Christ Church, Her Majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk
Posted by: 
mTn_biKer65
N 44° 11.132 W 077° 04.405
18T E 334283 N 4894570
Christ Church is located at 52 South Church Lane in Deseronto, Ontario.
Waymark Code: WME9ZQ
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 04/24/2012
Views: 11
Built in 1843 Christ Church, Her Majesty's Chapel Royal of the Mohawk is located near Deseronto, Ontario, and is one of only six Royal chapels outside of the United Kingdom, and one of two in Canada (the other is Her Majesty's Chapel of the Mohawks near Brantford, Ontario). It was designated as a national historical site in 1995, and is administered by the Anglican Parish of Tyendinaga, Diocese of Ontario. It was elevated to a Chapel Royal by The Queen in 2004.
The history of the chapel begins with the forced relocation by American revolutionaries of the Tyendinaga Mohawks from their indigenous lands in what is now upper New York State to lands provided by King George III in recognition to their service to the British during the revolutionary war. They settled in the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory on the shores of the Bay of Quinte in 1784.
Built to symbolise the political and military alliance between the British Crown and the Mohawk Peoples, and to house a number of gifts given to the Mohawks by the Royal Family over three centuries, it was built by the Mohawks themselves in a simplified Gothic Revival style in 1843. The new church replaced a wooden structure which had been built near the site when the Mohawks arrived in 1784. The style, popular in the mid 19th century, is demonstrated in the narrow lancet windows and dripstones, stepped piers on the tower and flanks of the nave, and crenellations and pinnacles on the spire, all contributing to an overall sense of verticality common to gothic architecture.
The Royal chapel is in regular use as a parish church of the Anglican Diocese of Ontario. While not housed in the chapel, on special occasions, a silver Communion set given by Queen Anne in 1711 as a symbol of the alliance between the Crown and the Mohawks, is displayed and used. Also, there is a triptych in the Mohawk language and a bell given by King George III, a Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom given by King George V, and a bible given by Queen Victoria. A communion chalice was given by Queen Elizabeth II in 1984 to mark the bicentennial of the coming of the United Empire Loyalists, including the Mohawks, to Ontario. In addition, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II also presented a set of eight silver handbells to the Chapel Royal in 2010. The chapel also houses a memorial window given by Dr. Oronhyateka, who is buried at the Royal chapel.
Plaques commemorating the service of Mohawks during the First and Second World Wars hang in the chapel, demonstrating the continuing bond between the Tyendinaga Mohawks and the Crown.
The Chapel Royal has undergone major restoration work in recent years.
Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1843
Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque
If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Anglican Church of Canada
If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday
Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 10:30 AM
Street address of Church:
52 South Church Lane
Deseronto, Ontario Canada
Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link]
If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:1) A photo of the church is required for visits to a waymark.
2) Please share some comments about your visit.
3) Additional photos are encouraged. If you can have information in addition to that already provided about this church, please share it with us.