Sugar, The Lachine Canal and The Ottawa Locks.
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Come to Ottawa With me!! There's a sweet story below that tells you WHY... Apart from the fun and fellowship you will have, you will learn about the Christians who helped to lay the foundations of Ottawa and Canada. WHY is that important? Today, Christians in Canada are marginalized. The legacy of past Christian contributors to Canada are minimized or erased. Facts helps to refute allegations that the Europeans we will learn about were greedy colonists who settled Canada caring only about making money. Let Me Ask You... How many magnificent structures built by Christians in Ottawa, or Montreal can you identify? What occupations did these Christians hold? How did they leave enduring marks on our history? Come with me to Ottawa. Learn the names of Christians who constructed buildings, made rivers navigable and started industries and organizations (in Ottawa AND Montreal), which are still around today in some modified fashion... even though they were built in the early 1800s. Some of these buildings and organizations include: the Lachine Canal in Montreal, Redpath Sugar Refinery, the Bytown Museum, The Parliament Buildings, the Ottawa Locks, The Governor General’s House, the first railway in Ottawa, The St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Queen's University, The St. Luke’s Hospital, Carleton University and the Peace Tower (with the 25 Scripture verses). This list barely scratches the surface of the influence of Christians who developed industries to help Ottawa and Canada thrive from the early 1800s to today. Do you know anyone who has taken the time to research this information, put it in booklet form, and who will traipse around Ottawa in their old age, JUST to share it with you and the next generation? I do. ME! You will:
----------------------------------------------- Lachine, The Locks and Sugar Do you like sugar? How about Redpath Sugar? How did THIS common Canadian grocery product get its name? After THIS man... John Redpath He was a businessman and philanthropist. He helped pioneer the industrial movement which made Montreal, Quebec the largest and most prosperous city in Canada (Wiki) He was born in 1796, during the time when his family was expelled from the land in Scotland by the Lowland Clearances. He trained as a stonemason arriving in Quebec penniless and barefoot at 20 years old (1816). He walked bare feet from Quebec City to Montreal. But integrity, a strong work ethic and business sense helped him begin his own construction business. He and another Presbyterian, Thomas McKay were the main contractors of a consortium which succeeded in building the Lachine Canal where others had failed 130 years before. The Lachine Canal and Locks were built between 1821 to 1825. The Lachine Canal increased shipping ‘substantially’, making Montreal one of the largest ports in the world (and it still is today). It transformed shipping. By 1869, traffic grew from 600 small boats annually to 13,000 large ships through the canal. The Canal opened up other opportunities for Redpath. He and other businessmen bought lots along the banks of the Lachine Canal to launch manufacturing businesses. Water from the canal was used to create steam to drive machinery. John Redpath built the first sugar refinery in Canada and owned cargo vessels to import raw sugar from the West Indies for processing. He invested in Montreal Towboat Company, financed the Montreal Telegraph Company and the Montreal Fire Assurance Company, serving as a director of both companies. This experience qualified him to join Thomas McKay in building the Ottawa Locks and the highest lock on the Rideau Canal system - The Jones Falls Locks at over 60 feet. He was part founder of the Bank of Montreal and a Board of Director for 36 years. He promoted the Montreal Investment Association which became the Montreal Stock Exchange. He also built Notre Dame Basilica and some of the first buildings for McGill University. He lived a life of service. He was... a City Councilor; Director of Montreal General Hospital, Founder of Protestant House of Industry & Refuge, Donor to Canada Foreign Missionary Society and French-Canadian Missionary Society, Slavery abolitionist, anti-prostitution and ‘anti-white slavery’ lobbyist. He helped to establish The Presbyterian College & Montreal Mechanics Institute. The first endowment fund at McGill was named for him. His son Peter was also endowed a Chair of Mathematics at McGill University as well as building the university's Redpath Museum and Redpath Library. In case you didn't follow the highlights, here they are again... John Redpath + Thomas McKay ➡ Lachine Canal, Ottawa Locks John Redpath ➡ Sugar factory, Shipping, Insurance, Montreal Stock Exchange, Bank of Montreal, City Councilor, Montreal Hospital, Mercy Ministry to the poor, Missions supporter, Abolitionist, anti-Prostitution lobbyist, investor in McGill University, Presbyterian College, Adult Education. Ready for a tour to learn about more Christian legacies, hidden in plain sight? Check the Dates and Sign up here. ------------------------------------------ Dates to Remember
Whether or not you register for a tour... JOIN OUR Q&A SESSIONS... to hear more interesting stories of lives lived to the glory of God and who left huge footprints in Ottawa and Canada.
Sign up to get your Zoom link. Oh! I forgot to mention that if you get 4 other people to go to Ottawa with you (a group of 5 people), you get a Swag Bag ($50 Value). And guess what?? I have another story to tell you... but it can keep for another couple of days. I'll tell you on the weekend. Until then, marvel at His wondrous works and tell others about the mighty things He has done for Canada. Soli Deo Gloria Lynette Your Curious Canadian History Buff. Remember, we are NOT the last word on History. We are a compass pointing you in the right direction. Be a Berean. Do your own research. Follow links. Challenge everything. |