The first settlers came to the area now known as Mapleton in 1852. By 1853 they had built a school that was used for services as well.
St. Clement Anglican Church in Mapleton, south of Selkirk, was one of three churches affiliated with the Church of England. In 1854 the Rev. Charles Hillyer began afternoon services in Mapleton School. The Rev. and Mrs. Edwin Watkins moved into the still unfinished rectory during the winter of 1857. According to entries in Rev. Watkins’ diary, by then there were services in Cree every Sunday.
By October 1858 plans were afoot for a church: the building begun on June 2nd 1860 is attributed to Samuel Taylor. The Bishop of Rupertsland, Rev. David Anderson, assisted by the Venerable Archdeacon Hunter, conducted the first service on December 1st 1861.
On November 15, 1862, St. Clement’s received the bell from the “Upper Church”, a predecessor of St. John’s Cathedral. Forged in 1820, the bell was known as the John West Bell. The story goes that installation was on the night of November 15, 1862, a Saturday, lit by fires and lantern light, for its surprise ringing the next morning. This is disputed, however, by Rev. T. C. B. Boon who claims the bell was specially made for St. Clement ‘s Church. The bell still tolls.
The tower to commemorate the church’s 50th anniversary was not completed until 1924 due to World War I and financial constraints. It was consecrated in 1928.
In 1958 Archbishop Barfoot allowed St. Clement’s to leave the Selkirk Parish. St. Clement’s has been associated with St. George, Wakefield since 1966.
St. Clement’s church is in the English Parish Gothic Revival style, featuring a pointed arch door and windows, and a crenellated bell tower. The finer-cut stones in the very rustic masonry highlight the openings, the battlements and the bell tower. There are beautiful stained glass windows in the chapel.
Members of many of Selkirk’s founding families lie in the extensive cemetery that surrounds the church.
In 1962 a park was created on church property along the Red River.
• Photographed in 1982.
• Published in Senior Scope, May 10, 2019.