Excerpts from “History of St. Andrews”
The Early Years
The Rev. Henry Irwin, a pioneer missionary in B.C., was the first rector of both Rossland and Trail. He is better known as Father Pat, and his life and work in the Golden City from January 27th, 1896 to November 5th, 1899 won for him an abiding place in the heart and mind of all those who knew him. As there was no church at the time of his arrival, he conducted his first service in Rossland in the old Opera House on February 2, 1896.
On a trip home to Ireland he met and married Miss Frances Stuart Innes. They were married on January 8, 1890, but their happiness was to be short lived. In November, his beloved wife died giving birth to their child. Father Pat grieved deeply and was never quite the same afterwards, although his faith and his enthusiasm for his work in the Church remained as strong as ever. He gave himself and all that he had to his chosen profession, working almost beyond endurance, trying to forget.
The small settlement at Trail Creek Landing (now the town of Trail) had, as yet, no minister in the cluster of tents and shacks which straddled the creek. Early in January 1899, Father Pat announced he would hold services in the Topping and Hanna Opera house.
Everyone was invited, no matter what his faith. Response was good and the big new building was crowded, but no minister appeared – Father Pat, on his way down the snowy hill from Rossland, had met a teamster in distress and stopped to help him out of his difficulty. Finally, on the afternoon of February 9, 1896, Father Pat conducted the first Anglican service held in Trail. The Anglican parish of St. Andrew was establish in Trail in February, 1899.
In June, 1899, there was still no church in Trail and services were held in homes, more often than not, in the open. It was decided to buy a lot on the corner of Pine and Eldorado Avenues. Building went ahead quickly, and by mid November the church was ready for use. Sunday, November 19, 1899 was a proud day for Anglican adherents in Trail, as they went to service for the first time in a church of their own.
Our mom,deceased 9 years ago,was a direct descendant of the Irwin family.Rev. Henry Irwin (Father Pat)was born in Newtownmountkennedy in County Wicklow,Ireland.His father and two brothers were also ministers in the Anglican Church of Ireland.Our family will be visiting that Part of Ireland later this month to tour the church and grounds.father Pat was indeed a great servant of his fellow man.Thanks.