Churches in Prince Edward Island

Trinity United Church Extension, 90 Spring Street, Summerside - opened on November 17, 1957

Keith's largest project in 1955 was a substantial renovation to Trinity United Church on Spring Street in Summerside, built in 1893-94, which included a forty foot extension. This was the first major structural change to the church designed by George E. Baker. For a building of this size and complexity, he worked with his mentor, Douglas A. Webber of Halifax, whose name is included in the title block and specifications. Gordon C. Welsh prepared the drawings which span the timeframe June 10, 1955 to March 16, 1957. The contractor, M. F. Schurman Company was on site from May to mid-November when the church was finally reopened and re-dedicated. Upon completion, the seating capacity had increased from 400 to 700, a new nursery had been added, there were enlarged Sunday School facilities, new seating and interior decorating and a new vestry (office for the Minister) and chancel.

Although the timelines varied, often a project like this would take a span of one to three years from the initial meeting to the official opening or completion of the building.  Each project had its own particular set of challenges from working with existing structures to limited property dimensions, obtaining final agreement of the parties for space and design, and of course, the one usually most concerning for the client - the budget limitations.

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United Baptist Church, 473 Main Street, O'Leary - opened on May 5, 1957 

In 1956,  Keith took on an interesting new project when he designed his first church for the people of the O’Leary area. The Threads of the Past, A History of O’Leary, PEI 1837-1992 records that the United Baptist Church congregation in Knutsford needed more space.  

Edgar Smallman donated the lumber for the frame. Claude Jelley and Aubin Wedge set the building stakes.... Raynall MacNeill, Ralph Adams, and Brenton Smallman were given the task of coming up with ideas for a suitable design.

Keith was approached by members of the congregation who wanted to build on Main Street in O’Leary,  but were challenged by their very limited reserve of  funds. Five sheets of plans dated March 14, 1956 to April 18, 1956 were drawn by Joe Muise for a 72 x 35 building with a 20 x 14 wing for the minister’s study and ladies’ parlour. 

The file reveals correspondence dealing with the issue of whether to use steel or wooden trusses for the building and a low-cost approach to the lighting fixtures. Along with the estimate of $250 for architectural fees, there were seven pages of architectural plans. The fee included the consultations with the building committee, weekly inspections of the building under construction and ordering options for steel or wood trusses.  Lighting materials were also optioned at differing price points. Being the architect for the job also included helping the congregation choose light fixtures and this seemed to take a lot of discussion as the members debated over the cost involved. Sample fixtures and illustrations were presented and the final decision left with the members

Jean would often assist by doing some of the secretarial work at home after Keith returned from a meeting. She kept a typewriter, letterhead, and carbon paper on hand to fulfil these late-night requests. Keith would then mail the letters in the morning and take the copies to the office to be filed. Letters and telegrams were the means for corresponding; in some instances plans were sent by bus. In this manner, their home also served as an office and the location where tenders (or bids) from contractors would be accepted for a new job. 

The O’Leary Church project moved along with the choice of steel trusses being made for the new building, arranged through Robb Engineering Works in Nova Scotia. Lighting selections were made through Curtis Lighting in New Brunswick. The heating system was arranged through R.T. Holman Limited in Summerside. Projects like this were a community affair; with no government funding available.

This “community-led direction” was not without its challenges. Although the building committee leaned favourably toward the steel frame, there was an issue regarding the size of the floor joists, as the framing lumber was donated by one of the Church members and it was difficult to get 16’ joists. Another Church member had long fir joists salvaged from one of the airport buildings and thus supplied them at a reasonable charge. And although the outside work was completed in August, the volunteer carpenters had been too busy to work during September and October of 1956, with the harvest season on PEI being top priority.  Remarkably, no paid construction company was involved in the O’Leary United Baptist Church project, and Otis MacNeill was the foreman of the group. 

The dedication services were held on May 5, 1957 and the first minister, Rev. Ross Howard, arrived in September. Through his leadership, projects were undertaken to complete the unfinished portion of the building including the basement. 

Keith appreciated the opportunity to work with a group of people who were dedicated in their objective of building a church for their families and community. Even though there wasn’t any extra money, they were determined to do everything in their power and capabilities to have a place of worship.  Keith and Jean attended the official opening ceremony where the key of the church was given to Ralph Adams, then chairman of the building committee. Together they shared the joy of seeing people committed to a purpose succeed in making their dreams a reality.

