Mohawk Chapel

Her Majesty's Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, the oldest building in Ontario, is one of six Chapels Royal outside of the United Kingdom, and one of two in Canada, the other being Christ Church Royal Chapel near Deseronto, Ontario. It was elevated to a Chapel Royal by Edward VII in 1904.^[1] The Mohawk Chapel was constructed near Brantford, Ontario in 1785 by the British Crown and given to the Mohawk Indians led by Joseph Brant for their support of the Crown during the American Revolution. It was originally called St. Paul's, and is commonly referred to as the Mohawk Chapel. The church is part of the Anglican Diocese of Huron and the chaplain is appointed by the Bishop of Huron.

Architecturally, the chapel is a simple building with a rectangular floor plan and constructed of a wood frame faced with painted clapboards. It has been renovated several times through its existence, and it suffered minor damage in November 2001 during two failed arson attempts. Originally the entrance faced east to the canoe landing site on the bank of the Grand River. Eight stained glass windows which were installed in 1959–1962, depict events from the history of the Six Nations.

In 1850, the remains of Joseph Brant were moved from the original burial site in Burlington, to a tomb at the Mohawk Chapel. John Brant, his son, also rests in the tomb. Next to Brant's tomb is a boulder memorializing Pauline Johnson, who was born in the nearby Six Nations Reserve and attended services in the Chapel.

The chapel was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.^[2][3]

Chaplains and Associated Clergy

1786 to 1827

• The Reverend John Stuart of Kingston
• The Reverend Dr. Addison of Niagara
• The Reverend R. Leeming of Ancaster
• The Reverend Mr. Hough of England

1827 to present

• The Reverend Robert Lugger (1827-1837)
• The Reverend Canon Jame Campbell Usher (1837)
• The Reverend A. Nelles (1837-1884)
• Archbishop R. Ashton (1885-1915)
• The Reverend C.M. Turnell (1915-1917)
• The Reverend C.H.P. Owen (1922-1929)
• The Reverend H.W. Snell (1929-1945)
• Canon W.J. Zimmerman (1945-1981)
• The Reverend Norman Casey (1981-2003)
• The Reverend Larry Brown (2004- )

See also

• Christ Church Royal Chapel, near Deseronto, Ontario
• The Crown and the First Nations

External links

• Mohawk Chapel website

Notes and sources