Her Majesty’s/St. Paul’s Chapel of the Mohawks is a picturesque white-frame church located in a treed churchyard on the banks of the Grand River. It was the first Protestant church in Upper Canada and is now the oldest surviving church in Ontario. It also stands as the last remaining building of the Mohawk Village built in 1785.
The chapel was built by the British Crown in 1785 as a gift to the Mohawk First Nation who, under Joseph Brant, supported the British during the American Revolution. Her Majesty’s / St. Paul’s Chapel of the Mohawks was built by Loyalists John Thomas and John Smith who came from New York. It has been in continuous use since its construction, and as a result has experienced many improvements and alterations. Most important among them was a ninety-degree re-orientation of the interior axis to align with the gable in 1829, and an 1869 reworking of the original Georgian design to reflect Victorian architectural values. A stunning and spectacular feature added to the Chapel between the years 1959 and 1962 is the set of eight stained glass windows, which depicts the great history of Six Nations and their role in Canadian history.
Joseph Brant, known as Thayendanegea, was a diplomat and warrior who lead his followers across Lake Ontario. He was a member of the Wolf clan, born on the banks of the Ohio River in 1742. Joseph Brant was sent to the Indian Charity School in Connecticut during his teenage years. He became a Christian and translated the Bible into Mohawk. Between 1765-1771 Brant acted as an interpreter and engaged in political missions to the western nations. In 1784 after the Haldimand Proclamation was issued Joseph Brant led a group of Six Nations people to what is now Brantford.
In 1850, the remains of Joseph Brant were moved from the original burial site in Burlington to a tomb at the Mohawk Chapel. His son, John Brant, was also interred in the tomb. Next to Brant's tomb is a boulder memorializing the writer Pauline Johnson, who was born on the nearby Six Nations Reserve and attended services in the chapel.
Run by Six Nations Tourism, a sub-department of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC), Mohawk Chapel is a vibrant tourist attraction in Brantford aimed at providing a cultural experience for all its visitors. Wedding, baptism, and celebration of life memorial service bookings are available, as well as guided chapel, historical, heritage and educational tours.
In 1904, Her Majesty's Chapel of the Mohawks was designated as a Chapel Royal by King Edward VII, one of only 3, and the only one in North America. In 1981 it was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CHURCH GROUNDS THROUGH THE FENCE OPENINGS. THERE ARE 'PRIVATE PROPERTY' AND 'NO TRESPASSING' SIGNS AT ALL ENTRANCES. YOU ARE FREE TO WALK AROUND THE OUTSIDE... ALL INFO CAN BE FOUND WHILE REMAINING OUTSIDE THE FENCE.
TO CLAIM CREDIT FOR THIS VIRTUAL, please SUBMIT A PHOTO WITH YOUR LOG, and message or email me your answers to the THREE questions via my geocaching profile:
1. As you walk around the church (staying outside the fence), how many entrances to the church yard are there?
2. From here you can see Joseph (and John) Brant's tomb, as well as the rock memorializing Pauline Johnson. What is the clearly written name on the tallest grave SE of the tomb/rock?
3. At the rear of the chapel, how many stones are displayed inside the fenced area? (count each separate piece as one) ***IF there is too much snow on the ground, I will allow a photo (sent to me via message or email) of the fenced area. Please do NOT post this photo with your log.***
4. Take a photo **FROM THE REFERENCE POINT** and submit with your log. Stand so that the plaque is fully visible (if possible) in the background. Please include your GPS, and/or a signature item or (optional) yourself and/or your group in the photo (you do not have to show your face). Failure to include a photo with your log may result in deletion. Please note that all spoiler photos will be deleted.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.