Dixie Union Chapel – A Brief History

 

In the early 1800’s this charming little church began as a log building serving the many new comers to the area joining with the ‘First Nation’s’ People. One of the first families to settle in the area were the Codys from Massachusetts arriving in 1793. They purchased several lots of land and built the ‘Cody Inn and Tavern’ on the southeast corner of what is known today as Cawthra Road and Dundas Highway. They donated some of the land right across the street for the chapel on the Dundas Roadway (as it was known) which was merely a cleared trail through the forest at that time.

Although the cemetery behind the church was established in 1812, the church itself was not completed until 1816 partially due to the war of 1812. The Present stone church replaced the log building in 1837 using ‘river stone’ from the Etobicoke Creek.

The Dixie Union Chapel was named after Dr. Beaumont Dixie, a country doctor who donated even more land for the church.

The many who came to use the chapel included Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians (Anglicans). However, they began building their own churches as the chapel became too small for their needs. The Methodists separated in 1844 building their own church in Cooksville, the Anglicans built St. John’s right next door to the chapel in 1870 and the Presbyterians continued on in the chapel until 1922 when they too built their own church just north of the cemetery facing Cawthra Road.

The Baptists took over use of the chapel until the late 1950’s followed by the Anglican Church of St. John’s who used it for a Sunday School.

The memorial surrounding fence and gateway to the Chapel and cemetery was given by Sir William Gage (born in Toronto Township) in memory of his parents, Andrew and Mary Jane Gage in 1931. When Sir William Gage passed away June 1921, he bequeathed $35,000. to maintain the upkeep of the fence and gateway.

This dear little chapel has been sitting vacant for some time but has received new hope as the City of Mississauga recently gained ownership of it.

Photos thanks to (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division and (5) Fred Dixon photography.

Doors Open Ontario – Mississauga

On Saturday, September 23, 2017, the Dixie Union Chapel will be host to Doors Open Ontario – Mississauga, one of 16 sites on the tour. Dixie Union Chapel, built in 1837,  will be the site of historical demonstrations and instruction from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

You can enter the non-denominational chapel, learn about some of it’s visitors throughout the years, and also the folks who are buried on the grounds.

Receive a book that details some history of the Mississaugas of the Credit River at the event.

Dixie Union Chapel
707 Dundas Street East, Mississauga, ON  905-828-8411
10am-4pm

For more information about Doors Open, click HERE.

Photos courtesy of (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division

 

Barber Shop Quartet Fundraiser

The next fundraiser to help with the restoration of Dixie Union Chapel is this fabulous event with a Barber Shop Quartet. Be sure to have your tapping shoes available for this June 7 event, to be held at the St. John Anglican Church (Cawthra and Dundas.) Buy tickets at the door, or email us for advance tickets. See you there!

UPDATE!

The Barber Shop Quartet fundraiser for the Dixie Union Chapel, Mississauga`s own non-denominational church, was a huge success! Young and old flocked to the see the fabulous chops and harmonies sung by the Humber Express Chorus in the parish hall of the chapel`s next-door neighbour, St. John`s Anglican Church (right at Cawthra and Dundas streets.)  Fred Dixon was on hand to take some photos, that he was able to share with us.

The next event is scheduled in September at Doors Open Mississauga. Come and get a first-hand look at the chapel and learn all about it`s history and plans for restoration!

Photos thanks to (5) Fred Dixon photography.

Vimy Ridge Banner

Vimy Ridge Banner on Dixie Union Chapel Gate

The City of Mississauga, in partnership with Heritage Mississauga, commemorated places in the area that were related to the Vimy Ridge events during the first world war.

A banner was placed on the gates to the Dixie Union Chapel in 2017. Soldiers honoured and buried at the Dixie Union Chapel grounds, include Alan Barrie Duncan , Angus Douglas Gray and Thomas L. Kennedy .

