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

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (no date)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Churches - St. Matthew’s - 1

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (no date)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Churches - St. Matthew’s - 2

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church (May 2016)
Source: Nathan Kramer

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church

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

Historic Sites of Manitoba

This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.

Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other

Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.

Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.


Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.

Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ

Help us keep history alive!