Worshipping

Introductory Essay

Between 1939 and 1945, Canada was engaged in a total war. Across all sectors of society, people mobilized. Many men, and women too, enlisted to fight overseas. Those people unable to enlist fought…

D-Day ... ten years after

On the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, veterans in Gravenhurst, Ontario, organized a church service to mark the occasion.

Prayers for soldiers, sailors and airmen

Endorsed by the Archbishop of Quebec, this prayer book was published by the Knights of Columbus within a few months of the beginning of the Second World War.

Giving thanks for peace

Across the Allied world in May 1945, communities like Chesley, Ontario, gathered to give thanks for the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Rebuilding after the Halifax Explosion

The Grove Presbyterian Church and the Kaye Street Methodist Church were destroyed in the Halifax Explosion of December 1917; after the war, parishioners united to build one church to serve both congregations.

Common Sorrow.pdf (8.98 MB)

Sunday School and Mother's Day

This donation card, directed at Ontario children, conflated Mother's Day, religion, and the need to defeat Nazi Germany

Order of Divine Service for the Canadian Army

The order of service used by the Canadian Army on all occasions except regular church service.

Women of the Anglican Missionary Society

Like virtually every organization in Canada, the Woman's Auxiliary added war work to its charitable activities during the Second World War, and reported on its initiatives in this monthly magazine.

Hymns for soldiers

Soldiers were fond of altering the lyrics to hymns for comic effect - so, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" became "When This Lousy War is Over."

Sacred Songs.pdf (20.22 MB)

The YMCA at Witley

This ecumenical service, held at a large CEF training camp in the south of England, featured Rev. A. Logan Geggie of Parkdale Presbyterian Church in Toronto.

Awaiting the end of the war

Even before the Second World War ended, the Canadian Council of Churches had prepared an order of service that could be used to celebrate the occasion, whenever it came.