Mississauga Remembers the Battle of Vimy Ridge

For more information on the event, click this link to the Heritage Mississauga site → https://goo.gl/k9OS7B

Sources: Photo of Dixie Union Chapel thanks to (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division; Photo of “Mississauga Remembers” banner and Remembering the Battle Vimy Ridge website thanks to (3) The City of Mississauga, in partnership with Heritage Mississauga

Garage Sale Fundraiser – UPDATE!

The Friends of Dixie Union Chapel had a wonderful garage sale on Melton Court (Cawthra and Queensway), with over $500 collected towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Chapel. Many local residents came by to support the efforts of the group, with stories told of the Chapel history and future improvement plans. Items on hand included vintage refurbished radios, antique furniture, household collectibles, kitchenware, books and toys. Thank you for your support!

The Friends of the Dixie Union Chapel are holding a garage sale to collect funds towards needed repairs and maintenance.

We hope to see you at the garage sale On Melton Court (Cawthra and Queensway) on Saturday, May 13, 2017.

Just let us know if you want to donate anything to this worthy cause, contact us by email and we’ll be in touch!

Photos courtesy (5) Fred Dixon

Alan Barrie Duncan

Alan Barrie Duncan was born in Unionville on April 15, 1897, to Presbyterian parents Kate Duncan and Reverend George Petrie Duncan. Alan was the youngest of three brothers and attended Parkdale Collegiate Institute, where he played rugby and was well-known in intercollegiate athletics. He enlisted on October 20 1915 when he was 18 years old, and a student. His description on enlistment tells us that he was 5’11” with blue eyes and dark brown hair, and worshipped at a Presbyterian church.

Alan first went overseas in October 1916, and served through the battles of St. Eloi, The Somme, Passchendaele, Amiens, and Cambrai. After five months of service, he was struck with appendicitis and returned to Canada for an operation. Upon his return to France, Alan became the 42nd Parkdale student to be decorated when he earned a Military Cross for continuous good service. On the 14th of March, 1918, the Streetsville review reported that Alan had been promoted from lieutenant to captain of the 75th Battalion at the age of 19. His father, Reverend G.P. Duncan, served as chaplain in France, and two brothers also saw service overseas.

Alan’s brother George fell in 1915 at Festubert. Alan was killed in action on September 29, 1918 at the age of 21 while acting as second in command of his Battalion during an attack North of Cambrai. He went forward to ascertain the disposition of the Battalion but had only gone a short distance when he was instantaneously killed by enemy fire. Captain Alan Duncan is buried at the Marcoing Line British Cemetery near Douai, France. He is remembered on a stone at Dixie Union Cemetery and on the Port Credit Cenotaph in Mississauga.

Photo courtesy (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division

Angus Douglas Gray

Angus Douglas Gray was born on December 11, 1895, the youngest son of John and Jessie Gray of Port Credit. His father, John Gray, was president of the St. Lawrence Starch Company in Port Credit. Before enlisting in August 1915, Douglas attended University College at the University of Toronto and served for three years in the 36th Peel Active Militia. According to his attestation papers he was 5’10” with a fair complexion, green eyes, and light hair.

Lieutenant Gray went overseas with the 4th Battalion of Peel. He was wounded in October of 1916 and recovered at home in Port Credit until returning to the front the following January. He received a Military Cross for his “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty” at the battle of Vimy Ridge, where he continued to support the withdrawal and counter-attack of his battalion as a gunman, even after suffering a wound to his forearm and the loss of one eye.

Douglas’ half-brothers Captain James Gary and Lieutenant Andrew Gray also served overseas, and his mother Jessie supported the war effort as president of the local Red Cross Society. Angus Douglas Gray died at home in Port Credit of pneumonia resulting from influenza on October 25 1918 and is buried at Dixie Cemetery.

Photo courtesy (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division

Thomas Laird Kennedy

Thomas Laird Kennedy was born on August 15, 1878 on a farm near the Dundas and Tomken (named after him) intersection in Cooksville/Dixie. He was educated locally and at the University of Toronto.

