The Church of the Good Thief -- Kingston, Ontario
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23: 39-43 NRSVue
"I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies, neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord in Thy Kingdom."
Orthodox Eucharistic Prayer
If you are familiar with the older parts of Kingston you may be aware of Portsmouth Village, several kilometres from the historic downtown. The village was formally incorporated into the city nearly 75 years ago but it was established in the late 1700s and grew up around nearby Kingston Penitentiary.
As some of you will know, in the summer of 1979 I did a four-month chaplaincy internship at KP and I think it was during that stint that I became aware of a lovely Portsmouth Village place of worship built in the late 19th century called The Church of the Good Thief. The name refers to the thief next to Jesus on a cross on Calvary who over the centuries was given the name Dismas. The church is dedicated in his name and while he never formally became a saint he is the patron of condemned prisoners, repentant thieves, the dying and -- I love this -- funeral directors.
Dismas, the Good Thief
The limestone for the building was quarried nearby by inmates from the penitentiary and masonry and ironwork was done by prisoners as well. While they did this essential work they weren't allowed to worship in The Church of the Good Thief, which seems to be a form of theft to me.
I've passed by the church many times but never been inside. Perhaps I never will. It was closed and deconsecrated in 2013. I'm grateful to the Kingston Whig Standard for sending me down this rabbit hole.
I did know Portsmouth. My summer job before and after first year university in the late 1960's was as a tour guide at Old Fort Henry. The Portsmouth Tavern was the go-to for the guides and the RMC, Queens or Bishops University students who were the British Artillery and Band. Your blog caused me to read a little more about the church. The first priest was also the chaplain for the prison so they were joined in some ways but not in others-- the inmates of course could not attend church there, though many of the prison staff and guards did. I took a good look at your photo to see the good thief in the niche. I love the idea that he has been recognized and elevated by the Catholic church. KB
ReplyDeleteBoth of Ruth's brothers and my high school best friends were part of the Fort Henry Guard. How many thousands of young Canadians earned fairly good summer wages there?! I hope the church is maintained and used in some way and that Dismas gets his due.In a world where crooks can become leaders, it's refreshing that this thief understood his need for mercy and grace. Thanks Kathy.
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