ST. PETER'S CHURCH

200 Montreal St., Sherbrooke, QC

 This information and pictures were sent to me by a kind gentleman by the name of Mat Ardron.. Can't remember where he said he got this information although it may have been a hand out from the church. Thank you very much Mat as this was my old home stomping grounds; a memory revived!!

St. Peter's, Sherbrooke's first parish. 

The Eastern Townships was settled shortly after the American Revolution by United Empire Loyalists.  The city of Sherbrooke was founded by Gilbert Hyatt Sr. whose estates had been confiscated by the American government. Sherbrooke was then known as Hyatt's Mills. By 1800 there were 40 families comprising 102 souls but it was not until 1822 that a parish was formed.  The first minister of the parish was a Rev. C1ément Fall Lefebvre.  The first church building was a wooden structure erected in 1827 on the site now occupied by the Bank of Commerce on Dufferin Avenue.  The church at that time was known as St. Paul's.  The rectory was the first brick building in the City of Sherbrooke.

A study of the church register of the parish reveals interesting tidbits of the early social history.  The education of women appears to have been sadly neglected while most men had the rudiments of education. Most men were able to sign their names in the civil register whereas most of the women simply marked an X. Yet even as late as 1867 all parties to a wedding, bride, groom and witnesses were illiterate.

In 1836 forty-seven persons were buried at one time.  These persons were recently arrived immigrants and were unfortunately victims of the plague.  Fearing an epidemic, the local authorities herded the newcomers to a covered bridge and boarded up the ends.  Guards were placed at each end of the bridge thus preventing any escape.  Later when all the victims had been buried the bridge was burned as a health measure.

   By 1839 the parish had outgrown the first building and a second was commenced on the present site.  The church's name was changed from St. Paul’s to St. Peter's.

The city of Sherbrooke continued to grow and the second church was replaced by the present structure completed in 1900.  The new church cost $33,000.00.  A Casavant organ was installed at a cost of $5,500. The pews, a gift from St. Peter's Guild were installed in 1925, replacing the chairs which had previously served as seating.

Over the last twenty-five years St. Peter's has experienced a devastating decline in numbers.  Nevertheless, through the caring generosity of our remaining parishioners as well as contributions from old and new friends of St. Peter's it is hoped that this church will continue to play an important and vital role in the religious and social life of this city.

 THE NAVE Architecture

The great carved oak doors at the entrance to the church represent our Lord and St. Peter in the storm on the sea of Galilee.

 On each side of the main entrance are two large oak chairs reserved for the People's and Rector's Wardens.  The rod of the People's Warden is topped with a crown while that of the Rector's Warden is topped with a mitre.

 The ceiling of the church resembles the inverted hull of a ship reminding us that St. Peter was a fisherman.  The inverted crosses which support the roof remind us of the manner in which St. Peter died.  St. Peter felt that he was not worthy to be executed in the same manner as Jesus and therefore asked to be crucified up-side down.

The ten arches supported by twelve pillars remind us of the Ten Commandments and the twelve apostles.  On the four corner pillars can be found stone carvings of an angel, a winged lion, a winged calf and an eagle. These serve to remind us of the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Baptistry is usually placed near the entrance to represent one's entry into the Church.  The font has eight sides to represent the seven days of creation and the day of the new creation.

The Pulpit and Lectern at the front of the nave are of finely carved oak.  The Bible is generally placed on the back of an eagle as this is the bird which soars the highest.  The eagle at the lectern is particularly remarkable in that it is made of carved oak instead of the more usual brass.

The Tablets: St. Peter's is particularly rich in memorials.  They serve to remind us of some of those who have played an important part in the life not only of our Parish and community but also of our country and Commonwealth.  It is interesting to note that over 250 members of the parish served this country during the First World War.  One visitor to St. Peter's once commented that the names which appear on these memorials read like a street map of Sherbrooke.

The Memorial Chapel was constructed after the First World War in of those members of St. Peter's who gave their lives in that war.  The relief in the front of the altar is particularly beautiful. The carving of the pelican cutting its breast to feed its three young chicks remind us of the sacrifice Christ made of himself for us. The windows in the memorial chapel signify sacred music and the centre window contains a representation of St. Celia, the patron saint of music. The white sanctuary lamp reminds us of the presence of the reserved sacrament. The sanctuary lamp is never extinguished thus serving to remind us of God's continual presence.

 The Organ of St. Peter's Church was built in 1902 by Casavant et Frères of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, at the cost of $5,500. 00.  In 1959 the organ was completely rebuilt and electrified, again by Casavant.  This rebuilding cost $16,000.00. At this time a new console was installed on the opposite side of the chancel from the old one. There are 9 different sets of pipes, or stops, on the Great Organ; 12 stops on the Swell Organ; 6 stops on the Choir Organ, and 6 stops on the Pedal Organ. St. Peter's Church Organ has long been one of the favoured concert instruments in the area, being capable of great versatility and quality of tone.

The Military Colours

The flags hanging in the church are those of regiments which have been retired or removed from the Order of Battle.  Infantry regiments are represented by two colours - the Queen’s Colour and the Regimental Colour, while Cavalry or Armoured regiments are represented by one called a Guidon,

The Regiments whose colours hang in this church have seen action during the Fenian Raids, The Boer War, The First and Second World War, the Korean War, and have served in, the post-World War II period.  These colours will remain hanging in St. Peter's until they disintegrate.

We hope you have enjoyed your visit to St. Peter's and will visit us again in the near future.