid 70's and worship in St. Barnabas.
2
Roman CatholicAs far back as 1872 a Father Lynch from Chapeau , Quebec came up by way of the Ottawa River to the Balmers Bay area , (known later as Robert's Warf) to say Mass for the Roman Catholics in the district. At that time James Hawley owned the Robert property. This was before a church was built in Wylie, the area now called Deep River.
A Father Dowdall from Pembroke , and Father Lynch would occasionally visit the Chalk River area around 1883 and say Mass at the home of one of the faithful. Father Lynch very often stopped at the Hurtubise home which was situated across from the Municipal Hall.
In 1897 a portion of land on the North west side of Main street, opposite the new Catholic Church of today was purchased from Mr Michael McCarthy. Here the first Roman Catholic church of Chalk River was erected. In later years parts were added to the original building. The bell which is still in the new church was shipped up to Robert's Warf by water , and was brought down to the village by horse and buggy.
Priests from the Wylie Parish served the congregation as often as they could, however with poor traveling conditions and the need to serve other parishes, the only priest at Wylie did not get to Chalk River too often to say Mass. Until cars were introduced the priest would come to say Mass once every three or four weeks in winter. In summer the visits were more frequent.
By 1957 the Chalk River congregation grew large enough to support a parish of its own. A priest's house was built next to the original Church with Father Kadziolka, a polish immigrant as it's first parish priest. He humbly tells today (1979) of being one of the priests in Poland who attended seminary with Pope John Paul II.
Previous to this Reverent Father J.R.McElligott served this parish until his death. Father McElligot came to Wylie in 1930 as a curate. Another young curate also served this parish was Father A.T.Harrington. He helped Fathers McElligot and Kadziolka. After serving in various parishes, Father Alfie Harrington, a very familiar face in Chalk River, returned as St. Anthony's Parish Priest.
In 1964, under the able direction of Rever and Father J.S. Flynn, then parish priest, a new Catholic Church was built on Main Street opposite the priest's house. The old church was carefully dismantled and the material used to build a house on Spruce Street in Chalk River.
Father J.J. Quinn served as Parish Priest , replacing Father Flynn from 1971 to 1978 when he was transfered to Deep River.
Anglican
Unfortunately there is no established date of when an Anglican church was first built in Chalk River. Records show that services were held in homes located in the area now (1979) occupied by the Federal Forestry , by ministers from Petawawa. In 1892 it was published in the Petawawa Mission Magazine that regular services were held in Chalk River. At that time the Church Wardens were Thomas Field and Thomas Bryant for Chalk River , while A.H.Field, Thomas Tennant, and B. Moore were wardens for the occupied area known as the Tennant Settlement.
St Oswalds Church, when completed was dedicated in honour of King and Martyr St. Oswald from the seventh century. It is thought that this church may have been built around 1909, a few years after the erection of the Presbyterian Church across the street.
The Anglican congregations of Chalk River and Deep River worshiped in this church until the new St. Barnabas Church was built in Deep River in 1952. The Chalk River congregation decided to close their small church in the mid 70's and worship in St. Barnabas.
3
Visiting Presbyterian Minister at Field's Stopping Place1875
Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
4
. Prior to1885, a Presbyterian Minister from Pembroke would occasionally visit the areas, and carry out services in the homes of the parishioners. With continued growth of the village and more regular services, the need for a larger building soon became evident. Here the minister visits the Fields Stopping place.5
Mission Halland Manse on right1910
Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
6
The mission hall which was located near the corner of Wilson and Main Streets in the village, prior to the building of a new Presbyterian Church, provided extra space for the overflow population. As the mission hall also became overcrowded, a new Presbyterian Church was built near the old mission hall in 1906.7
Presbyterian and United Church1906
Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
8
The Presbyterian Church, the first protestant church in the area, was first established around 1882 near the site of the existing Forest View Cemetery. Prior to its commencing around 1885, a Presbyterian Minister from Pembroke would occasionally visit the areas, and carry out services in the homes of the parishioners. With continued growth of the village and more regular services, the need for a larger building soon became evident.The mission hall which was located near the corner of Wilson and Main Streets in the village, prior to the building of a new Presbyterian Church, provided extra space for the overflow population. As the mission hall also became overcrowded, a new Presbyterian Church was built near the old mission hall in 1906.
This is the new Church.
9
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church1905
Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
10
As far back as 1894 a Lutheran congregation existed in this area. A Reverend P. Schuelke from Rankin Ontario served as pastor. At that time the Lutherans like most other religious denominations held their services in homes. Later the Lutheran congregation built a church on the same site as the present Lutheran Cemetery. This church burned down. With fewer members and little money the congregation had to get along without a church until 1909. At that time a log church was being dismantled near Petawawa as the military had purchased the area around Brindle Road. This site is located approximately 2 miles West of Petawawa, on the North side of Highway 17, where a small monument has been erected to commemorate the early German settlers. The Lutheran congregation purchased this dismantled church and erected it on the same site as the one which burned. It remained in service well into the sixties and served the first Lutheran worshipers of the newly established town of Deep River as well until it became necessary to have a larger church. At this time the Faith Lutheran Church was constructed in Deep River , and the Chalk River congregation joined it.11
First Presbyterian Church1905
Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
12
In 1925 this building,formerly the Presbyterian church, became the United Church Of Canada with three protestant religions worshiping in the same structure, however as time progressed the congregation became smaller as other faiths decided to build churches of their own in the village. After the Atomic Energy Development became a reality, there was a need for a larger church which was built on Joseph Street East in 1962. The old church situated on the corner of Wilson and Main Streets was sold to a firm which used it for a short time as a toy factory and still later converted it to an apartment building which exists to date.13
Original Anglican Church1910
Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
14
Unfortunately there is no established date of when an Anglican church was first built in Chalk River. Records show that services were held in homes located in the area now (1979) occupied by the Federal Forestry , by ministers from Petawawa. In 1892 it was published in the Petawawa Mission Magazine that regular services were held in Chalk River. At that time the Church Wardens were Thomas Field and Thomas Bryant for Chalk River , while A.H.Field, Thomas Tennant, and B. Moore were wardens for the occupied area known as the Tennant Settlement.St Oswalds Church, when completed was dedicated in honour of King and Martyr St. Oswald from the seventh century. It is thought that this church may have been built around 1909, a few years after the erection of the Presbyterian Church across the street.
The Anglican Church was originally built without a basement. The door was at ground level. The church building was raised and the poured concrete basement put under in 1945. The work was done voluntarily by congregation members under the direction of Mr Tom Donnely who acted as general contractor.
The Anglican congregations of Chalk River and Deep River worshiped in this church until the new St. Barnabas Church was built in Deep River in 1952. The Chalk River congregation decided to close their small church in the mid 70's and worship in St. Barnabas.
 |
 |
 |
 |