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Religion & EducationAll Hallows in the West Anglican School
Clergymen of Yale
Anglican Church of St. John the Divine
All Hallows School
All Hallows in the West is one of the most famous schools in British Columbia, at times referred to as "Yale's Little University." It began as a "Mission to Indian Girls," and later expanded to include another building for the daughters of colonial settlers, titled "All Hallows Canadian School."
Girls from both races attended from all over British Columbia, and even some from Alberta and the U.S.A. There do not seem to be reports of the abuses that were recorded at Catholic residential schools, which catered only to native children. In fact, most anecdotes from former students seem to consist of very fond memories and of friendships that continued on to last a lifetime.
Clergymen of Yale
The men of God within the town of Yale had a challenging job in front of them. Overall, the local Native people of the area seemed more willing to attend church services than many of the miners and railway workers that passed through. Despite this, the townsfolk of Yale would have taken great comfort in the sight of the majestic church of St. John the Divine overlooking the town. Even today, as one walks through the doubled doors and into its hallowed midst a sense of past history, and perhaps even comfort envelopes oneself.
The Reverends' lives were filled with much of the same tragic sorrow as the people they were sent to administer to, but they managed. And as a result they wove themselves into the turbulent history of Yale.
Bishop Hills established the Anglican Church of St. John the Divine at Yale, sending Reverend Crickmer to administer to it. The church would not be completed until 1863 so he held services in an old store front. Prior to Crickmer, Reverend Pringle conducted services in a tent where St. John now sits. Reverend Reeve officially opened the church in 1863.
Reverend Good became a favourite minister in the area, loved by native and whites alike when he served Yale and the surrounding area on two separate occasions. Reverend Horlock attempted to look after the souls of the railway workers and met great response, possibly due to the horrific sights that many of these men witnessed while building the railway.
Many clergymen would pass through Yale, some would remain upwards of ten years, and others for mere months. But regardless of the length of their stay all contributed to their cause and to the history of Yale. A shortened list of Yale's ministers includes the Reverends Blanchard, Good, Hall, Pringle, Reeve, Turner, Crickmer, Croucher, Small, Greene, Horlock, Hills, Holmes, Robson, Scudamore, Sheppard, Underhill, and Yates. Bishop Sillitoe and his wife, Violet, also played a prominent role in Yale.
Anglican Church of St. John the Divine
This church was built in 1862-63, on the site where it still presently stands, and has a long history.
The manse, or rectory, was built beside it in 1864. It was torn down in the 1940's for lack of use and degeneration of the building. Parts of the stone foundation can still be seen on the site, and a huge copper beech tree towers above it, said to have been brought from England and planted by the daughter of the first minister stationed there.
St. John the Divine, by the 1950's, was in desperate need of restoration, repairs that overall would cost more than could be raised by either the church or the town. The church's saviour was Rufus Gibbs.
The decision to deconsecrate the church and turn it over to the B.C. Heritage Branch was made in 1973. By 1974 it had been handed over to the branch along with the responsibility of its upkeep and care for future generations. In 2001 it received another renovation, giving it the appearance it had had when it was originally built in 1863.
The church is now maintained by the Yale & District Historical Society and is part of the Historic Yale Site. Special services such as weddings and funerals can still be held within.
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Bishop George Hills1837-1910
First Bishop to Travel the Fraser Canyon
Hills was an infinitely proud man who walked upon the ground of the newly created colony with a feeling of superiority, stemming from his upper-class British roots. But he undertook with a passion his duties related to being the first Bishop of British Columbia. He may not have always been correct in his judgement but his efforts to meet the demands that this position placed on him were always his primary concern.
He held a vision for the colony and the diocese, a devout Anglican with a commanding presence. While in possession of a number of quirky traits generating from his society-conscious upbringing and his belief of being chosen by God, he was no different in this opinion than many others who strode through the country at this time, including Judge Begbie.
Hills arrived in Victoria where he met and recruited further reverends to work throughout the colony. By spring the Bishop set out to visit the mainland. Upon reaching Yale he "was depressed to find only three communicants."(1) He continued to travel through the Fraser Canyon and eventually made his way back to New Westminster.
