HISTORY & PHOTOS
The Church
The church is a historical site which served the garrison of the nearby fort as well as the civilian population of Chambly. The Church was built in fieldstone and mortar at a cost of 1000 English pounds (building and fittings) in 1820. It is 50 x 30 feet with projecting circular chancel. Original high-backed pews with doors are still in use. Seating was extended to accommodate the garrison by altering the pew arrangement in 1833 and adding side galleries in 1839.
The stone font was donated by the troops. Although in continuous use and despite minor modifications, the church remains an outstanding example of early 19th century Canadian ecclesiastical architecture. In the quaint cemetery, inscriptions can still be deciphered on the lichened stones. The Church was restored in 1990. Every Sunday, religious services are held in the Church. The church and balcony have a capacity of 140 people.
The Memorial Stain Glass Window
In 1970, this stained-glass window was dedicated by His Most Reverend Excellency Robert Kenneth Maguire, the Bishop of Montreal, and Mrs. Nancy M. Cowen-Foss. The Memorial Fund covered the cost of this new window, which was started in 1962 by Mrs. Cowen-Foss. In the twenty years of the Fund’s existence, she was able to raise nearly 20,000 dollars, which on top of covering the cost of the new stained-glass window also was used to buy new carpets, prayer books, and pay for much-needed repairs to the church structure and the organ.
Brass Collection Plates:
These brass collection plates were donated to St-Stephens’ Anglican Church in 1959 by Mr. Edwin A.A. Cowen and his wife Edna G. Stewart. The inscription “Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Edwin A.A. Cowen” can be seen on the bottom of each plate.
The Organ
The organ was built in 1854 by Mr. Samuel R. Warren and purchased through the efforts of Ward T. C. Hatt. Originally operated by a manual pump action, the organ was modified in 1923 to an electric wind supply, through a gift from the Ladies Guild.
The organ was renovated in 1954 by an English organ builder J. S. Tuttiet, in anticipation that it would give good service for many years thereafter. The entire cost of the project was met by the combined efforts of the St. Stephen’s Ladies Guild and it’s Montreal River Road Branch.
The organ was historically restored in the year 1995 by Denis Juget organ builder. The organ is historically recognized.
The Bell
The first bell was imported from england by Sir John Johnson and presented to the Church. It bore the inscription “Isaac Tod, 1812”, the year in which it was cast. This bell was later stolen from the church in the early 1980’s, and another bell now stands in it’s place.
The original bell subsequently has been recovered.
The Crypts
The Church has several crypts, where families such as the Yule, Hatt, Johnson, Austin and Campbell families were laid to rest.. The Yule and Hatt families were among the founders of Chambly!
The Randell Hall
Randell Hall stands beside the church and was built in 1963, in memory of Rev. Cecil Randell, whose dedication and encouragement of the parish community made the construction of this building possible. It now serves as our parish hall and also functions as a rental space for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events. Please click on the link below to visit the Hall’s website.
St. Stephen’s Tennis Club
In the mid-nineteen 1950s, a group of church directors and informal community leaders got the notion that the community needed tennis courts. They struck an agreement with the church to lease the needed land, directly across from the cemetery, for $1.00 per annum, and with this agreement, the St. Stephen’s Tennis Club came to be.
This same group then took it upon themselves to prepare the site and went ahead and built two official sizes, clay tennis courts, including complete fencing surrounding the playing surfaces, and a small clubhouse, or better stated, a sheltered viewing structure with a small refreshment canteen.
Most families in the immediate area became members, which included player ladders, lessons for children, and season-ending championships. One of the founding members and a prominent executive of the club, Robert Macfarlane passed away in 1962 and a trophy was then commissioned and awarded to the club’s single men’s champion, annually.
The club continued for many years but was ultimately disbanded in or about 2010, with the Church then selling the land.
In 2021 a former club member had both the senior men’s and junior boy’s trophies returned to the church. They were subsequently restored, and polished and a display case was purchased and donated by Ronald Foss so that they could be displayed in Randell Hall. (The quest continues to recover the senior lady’s and junior girl’s trophies.)
– Ron Foss
The Tennis Club was an active part of St. Stephen’s for several years. When it was active, the tennis league awarded trophies to senior and junior men and women, and doubles. I appreciate the efforts of Ron Foss to secure several items, which were restored, and the purchase of a display cabinet for Randell Hall. Several people made donations to help with this project. Several items have not been recovered. If you can help us, find the other trophies, photos, and/or list of winners it would be appreciated.
– The Rev. Andy O’Donnell
The Robert Macfarlane Memorial Trophy St. Stephen’s Tennis Club Fort Chambly, Quebec
This trophy was named after one of the founding members and a prominent executive of the St. Stephen’s Tennis Club, Fort Chambly, Quebec. Established in the late 1950’s, the club was built on St. Stephen’s Church property by many of the families living in Fort Chambly, at that time. Many of these same families were also parishioners of St. Stephen’s Church. Robert Macfarlane passed away in 1962 and this trophy was then commissioned and awarded to the club’s single men’s champion, annually. The club continued for many years but was ultimately disbanded in or about 2010, with the Church then selling the land.
The Robert Macfarlane Memorial Trophy Presented By The Membership Of The St. Stephen’s Tennis Club For Annual Competition Men’s Singles 1962 Restored and Made Possible by the Effort and Generosity of Ronald M. Foss October 2021
| 1962 – Roger Leblanc | 1979 – Rene Turgeon |
| 1963 – Roger Leblanc | 1980 – Rene Turgeon |
| 1964 – Ramon Custeau | 1981 – Rene Turgeon |
| 1965 – Ted Fulcher | 1982 – Rene Turgeon |
| 1966 – Blaikie Purvis | 1983 – Christian DeLierre |
| 1967 – Ted Fulcher | 1984 – Marc LeClair |
| 1968 – G. Robillard | 1985 – Marc LeClair |
| 1969 – D. Bean | 1986 – Rejean Touchette |
| 1970 – Michel Belly | 1987 – Rejean Touchette |
| 1971 – D. Bean | 1988 – Rejean Touchette |
| 1972 – Denis Ostiguy | 1989 – Christian DeLierre |
| 1973 – Jacques LeClair | 1990 – Unknown |
| 1974 – Jacques LeClair | 1991 – Christian DeLierre |
| 1975 – Jacques LeClair | 1992 – Unknown |
| 1976 – Jacques LeClair | 1993 – Unknown |
| 1977 – Claude Vadeboncoeur | 1994 – Unknown |
| 1978 – Rene Turgeon | 1995 – Christian DeLierre |
| 1964 – Steve Hurlburt | 1977 – Yves Beaulieu |
| 1965 – Bruce Martin | 1978 – Yves Beaulieu |
| 1966 – Chris Mayne | 1979 – Yves Beaulieu |
| 1967 – Chris Mayne | 1980 – Francois Vanasse |
| 1968 – Denis Ostiguy | 1981 – Marc Novello |
| 1969 – Chris Mayne | 1982 – Marc LeClair |
| 1970 – Pierre Laurin | 1983 – Eric Schneider |
| 1971 – Doug Stephenson | 1984 – Paul Miklis |
| 1972 – Pierre Laurin | 1985 – Paul Miklis |
| 1973 – David Ramsey | 1986 – Unknown |
| 1974 – David Stephenson | 1987 – Hughes St-Pierre |
| 1975 – Yves Richer | 1988 – Hughes St-Pierre |
| 1976 – Yves Richer |
