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St. John The Baptist, Watson Lake, Yukon
Our Church Family: | More coming ... |
Our Community: | Profile | Town of Watson Lake | Liard First Nation | Kaska Language | Map of Northern British Columbia |
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Deacon in Charge: The Rev. Lesley Wheeler-Dame The Rev. Canon David Kalles (Honourary Assistant) Tim Liverton - Licensed Lay Minister Sunday Worship: 10:00 am
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1103 Alaska Highway, South Side |
St. John The Baptist Church was constructed as a result of Miss Hazell and Miss Sayles’ Sunday School Caravan work on the Alaska Highway. It was consecrated on June 24th, 1957 as a gift of the chapel congregations of the Canadian Armed Forces in memory of H. Captain The Rev. G.H. Wolfendale, M.B.E., Canadian Services Chaplain, who died of wounds while a prisoner of war in Italy in 1944. It is an ecumenical church serving several denominations.
Parish Profile (Excerpts from Northern Lights Spring, 2001)
History of the area and church life:
The area of southeast Yukon was one of the last places in Canada to be impacted by the European Culture. The first heavy impact by what may be called “The White Man” other than an occasional trapper and a few trading posts, occurred with the building of the Watson Lake airport in 1940 and the Alaska Highway in 1942. A large number of construction people and U.S. army crews moved into the Watson Lake area.
The ministry of the Anglican Church during these days was primarily done by Army Chaplains. After World War II, the Diocese of Caledonia would send its Archdeacon up the highway to Lower post, which is in British Columbia, and then he would come up to Watson Lake. These visits would occur about every six months.
As Watson Lake grew from just a few buildings gathered at the “Y” in the road to the airport, the Diocese of Yukon responded with occasional visits and ministry as it was able. The Sunday School Caravan, with Miss Hazell and Miss Sayle, came up the highway annually for nearly 20 years and would hold Vacation Bible Schools and worship services in the early summer. In 1952 a site for the new church was picked and in 1957 St. John the Baptist Anglican Church was built in Watson Lake.
The Rev. Robert Wheeler became the first full time incumbent priest for Watson Lake during the period 1`957-1960. Bob lived in a small converted garage, which he called the “Garagery”! It was a one and a half room shack with no running water and not much else. The ladies used it for the Thrift Shop for many years. From that time to the present, Watson Lake has had a steady priestly ministry.
In 1960 the new rectory was built and Bob Wheeler moved on to Telegraph Creek where he spent many years.
Present Ministry:
The community now has a population of about 1,600 souls. The present economy has been terrible with the downturn of both mining and forestry. Watson Lake has lost a number of its more skilled workers, but these small northern communities have seen this before and will see it again. Most of us just tighten our belts and continue the journey.
Our congregation is small but strong and dedicated. The ladies operate our Thrift Shop which is very active during the spring and summer. It was originally started by the W.A. in 1966 and has been of great service to the community ever since.