The Ottawa Journal

The annual picnic at William Doyle's Grove in aid of St. John's Church, Osgoode, was a very successful event, several thousand people, including many visitors from Ottawa and elsewhere as well as many parishioners and others attending the interesting affair. The athletic event aroused far more enthusiasm than those which were staged last year and there were particularly large entries for the children's competitions. Many people spent a delightful time as spectators of the special baseball game which was a feature of the programme, The Osgoode nine won from Prescott road team in an evenly contested encounter by the score of 10 to 6.

While the hundreds of people were engaged in watching of taking part in the athletic contests or the ball match, many others listened in comfort to the band concert which was rendered during the afternoon by the North Gower Band. Numerous picnickers visited the various refreshment, candy and ladies' work booths in the grove. The picnic was conducted under the direction of Rev. Frank Corkery, P.P., who mingled in the happy throng throughout the day. Other priests who attended the Outing included Rev. M. Gorman, Metcalfe; Rev. George Prudhomme, South Glouchester, and Rev. P. C. Harris, of Mayo Quebec.

A distinct feature of the programme was a popularity contest which was eventually won by Miss Grant, of Osgoode. The married men's race for local residents, the prize for which was 100 pounds of flour, drew many entries and the winner was G. A. Nash.

Outside officials had charge of the athletic portion of the programme and the events were run off before five o'clock. Capt. Alex Potvin, of the Ottawa Fire Department, T. G. Lowrey and L. D. Boston acted as judges and scores while W. M. Gladish, of The Ottawa Journal, officiated as starter. The prizes were presented by Rev. Father Corkery immediately after the competitions were concluded.

The results:
100 yards, boys 14 and under -- 1, Ernie Evraire. Jr.; 2, Reg. Shields; 3, Justin O'Leary.
50 yards, boys -- 1, Reg. Shields; 2, Ernie Evraire, Jr.; 3, William Eggins; 4, Billy Evraire.
Small boys race -- 1, Kenneth McEvoy; 2, Jack Flynn; 3, Richard McEvoy.
100 yards, girls 15 and under -- 1, Patty Burton; 2, Beatrice Clelland; 3, Phoebe Wilkes.
Small girls race -- 1, Margaret Clark; 2, Eileen Casey; 3, Phyllis Ardiey.
50 yards, girls race -- 1. Patty Burton; 2, Bessie Clark; 3, Estelle Wilkes.
Girls Potato race -- 1, Loretta Cleland; 2, M. Lowrey; 3. Beatrice Clelland.
Girl's relay race, Osgoode vs. North Gower -- Won by North Gower team comprising Mary Rocheleau, Laura Rocheleau and Christine O'Connor.
Standing broad jump, boys -- 1, Ernie Evrarie, Jr.; 2, Reg. Shields; 3, Wm. Eggins; 4, Gerald Fosding.
Running high jump, boys -- 1, J. O'Leary; 2, K. O'Callaghan; 3, Wm. Eggins; 4, Arnold Kelly.
100 yards open -- 1, Ernie Evrarie; 2, James Gittens; 3, J. Duval.
220 yards open -- 1, Ernie Evrarie; 2, James Gittens; 3, J. Duval.
440 yards open -- 1, Ernie Evrarie; 2, James Gittens; 3, J. Duval.
Standing broad jump -- 1, Ernie Evrarie; 2, J. Duval; 3, James Gittens.
Standing high jump -- 1, J. Duval; 2, Ernie Evrarie; 3, James Gittens.
Pole Vault -- J. Duval.
100 yards, married men -- 1, G. A. Nash; 2, Eddie McEvoy; 3, E. H. Rolston.

Bulk or separate tenders will be received up to noon of Saturday, October 6th, 1917, for the construction of a Church at South Osgoode, Ontario, Plans and specifications can be obtained from the office of the Architects, Messrs, Millson & Burgess, 407-10 Union Bank Building, Ottawa, Ont. Properly certified cheques for 5 percent of the amount of the tender, made payable to the Rev. Father J. Corkery, must be enclosed with the tender. Tenders must be addressed to Rev. Father F Corkery, Parish Priest South Osgoode, Ontario, plainly marked "Tender for Church."

The Social recently held at the residence of Mr. John O'Callaghan, Osgoode, in aid of the Dawson Catholic church, of which Rev. W. T. McCauley is pastor, proved a most successful and enjoyable event in every way.

The night was a perfect one for out door amusements, and the crowd in attendance was composed of equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants, which shows that the community is very amiable and sociable.

Miss Esther O'Connor was the winner of the valuable quilt raffled on the occasion, her ticket, No. 760, being the one drawn from the basket by little Miss Mary McEwen, daughter of Mr. Thos. McEwen.

