Cathcart Canny Grannies - Clue#1

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

Clue #1 requests that the team document and photograph a WI plaque, hall or project. Our team members each had knowledge of such but luck led us down an unknown path. One team member was perusing South Brant District Tweedsmuir History and came upon an exciting entry. Brant WI was part of a very special project at the Mohawk Chapel.

HM Royal Chapel of the Mohawks of Brantford, Ontario was designated Royal by King George VII in 1904. It was built in 1785 by the British and gifted along with 760 acres to Joseph Brant and the Mohawks loyal to the Crown who were forced to leave their homelands in USA following the American Revolution. It is the oldest surviving church in Ontario and the only surviving structure of the Mohawk settlement of 1784. The Chapel was designated a National Historic Site in 1981 and is home to the tomb of Joseph Brant as well as 8 exquisite stained glass windows documenting histories of the Native Christians.

At the behest of a Mrs. Harrison of Newport WI, South Brant District and Brant North District made application to sponsor one of these amazing windows in 1958. They were honoured to have the application accepted and the unveiling of the window occurred in October of 1959. Mrs. Harrison, in dedicating the window, said," This window portraying Christ, the Lord of all Nations, is the gift of the Women's Institute of Brant County."

The window in entitled "Mohawk Christians with Seeds and Shells" Isaiah Chapter 2, verse 2 is inscribed on the bottom of the window. It was designed by David Mitson of Dundas, Ontario and crafted by M. Bell, England. The thirty branches of Brant County, including Sour Springs WI, Oshwekan WI and New Credit WI from Six Nations, contributed at total of $ 904.57 for this amazing work of art.

What an exciting adventure this has been! We are on a scavenger hunt but we truly found a treasure!

Notes

Submission part of the WISH challenge for WI's 125th anniversary.

Date of Publication

Feb 2022

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