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THE ROYAL CHAPEL
Christ Church, Her Majesty's Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, is one of six Royal
chapels outside of Great Britain and is of great historic significance to
the Mohawk people and to the colonial history of Canada. It is a Gothic
structure built by the Mohawks in 1843 and houses a number of gifts given
to the Mohawks by the Royal Family over the last three centuries to
commemorate the political and military alliance between the Mohawks and the
British Crown. This military alliance defended and preserved the lands that
ultimately became Canada.
Religion and a deep belief in God was not
foreign to the Mohawk people. A great reverence for the Creator and for
life was entrenched in the Long House tradition, a deeply religious and
political ideology and way of life, founded in the 12th century by Chief
Hiawatha and the great prophet Deganawidah. This deep belief in peace,
democracy, and realization of good and evil forces made it easy for some to
accept Christianity in the early 1700's.
 | | Meeting of the Five Nations (Pre-contact).Courtesy - Museum of Civilization |
THE 1710 VISIT TO LONDON
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In 1710 "Four Mohawk Kings" or Chiefs of the Iroquoian Confederacy visited
England on a political and diplomatic visit. They were transported in royal
carriages through the streets of London and were received by Queen Anne at
St. James's Palace. In their discussions, the Mohawk emissaries requested
military aid. The 1677 "Silver Covenant Chain of Friendship" and the
military alliance was reaffirmed.
Queen Anne Chapel
from sketch by artist Les Claus
permission given by Ella Claus |
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While meeting with Her Majesty, the
Chiefs requested that a missionary be sent to them. Queen Anne promised to
support their request, relayed it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and
plans were made for a Royal Chapel to be built at Fort Hunter near present
day Johnstown, New York. The Chapel was built in 1711 and Queen Anne gave
gifts of a double silver communion set and a reed organ. The Queen Anne
Silver is still in use today. |
To commemorate the 1710 diplomatic visit,
the portraits of the Four Indian Kings were painted by Jan Verelst and for
many centuries hung at Kensington Palace in London, England. In October,
1977 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the paintings at the National
Archives in Ottawa at which time they became part of the Canadian
collection.
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 | Queen Anne
1665-1714
National Archives
of Canada C-038565 |
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The "Four Mohawk Kings"
Etow Oh Koam
1710
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Sa Ga Yeath Qua Pieth Tow
1710
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Ho Nee Yeath Taw No Row
1710
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Tee Yee Ho Ga Row
1710
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National Archives of Canada - Artist: Jan Verelst
C-092421, C-092419, C-092417, C-092415
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