Gallery " This recent illustration by local artist Ross McLean captures the stateliness of the original Georgian stone house (circa 1818) and the small College of Iona next door. The oldest known photograph of the Bishop's House, probably taken around 1913 when it was enlarged to accommodate boarders. The original 1808 gable roof was replaced by the Mansard roof, seen here. Matching east and west wings were added in 1924. The Bishop's Parlour, 1930s The Chapel, 1930s The Refectory, 1930s Bishop Alexander Macdonell “National Historic Person” Unveiling Ceremony at Saint Raphael’s, June 15, 1930 The west entrance in the 1930s Iona Academy 'Scene from "The Mermaid"' from the 1930s Students, late 1930s The grade 12 classroom in the 1940s At the gates of Iona Academy in the 1940s Early 1940s scene, courtesy of the Catherine (McGillis) Brownell estate Father D. C. Campbell, pastor of St. Raphael's for over 50 years, spearheaded the addition of the symmetrical wings on the House in 1924 The graduating class of Iona Academy in front of the Bishop's House, St. Raphael's, circa 1947 Students in the Iona Academy common room ground floor, west wing in the 1950s The unveiling of the provincial plaque honouring the College of Iona, 1975. Sister Claire (Cecelia MacDonald, third from right) was a beloved principal of Iona for many years. The St. Raphael’s Ruins, viewed from the house. This lawn served as a parade ground for the Glengarry Fencibles Light Infantry in 1812. On March 31, 2016, local not-for-profit Glengarry Fencibles Trust was able to purchase the House. The following month work began to clear the overgrowth (boards had gone up just prior to the demolition request). The statue of Our Lady, seen here in the driveway circle, was a 1952 gift to Father Campbell from the Iona alumni for both his enduring support, and 50 years in St. Raphael’s parish. Early 2017 - the roof was replaced using funds matched by Parks Canada Work begins on the restoration of the 1826 retaining wall About 40 feet of failing wall was rebuilt during the Drystone Workshop in June 2017 Removing this overgrowth improved sight lines to the Ruins By fall 2017 a hundred trailer loads of overgrowth had been removed Walking up the driveway, winter 2017 April 2018 Fundraising Gala Dinner, with Flora Dumouchel presiding at auction Invasive lilac roots were causing the wall to fail (June 2018) A grant from the Township of South Glengarry helped fund this sign, designed by Noella Cotnam Note the veranda reconstruction in the background Fall 2018, reclaiming the original 1826 circle profile Stonemason Scott Young (left) used original stone he found within the tumbled-forward mound to form 95% of the restored wall’s face The view from the veranda These lamp posts were restored in 2018 with funds received from Farm Credit Canada Preparation for the 2019 demolition of four unsympathetic additions on the back involved replacing/installing electrical panels in the central basement Demolition of the 1930s kitchen addition (with sisters’ bedrooms above) A utility shed, adjacent dining space, and porch were also removed Shortly after the demolition, we drilled a new well North perspective of House after removal of four additions In the summer of 2019 the front veranda was nearing completion Landscaping, the veranda's finishing touch 2020 Neil McGregor bringing the metal architectural detailing back to life The circle garden in full bloom. The veranda and stone steps were completed in August 2020 just before the Virtual Concert was taped (viewable on our home page) The concert was organized by Gabrielle Campbell (far right). Performers: Heather Flipsen, Paddy Kelly, and Noel, Rachel & Gabrielle Campbell Sean Burgess enjoyed playing the pipes on the balcony during the Virtual Concert The refreshed view to the Ruins, fall 2020 Masonry consolidation on all the north walls began in August 2020, supported by matching funds from Parks Canada Beginning to explore what was hidden within the 1808 walls In spring 2021 with help from the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Regional Incentives Grant, work began on the back facade Careful work was done around the 1808 windows to restore their architectural features Work continued into 2021 on the last portion of north’s masonry A doorway becomes a window once again The last day of masonry, June 2021 Since the central openings on the first and second floors had once led to the 1930s kitchen and bedroom wing, another window and a door were replicated A new door for the west facade The House in late summer of 2021 A new roof to complement the west door, both facilitated by the SD&G Incentives Regional grant A beautiful view even in the depths of winter In the winter of 2022, volunteers Marc Lantier and Rick Neilson removed layers of flooring to uncover the original maple The original granite is being exposed behind the brick infill in the Bishop's parlour Keith Kennedy worked on the masonry consolidation after the parlour's mantle was carefully removed We found these handmade clay bricks under a blackboard across the hallway Careful removing layers of paint from 1808 millwork, spring 2022 Finishing the original maple floor boards, summer 2022 Rewiring was done amidst the floor and fireplace restorations Ross McLean was adding the finishing touches to the walls and millwork In May 2022 the Macdonell Glengarry Fencibles relived history as they encamped and drilled on the original 1812 parade grounds Instructor Scott Young’s last Drystone Workshop in June 2022 completed the wall’s restoration Jacqui and Bill Jeffers (right) organized the event for their not-for-profit, Drystone Canada Only the anchor stone is missing after the final Drystone Workshop Architect Ron Rayside guided us from 2015 (including 240 hours of pro bono work before we gained ownership) until he sold his firm in 2022 Fall This door closely resembles the one seen in 1920 photos. An antique found in Montreal and approved by our architect, it replaced a tired slab that was entirely unsuitable. Nancy Grant, who now oversees decor, had Scott Young’s help to prepare for Sunday afternoon visitors, summer 2023 Glengarries August 2023 CONTACT info@bishopshouse.ca Like us on Facebook Contact Us Name * Email * Message * reCAPTCHA If you are human, leave this field blank. Submit Δ
