Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (641 St. Matthews Avenue, Winnipeg)

Link to:
Clerics | Photos & Coordinates | Sources

In 1913, construction of this Anglican Church began at the northwest corner of Maryland Street and Livinia Avenue (renamed St. Matthews Avenue to commemorate the church), with the cornerstone laid on 7 May 1913. Based on designs of architects Herbert Edward Matthews and Robert Gilmore Hanford, work was commenced by contractors Pattinson and Eilbech on a concrete, bedford stone, and steel-frame place of worship. Completed at a cost of $100,000, it opened on 9 November 1913, replacing a smaller church on Ellice Avenue.

A plaque commemorating parishioners who were killed during military service in the First World War was unveiled by Lady Nanton on 30 October 1921.

On 13 October 1940, a stained glass window was unveiled and dedicated to long-time minister Robert Benjamin McElheran. The building was consumed by fire on 13 November 1944, mere hours after 28th anniversary celebrations had concluded, with the blaze starting in the boiler room. The building was gutted with losses including the chancel, organ, and colours of the 27th, 44th, and 78th Battalions, but the congregation’s wartime Honour Roll was saved.

The rebuilding efforts began on 4 June 1945, with John Nelson Semmens providing architectural plans to the Claydon Construction Company. The Dominion Bridge and Iron Company also contributed to the project. Early estimates to rebuild were pegged at $70,000, with an envisioned re-opening later that year. The cost would balloon to around $127,000 and the term was increased on account of improvements, extensive overhaul, and need for temporary measures. The rebuilt facility was rededicated officially on 2 February 1947, along with a new stain glass window in tribute to McElheran. A plaque listing parishioners who were killed during military service in the First World War was saved from the original building and was moved into the new one.

In 2013, work began to convert much of the building into a $6.6-million, multi-unit affordable housing complex with the church sanctuary remaining in its southeast corner. Now known as the WestEnd Commons, it opened to tenants on 1 November 2014.

Rectors

Period	Rector
1901-1905	Harold Hugh St. George Buttrum (1875-1971)
1906-1930	Robert Benjamin McElheran (1877-1939)
1930-1933	G. S. Despard
1933-1949	George R. Calvert
1949-?	John Burton Thomas
?-1962	?
1962-?	Kenneth Reginald Cowan

Photos & Coordinates

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (no date) Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Churches - St. Matthew’s - 1 St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (no date) Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Churches - St. Matthew’s - 2 St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (May 2016) Source: Nathan Kramer First World War commemorative plaque for St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (no date) Source: St. Matthew's Anglican Church Site Location (lat/long): N49.88988, W97.16080 denoted by symbol on the map above

