Sir Wilfred Grenfell

Grade 7 Religion

CHAMPIONS OF FAITH

• 1865 - 1940• Born in England• Christian• Medical missionary serving in NL• Introduced hospitals, schools, orphanages, industries

and co-op stores

A young Wilfred Grenfell

An older Wilfred Grenfell

Wilfred with his mother.

Wilfred with his two brothers (1907).

In 1909, Grenfell married Anne Elizabeth Caldwell,

daughter of Edmund Burke MacClanahan, of Lake

Forest, Illinois.

Dr. Grenfell and his only daughter, Rosamond (1917-?).

Sons, Wilfred Jr. (1910-?) and Kinloch (1912-1996) shown here at the hospital in Battle Harbour.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell is a legend in Newfoundland and Labrador. He came from England in 1892 to

investigate the lives of the people who fished on "the

Labrador". He found poverty and destitution,

and decided to change it. He was a tireless

fundraiser, and built hospitals, nursing

stations, co-op stores, schools, libraries,

orphanages, and more, enriching the lives of thousands of people.

Grenfell and his wife in front of the St. Anthony hospital.

Grenfell conducting a church service on Battle Island.

Dr. Grenfell, staff, and patients at the Grenfell Mission Hospital in St. Anthony.

Grenfell chats with a young

friend.

Treating a patient on one of Grenfell’s boats.

The Grenfell hospital, Battle Harbour, Labrador, built in 1893.

A ward in St. Anthony Hospital in the early 20th century.

The Grenfell hospital at Indian Harbour, Labrador.

Grenfell was responsible for the construction of a new orphanage in St. Anthony.

The St. Anthony School, established by Grenfell, served all denominations.

The hospital that Wilfred Grenfell constructed in St. Anthony in

1924 still stands.

Grenfell as a northerner.

Kayaking in a suit and tie.

Grenfell was a great sailor.

Grenfell with his beloved dog

Jack.

.

The hospital steamer Strathcona II frozen in the sea. Grenfell cruised annually in the Strathcona II, keeping in

touch with his centres of missionary work.

Much of Grenfell’s traveling between communities in coastal Labrador was done using dog sled.

Grenfell and his huskies.

In 1935, at the age of 70, poor health forced

Grenfell to retire from

active work.

For Grenfell’s last visit to St. Anthony, everyone on the coast came to greet him, for good reason. Grenfell’s

influence lives on to this day, including 4 hospitals, 15 nursing stations, over 30 doctors, 8 dentists, and 145 nurses, not to mention his non-medical contributions.

Grenfell made one last visit to Labrador, in 1938.

He died at Charlotte, Vermont, on October 9, 1940,

at the age of 75.

A museum in his original house contains photographs and memorabilia of his life, and a statue in his honour

stands in the Grenfell Park.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell Elementary School3323 Wellington AvenueVancouver, B.C.

There is even a school in British Columbia named after Sir Wilfred Grenfell.

The university in Corner Brook is

called Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.

The Sir Wilfred Grenfell, a Canadian Coast Guard ship,

patrols Newfoundland waters.

Sir Wilfred Grenfell was honoured by

being placed on both a

Newfoundland stamp and a

Canadian stamp.

A very familiar statue of Grenfell can be found in St.

John’s, outside the Confederation Building.

A number of books have been written about the life of Dr. Wilfred Grenfell.