– by Valerie Green –
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sit down and talk to some interesting characters from Greater Victoria’s past? If so, wonder no more. Although these conversations are merely creative figments of my imagination, they are all based on fact.
As Christmas rolls around once again, the story of a kindly man who once lived on the Saanich Peninsula bears repeating. With his very seasonal name, the Reverend Christmas was a well-known figure on the peninsula when he served as pastor at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church from 1890 until 1901. Although sometimes unconventional, he was also well-loved in the community. (‘Interview’ conducted in 1902).
Reverend Christmas, where were you originally from?
I was born in Jersey in the Channel Islands in 1854 and arrived on Vancouver Island in 1888, settling here in Central Saanich.
When did you become pastor at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church?
Two years later in 1890.
How large was your parish then?
It was very large, stretching from Elk Lake to the north end of the Saanich Peninsula. It also encompassed two houses of worship – St. Stephen’s and Holy Trinity at Patricia Bay.
That must have been a lot of work for one Minister?
Yes, it was, but we managed. My wife and I lived in the rectory on Mount Newton Cross Roads on five-acres of land donated by the Thomson family, one of the original pioneering families in the area.
Tell me something about your own family.
My wife and I had four children, Emily Grace, Richard, Wilfred and Muriel all born between 1881 and 1897. (He paused for a moment as though remembering something painful.) We had a family tragedy last year when our son Richard was tragically killed during the May 24th long- weekend festivities.
I am so very sorry. Would you rather not discuss that?
No, I can tell you the story. Richard was playing with a group of other young people in which they were imitating various animals. Richard had dressed up as a bear and was crawling along a log when he was mistaken for the real thing and was accidentally shot by a friend.
How very tragic.
Yes, for our family and for the family of his friend. It was the reason that we decided to leave the peninsula last year.
(I realized we should change this heart-breaking subject)
Can you tell me about your other pursuits while at St. Stephen’s?
Yes, I was a keen fly-fisherman and a hunter, and I also bred poultry. Whenever I conducted these activities on the Sabbath I was criticized. I suppose I was at fault for doing so.
But I know you are still thought of as a kind, generous man. Often you were seen trudging along the road late at night taking a sack of flour or some other food to a parishioner in need.
(He smiled) just doing my Christian duty. In those days, there was no railway between Saanich and Victoria so we often had to walk into Victoria (14 miles) for our supplies, or go by Simpson’s horse stage.
Thank you for talking with me, sir.
(After their son’s tragic death, the Christmas family moved to Duncan where Father Christmas later died. His name in the Parish of St. Stephen’s was long remembered.)
Valerie Green is an author and historian and can be reached at valgee@shaw.ca.