First World War Casualties

Name	Occupation	Service	Rank	Birth Date	Death Date
Alfred Charles Edward Ayres [Next of Kin, Union Bank]	Bank Clerk, Union Bank of Canada	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	11 November 1896	9 April 1917
John Taylor Barker [Next of Kin]	Plumber	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	12 April 1885	19 April 1916
Arthur John Barnes [Assiniboia, Eatons, Next of Kin]	Nightwatchman	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	2 May 1886	30 December 1916
Sidney Batzer	Farmer	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	7 January 1889	4 April 1918
Stanley Swithin Bayles MM [Next of Kin]	Travelling Salesman	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Lieutenant	15 July 1892	13 September 1918
Joseph William Bell [Electric Railway, Next of Kin]	Laborer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	9 April 1884	27 September 1918
Stanley Carleton Belyea [Next of Kin]	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	24 April 1894	11 October 1918
Francis James Bocking	Farmer	5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	3 December 1888	27 September 1916
William Albert Bosson	Dairyman	Yukon Battery, Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade	Private	28 October 1881	3 June 1918
R. Walter Bowley [Next of Kin]	Driver	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	21 June 1885	9 April 1917
Walter Burgess	Farmer	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Sergeant	1 August 1890	25 May 1918
James Cameron	?	?	?	?	?
Arthur Joseph Chislett [Selkirk]	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	18 January 1890	6 November 1917
Cecil Halfackre Clark [Kelvin High School, Next of Kin]	Student	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	15 February 1898	10 August 1918
John Frederick Clementson [Next of Kin]	Clerk	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	8 January 1896	20 May 1915
Edgar Charles Cocker [Next of Kin]	Farmer	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	9 October 1895	21 May 1915
John Amos Comba	Lumberman	4th Battalion, Canadian Labour Corps	Private	8 September 1880	14 May 1917
John Cooke [Next of Kin, Eatons]	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	5 February 1894	6 November 1917
Edwin Cooper [Next of Kin]	Clerk	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	22 June 1895	8 October 1916
Gilbert Edward Cooper [Bank of Hamilton, Next of Kin, Stonewall, Stonewall Masons]	Bank Clerk	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	24 March 1892	25 January 1916
Herbert Cox [Next of Kin]	Linesman	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	28 January 1881	9 April 1917
Charles Coxon [Next of Kin]	Carpenter	3rd Field Company, Canadian Engineers	Sapper	30 August 1880	9 April 1917
George Ernest Cumbers [Next of Kin]	Fitter	13th Light Railway Operating Company, Canadian Railway Troops	Sapper	24 October 1892	28 March 1918
Sidney Stokes Cuzner [Next of Kin]	Printer	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Sergeant	10 July 1890	18 September 1916
Reginald Davidge [Next of Kin]	Electrician	The Royal Canadian Regiment	Private	25 July 1879	8 October 1916
Sidney Robert Day [Next of Kin]	Stationary Engineer	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	19 September 1894	29 September 1918
Frederick Denner [Ionic Lodge No. 25, Next of Kin]	Book Keeper	7th Company, Canadian Machine Gun Corps	Private	4 February 1884	21 October 1917
Grey Donaldson-Selby [Next of Kin]	Chauffeur	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	5 October 1895	22 April 1915
William Henry Dore Canadian [Bank of Commerce]	Banking	107th Squadron, Royal Air Force	Captain	27 April 1892	9 August 1918
George Horace Dow [Electric Railway, Next of Kin]	Gas Fitter	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	5 October 1897	26 September 1916
John Doyle [Next of Kin]	Druggist	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	7 November 1889	26 September 1916
Maxwell Frederick William Drennan [Next of Kin, Typographical Union]	Printer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Sergeant	25 September 1892	10 November 1917
Reginald Elsey [Next of Kin, Eatons]	Butcher	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	19 May 1894	9 April 1917
George Clarence Fargey [Next of Kin, Whitla]	Salesman	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Corporal	30 September 1887	10 November 1917
Richard Finlayson [Next of Kin]	Shoe-maker	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	3 March 1890	6 June 1916
William Fisher	?	?	?	?	?
Edward Alec Foord [Next of Kin]	Mechanical Engineer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	14 March 1890	27 June 1918
William Edward Fowle [108 Battalion, Next of Kin, Selkirk]	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	2 June 1895	14 November 1917
Thomas James Garrett [Next of Kin]	Electrician	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	8 March 1889	27 June 1916
William John Gibbs [Next of Kin, City of Winnipeg Employees]	Teamster	78th Battalion Canadian Infantry	Corporal	11 April 1879	29 September 1918
John Thomas Gilholm [Next of Kin, Vimy]	Bank Messenger	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	8 January 1882	3 February 1917
William Gill [Whitla]	Technical Chemist	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Sergeant	6 July 1888	23 August 1917
Edward Albert Gold [Next of Kin]	Farmer	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	16 January 1897	10 November 1917
Oscar Goodman [Charleswood / South Headingly, Next of Kin]	Farmer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	12 November 1897	27 October 1916
Bernard Walter Greaves [Next of Kin, St. James Anglican]	Survery	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	11 May 1893	25 July 1918
James Halliday	Teamster	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	24 July 1883	6 November 1917
Wilfred Edwin Ham [Electric Railway, Holy Trinity, Next of Kin]	Street Car Conductor	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	8 January 1893	14 June 1916
Charles Hardy [Next of Kin]	Builder & Contractor	28th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	18 November 1893	27 September 1916
William Reginald Norman Haynes [Next of Kin, Osler, Hammond and Nanton, Vimy]	Farmer	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	7 October 1890	8 January 1917
Thomas Walter Hetherington [Next of Kin]	Accountant	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	26 December 1892	21 May 1915
Henry Boyd Hodge [Next of Kin]	Student	4th Canadian Mounted Rifles	Lance Corporal	30 November 1880	1 December 1915
Henry Boyd Hodge [Next of Kin]	Student	4th Canadian Mounted Rifles	Lance Corporal	30 November 1880	1 December 1915
Alfred Bernard Holland [Next of Kin]	Farmer	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	24 November 1892	20 September 1916
Walter Herbert Hughes [Next of Kin]	Waiter	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	26 November 1884	6 June 1916
Alfred Hulme [Next of Kin]	Rivet Maker	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	4 February 1879	20 April 1915
