PUSLINCH TWP. – For many residents here, the Ellis Chapel remains an integral part of their community.
“It’s a very special place for all of us,” Ken Murray said of the chapel, which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary.
“It was built as a community chapel and that’s what it remains today.”
Murray is one of three chapel trustees and the chairman of an 18 member volunteer board that looks after the building, which was constructed in 1861 by pioneer settlers and the Puslinch community on land donated by Mary and Edward Ellis.
“There’s no job description for any position; any work we need done just gets done,” Murray said of the board.
Located on the south side of Ellis Road in the west end of Puslinch Township, the chapel offered regular service and Sunday school in the 1800s and into the 20th century, before the congregation began to shift to town churches.
Ken’s wife, Marilyn Murray, explained the church eventually fell into disuse and the windows were boarded up in 1957, around the same time Highway 401 was built through the township, just metres south of the building.
Officials were looking for service centre areas along the highway, and London businessman Loyd Frank, who worked for a major gasoline retailer, was not pleased when it was proposed the chapel be turned into a construction shed.
Thus began a long relationship between Frank and the people of Puslinch Lake, who helped spearhead the restoration of the chapel and its eventual re-opening in 1963.
While the goal has always been to keep the building as close to the original as possible, over the years the board has replaced the chapel roof, refinished the floors, repaired the ceiling, re-pointed the exterior brick work, replaced doors, repaired windows, brought in new pews, replaced the organ, and done various other odd jobs.
The chapel underwent a face lift in 2008, with repainting, gardening, and refurbishing in order to preserve its history and update the overall appearance of the building.
The church offers four services every summer and hosts about 20 weddings each year, as well as other events such as baptisms, funerals, and concerts. And it is not just locals who want to book the facility – some travel from the U.S. and other parts of Canada because they love the chapel.
“There’s a presence in the building and you can feel it,” Ken Murray explained. “It envelopes you – and I always wanted to be a part of that.”
Many decide to book their wedding at the chapel after visiting it on a random stop at the 401 service station at the rear of the building.
So far this year, about 100 people have signed the guest book at the chapel, which is open six days a week. They come from all backgrounds and hail from many countries, including France, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Holland, over 20 U.S. states, and every Canadian province.
Board members stress that regular services at the chapel are non-denominational in nature.
“If you have any great theological hang-ups, you leave them at the door,” board member Phil Fletcher said with a laugh.
There are two original members still on the volunteer board and a few have a familial connection to the chapel, but most take part simply because they have a passion for keeping the building open.
“It’s a part of our history,” said Marilyn Murray, who noted the chapel is the only building in Puslinch Township with a provincial heritage designation.
The township gave chapel volunteers $2,500 this year towards the cost of organizing the 150th anniversary celebration, but other than that, the chapel has received no government funding.
It is funded solely through free will offerings and event rentals, and is operated and maintained by the hard work of the volunteer board.
“We have a great interest in seeing it remain open,” said board member Elizabeth Hughes. “It would be a shame to see it closed again.”
Fletcher added the chapel provided a welcoming presence to his family members, who knew just two locals when they first relocated to Puslinch.
“It was the best way that we had of connecting to the community,” said Fletcher. “The chapel is a centre point for the community.”
This summer, in recognition of the chapel’s 150th anniversary, the board’s four services featured historical themes and several “actors” in period costumes from the Puslinch Historical Society.
“It really brought the story alive,” said Hughes.
As part of the 150th celebrations on Aug. 20 and 21, to which everyone is invited, volunteers will unveil a special plaque recognizing the history of the building, and also auction off an acrylic painting of the chapel.
On Aug. 20, from 3 to 7pm, the chapel will host a party featuring a barbecue, children’s entertainment (including a bouncy castle), and a musical program.
On Aug. 21 at 2:30pm the chapel will host its third annual service – featuring The Evolution of Teaching and Preaching – followed by an afternoon tea in the chapel garden.
Chapel volunteers are hoping for large crowds over the weekend, which, when combined with all their hard work, should help ensure the legacy of the historic Ellis Chapel remains strong.
“There’s an enthusiasm to keeping this place in the shape it’s in … We hope it’s here for another 150 years,” Ken Murray said with a smile.
For more information visit www.ellischapel.ca or email ellischapel@sympatico.ca.