During the First World War he served with distinction and later attained the rank of colonel in the militia. Most of his life he was a fruit grower, concerned with farming and rural affairs and was highly respected by his fellow farmers. In 1919, he was elected to the provincial parliament as Conservative member for Peel. He retained this seat, with the exception of one term, until his retirement in 1958. Kennedy served as Minister of Agriculture from 1930-1934 and from 1943 until 1952.

In 1948, he became interim Premier of Ontario. Kennedy remained in office until 1949. Kennedy’s service and his great personal popularity earned him the affectionate title of “Old Man Ontario.” He died on February 13, 1959, and is interred at Dixie Union Cemetery.

Photo courtesy (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division

Honouring Vimy Ridge

On Fri, Mar 17, 2017 at 1:20 PM, Denise Mahoney, from the City of Mississauga, wrote:

I wanted to invite the Dixie Union Chapel group to participate in a community painting event that we are doing at the Garry W. Morden Training Centre. In partnership with Mississauga Fire & Emergency Services and the Toronto Scottish Regiment, a mural to honour the 100th Anniversary of Vimy is being painted by youth/community groups and military personnel to commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge. As you know, Lt. Angus Douglas Gray who was wounded at Vimy is interred at Dixie Union Cemetery.

We would love to have the group come out and paint! Please find the “Call to Paint” below for additional information.

The completed mural is shown flanked by Mayor Bonnie Crombie and artist Anna Ferguson at the Vimy Ridge Ceremony, 2017.

Photos courtesy (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division

 

Meeting Update

On Tuesday, October 4, 2016 10:52 PM, Barbara Sturton wrote:

Met with Denise Mahoney, manager of cemeteries for Mississauga, and John, grounds crew. It was a WONDERFUL meeting. Lots happening with the chapel and the cemetery.

The north half of the cemetery has now been x-rayed and they are in the process of trying to identify graves in hopes of placing tombstones back where they belong. An amazing graphic has been produced showing the sonar results of where soil has been disturbed, therefore, graves exist!

They are currently in the process of doing the same with the south end of the cemetery – thus the orange flags in the grass.

The City of Mississauga is in the process of overseeding the lawn, pruning trees, removing the ash tree from the corner of the property and repairing the fence.

Lost grave markers ie. pillow and corner markers are being sought under the grass. any one interested in helping with this process should contact Denise.

Any old photographs of the cemetery would be greatly appreciated in hopes of finding names.

The city will scan them and return the photos. It is hoped that they can blow the photos up and see names on the stones.

The Dixie Union Chapel locks have been changed in an effort to make the doors more secure until newer temporary doors can be put on. The interior of the chapel has had the critters caught, the carpet has been removed and the interior has been power washed. Some smell from the critters still remains but they are hopeful that the smell will soon improve. The altar has been returned. Efforts to identify whether the pews in the chapel belong to the Presbyterian church would be appreciated. Perhaps the rector could be contacted by St. John’s to see if there might be a parishioner who could tell us if they recognize them. Efforts to restore the pews would be appreciated.

The hydro is to be re-instated with a new meter and the furnace will need to be running so as to prevent further damage to the Dixie Union Chapel. A Mississauga truck will be there when any work is being done.

An application has been made by the City of Mississauga for Canada 150 funding. Hopefully, this will come thru so that further work can be completed in anticipation of our 150th birthday this upcoming year.

On Friday, October 14th at 7:30 p.m., Matthew Wilkinson from Heritage Mississauga will be conducting a Heritage walk thru the cemetery and the chapel. The theme will be the 1836 election.

We have been asked to help out with people inside the chapel.

Following the meeting, we walked over to the chapel for a tour.

Everyone is very excited to see the Dixie Union Chapel restored to its former self.

Thanks,
Barb

Photos courtesy (2) Mississauga Community Services Department, Parks & Forestry Division