Springwell Sisters Clue #1

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

Clue Number One

Our “hall” has a special place in our WI heart’s. Originally built by pioneers as a Wesleyan church, the venerable building was the first to be built of brick in Rawdon Township. It became a hub for the little community of Wellman’s Corners, hosting lawn socials and Christmas pageants, as well as offering church services and Sunday school.
When Anglican, Presbyterian and Wesleyan churches banded together to form the United Church of Canada in 1925, this little country church was among them. In 1949, a porch and kitchen were added to the edifice. The same year, the first wedding took place within it. In 1958, the chuch was renovated. The entire interior was refinished and a new oil furnace installed.
The church was closed in 1968, after being in service ninety-nine years, and the following year, the Wellman’s Women’s Institute purchased the building. Since then, it has been utilized for music concerts, pot luck dinners, funeral lunches, meet-your-neighbour gatherings, area WI events, wedding and birthday celebrations.
The interior of the hall has an old fashioned charm. Through the double front doors, one steps into a porch with a rack for coats on one side and a church pew on the other. Through another set of doors is revealed a quaint former chapel. At the far end of the room is an elevated stage with a piano on one side. Behind the stage is a mural of Christ with the lambs, known as the Good Shepherd, painted by Rev. Vaclavik when this was his charge. On both sides of the room, tall Gothic windows allows light to flood the room. The original wooden floor is painted. Church pews line both walls while folding tables are stacked in the corners.
To the left of the stage is the entrance to the kitchen. It was recently rebuilt, thanks to the efforts of the husband of one of our members. It is an efficient place to prep the food served from here.
In 2011, Springbrook Women’s Institute merged with Wellman’s.
Our most recent project was installing a new source of heat with an electric furnace donated by a couple members of our community.
Our photo shows our team in front of our lovely hall. Members of the Springwell Sisters are holding props that represent our efforts to utilize and maintain this former church. Donna Russett holds a serving tray, which depicts the many meals we have served in this buildings. The guitar in Salina Ste Croix’s lap is for the music that has permeated our edifice. The hammer held by Janice Gannon is for the bricks laid by our pioneers and our continued efforts to update and maintain this historic structure. A dollar sign serves as a reminder of the money we have raised for charity.
The final member of our team, Judy Kupecz, was not able to be present for our photo. Icy conditions three weekends in a row have kept her housebound. We feel it is more important to be her safe than risk injury.
Our hall has played a role in our community for nearly one hundred and fifty-five years. Due to the Women’s Institute, it is maintained for the future. We all have such happy memories, working together here.

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