Clarke Chapel
The Clarke Chapel was originally situated in a wing of the lower level of the church when it was
constructed in 1966. Because the chapel was in a less than satisfactory location, it was decided, as one
of the Centennial projects in 1981, to move it to its present spot in the lower level to the right of the
main stairway. The construction and relocation was completed in 1982 and it was dedicated on
Centennial Sunday, August 22, 1982. At the time of its dedication, it was left unnamed.
The total cost of the new chapel was about $15,000. It was funded by generous donations from church
members and groups within the church. The construction included a new ceiling, new lighting and new
carpeting. Stained glass windows from the former Westminster Church were installed on the south and
east walls. This provided a historical link with the original Westminster Church and Grace Methodist
Church which amalgamated in 1968. The glass panels behind the altar are back-lit to showcase the
beautiful features of the windows.
On the east wall is a three panelled window, donated to Westminster Church in memory of the
congregation members who served in World War II.
The south wall is home to three more stained glass windows from Westminster Church. From east to
west these are:
- The Oliver window, donated in memory of Dr. E.H. Oliver, a founder of Westminster Church and
former Moderator of the United Church of Canada.
- The Dix window, donated in memory of Dr. D.S. Dix, the first minister of Westminster
Presbyterian Church and a Professor and Principal of St. Andrew’s College.
- The Charter Members window, donated by Westminster Women’s Association in memory of the
charter members of Westminster Church in its first 25 years from 1913 to 1938.
The chapel is furnished with an electric organ donated by 50 members of Grace Church, an oak pulpit,
lectern, baptismal font and communion table from Westminster Church as well as eight oak pews all
donated as memorials. The furnishings were moved to the new location from the old chapel. As many
Grace-Westminster Sunday school students know, there is a ‘trap door’ in one of the pews which was
built to allow access to the meter for reading.
Over the years, the chapel has been used for weddings, prayer groups, Sunday school and Japanese
Worship services.
A plaque on the wall reads:
Dedicated to the Glory of God and to the memory of the pioneers of this congregation
A Centennial Project of Grace-Westminster congregation celebrating a Century of Faith
August 1882 to August 1982
Dr. Bill Clarke, minister at Grace Westminster from 1976 – 1983, and Mrs. Ruth Clarke were
instrumental in the relocation, design and construction of the chapel as well as the installation of the
stained glass windows.
The unnamed chapel was given its name, the Clarke Chapel, in their honour on the occasion of Dr.
Clarke’s retirement on June 19, 1983.