The Hidden Treasures of Uxbridge - The Dowling Scrolls

On Occasion, Uxbridge is treated to a rare glimpse of history, to the enjoyment and amazement of all who see them, The Dowling Scrolls are unrolled and brought to light for a significant display. Rev James Thomas Dowling created this astounding one of a kind work of art during his tenure at the original Uxbridge Baptist Church during the 1870's

He painted them in a shed behind the church. The scrolls are 7 feet high, and there is a total length of 446 feet, painted in oil house paint on cotton canvas.

The 40 panels are approximately 10 feet long, each one depicting a different scene from Biblical times. The attention to detail, the combination of colors, and the quality of his art are so inspiring.

These scrolls were painted at a time before electricity was available, before the car was invented, before, central heat. Yet today, over 130 years later the colors and the subject matter speak volumes, even to people that don't particularly love art work.

Rev. Dowling used these scrolls in the church, using the appropriate background to help illustrate his sermons. He designed a unique display system that held the scrolls upright, where the scrolls could be turned and the appropriate panel displayed. These scrolls weigh hundreds of pounds each and are very difficult to manoeuvre, yet he took them to different churches and evangelical meetings to enhance his preaching. He had a team that traveled with him by horse and buggy to assist in his speaking engagements.

Rev. Dowling was commissioned to paint the panorama, 40 scenes of Bible subjects. This proved to be a labour of ‘close work' for one and a half years. During this time he was often called away on pastoral duties and had to make up time, working through long nights. The total payment for this entire collection was $600.00, equal to 2 years salary. By the end of the commission he threw down his pallet and brushes entirely exhausted and feeling as though he had no desire to resume his art again. His reputation as an artist grew, and before too long more orders came; and were accepted.

Ministry in the 1870's was definitely not a well paying job. His salary while in Uxbridge was $300.00 annually. Dowling was burdened by financial problems throughout his ministry. In his hand written autobiography, donated to the Uxbridge Museum, he speaks often about not being able to provide for his family, and living in poverty with constant debt. His wife had poor health for many years, and the medical expenses were enormous. His growing family needs had to be met. He says" the ruins of the past, the pressure of the present, and the demands of the future, were crushing...."

Rev Dowling was a tortured soul, trying to build the church single handed, supporting his family and dealing with constant criticism by the church congregation for continuing his art. His art work did not make him rich, but it did allow him to keep the ‘wolf from the door and the debt from crushing him totally'. He says ‘debt is like a wet blanket to any person or any church.'

The railroad was being built to bring people to Uxbridge, as they arrived and settled Dowling managed to swell the church, the Sunday school grew from 30 to 120 with his ideas and hard work. In an effort for the church to become self sufficient he organized and lead the Sunday School as they put on plays and concerts.

During his 11 years in Uxbridge he became Superintendent of Public School for Uxbridge, a position that added lots of work, but also increased his influence for the good and helped the church.

Throughout his career in many different Ontario towns and villages, he continued to help support his family through his art, constantly being criticized by the religious community. "God will provide", they said but he was still riddled with debt. Towards the end of his career, Dr. Mc Vicar, then Chancellor of Mc Master Divinity College spoke at Dowling's church in Sterling, Ontario, for a series of evangelical services, and in closing he said of Dowling, that " the Good Lord had surely given him this talent, not to be hidden or neglected, but to be used." He then encouraged him by advising him to persevere. This public statement finally brought great relief to Dowling and his family, ending years of frustration. Dowling says in his journal," the Good Lord is more consistent than many of his people."

Displaying the scrolls is an enormous project, the area needed is immense...draped from the ceiling they can encircle a banquet hall and more. To stroll along gazing from scene to scene is to stroll through ancient times. Some of my favourites are the night scene of Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, Egypt, Samaria, and the Acropolis in Athens. Pictures in books, writing, and his imagination inspired all of these paintings. Travel was not as it is today, there is no mention in his journals that he ever traveled abroad, therefore he never saw any of these places first hand.

The magnitude of this work is so vast; it deserves to be shown in the best museums. The Royal Ontario Museum have classed the work as early Ontario Folk Art and have no idea how it could be displayed to advantage because of its size, therefore, at this point they have no interest in it.

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Here is a sampling of the Pictures

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Photos By K Clulow

UPDATE July 15th 08 - I was informed today about three more of Thomas Dowling's paintings that will be on display this weekend coming in Aurora at their Art in The Park. They are approximately 4 feet by 7 feet and are on display in the Masonic Temple in Aurora. Hopefully I will be able to get pictures to add here.

Bibliography

Notes and Quotations taken from
Rev. Dowling's hand written Journals,
finished in 1912 in
Petrolia, Ontario