On this journey the sense of importance he felt for his position was obvious when member so the group he was travelling with attempted to pass the time by whistling. "Hill's insisted they stop. Henceforth, he stated, there was to be neither singing nor whistling in his presence. It did not show sufficient respect for his ecclesiastical office." (2)
Hill probably had trouble adapting to the hardships associated with living in the New World, as did many that came before him including Colonel Moody and his wife, for the reality was much greater than many anticipated. One must give them credit for staying despite the odds and growing to adapt and gradually love the lifestyle it provided.
So was the case for Hills, he bemoaned at first the lack of servants but soon adjusted to the demands. His ‘loyal' manservant that came over with him from England did not remain devoted long; upon realizing the privations of colonial life he abandoned his post. Prior to his placement in B.C. Hills had been rector of the top upper-class parish in Yarmouth.
The challenges faced by Hills upon becoming the first Bishop of B.C were difficult, and the continuous obligation he felt to perform in a way that his superiors in Britain would most approve of led him to make decisions that they may have agreed with, but were not a realistic way of dealing with the problems of the colony.
"George Hills was a strangemixture - autocratic, snobbish and dictatorial on the one hand, sensitive and insecure on the other. The strength of his convictions made it difficult for him to see more than one side to an issue... His strengths seemed to form a barrier between himself and his clergy, and he was a lonely man." (3)
The trials facing the clergy were also great, especially in consideration of the language barriers with aboriginal people that Hills would have encountered. The native people tended to dismiss their attempts at ‘saving' them; and the fur traders, a prominent aspect of the terrain at this time, saw them as a threat to their business.
Many missionaries held unrealistic expectations of the indigenous people and lived in the belief that they knew what was best for them. "The problem of trying to preach religion to a people who understood no English and no French was not the only factor hampering the efforts of the early Roman Catholic and Protestant missionaries. They were also hampered by their conviction that they must convert the native people not only to Christianity, but also to a lifestyle and value system that matched the missionaries' own." (4)
By the time Bishop Hills handed over the reins to his successor, Bishop Sillitoe, many of the first peoples were more devout Anglicans and Christians than a lot of their white counterparts.
Bishop George Hills may not have made the best decisions during his time as the Bishop of the colony of B.C., but he did possess a general appreciation for the task that he had before him and devoted himself to seeing the job accomplished.
1- British Columbia Chronicle, Pg 185
2- Weir, Joan. Catalysts and Watch Dogs. P 18
3- Weir, Joan, 43
4- Weir, Joan, 21
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The old School House1860
Yale, B.C
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Joseph BurrProbable Ancestor of Actor Raymond Burr
Promoting a Dream
The life of Joseph Burr is a sketchy one at best. His name shows up in Yale directories and newspapers, but his life remains a mystery. He was a prominent member of the town, taking an active role in the advancement and well being of Yale, but what became of him remains a mystery.
For us his story begins in Dublin, Ireland, we do not know whether he was born there but we know that that is where he was married. He married Elizabeth Harford in January of 1846. She was the daughter of Thomas Harford, a local farmer. Joseph's father, Benjamin Burr, was also a farmer. Joseph, however, aspired to different goals, as at the time of his wedding he was a sergeant in the 62nd regiment, residing in the county of Kilkenny.
Joseph served with his regiment for 21 years, upon his discharge he was a Sergeant Major. While living in Ireland Joseph often dreamed of moving his family to the young colony. In a letter to the Governor, dated July 1864, Burr describes his first attempt to come to B.C.: "Pending my discharge from the service I applied to the Secretary of War for passage for myself and family to British Columbia to become a settler in that colony which was not granted owing to the expense being too great from Halifax. I then accepted the situation of (?) and also undertook the request of Major General Trollope, Commanding there, the instructions of battalion at St. John [New Brunswick] until my means enabled me to pay my own and family expenses."
The above letter was sent in an attempt to secure employment within the government and may have helped to obtain his position as the first schoolmaster in Yale in 1866. It is not certain how long he remained as schoolmaster, although there are school records pertaining to his employment until 1867.