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Keith’s career path was closely aligned to the post-war period of sustained community growth in the 1950s. This phase saw businesses grow, more people moving from rural areas to the city, young couples were having families and subdivisions were appearing in areas surrounding Charlottetown. These circumstances created a need for new or larger schools and churches in local neighbourhoods. There was always a concern regarding costs with people not wanting to go deeply into debt and the financial struggles of raising families. The buildings were modest but functional; often built with the idea that a portion of the interior would be completed at a later date or there would be a future expansion.

TWO CHURCHES BUILT IN 1958 - FIRST BAPTIST AND PARK ROYAL UNITED

In 1957 two churches with very different circumstances needed a new building. The First Baptist Church was established in 1836 and under the dynamic and dedicated leadership of Rev. Harold Mitton, the growing congregation of 415 became too large for their building. They had no room to expand and wanted to build on another lot on Prince Street. The Trinity United Church family on Prince Street was also experiencing tremendous growth and suggested a new congregation be established in the communities bordering the city. The newly formed Park Royal United congregation of 250 needed a building for their property in Parkdale. To meet the challenge of these new ventures, financial campaigns began in both churches where each family was visited and asked to make a three-year pledge of support. 

The two projects were on the drawing boards at the same time as the architects and draftsmen worked with the building committees to design buildings that met their individual needs, locations and budgets.

First Baptist Church, 235 Prince Street, Charlottetown - dedicated on Sunday, May 17, 1959

The Church’s history-making event was the momentous decision in 1957 to build a new church on the northwest corner of Prince and Fitzroy Streets, a property donated by Captain Carl and Florence Burke. On January 4, 1958 The Guardian published a sketch of the proposed First Baptist Church designed by Alfred J. Hennessey with Keith as the supervisor and coordinator. Mr. Hennessey joined Keith’s staff on July 27, 1957, worked in the Charlottetown office for one year, and then established his own practice. He had completed post graduate studies at The Pratt Institute of Design in New York where he received his Masters of Architecture Degree.

The limited dimensions and contours of the property dictated several restrictions for the designer, but also signalled possibilities. The modern building, attractive in looks and in keeping with the new image of a church, was built by Stevens Construction of Halifax. The structure was 109’ long and 90’ wide, constructed of steel and concrete, with a wooden roof. Featuring large windows on the south end of the church, light poured into the main area of the church, uplifting the spirits of those gathered. Seating capacity in the sanctuary, balcony and chapel was 630, which was indeed a large number at the time. The chapel, situated beside and part of the main sanctuary, was a fully functional worship centre in itself, with its own electronic organ, the 1904 pulpit, chairs and communion table from the old church. The first service was held in October 1958 and at the dedication on May 17, 1959 it was described as Charlottetown’s newest and most modern Protestant church. The building had everything the old church lacked; space and lots of classrooms. It was a dream come true and a source of great pride. 

Sources: A Legacy of Faith, History of the Charlottetown Baptist Church Since 1836, Ron H. Atkinson, Pastor Chris Austin, Rev. Ross Howard, published 2006. The Guardian, January 4, 1958; January 18, 1958; May 19, 1959; October 28, 1960

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Park Royal United Church, 11 Christie Drive, Parkdale - officially opened June 22,  1958

In the mid 1950s the Trinity United Church family was outgrowing its space and it was suggested that a new congregation be established for the families on the eastern side of the railway tracks - the communities of Parkdale, Central Royalty (Sherwood) and East Royalty. On May 26, 1957 the new Pastoral Charge was established and at a Charter Roll and Constitution Service 191 people signed the charter roll and 53 signed as adherents. The Rev. Howard Christie became the interim moderator (supervising minister) and the name “Park Royal” was chosen. This bold step precipitated the need for building a church with lots of space for classrooms, where Sunday School and other programs and mid-week activities could be created for youth and adults. In the late 1950s there were no other Protestant churches in the area and no recreational buildings.

The members and adherents embarked on a major volunteer commitment and fundraising venture. In June of 1957, Keith was engaged as architect to draw up plans for the church on property in Parkdale donated by G. Stewart MacKay. After months of study and discussions, draftsman Gordon C. Welsh prepared 15 pages of drawings and details. Due to financial constraints, the contract was awarded in two parts. In October County Construction Company began work on the exterior of the building which was completed in January 1958. The next month M. F. Schurman Company finished the interior which featured full length windows extending from the foundation to the eaves of the building. There were donations of excavation services, hauling gravel, providing interior furnishings and hours of volunteer work inside the building. Everyone was involved in the project and the church family literally built the new church from the inside out. 

