The beautiful Reredos, or Tabernacle, at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Depot at Regina was carved by a member of the RCMP, and dates from around the Chapel's construction in 1895.
Blasterz believe the Altar is modern, also carved by RCMP Mounties after 1960. We found a pamphlet on the history of the RCMP Depot Chapel with a 1960 photo of the Reredos, and no Altar. See: (
visit link)
"1960 – “Depot” Division: Past And Present
While going through his old Force papers, Veteran Ric Hall came across an information booklet published by the RCMP in 1960 and with the title of “Depot Division Past And Present.”
We have included the details and photographs from the booklet for your reading pleasure.
On May 23, 1873, an Act was passed by the Canadian Parliament creating the North-West Mounted Police, whose chief task would be to establish law and order in the vast unsettled territory extending from the Manitoba boundary to the Rockies.
The following year the Force built Fort Macleod, in what is now southern Alberta, and in 1876 it became the Headquarters of the Force. In 1878, Headquartered moved to Fort Walsh near the United States boundary, in what was to become the Province of Saskatchewan, and four years later, 1882, it was moved to Regina. In 1904, the prefix “Royal” was bestowed on the Force by King Edward VII, in recognition of its services; and in 1920 the title was changed to Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Headquarters was transferred to Ottawa.
Regina, however, unlike its predecessors Fort Macleod and Fort Walsh did not wane as a base of police operations but continued to grow until today it is the largest of R.C.M. Police establishments. It is the site of “Depot” Division which, as the Western Training Centre, receives hundreds of recruits each year and of the Headquarters of “F” Division, which is responsible for the enforcement of Federal and Provincial laws and the Criminal Code in the rural areas and certain municipalities of Saskatchewan.
In 1882, the selection of Regina, or ‘The-Pile-of-Bones‘ as it was then known, as the site of Headquarters, portable buildings were shipped in sections from Eastern Canada and erected according to plans laid out by Inspector S.B. Steele. They enclosed a large barrack square which today, despite the replacement of all the building except the Chapel, retains its original location.
. . .
Originally a canteen, the Chapel building was constructed in Eastern Canada and moved in sections, by flat-cars, steamer, and ox-cart, to Regina, where it was assembled in 1885. In 1894 it was converted into a place of worship at the suggestion of Mrs. L.W. Herchmer, wife of the fourth Commissioner of the Force. Through the years, changes and improvements have been made in its appearance. Much of the work has been done by members of the Force. Th strong gray tower was designed and constructed by the staff of “Depot” Division, and on December 10, 1939, dedicated to the Glory of God and in loving memory of the officer and men who participated in the “March West” of 1874, from the Dufferin Camp in Manitoba to the foot-hills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. Pulpit, choir seats and benches are also the work of the Mounted Police personnel."
A visit to the Chapel and the RCMP Training Depot comes with the price of admission to the RCMP Museum. Rates are as follows: (
visit link)
"Admission Rates
RCMP Heritage Centre Annual Pass Members – FREE
Kinder (0 – 5) – FREE
Child/Youth (6 – 17) – $6
Students (18+ with valid Student ID) – $8
Adult (18+) – $10
Senior (60+) – $8
Family (2 adults & up to 5 children/youth) – $30
Active members of the Military or any Police Force – $5
Veterans of any police or military force receive FREE admission"