The stained glass windows in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church represent memorials to some of the British settlers who had a significant role in the development of the City of Yorkton and York Colony lands. The first churches - Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican were built by them in the 1890s. The Anglican Church was built on the corner of Argyle Street and Broadway in 1898. The second Anglican Church was built in 1929 on the corner of Second Avenue North and Darlington Street, and it was at this time that the first three stained glass windows were purchased and installed. They were purchased by Mrs. Sam Wynn and the Women's Auxiliary from an English gentleman in the Calder district. Not having received payment for the windows he had fabricated for a boys' school in England, he brought them along when he immigrated to Canada. The window featuring St. Cecilia, Patron Saint of Music, was installed in the choir room. The other two windows were installed in the brick walls in the vestibule of the church.
It was not until 1957 that two additional stained glass windows were installed. One in memory of Lt. Col. J. C. deBalinhard, his wife Mrs. C deBalinhard, and son Lt. Stewart deBalinhard. The second window was in memory of the late Judge Joseph H. Parker and his wife Bertha M. Parker. We have no exact date of the installation of four memorial windows. One is in loving memory of M.A. Eby 1863-1936 the first druggist in Yorkton. The following three windows are: in loving memory of Fredrick William Hukins 1862-1929, and Gordon Roy Hukins 1893-1947; Anna and Fredrick Haney by their family; Mabel Gilbert 1869-1915 and William Gilbert 1872-1956.
In 1973, the parish made plans to install three stained glass windows featuring "The Last Supper" for the altar triptych in memory of Brigadier General Alexander Ross. Unfortunately, due to financial restraints, only one window was purchased and installed in the centre of the three panel frame. The left and right panels are plain glass.
In 1986 the second church was demolished, and the new church constructed was joined to the existing parish hall. All windows were removed and installed in the new church. Deanna Martin & Co. Yorkton, cleaned and repaired the nine large windows and John Fushtey of Regina, refurbished the three Calder windows.
In 1992 the vestry accepted the offer of the Morrison and Vaughan families to place memorial windows in the left and right panels of the altar triptych. The windows were dedicated by Bishop Bays on July 3, 1993 during the church's Centennial Celebration. The inscriptions are: the center panel - in loving memory of Brig. Gen. Alex Ross and Mrs. Ross; left panel - in loving memory of William and Dorothy Vaughan; the right panel - in loving memory of William and Jessie Morrison. Many of those to be remembered are descendants of the pioneers: Dorothy Vaughan, daughter of Dr. T.V. Simpson. Jessie Morrison, daughter of Henry Christopherson, Sheriff, and granddaughter of W. P. Hopkins, one of the four men first to winter in York Colony. The Honorable Madame Justice, Nancy Morrison, great niece of W.P. Hopkins and E. Hopkins attended the dedication of the windows, with her actor friend Bruno Gerrusi. The Vaughan family was represented by their son Bill Jr. and daughter Jacquie Sims.
The twelve stained glass windows in Holy Trinity Church, a tourist attraction can be viewed by phoning the Church Office 306-786-7131 between 2:00pm and 5:00pm Tuesday to Friday.
Written by Sheila Harris
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton, Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North
Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
[email protected]