Allen Grannis Ingalls [Electric Railway, Next of Kin]	Electrician	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	29 January 1893	16 April 1915
Gordon Wilfred Irvine [Next of Kin]	Trainman	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	8 March 1891	28 September 1918
Edwin Jackson [Next of Kin]	Gardener	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	25 April 1879	15 August 1917
William Johnson [Next of Kin]	Metal Worker	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	7 August 1892	28 September 1918
David Bracegirdle Jones DCM [Next of Kin, Canadian Club]	Plumber (Standard Plumbing & Heating)	84th Squadron, Royal Air Force	Second Lieutenant	6 September 1894	3 July 1918
Ernest Kendall [Next of Kin]	Agent	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Captain	10 May 1880	30 September 1916
Radford Shuter Lane MM [Engineering, Kelvin, Next of Kin, St. Andrews, Selkirk]	Student	1st Canadian Mounted Rifles	Private	17 August 1897	30 September 1918
Wellington Mcdonald Lane [Next of Kin, St. Andrews, Selkirk]	Clerk	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	24 February 1895	11 August 1918
William A. Lawson	?	?	?	?	?
John George Lightfoot [Canada Bread, Next of Kin]	Salesman	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	14 September 1884	18 June 1917
Frederick Linklater [St. Giles]	Hardware Clerk	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	4 December 1894	1 November 1917
Leslie John Lloyd [Next of Kin]	Painting	Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry	Private	1 November 1893	8 May 1915
Walter John Farrier Lockey [Next of Kin]	Fireman	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	18 February 1882	26 October 1917
Alfred Edwin Longmore [Carman, Next of Kin]	Mail Clerk	183rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	21 February 1898	29 March 1916
John Lunney	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	20 November 1889	18 April 1917
Albert Charles Lye [Central Congregational, MacGregor, Next of Kin, Portage la Prairie]	Electrician	29th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	2 February 1894	26 September 1916
William Mawson [Next of Kin, Vimy]	Labourer	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	31 May 1892	7 January 1917
Wilbert Angus McLeod [City of Winnipeg Employees, Next of Kin]	Clerk	1st Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery	Gunner	17 August 1893	9 August 1917
Bernard Crosse McSloy [Next of Kin]	Tinsmith	4th Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps	Private	9 October 1896	8 November 1918
William Edward Mulhearn [Next of Kin]	Fitter	10th Field Company, Canadian Engineers	Sapper	21 March 1882	27 October 1917
Herbert Vaughan Naylor [Next of Kin]	Clerk	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	10 April 1891	9 March 1915
Richard Hamilton O'Reilly [Engineering, Next of Kin, Selkirk]	Civil & Electrical Engineer	Canadian Engineers detached to Royal Air Force	Lieutenant	14 November 1887	29 September 1918
William Arthur Ore [Next of Kin]	Printer	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Corporal	8 March 1887	5 October 1918
Reginald Palmer [Next of Kin]	Teacher	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	26 August 1880	9 June 1916
Joseph Reginald Phillips [Next of Kin]	Fireman	24th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	16 May 1894	25 September 1918
Mark Pringle [Next of Kin]	Teamster	The Fort Garry Horse	Private	2 January 1889	4 April 1918
Joseph Herman Robinson [Next of Kin]	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	30 October 1891	26 August 1918
James Nimmo Scott MC [Next of Kin]	Publisher	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	13 June 1886	22 May 1915
Joseph Frederick Shepherd [Next of Kin]	Glasier	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	15 December 1880	7 September 1916
Richard Dyer Simpson [Next of Kin]	Teamster	17th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery	Gunner	17 June 1883	13 October 1915
Robert Eric Smith [Next of Kin]	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	21 March 1892	6 November 1917
Stanley Smith	?	?	?	?	?
Eustace Spindler [Next of Kin]	Baker	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	15 June 1891	23 April 1916
Charles Russell Stinson MC [Brandon Armoury, Canadian Club, Next of Kin, St. Margarets, UGG]	Grain Salesman	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Major	25 August 1886	6 November 1917
James Stout [First Baptist, Next of Kin]	Baker	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	22 December 1882	21 September 1916
Samuel Sturgess [Next of Kin]	Machinist	10th Field Company, Canadian Engineers	Sapper	6 December 1882	2 October 1917
Cyril Wilfred Tait [Headingly, Next of Kin]	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	4 April 1894	19 June 1916
Frank Lionel Tait [Headingly, Next of Kin]	Clerk	7th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	1 October 1891	22 May 1915
James Edward Tait VC MC [Next of Kin]	Civil Engineer	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	27 May 1888	11 August 1918
Ronald Alexander Tait [Next of Kin]	Clerk	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	9 December 1899	23 October 1918
Arthur Anderson Taylor	Printer	85th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	8 April 1898	30 October 1917
Hugh John Taylor [Next of Kin]	?	Royal Air Force	Cadet	11 December 1889	6 October 1918
Walter Thomas	?	?	?	?	?
George J. Thompson	?	?	?	?	?
James Threlfall	Painter & Decorator	8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	13 November 1877	28 April 1917
Gilbert Todhunter [Next of Kin]	Carpenter & Builder	10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	18 February 1889	20 May 1915
Robert G. Walker	?	?	?	?	?
John Francis Ward [Next of Kin]	BookKeeper	16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	2 December 1884	25 November 1915
Abraham Charles Wharf [Next of Kin, Stonewall]	Farmer	44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	23 May 1894	10 August 1918
Alfred Eric Wheatley [Next of Kin]	Clerk	78th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lance Corporal	8 October 1897	31 March 1918
Thomas Wilcock [Next of Kin]	Clerk	Canadian Corps Cavalry Regiment	Private	26 April 1890	29 September 1916
Albert Edward Wilson [Whitla]	Dry Goods Clerk	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	26 July 1879	28 August 1918
Walter Barron Wilton [Crystal City, Morden, Next of Kin, Pharmaceutical Association, Portage la Prairie]	Commission Merchant	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Lieutenant	26 March 1877	21 August 1917
Frederick Charles Woodford [Next of Kin, St. Margarets]	Lather	43rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	18 December 1890	17 February 1917
Michael Wright [Eatons]	Doorkeeper (T. Eaton Co.)	27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry	Private	19 September 1893	3 May 1917
Thomas Reginald Young	Clerk	1st Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery	Gunner	10 February 1895	9 August 1917