After the supper, which was a rather sumptuous affair, and excellently served, the pastor delivered a short lecture on the needs of society. In the course of his remarks, Rev. Father McCauley emphasized the desirability of tolerance, friendship, culture, refinement and loyalty and obedience to authority.

The large gathering listened with flattering wrapt attention. The Rev. lecturer was proud to say that all the things he emphasized were fast becoming the personal qualities and property of the people of North Gower.

The people of the parish with the pastor, keenly appreciated the generosity of their non-Catholic friends in attending in such large numbers to patronize the social.

A new scheme for the furtherance of temperance has been originated in an anti-treating pledge. The taking of the pledge was last Sunday introduced for the first time by Rev. Father McCauley, of Osgoode formerly of St. Patrick's here), when one-half his congregation signed the pledge. The pledge has been praised on all sides in the district, and will, it is said be rapidly adopted by the Protestant temperance people of the district.

The political contest in Russell is waxing warm. A big Catholic picnic was held in Osgoode township yesterday, and an array of speakers on each side were present. However, only Mr. Edwards and Mr. Hurtubise were alowed to speak. Both were given a good hearing

Lawn Social, Old Presscott Road, Osgoode, July 1, at 6.30 p.m. Music, games, very fine chicken dinner. Bus leaves Colonial depot at 5.30 p.m.

A church social and home cooked supper for the congregations of St. John's and St. Brigid's Churches will be held tomorrow from 4 to 10 p.m. at the St. John's Church grounds on the Old Prescott Road, Osgoode.

The event is planned by a joint committee headed by Mr. L. D. Kelly, president of the Holy Name Society of St. Brigid's Church, and Mrs. Ernest Blanchfield, president of the Catholic Women's League of St. John's Church.

St. John's Cjurch, Old Prescott Road, Osgoode, is holding its annual social, with supper ($3.75 adults, $1.50 children, also a family rate) from 5 to 8 p.m. and dancing from 8 p.m. to Jug o' Punch Orchestra. ($1 entrance to grounds after 8 p.m.)

Before our modern, direct Prescott Highway, or Hwy. 16 was built, the Prescott Road was a continuation of Bank St., to about Greely, veering south-westerly past Osgoode. A section still known as the Old Prescott Road -- though unmarked -- runs south from the Town Line -- the road joining Manotick and Hwy. 31.

It is on this old Prescott Road, opened in 1844, that this week's St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church may be found.

First built in 1855, the structure was of wood and was situated in the present cemetery.

In 1870-78, some records speak of a parish priest whose name was Aeneas McDonell Dawson, and of a post office "Dawson" -- the church then "St. John's of Dawson." When the present name was given, or what became of "Dawson" the place, isn't recorded.

Eventually a new church was needed and the blessing of the present building was Sept. 29, 1918. No mention is made of when the building was begun. It is known that the bell from the first church is still in service.

In 1930, on Nov. 11th, near disaster, when there was fire in the vestry and sanctuary. By Feb. 12, 1931, cleaning and repairs accomplished and blessing of the new area.

Fire destroyed the rectory next door on May 24, 1935. Now there's a covered walk-way joining the rectory and church.

Over the entrance is a carved stone depicting the Crest of St. John.

Inside the decor is of palest green on the walls and crescent arched ceiling, with arched beams slightly darker; the carpet area gold color.

Three chancel windows are stained glass picture; 17 side ones have insets -- partial figures -- of saints.

There's blond wood furnishings in the modernized chancel; blue ceramic tile candlesticks on the altar match a panel down the front.

A public address system was installed about 1965, and their old reed pump organ was electrified in 1973.

The church hall is across the road complete with kitchen, where wedding receptions are held. It's set in spacious grounds where they still have old fashioned parish socials on Saturday in July. Afternoon and evenings, pony rides for children, games, food and dancing, it's a real parish get-together.

Rev. Leo Hermans is rector.

((c)) 1974; by Marion G. Rogers.) The Ottawa Journal

Rev. Wilfred N. Nevins, curate at St. George’s Church for the past seven years, has been transferred to St. John the Evangelist Church, Osgoode, replacing Rev. W. Frank Tierney, who has been moved to St Martin of Tours Church, Martindale, according to word received from the Archbishop’s Palace this morning.
Ordained in 1929, Father Nevins supplied at Pakenham for several months and later served as curate at St. Mary’s Church, Ottawa. In 1933 he was transferred to St. George’s Church.
Father Tierney, who was ordained in 1921, served as curate in both St Brigid's and St Mary’s parishes before going to Osgoode, where he has since been stationed as parish priest. Father Tierney will replace Rev. Leo Lesage, who has been appointed chaplain with the C.A.S.F.