The official opening, June 22, 1958, was a historic day for the United Church in PEI as it was the first new Pastoral Charge to be formed in the Province since the United Church came into being in Canada in 1925. The building, situated on one of the highest points of land between Mount Edward Road and St. Peters Road, presented a striking appearance with its 30 foot aluminum spire pointing skyward and large Cross. The church, with seating for 360, was filled to capacity for three services of worship including Keith’s parents, Cyrus and Vina Pickard, charter members of the congregation, who were deeply involved in various committees. 

Through the faith, commitment and hard work of a small group of dedicated people, a suggestion made in 1956 became a reality in 1958 and a cornerstone of Christian outreach to the surrounding communities. 

The congregation continued to expand and a new manse was constructed and dedicated on March 5, 1960. In 1966 they built a new Christian Education Building which became a centre of activity for the youth of the congregation and the entire community. 

Sources: www.parkroyalunited.org; Unpublished History of Park Royal United Church by Eldon Rogerson; The Guardian January 18, 1958; March 6, 1958; June 21, 1958; June 23, 1958 

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O'Leary United Church Christian Education Centre, 5 Barclay Road, O'Leary,  1957-58

Two sketches prepared for the proposed Christian Education Centre the O'Leary United Church in 1957. The second proposal (in blue) was accepted and the detailed drawings were prepared by Joe Muise, draftsman, in February 1958. We also see Keith's handwritten list of lumber as he provides the details needed so the job would not be held up. Sometimes it was faster to  send the written copy rather than have his sectretary type it out. All this math was computed in the days before electric adding machines and calculators.

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Spring Park United Church and Christian Education Centre, Dunkirk, Charlottetown - Officially opened June 7, 1965

In 1964, when this new congregation was officially established by the PEI Presbytery, the design of the Spring Park United Church began in earnest. Some members of Trinity United Church felt there were unmet spiritual needs, especially for the children, in the growing residential area northwest of Charlottetown. These families needed a meeting place that was close to their homes and within walking distance for their children.

The group had been trying to establish the church for some time. During the early years, a house on Upper Queen Street was used for services and youth programs, and then a portable building on Dunkirk and Kirkwood Streets. While the Spring Park congregation initially remained under the care of Trinity United Church, on June 30, 1964 it became its own pastoral charge. After five years of discussion and an in-depth study of the needs of the community, the congregation decided to boldly move forward and build both a church and a Christian Education Centre. Their planned facilities would provide opportunities for the church to expand, reach more people and focus on programs for youth, with an estimated cost of $250,000.

James W.H. Murdoch, the architect working with Keith to handle the heavy workload, was the lead on the project. After weeks of meetings and discussions, he presented three plans for the building committee to consider and the final decision was made by the congregation. 

Looking to serve the needs of not only today but also for the future, the building committee made some bold design choices. The round, two-storey building contained a fan-shaped sanctuary with a high ceiling. It accommodated 300 in the assembly area, a minister’s study, and a variety of other spaces such as a church parlour, youth and choir rooms, secretarial office, complete with boardroom, library, storage area, kitchen and classrooms. Looking at the front of the structure, a prow-shaped 40-foot tower supported two white crosses. Through the coloured glass panels set into the high red and tan brick walls, the sanctuary filled with both natural light and a rich spectrum of colours, creating a stunning visual effect.

The architectural design of the building was the first of its kind for PEI, and attracted much attention and interest from many organizations who were considering their own new builds. Most people who worked with the contractors, M.F. Schurman Company, found that working on a round building was a new experience. A departure from the conventional church buildings of the past, Spring Park became a great topic of interest and discussion in the area.

After years of gathering in temporary buildings, the congregation officially opened their new church on June 7th, 1965. This was a time of celebration for all. Through leadership, dedication, financial support and volunteer effort, their dream was now a reality.

Sources:  “The Early Years” – Spring Park United Church, 1984. The Guardian February 20, 1964, Dec 17, 1964, May 24, 1965, June 5, 1965, June 2, 1990.

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Salvation Army Citadel, Fitzroy Street, Charlottetown

Tryon United Church - Extension, Tryon, PEI