Next year Whitehorse will have two beautiful new churches. Now under construction are the United Church at 6th and Main, and the Whitehorse Baptist Church at 2nd and Rogers Street. Not since the turn of the century has there been such church building activity. Christ Church Cathedral, known far and wide as "The Old Log Church," and the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Church were both built more than fifty years ago. A Presbyterian church dating back to early days stood on the present Kee Bird Store site, but alterations in the building over the years have completely changed it from its original appearance.
While service chapels have appeared since military personnel arrived and, in the city itself, buildings have been converted into churches, many decades passed before completely new churches were planned.
Construction of the new churches points to growing maturity and stability for Whitehorse. As Baptist minister Wayne S. Womer expressed it, "When people start building with concrete, they are starting to stay." Reverend A. J. A. Chapple, United Church minister, echoed this statement. Both have noticed increasing interest in their
congregations with the current building programs.
MODERNISTIC
Construction plans for the Baptist Church were begun in April this year. It is hoped the church will be completed next spring. Designed by John Antonides, the building is to feature a modernistic style with high, sharply peaked roof and a striking copper spire, erected separate from the church. The spire will be about three feet square at the base and will rise almost thirty feet to make an outstanding landmark on the city's
skyline.
With seating capacity for 300 persons, the church will also have basement Sunday school classrooms with folding doors which can be opened to make auditorium space for 200, It is planned to finish the exterior in stucco and either cedar or aluminum siding. The parsonage next door will be finished in matching materials. To date, foundation walls are erected and the floor laid.
Whitehorse Baptist Church is being built in memorial to the late Rev. Harold Lee, who with his wife started Whitehorse Gospel Chapel in 1946. Funds for the new church property were available from the Harold Lee Memorial Fund, set up several years ago. All work on the church has been done by volunteers, which makes Mr. Womer extremely proud of his flock.
STARTED IN JULY
Started in July this year, the new United Church will be completed in the fall of 1958. However, the basement auditorium is expected to be ready for services early in December this year. Work is proceeding under the supervision of Sid Higgins, retired contractor, who has a regular crew of six men supplemented by voluntary workers.
In the planning stage for two years, construction was held back by lack of a suitable site. Finally in May this year three lots were made available through Territorial Government action and work began immediately. As with the Baptist Church, voluntary support is playing a big part in construction of the United Church. Excavation
and back-fill was done free. Several tradesmen have offered their services for heating, plumbing and electrical installations.
Additional backing came from the Home Mission Board of the United Church, who granted the Whitehorse church $15,000 with a further $15,000 extended as a loan. A second loan from the Vancouver Metropolitan Council was obtained and in addition about $30,00 has been pledged from the local congregation.
The history of the United Church in Whitehorse has not always been as smooth as things are now, nor as permanent. After formation of the United Church in 1925, services were held in the original Presbyterian Church on Main Street. United at this time were Methodists, Congregationalists and Presbyterians. The church carried on until the population no longer warranted two main protestant churches. This was about 1936.
Then in 1954, Bill Annis, student from Emmanuel College, Toronto, came to Whitehorse. By the end of the summer Whitehorse United Church was formed; dedication
services were conducted by Dr. W. P. Bunt, Superintendent of Missions for B.C. and Yukon.
At the same time, Mr. Annis returned to complete his training in Toronto, leaving the new congregation without a minister for several months until Mr. Chapple arrived in January 1955. Comments Mr. Chapple, "After moving from one hall to another for the past three years, to see our own church building rising up is quite a marvel to behold."
Modelled on a beautiful design of quiet dignity, the church will provide ample space for many activities. There will be seating accommodation for 225 people in the
church, with a large auditorium in the basement as well as committee roooms, classrooms, storage and office space. The building will be of laminated arch construction and will have narrow rectangular windows. Construction has now progressed to the stage where
these graceful windows can be seen.
A stage with regulation lighting and all facilities for concert or recital groups is being erected in the basement auditorium. About 200 people can be accommodated in the auditorium. According to Mr. Chapple, this space will be available for other local organizations as well as church groups.
Another popular meeting place in the church is sure to be the so-called "Cry-Room." A new idea in church construction, cry rooms are soundproofed rooms used for
parents with restless children. A large window facing the nave allows them to watch services, and a speaker system relays the sound to them. With a cozy fireplace, the United Church cry room is likely to be used for many other gatherings besides wailing children. Mr. Chapple hopes the room will become a meeting place for committees and especially young people's organizations.
