THE PARISH OF ANNAPOLIS CELEBRATES
300 YEARS OF HISTORY WITH SPECIAL SERVICES
This year, 2010 we are celebrating 300 years (1710 - 2010) of continuous Parish ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada which began here in the newly captured Fort of St. Anne, in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, when the French garrison surrendered the fort for the last time to the British. The Anglican Church in Canada celebrated on June 6 in Halifax - See City of the oldest Diocese in Canada. (go to the Diocese link to find out more).
Throughout 2010, a number of special visitors will join our celebration. Plan to join us in 2010, as our anniversary celebrations are underway. The Parish of Annapolis logo incorporates the outline of the Fort (in green), the Holy Spirit (dove) in flight - our journey continues and the empty Cross (Our Lord is Risen Indeed!).
As part of the 300th Anniversary celebrations, the Parish of Annapolis a series of four special services to reflect the liturgy and music of the 1700’s, the 1800’s, the 1900’s and the present day will take place, as we look to the future.
As we have researched these services we have found that many things were different and also that many things were the same,. The Language of the first three services follows the liturgy for Morning Prayer and Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer with some changes. It will be readily recognizable to anyone listening to the service. We have decided to write the services in modern script so that they will be easily readable, but we will, of course, use the old text. Church decoration and the fellowship hour after each service will also be in keeping with the time period.
The services of 1710, in Nova Scotia, would have had some significant differences from our services today. Perhaps one of the most obvious is that it would be unlikely that there would be any hymns. There were sung psalms and canticles and probably the same few would be learned by heart and sung by the congregation. In Annapolis there was no organ and for this service we are using a recorder group. There is also a tradition of a long 2 hour sermon which we are planning to shorten! The clergy will be not be wearing coloured vestments and they will be standing in different places to conduct the service.
The 1810 service brings in a few hymns. In this quote to Rev. Henry How in the later 1800’s we see that singing is still a mixed blessing. “In the end gallery there were no musical instruments. Half a dozen ladies and gentlemen furnished the music. They were led by Mr. Tom Cowling, whose full, rich voice is still a pleasant memory, especially in the Anthem taken from the 46th psalm. Hymns were then the exception, being given out only on the great festivals. I may be pardoned for saying that we have lost much in discarding them for the, in many cases, feeble and vapid hymnology of these later days.”
By 1910 we will be using the BCP much as it is now. By this time music was full and rich and the choir was in their regular place and robed as were the clergy. Anthems were sung by the choir and the congregation expected to join in the singing of the hymns. The organ was in place. 1910 marked the 200th anniversary of the Parish of Annapolis and a great service was held at which many of our fine pieces of furniture were given.
The service for the present day will be completely different. This will be a service for youth and will feature a modern youth liturgy and modern hymns and instruments. The children will take part as much as possible, and the service will be followed by a church picnic and old fashioned games.
Everyone is welcome. They will all be a service of Holy Eucharist and will take place at 10.00 am. on the following Sundays:
1710, 1910 and Modern services have already taken place:
the 1810 service on August 1st
On October 10th we will be having the 300th Anniversary Service and hope that everyone will be able to join us in this great event. Our Primate The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz and our Diocesan Bishops - The Rt. Rev. Sue Moxley & The Rt. Rev. Ron Cutler will be amongst the guest we are expecting.
