Title proper
St. Mary's Chapel-of-Ease (Chatham : Anglican) fonds
General material designation
- Textual record
- Architectural drawing
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- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the fonds.
Level of description
Fonds
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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
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Physical description
82.5 cm of textual records
1 reel of microfilm
2 architectural drawings
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Administrative history
The first Anglican church in the Miramichi area of New Brunswick was erected in the early 1800s to serve both Newcastle and Chatham. The Reverend Samuel Bacon oversaw the construction of the Gothic-style church on a site located near both communities. The first service was held at St. Paul's Church at Christmas 1825. Within a short time, members of the congregation expressed dissatisfaction with the distance they had to travel to attend services. In the 1830s plans were drawn to construct St. Mary's Chapel-of-Ease at Chatham to serve Anglicans residing there. Built by contractors Thomas Hodgson and S. J. Frost, the church opened in 1836.
A dispute soon arose over where to hold vestry meetings -- in the parish church of St. Paul's or in St. Mary's Chapel. In 1889 the Reverend David Forsyth took charge of the parish and oversaw renovations to both churches. The chapel was totally destroyed by fire on 12 June 1964 and was not immediately rebuilt due to declining membership. The rectory remained on the site until about 1975 when it was demolished. Eventually, a new St. Mary's Chapel was built of brick and stone on the original site. In 1981 both St. Mary's Chapel and St. Paul's Church were under the leadership of the same priest.
Source:
"David's Kingdom" by W. A. Spray, 1979
Custodial history
Information about the custody of these records prior to acquisition is incomplete.
Scope and content
This fonds contains the administrative records of St. Mary's Chapel-of-Ease and of its various groups and associations. It consists of a register of confirmations (1887), registers of services, record books of contributions, and a record book of loans. Also included are minutes of the Parochial Guild and Women's Association, the Women's Association (senior and girls' branches), and the Rural Deanery, as well as a treasurer's book for the Women's Association (girls' branch) and a few pieces of correspondence relating to the Deanery. The register of services for 1921-1964 also contains entries for St. Paul's Church. Architectural plans and drawings of St. Mary's Chapel-of-Ease were transferred to the Map Section.
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated to the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick by Clarence Morris, of Chatham, N.B., on 11 August 1975.
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Some of St. Mary's Chapel-of-Ease and St. Paul's Church records (baptisms, marriages, burials) are located on microfilm reel no. F1110.
Restrictions on access
No restrictions
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
An inventory is available.
Associated materials
Parish of Chatham records for the period 1822-1970 are located on microfilm reel nos. F8150, F8151, and F1096.
Two architectural plans of St. Mary's Chapel and Rectory, transferred to map section.