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Rector's Chair & Bishop's Chair from St. Mark's sanctuary

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Creator

Farrar, Wayne, Photographer

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Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

Colour photo postcard with description on the back:
"Rector's Chair — Coat of Arms Diocese of Niagara founded May 1st, 1875. The Needlepoint created by Ladies of the church depicts Niagara Vegetables, 1967.
Bishop's Chair — Coat of Arms Diocese of Quebec — St. Mark's Church 1804-1875. Design depicts Fruits of Niagara.
Photo by Wayne Farrar, G. S. Butt Photographers Ltd."

Notes

The year 1967 was not only Canada's centennial, but also the 175th anniversary of the Parish of St. Marks's and time for beautification of the sanctuary.
"The needlepoint which enhances the sanctuary and its steps is one contemporary example of this. It is the gift of Mrs. Kathleen Drope, a Past President of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire. She herself lived to see most of the chairs completed, but the cushions outside the rail were embroidered under the terms of her will. The entire project represents fifteen years of devoted work by a group of the ladies of the parish.
The wool came from France and the designs were especially drawn by an English artist who also does work for the Royal School of Needlework. On the Bishop's throne you will find the fruits of the Niagara area and on the Rector's chair it is Niagara's vegetables. The back of the throne has the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Quebec, the second Diocese to exercise authority over the parish (they have been Nova Scotia, Quebec, Toronto, and Niagara). The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Niagara decorates the Rector's chair (since then a new Coat of Arms has been granted to the Diocese and this one is now an historic interest only)."
Source: A Rare Gift Within Its Gates. The Story of St. Mark's Anglican Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (p. 31-32)

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