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Herbert Edward Matthews (1868-1941)

Memorable Manitobans: Robert Gilmore Hanford (1885-1964)

Manitoba Business: Claydon Brothers Construction Company / Claydon Construction Limited

Historic Sites of Manitoba: St. Matthews Anglican Church / Elim Chapel / St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church / West End Cultural Centre (586 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg)

The Churches of Early Winnipeg by James B. Hartman
Manitoba History, Number 45, Spring/Summer 2003

Sources:

“Corner stone of St. Matthew’s laid,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 May 1913, page 9.

“Would change name of Livinia Avenue to St. Matthews,” Winnipeg Tribune, 3 October 1913, page 1.

“Opening of St. Matthew’s Church[,] Livinia Avenue,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 November 1913, page 4.

“Saving our lives,” Winnipeg Tribune, 31 October 1914, page 19.

“St. Matthew’s to unveil its memorial tablet,” Manitoba Free Press, 22 October 1921, page 43.

“Tablet unveiled by Lady Nanton,” Winnipeg Tribune, 31 October 1921, page 14.

“New pastor of St. Matthew’s is welcomed,” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 September 1930, page 2.

“Will dedicate window to Dr. R. B. McElheran,” Winnipeg Tribune, 12 October 1940, page 19.

[Photo caption; “To be dedicated”], Winnipeg Tribune, 12 October 1940, page 19.

“St. Matthew’s to mark its 45th anniversary,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 November 1941, page 15.

“Fire wrecks St. Matthew’s Church,” Winnipeg Tribune, 13 November 1944, page 1.

“St. Matthew’s Church,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 November 1944, page 8.

“New St. Matthew’s,” Winnipeg Tribune, 17 November 1944, page 13.

“St. Matthew’s rushes reconstruction plans,” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 November 1944, page 11.

[Photo caption “Not the Blitz - but Winnipeg”], Winnipeg Tribune, 18 November 1944, page 1.

“Temporary roof will allow use of St. Matthew’s for Christmas,” Winnipeg Tribune, 30 November 1944, page 17.

“St. Matthew’s parishioners pledge $22,000,” Winnipeg Tribune, 5 December 1944, page 9.

“Faith renewed in basement,” Winnipeg Tribune, 26 December 1944, page 9.

“Farewell to fire ruins,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 June 1945, page 11.

“St. Matthew’s Church building fund reaches $76,297,” Winnipeg Free Press / Winnipeg Tribune, 12 January 1946, page 21.

“Church still rebuilding,” Winnipeg Tribune, 6 November 1946, page 15.

“St. Matthew’s will celebrate golden jubilee,” Winnipeg Tribune, 9 November 1946, page 10.

“Rebuilt St. Matthew’s dedication on Sunday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 1 February 1947, page 17.

“Crowd attend dedication at St. Matthew’s,” Winnipeg Tribune, 3 February 1947, page 17.

“St. Matthew’s social, service postponed,” Winnipeg Tribune, 3 February 1947, page 11.

“St. Matthew’s members honor Archdeacon and Mrs. Calvert,” Winnipeg Tribune, 21 December 1948, page 11.

“Calvert is installed as Dean in Victoria,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 January 1949, page 20.

“Windows dedicated by former Rector,” Winnipeg Tribune, 10 May 1949, page 5.

“Get acquainted,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 June 1949, page 6.

“St. Matthews appoints new Rector,” Winnipeg Tribune, 2 January 1962.

“Transformation turns Anglican church into housing,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 March 2013.

Our History, WestEnd Commons.

This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer, Darryl Toews, Gordon Goldsborough, and Maria Zbigniewicz.

Page revised: 16 December 2023

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