Albert College, Belleville, Ontario
This week we decided to visit Albert College in Belleville. We drive by the buildings often and admire the architecture. Now we will have the opportunity to enter into the halls of learning with the open house they offered this weekend.
History
Founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church it was originally a Seminary. It became Albert College in 1866 named in honour of Prince Albert. It was originally a university, and was affiliated with the University of Toronto until it merged into the Methodist Church of Canada in 1884 and ceased offering university credits. At that point it became a high school.
The original building was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt as is is today.
The original building was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt as is is today.
Originally designed to accommodate 150 residents with enough room to instruct 400 students under the direction of Reverend Albert Carman. It boasts several eminent graduates, Ezekiel Stone Wiggins, or “Ottawa’s prophet” an author, scholar, and amateur meteorologist was among them. Another Alumni inductee is poet and winner of the Governor-General’s Literary Award for poetry, Alfred Purdy.
While not the most special thing we have seen the school has a couple of places of interest architecturally. The outside of the building is quite interesting but only parts of the inside match up to the same standards.
The chapel features several stained glass windows, including a three light window (1986) by Robert McCausland Limited.
The chapel features several stained glass windows, including a three light window (1986) by Robert McCausland Limited.
By far the most impressive room was the dining hall with its huge beams supporting the ceiling. Our guide, one of the students informed us that the meals were as good as the room was beautiful.