Deja Views: Looking south from the St. John’s Norway church tower in 1910

By DAVID VAN DYKE

When I first came across this archival photograph (above) of the intersection at Kingston Road and Woodbine Avenue (taken in 1910), I realized the unknown photographer would have had to have been on the roof of the bell tower of St. John the Baptist Norway Anglican Church to get this shot.

I then got in touch with Edward Cockerton, the Parish Administrator, for permission to get up top of the old tower. Thankfully, there wasn’t a problem. A date was set that I was to meet with Marion Crosberry who would be my guide.

On the day, I was visiting my son and asked him if he wanted to join me. It’s not everyday you get to see an amazing viewpoint of the Beach. Happily, Michael tagged along.

After we arrived I had this idea of us climbing stairs to a door that would open onto an incredible scene. But I was sadly mistaken. After Marion led us to the base of the tower, it became obvious that the journey to the top did not include stairs but two vertical 20-foot ladders with two different hatches. The latter hatch, which led to the roof, was so small that my six months of dieting wasn’t going to get me through.

But how wonderful it was to have taken along my skinny son. Without hesitation, Michael took my camera, climbed up the last ladder and squeezed through the opening and took the fantastic image below.

I want to thank Marion, Edward and Michael for all their help towards this issue of Deja Views.