In November of 1848 Joseph and Elizabeth had a daughter, Agnes. Agnes would have traveled with her parents to the Colony of New Caledonia. Agnes married Doctor Jacob Edwin Browse in 1866, while residing at Yale with her parents. At this time Joseph was the schoolmaster of Yale.
It was around 1867 he started applying for the position of Chief Constable of Yale, having reason to believe that the position would become available. The letter, dated April 8, 1867, reads "I am induced to hope in consequence of my long and faithful service both in civil and military capacity, that his Excellency will favorably consider my application."1
Following two more letters and a favorable recommendation from Edward Sanders, gold commissioner in Yale, he received the letter stating that he had the position of Chief Constable and Postmaster at Yale in March of 1869. The letter was brief, outlining salary and a mention that further instructions were pending from Mr. Peter O' Reilly.
Records show of him applying for land entitlements, and given his background it can be hoped that he eventually received one. The last record is dated April 26, 1871 in which he makes another bid for land, ending with the plea that "it is my intention to make this colony a home for myself and family and if the governor will please grant it it would be of very material assistance to me."2
Joseph Burr and his wife Elizabeth may have eventually moved to New Westminster, where there is a record of one Joseph Burr who died in 1913. There are records of other Burrs, including Joseph William Burr, most likely their son as his place of birth is Ireland, residing in Yale as a saddlemaker. Later there was a Joseph Burr listed as collector for Yale in the B.C. electoral voting list until 1903.
It is hard to determine whether Joseph Burr ever secured the dream of farming land in the new colony. But, he did bring his family to the growing colony and here they were able to make a life for themselves.
1 Joseph Burr, personal correspondence to A.N. Birch, Colonial Secretary in New Westminster. Yale and District Historical Society Archives
2 Joseph Burr, personal correspondence to Assistant Commissioner of Lands and Works. Yale & District Historical Society Archives
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Bishop Acton Windeyer Sillitoe1841 - 1894
Mrs. Violet Emily Sillitoe
1856 - 1934
Bishop Sillitoe might not have existed on the pages of history as prominently as he does today without the constant presence of his wife, Violet, at his side. This fascinating couple appear to have been tireless in their endeavours and their kindness.
Immediately upon arriving in B.C. in 1880 the new diocesan and his wife set to work. A recount left by Violet Sillitoe recalls, "For the first six months after we arrived in British Columbia we were homeless wanderers on the face of the earth, but this mattered the less, as from the very first the Bishop began traveling about, visiting the farming settlements, gathering the settlers together to see what support could be given for church work, and finding the best centres for churches; and wherever he went I went, too."1
A lot of work had been done in establishing missionaries and churches throughout B.C. by Bishop Hills, but it was far from complete. Nowhere was the need of religion more apparent than in the town of Yale, despite having had a church built there by the early 1860's.
Violet recalls the horrific fire that tore through Yale in 1880, killing two and destroying a large section of town. The church and the vestry were saved, largely through the efforts of Violet and Acton Sillitoe, brandishing wet blankets on the roof of the vestry and buckets of water on the church roof. The fire was said to have been caused by a drunk, and occurred shortly after payday when the men of the CPR received their cheques and reacquainted themselves with the amenities of civilization. "In July, 1880, the Bishop paid his first visit to Yale, then the headquarters of railway construction…Yale was a pretty rough place, and for three days after pay-day it was as well to keep away from the Front street."2
The summer of 1881 was spent by the Bishop administering to the spiritual needs of the 'navvies' that were working on the railway.3 While the Bishop was tending to the needs of the populace Violet was struggling with the challenging tasks of domestic life in the New World. "Then a move was made to Yale, and we took up our abode for a while in the four-room Mission House, built many years before. It was here I began to wrestle with the difficulties of cooking and cleaning."4
While residing in Yale the Bishop became aware of the overwhelming need for further missionary work. In the words of the Bishop, "Oh, the opportunities Yale just now affords! Hundreds of men are now going up every week, and what can one man do, and he only a deacon?… There is not a fitter illustration on the whole mission-field of the Lord's lament, 'The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few."5
Progress, although slow, was made. Throughout Sillitoe's work with aboriginal people, who he cared for and admired deeply,6 he longed to do more work on behalf of the Chinese, and endeavoured to do so despite the lack of sufficient funding. He was untiring in the efforts he made to oversee the whole of B.C. and in 1884 he called upon the sisters of All Hallows in England to establish a school for native girls. Three sisters responded to the plea and the beginning of All Hallows in the West was established. All Hallows was one of many examples of the Bishop's good work while in B.C.
