The Stone Church
on top of Comiaken Hill can be seen from most of Cowichan Bay. It was built
in 1870 by Father Peter Rondeault for the Cowichan Indians located at the
bottom of the hill. It has been told that Father Rondeault biked up the
Saanich Peninsula from Victoria where he hired a native guide to take him
across to Cowichan Bay (then referred to as Comiaken). He arrived in 1885
with not much more than a sack of flour.
In those days the Cowichan Indians were considered a rather murderous lot. History also tells of a few skirmishes both with the other natives and the white man. But, being a rather affable fellow he won the admiration of Chief Jean Baptiste and founded what would eventually be rather large and loyal congregation. One thing shouts through history; the fact that the Father was a fanatical worker. Before long he had built a house, cleared the land and established a grist mill and a small farm. So, naturally he would build a church! The first church was a modest wooden structure and was dedicated in 1859. But, a more permanent stone church was needed.
The small farm
produced a good quantity of butter, which was sold to finance the new church.
This has led to the church also being named the "Butter Church".
Comiaken Hill is largely limestone and large blocks were quarried. These
in turn were broken with the aid of a cast iron cannon ball that had been
fired by the British in a previous show of force.
Local craftsmen
built rather ornate doors and windows, but no pews. It was traditional for
the local natives to sit on straw mats on the floor.
Politics reigned supreme in those days too. Surprisingly the Diocese, represented by Bishop Demers, ordered the erection of a larger church down the road. That church was made of wood, consecrated in in 1880, burned to the ground in 1900. The Stone Church survived in its desolation. They rebuilt St. Ann's and it is largely as it was then today. Pieces of the Stone Church have survived, the doors and windows in fact are installed in St. Paul's on Saltspring Island.
In 1931 "Ripley's
Believe It Or Not" featured the church as a local legend. They called
it "The church of no services..." and erroneously created a story
about how local natives feared it and would not go near the place due to
mysterious deaths surrounding it. Total and absolute crap! The place, and
it's surrounding cemetery are meticulously cared for to this day. True,
few services were held, but the story is pure fiction.
In fact, it had a new roof in 1922. In 1958 it was restored as part of BC's Centennial. Unfortunately, it has been vandalized. But, there are still folks who work to keep the building clean and it is still a safe place to visit. It remains on top of the hill as a monument to Father Rondeault, who has been many times honoured for his dedication and work with the Cowichan Native Community.