This item was transcribed from a brochure. ST. PETER'S CHURCH 200 Montreal St. Sherbrooke, QC Welcome to St. Peter's, Sherbrooke's first parish. The Eastern Townships was settled shortly after the American Revolution by United Empire Loyalists. The city of Sherbrooke was founded by Gilbert Hyatt Sr. whose estates had been confiscated by the American government. Sherbrooke was then known as Hyatt's Mills. By 1800 there were 40 families comprising 102 souls but it was not until 1822 that a parish was formed. The first minister of the parish was a Rev. C1ément Fall Lefebvre. The first church building was a wooden structure erected in 1827 on the site now occupied by the Bank of Commerce on Dufferin Avenue. The church at that time was known as St. Paul's. The rectory was the first brick building in the City of Sherbrooke. A study of the church register of the parish reveals interesting tidbits of the early social history. The education of women appears to have been sadly neglected while most men had the rudiments of education. Most men were able to sign their names in the civil register whereas most of the women simply marked an X. Yet even as late as 1867 all parties to a wedding, bride, groom and witnesses were illiterate. In 1836 forty-seven persons were buried at one time. These persons were recently arrived immigrants and were unfortunately victims of the plague. Fearing an epidemic, the local authorities herded the newcomers to a covered bridge and boarded up the ends. Guards were placed at each end of the bridge thus preventing any escape. Later when all the victims had been buried the bridge was burned as a health measure. By 1839 the parish had outgrown the first building and a second was commenced on the present site. The church's name was changed from St. Paul’s to St. Peter's. The city of Sherbrooke continued to grow and the second church was replaced by the present structure completed in 1900. The new church cost $33,000.00. A Casavant organ was installed at a cost of $5,500. The pews, a gift from St. Peter's Guild were installed in 1925, replacing the chairs which had previously served as seating. Over the last twenty-five years St. Peter's has experienced a devastating decline in numbers. Nevertheless, through the caring generosity of our remaining parishioners as well as contributions from old and new friends of St. Peter's it is hoped that this church will continue to play an important and vital role in the religious and social life of this city. THE NAVE Architecture The great carved oak doors at the entrance to the church represent our Lord and St. Peter in the storm on the sea of Galilee. On each side of the main entrance are two large oak chairs reserved for the People's and Rector's Wardens. The rod of the People's Warden is topped with a crown while that of the Rector's Warden is topped with a mitre. The ceiling of the church resembles the inverted hull of a ship reminding us that St. Peter was a fisherman. The inverted crosses which support the roof remind us of the manner in which St. Peter died. St. Peter felt that he was not worthy to be executed in the same manner as Jesus and therefore asked to be crucified up-side down. The ten arches supported by twelve pillars remind us of the Ten Commandments and the twelve apostles. On the four corner pillars can be found stone carvings of an angel, a winged lion, a winged calf and an eagle. These serve to remind us of the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Baptistry A baptistry is usually placed near the entrance to represent one's entry into the Church. The font has eight sides to represent the seven days of creation and the day of the new creation. The Pulpit and Lectern The pulpit and lectern at the front of the nave are of finely carved oak. The Bible is generally placed on the back of an eagle as this is the bird which soars the highest. The eagle at the lectern is particularly remarkable in that it is made of carved oak instead of the more usual brass.