History talk given on April 26 highlighting an artifact held within the FPC's archives.
The Flags
Last month we told you about the McTavish Book that is located in the small showcase on the main floor. Most Sundays we will turn a page in that book so that you can observe some of the early history of this Church. A more recent book, written by one of the current members of the H&A committee Ken Munro, explains how another of our artefacts was presented to First Presbyterian Church. Today's subject is a short talk about "the flags".
We have three flags in
the Sanctuary. The two you see in front
of you and one at the back lying flat in a large covered showcase.
Since 1967 the Canadian Maple Leaf flag has hung from the
North Balcony. In 1978, when the Church
was designated as a historic site by the Province of Alberta the Provincial
flag was hung from the South Balcony.
These two flags were well accepted by the congregation but two additional flags that deposited in the Church for safekeeping were not so well accepted at first.
These two colours as flags were called were the Queens Colours
and were the Regimental Colours of the 138th Edmonton Battalion during the
First World War. They were hung in a
place of prominence above and behind the pulpit from 1918 until 1989.
The saga of the colours began in 1987 when an article
appeared in the 'First With the News' newsletter explaining about the history
of the flags and complaining about their condition. The effect of the late afternoon sunlight had
caused a lot of deterioration and if they were not looked after they would
disintegrate entirely. By 1989 it was
evident that the Colours of the 138th had a problem, the sleeve of the flag had
started to pull away from its flagstaff. The 138th Regimental Colours were removed and sent to the Textile
Analysis Services at the University of Alberta.
The flags were never re-installed in their former location. The university recommend that to help
preserve them the flags should not be re-hung but could be exhibited lying
flat. Laurie Grant a member of our congregation constructed the showcase that you see at the back of the
Sanctuary today and the colours were placed in their new home. The History & Archives Committee are very concerned
about that one as it is deteriorating badly and we hope to move it to a
different cooler location in the future.
Most of the time the showcase is covered in an attempt to preserve the
flag for a little longer.
More details on the history and story of the flags can be
found in Ken Munro's history book of First Presbyterian Church, a copy is located in our library.
On the last Sunday of May we will again tell you
about another one of First Church's artefacts.
