October 24, 1954

First of all, let me say, I wasn't around in 1954! But the bulletin I found in the cantata book pictured below was dated October 24, 1954. The cover has a photo of Norwood Presbyterian Church on it. It's the only photo I've ever seen of that building (although I've since learned that the building is still standing at the corner of Kitson Street and Traverse Avenue here in Winnipeg). Norwood is the 'mother' church of St. Vital Presbyterian and in the mid 1970's the 2 congregations merged to become St. Andrew's. They worshiped in the building St. Vital had built at 709 St. Mary's Road. I suppose you could say that finding this photo was a little like discovering a portrait of a grandmother I never knew.

Other bits of trivial information gleaned include:

• Norwood was still its own municipality at the time; it wouldn't become part of Winnipeg until almost 20 years later.
• Rev. M.E.R. Boudreau was the minister.
• Mr. Carl Heddesheimer was the organist and choirmaster.
• Phone numbers were still only 5 or 6 digits long.
• The bulletin has 2 orders of service, a.m. and p.m. Sunday School followed morning worship.
• Apparently, it was anniversary weekend as the anniversary supper was announced for the following evening in the church hall.
• The young lady listed in the directory as the leader of the young people's society recently retired as an active elder after many years of service.
• The church was a busy place! In addition to the regular Sunday services and Sunday school, there was a French Mission that met at 3:00 p.m. Sundays, Women's Missionary Society Tues. afternoons, Jr. Young People's Tues. evenings, Sr. Young People's Weds. evenings, choir practice Thurs. evenings, and Wolf Cubs, Boy Scouts, Brownies and Guides also meeting weekly.

Now that I've blogged about said bulletin, I'll be giving it to the 'young lady' mentioned above!

The things you find!

This post will be, quite literally, about notes of faith - as in, my adventures in sorting and packing St. Andrew's music library this week. The above cantata book contained a bulletin from 1954 when this cantata was presented. More about that in another post. Then there are the various copies of music that have migrated from, well, I'll let the pictures tell you.

St. Vital United was a few blocks down the street.

These two churches are about 1,200 miles away! How did the music get to Winnipeg?

This piece migrated at least twice. If you look carefully under the Riverdale stamp, you can see "Property of First Avenue Baptist Church" - which could be just about anywhere!

Lastly, we have detailed instructions on using file folders. Judging by the typeface on the company logo, I'm guessing these came from the 1920's or so. The music in the file folder would confirm that!


Here's the logo in detail:


So now you know some of the things I found. They gave me a few laughs along the way, and that was a good thing this week.

Of singers, past and present

Today was a more emotional day than I anticipated. In preparation for St. Andrew's move at the end of next week, I went over to the church today to pack up choir gowns and music. As I took each choir gown from its hanger and folded it up, I noticed the name (or names) on the inside neckline indicating who had worn that one over the years of its existence. Most were names of those still with us on this earth, but occasionally I'd see one that has 'gone on before'. It made me think of choristers of all ages, with a wide range of experience, in many places around the world who, at one time or another, raised their voices in song. I find it rather humbling to think that I am one person, only one, in such a long line of singers and musicians stretching behind me in time. Then I imagine all those who will someday look backward to see me in that line. Today was a more emotional day than I anticipated...