When the school later expanded to include the daughters of white pioneers, the uniform of the girls in the 'Canadian School' was a white dress with a violet sash in honour of Mrs. Sillitoe.
Violet often became concerned for Acton's health from the lack of help available and the amount of work that his position required of him. "The Bishop was, I think, the hardest worker I ever knew; he was never very strong, and even before coming to British Columbia he had had a good deal of trouble with his throat, and this was a source of difficulty during the winter months."7
Bishop Sillitoe died in the midst of work; the love of his wife constant and the appreciation of the colony unending. Few Bishops have endeared themselves into the history of B.C. as much as the seemingly tireless Acton Sillitoe and his wife Violet. In conclusion the words of his wife are recalled prior to a river crossing, "I would not permit him to go without me, saying that if anything happened we would at least die together…"8
1 Sillitoe, Violet. Pioneer Days in B.C., (between pg 5-11 - verification req)
2 Sillitoe, Violet. Pg 11
3 Gowen, H.H. Pioneer Church work in British Columbia: A Memoir of Bishop Sillitoe.
4 Sillitoe, Violet. Pg 5
5 Gowen, H.H. Pg 54
6 Sillitoe, Violet, 25
7 Sillitoe, Violet, 21
8 Sillitoe, Violet, 30-1
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All Hallows in the West Girls Called to Chapel Postcard Image1890
All Hallows in the West, Yale, B.C.
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All Hallows in the West Anglican School1884-1920
Yale's Little University
All Hallows in the West is one of the most famous schools in British Columbia, at times referred to as "Yale's Little University". It began as a "Mission to Indian Girls" (All Hallows Indian School), and later expanded to include another building for the daughters of colonial settlers, titled "All Hallows Canadian School".
It was begun when Bishop Sillitoe forsaw the 'need' to educate aboriginal girls in the ways of colonial and Canadian life, as assimilation was the ultimate goal of the Indian policy of the day.
He called on the Anglican nuns of All Hallows in Ditchingham, England, to come to B.C. to begin this misson. Three answered his call, Sister Amy (Superior), Sister Alice, and Sister Elizabeth or Agatha (conflicting records of her name); and others would come later. These were Sisters Marion, Constance, Louisa, Althea, and Eileen.
Their work began in 1884, from the church rectory where they were first put up. In the beginning they had to take in washing to support themselves and their mission.
When the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1886, CPR Contactor Andrew Onderdonk donated 'Brookside', his large home and property, to the sisters for use as a school, and All Hallows in the West was born.
The quality of the sisters' teaching was so fine that the white settlers desired to send their daughters to All Hallows as well. The 'Canadian' school was begun, and a new wing was built to house them. The two schools were segregated.
Girls in the 'Indian' school were taught the basics of colonial life such as housework, laundry, sewing and embroidery, cooking and breadbaking, gardening, reading and writing, religion, and other useful everyday skills.
'Canadian' students curriculum included music, arts, drama, and photography as well as the basic mathematic and literary skills. Qualified instructors from McGill University taught the girls, and they were examined by McGill professors who traveled there once a year for that purpose.
Girls of both races attended from all over British Columbia, and even some from Alberta and the U.S.A. There do not seem to be reports of the abuses that were recorded at Catholic residential schools which catered only to native children. In fact, most anecdotes from former students seem to consist of very fond memories and of friendships that continued on to last a lifetime.
As the province of British Columbia grew, more schools opened, and All Hallows seemed to outlive it's usefulness. It closed for good in 1920, and the remaining sisters returned to England. A reunion of former students, known as the "Old Girls", was held in Yale in 1966, attended by many of the alumni. They donated a commemorative plaque celebrating All Hallows in the West, that can still be viewed in the Church of St. John the Divine.
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Sister Amy, Superior True Name Emily Nicker1889
All Hallows in the West, Yale, B.C.
