All Canada Window

Canadian Memorial Chapel was born in the hearts of private soldiers in the First World War who, guided by a sergeant, formed a working party to bury six of Canada's war dead. On a November night of 1915, in the Ypres Salient, France, one of the soldiers said to Reverend Lieutenant-Colonel (Lt.-Col.) George Fallis, CBE, ED, DD: "Padre, after the war is over some chaplain should build a memorial in Canada in memory of fellows like these who have given their all." From that moment on, he would never lay away their beloved dead without the idea of a memorial chapel in his mind.

On his return to Canada he was advised by Reverend S.D. Chown, DD, General Superintendent of the Methodist Church, to go to Vancouver and choose a site in Shaughnessy Heights facing the eternal hills to erect the chapel of his dreams. He arrived in Vancouver in May 1920, to a willing congregation and plans were quickly laid. 

The window depicting services rendered by all men and women of Canada throughout the war was made possible through the generosity of leading statesmen and other men and women in the public life of Canada. The Building Committee thought it was wise for Lt.-Col. Fallis to go to Ottawa as Parliament was in session, and interview the leaders of Canadian life. Through the kindness of the Honourable H.H. Stevens, PC, and the Honourable Layton Ralston, he was able to interview Prime Minister Mackenzie King and three cabinet ministers in one afternoon, who were all most gracious and responsive.

In a few days the story of Canadian Memorial Chapel was a topic of conversation among parliamentarians who ate in the Parliamentary Club. The Right Honourable Arthur Meighen thought the idea was worthy of the support of all Canadians. Lt-Col. Fallis was greeted in the hall by the Honourable Robert Manion, a devout Catholic and a friend in the war days. At lunch when Lt-Col. Fallis unfolded his napkin he found a cheque for one hundred dollars from his friend. While still at lunch, General A. D. McRae, CB, came over and said: "Padre, I must do my bit for Canadian Memorial Chapel," and handed over a cheque for one thousand dollars. Nearly twenty years later Senator General McRae was buried from Canadian Memorial Chapel.

The Honourable R.B. Bennett, afterwards Viscount Bennett, was Leader of the Opposition and Lt-Col. Fallis' cousin, Reverend Dr. Samuel Fallis was his minister in Central Church, Calgary. When Parliament was idle, Lt-Col. Fallis went to his suite and told him the story of Canadian Memorial Chapel and asked him to subscribe to the All Canada Window. Mr. Bennett was a great Canadian and a great patriot. He was delighted with the idea of Canadian Memorial Chapel and immediately wrote a very ample cheque.

Located over the main entrance to Canadian Memorial United Church, the All Canada Window represents a vision of the coming together of Canada as a nation throughout its history, including the First World War. The window contains Canada’s discovery by Cartier, its birth by fire under Wolfe, its place as a safe haven for the Loyalists, its struggle for democracy through rebellion and negotiation at Fort Garry, and its joining together into a great nation connected by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Within the windows are four of the great battles fought by Canadians in the First World War: Ypres, Cambrai, Vimy and the Somme. “Right, not Might, shall rule the world” instructs the central figure, an angelic visitor, Miss Canada, who holds the symbol of peace in her right hand: a laurel wreath.

The All Canada Window was dedicated at the evening service on 2 December 1928 by the Honourable H. H. Stevens, PC, LLD.

FARMING

YPRES
SOMME

COAL MINING

RIGHT NOT MIGHT
SHALL RULE THE WORLD

DIEU ET MON DROIT

VIMY
CAMBRAI

FISHING

THIS WINDOW IS ERECTED IN HONOUR OF ALL MEN AND WOMEN OF CANADA WHO ENDURED SERVICE IN THE WORLD WAR.