The carillon of St. Paul’s Anglican Church will ring in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning British monarch in September.
“She is the Queen of Canada and we believe as parishioners to honour her service,” said the church’s Archdeacon Brian Evans.
He said one of the stories parishioners talk about the most in relation to the Queen was that on her first visit to Nanaimo, she mentioned that when she was coming into the city by ship she heard the carillon ringing.
The church, located at 100 Chapel St. is hosting a special service of thanksgiving Wednesday (Sept. 9) at 10 a.m. to mark the historic event. Following the service, which is open to the public, refreshments will be served in the church hall. The carillon will be pealing at 12:15 p.m. as part of a Canada-wide bell ringing celebration.
Sue Gueulette, a St. Paul’s Anglican church parishioner, said she has collected Royal Family memorabilia since she was a child.
“It is really wonderful,” said Gueulette about Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. “Who thought anyone would reign that long?”
Gueulette said her family came from England so it’s been a tradition to keep up with the Royal Family.
“We are royalists,” she said.
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was held in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. She inherited the throne from her father, King George VI, who reigned after the abdication of his brother Edward VIII.
Elizabeth II will become the longest-serving British monarch in history tomorrow, overtaking the previous record held by her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years.
