Nerves of steel Four generations of Thompson family involved in painting Port Williams church
The parishioners of St. John’s Anglican Church in Port Williams are proud of their beautiful 206-year-old church, and keeping the exterior looking good has been the job of four generations of the Thomson family.
Charlie, Robie, Bill and Peter Thomson of William Thomson and Sons Painting have all played a role in the upkeep of the building.
While painting the exterior of the church is a routine job, painting the steeple, spire and weathervane at a height of over 30 metres takes a head for heights and nerves of steel. For three weeks this summer, Peter Thomson was up on a genie lift, painting the steeple. Sometimes, the wind swayed the boom up another two feet, requiring him to hold a steeple ring with one hand and paint with the other.
The steeple and spire only need to be painted every 15-20 years.
“Hopefully this is the last time that I’ll have to paint it,” said 53-year-old Peter. “The first time was when I was 16, helping my dad, and it was scary, almost terrifying.”
The procedure used at that time was to put multiple planks on their edge that were long enough to go all the way through the open steeple and stick out at each end. On top of this base were flat planks upon which a ladder was secured that the painters climbed to paint the steeple and the spire.
Earlier generations were even more precariously perched as they used a bosun’s chair. A canvas sling or piece of wood, like a child’s swing, was attached to ropes that were run through rings on each side of the steeple and the painter was pulled up and down as needed.
In addition to the time that it took to paint the steeple and spire, another three weeks were required to complete the rest of the exterior of the church. The job was financed by St. John’s Anglican Church, with assistance from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.
Historical church
The beautiful and unique spire is likely the result of the imagination and effort of and one of the organizers of the parish, Col. John Burbidge. Burbidge, who had pledged 100 pounds towards the construction of the church, promised an additional 50 pounds if the spire would be erected following his plans.
Originally from England, Burbidge based his design on those created by renowned architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Construction of the church began in 1804, and although the parishioners built the spire, they had no way to raise it and so it had to remain on the floor of the tower.
It wasn’t until four years later, on Dec. 5, 1808, that the spire was put into its current position with the use of marine hoisting gear and the assistance of crew members from several large sailing ships, brigs of the West India trade, that were in port nearby in present day Port Williams.
The church was formally opened on Christmas Day in 1810.
The parish had a year of celebratory events in 2010 to mark the 200th anniversary of the church and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Parish of Cornwallis.