A history of Pickford Area Pioneer Families Daniel Morrison

St. Matthias Mission

The mission church of St. Matthias, Fairview, Pickford Township, Michigan, was built of logs by the congregation on a site in the Fairview Cemetery about the year 1880. The first members were settlers who had come from Canada, where they had been members of the Church of England (now known as the Anglican Church in Canada) and had established homes in Pickford Township.

Before 1880 the Rev. G. Mott Williams, who was then the Archdeacon of the Episcopal Church in Northern Michigan, made numerous trips through Chippewa County to minister to the settlers and he established a number of missions in various parts of the county, among them St. Matthias Mission in the district east of Pickford that has always been called Fairview.

Among the ministers who served this mission under the supervision of Archdeacon Williams who in 1895 was elected to be the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Marquette, were the Reverends Hiram J. Ellis, George and Robert Stillwell, and the Rev. William Maltas. Several years ago the name of the Diocese was changed to Northern Michigan.

In 1918 the Rev. Robert Leroy Harris was elected Bishop Coadjutor of Northern Michigan and until 1929 he regularly visited St. Matthias Church. In 1922 the Rev. Arthur Heyes, who was in charge of St. Stephen's Mission in DeTour, was sent to assist Mr. Maltas. From then until the spring of 1936, Mr. Heyes held regular services in Fairview and in a number of other missions in the county. In March 1936, he was called to the Diocese of Eau Claire in Wisconsin.

A short time before Bishop Harris decided to retire in 1929, it had been noticed the old log church was becoming the victim of time and not only was the building decaying, but it had become too small for the congregation. The Bishop therefore recommended that the congregation consider building a new and larger church, and to erect it in a token of appreciation for the long and devoted services of the Rev. William Haltas, who, though still active, was growing old. Not only the members of the congregation, but a large number of other people in and out of the county at once became greatly interested in erecting the new church and all contributed generously to make it possible. In the early winter of 1930 Mr. Boniface, who had larger timber holdings near the Munuscong River, donated the necessary logs for the new church and in January these were cut and brought to the site for the new church. In the meantime Mr. Edward Kelly and Mr. Peter Nally each donated a half-acre on which to build the church and it is interesting to note that the boundary of these two parcels of land runs down the center aisle of the new church. In June of that year the logs were peeled and fashioned for their purpose and through the following summer the church was erected under the supervision of the Rev. Arthur Heyes, who drew the plans for it. In early November of 1930 on a Sunday afternoon, the first service was held and the dedicatory sermon was preached by the late Venerable Archdeadon Poyseor of Crystal Falls, Michigan. It was named the Maltas Memorial Church, a house of prayer for all people. A large sign was erected in front of the church on which was written, "Stop! This is the Maltas Memorial Church, built by the people of the community as a house of prayer for all people." Services and Sunday School sessions were held regularly every Sunday. After the Rev. Arthur Heyes left, the work was continued with the help of clergy of the St. James Church in the Soo, with the assistance of Mr. Robert Stevenson, a teacher, who had been appointed a Lay Reader. Some time later Mr. Stevenson moved to Southern Michigan and for several years this mission was inactive, though from time to time the Reverends Glen Blackbum and E. R. A. Green of St. James Church held services.

In 1952 the Rev. Dudley B. McNeil who had become Rector of St. James Church and the Rev. Arthur Heyes who had retired and was then living in Sault Ste. Marie, were instrumental in reactivating the Fairview Mission, and in October, 1952, the church was reopened with a service conducted by the Rev. Arthur Heyes with a sermon by the Rev. Dudley McNeil. Then the work was under the direction of Mr. Ralph McBain, a high school teacher in Sault Ste. Marie, to whom the Rt. Rev. Herman Page, the Bishop of Northern Michigan had given a Lay Reader's license. Under Mr. McBain's devoted and able leadership this Mission has grown in a most encouraging way end the growing congregation has made possible a number of improvements to the fabric of the church building. In his work Mr. McBain was assisted by the clergy of St. James Church in the Soo and the Rev. Vaughan Norton, Vicar of the Church of the Good Shepherd in St. Ignace.

Services are currently being conducted at St. Matthias by Stephen Stiling, Lay Reader.

Historical Incidents

First Baby

It was back in 1878 when the little village of Pickford had its first baby. A son, Alexander, was born to Mr. and Mrs. James Clegg on March 7, 1878. Most of the older people of the Pickford area believe that Mr. Clegg was the first white baby to be born in Pickford.

There were only a few people living in Pickford at that time. It was primarily a farming community just as it is today. Only a few people who had occupations other then farming lived in town. There was a small store to serve the people. There was also a feed mill for the farmers.

Mr. Clegg was born and lived in Pickford most of his lifetime. Mr. Clegg had four brothers and two sisters. In 1904 he married Ida Kennedy. In 1905 a son, Otto, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Clegg. Not long after that a daughter, Ruth was born and later another daughter, Lois.

One occupation of Mr. Clegg's was to work in the newly constructed Rockview Fire Tower. He was the first to work there, which was in 1924. Then for three years he worked for the Conservation Department in Sault Ste. Marie. He retired in 1949 after twenty-five years of service. On July 5, 1959, Alexander Clegg passed away and was buried in Bethel cemetery.

ADDITONAL NOTE: According to Mr. Bayliss of Sault Ste. Marie, who has written a book on the early history of this area, the first baby born in Pickford was Frank Pickford, born on March 4, 1878. This would be three days earlier than the birth date of Alexander Clegg on March 7.

In Memory Of My Father By Robert Nettleton I can see the little cabin with the stable standing near. I can hear the wild birds singing the song I loved so dear. Then when I'd return at mealtime as I had often done before, I can see my father sitting at the little cabin door. I can see the trails he rambled o'er the hills and through the dell I can see the rabbits running, I can hear the coyote's yell. I can hear the horses whinny in the eve when all is still. I can see the cattle grazing over yonder on the hill. I can see the red sun setting in the crimson colored west; I can hear the night birds singing all the weary world to rest. I can see the open window where the lamps would nightly burn; I can see my father sitting, waiting there for my return. I can see the shining lily as it budded in the spring; I can see the wild geese flying, I can hear the robin sing. I can see the shining raindrops when the rainbow would appear; I can hear the leaves a'rustling with the running of the deer. I can hear the night wind moaning through the spruce and balsam trees. I can hear the songs of nature as they floated on the breeze. I can see the pale moon shining on the little cabin floor. I can hear my father singing as he did in days of yore. I can hear the thunder rolling, I can see the lightning gleam. I can see the rippling water as it flowed down the stream. I can heat the night bird calling with its voice so loud and shrill; I can see the red squirrel running, I can hear the shippoorwill. I can see the spruce and balsam with their bough load of snow. I can see the pale moon shining on the valley far below. I can see the load of pulpwood that I used to climb upon; I can hear the old sleigh howling at the breaking of the dawn.