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Sister AmyEmily Nicker
Circa 1857 to 1929
Sister Superior at All Hallows
Maltese Princess turned Nun
Sister Amy was the first Sister Superior at All Hallows in the West, an Anglican School for girls in Yale. She came out from England in 1884 when Bishop Sillitoe called for some nuns to come out and educate the aboriginal girls in the ways of white society.
All Hallows in the West is one of the most famous schools in British Columbia. It began as a "Mission to Indian Girls", and later expanded to include another building for the daughters of colonial settlers, titled "All Hallows Canadian School". Girls from both races attended from all over British Columbia, and there do not seem to be reports of abuses that were recorded at similar Residential schools. In fact, most anecdotes from former students seem to consist of very fond memories and of friendships that continued on to last a lifetime.
Sister Amy, also referred to as Sister Superior, was said to have been a Maltese Princess, though this is unconfirmed. She took her vows in 1879, and may have been about 22 years old at the time. Much of her story is unknown at this time, as well as the dates of her birth, her return to England, 1 and the circumstances of her death. However, recent information has revealed that her true name was Emily Nicker, her father was Daniel Nicker, a retired British Army Inspector, and she had sisters who attended All Hallows in Ditchingham, one who also took vows. Her sisters were listed in 1881 as Elizabeth, Sister Bertha, Eva, Ava, and May. Sister Amy was born in Bombay, India, passed away in England in 1929, and is buried in the All Hallows Cemetery.
All Hallows Anglican Convent in Ditchingham, Norfolk, England began as a hospital in 1859, and developed into a teaching school, embroidery school, and retreat. The nuns there quickly became known as exceptional teachers, and their finely-crafted liturgical textiles were highly prized.
In 1884 Bishop Acton Windeyer Sillitoe, in the newly formed Canadian province of British Columbia, saw the need for the education of the native women as well as for the men. He put a call out to the Anglican Church of England for help with this task. Three nuns from All Hallows Ditchingham answered his call, and, at their own expense, traveled all the way from England to Yale, BC to begin an Indian Mission for Girls. They were Sister Amy (Sister Superior), Sister Elizabeth, and Sister Alice.
The three sisters were put up at the rectory attached to Yale's Church of St. John the Divine, where they began teaching day classes, and had to take in washing in order to support the school.
By 1888 Andrew Onderdonk, the CPR contractor, had donated his house and grounds to the sisters, and after renovations the building became a boarding school for the First Nations girls. Most of the students were from Yale, Spuzzum and Lytton, but some came from as far away as the Cariboo and the Okanagan.
The Sisters continued with their special talents in embroidering liturgical textiles, and they and their students are thought to have made many of the altar cloths and hangings that are displayed in St. John the Divine Church to this day.
The nuns were well known for the quality of their teachings, and the colonial settlers wanted to send their daughters there for a good education.
About 1890 a new building was built to house the white girls, so that they would be segregated from the aboriginal girls. This new addition was called the 'Canadian School', and the old one the 'Indian School'.
Sister Amy ran the schools until at least 1906. Sometime after this she fell into poor health, and had to return to England, where she eventually passed away in 1929.
1 THE DAISIES AND THE VIOLETS: FIRST NATIONS AND NON-NATIVE
YOUNG WOMEN'S EDUCATION AT ALL HALLOWS' IN THE WEST,
YALE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, 1884-1920
S. Ruth Montaldi© " In 1905/1906, the school's Sister Superior, Sister Amy, reported to the DIA that "in a five hour school day four hours were spent in academic studies."11.
11.Report submitted to the DIA by Sister Superior Amy, 1905/1906."
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Sister Amy's Trunk that travelled with her from England1892
Yale B.C.
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All Hallows Canadian School Girls, 18991899
All Hallows in the West, Yale, B.C.
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Name Key to 1899 All Hallows Canadian School Photo1899
All Hallows in the West, Yale, B.C.
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All Hallows Certificate of MeritJuly, 1905
All Hallows in the West, Yale, B.C.
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All Hallows Musical Ensemble & Choir 19041904
All Hallows in the West, Yale, B.C.
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