The History of Our School
Archbishop Robert Machray
Machray School was started in 1884 by Alex Polson and Robert Machray to satisfy the needs of the rapidly growing North End of Winnipeg. The original school was a rented house on Main Street. In 1886, the lots at Charles Street and Mountain Avenue were purchased and a new wooden building erected. The wooden building was replaced by a brick building at the turn of the century. In 1913 an addition was necessary to accommodate the growing school population. Students were staying in school longer and so in 1921 Machray became the second Junior High School in Winnipeg. Another building was constructed because of this mushrooming population. These buildings were used until the present building was constructed in 1975.
The Most Reverend Robert Machray was
born in Aberdeen, Scotland on 17 May, 1831 and educated at King's College, Aberdeen, and
Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He entered the ministry of the Anglican Church and
was ordained Deacon on 11 November, 1855 and Priest on 9 November, 1856. In 1865 he
accepted the Bishopric of Rupert's Land and was consecrated Bishop on 24 June, 1865 in the
Chapel of Lambeth Palace, London. During his time as Bishop of Rupert's Land he
supervised the expansion of the Anglican Church throughout the Prairie Provinces and the
formation of six new Dioceses. He became Archbishop of Rupert's Land and Primate of
Canada in 1893 with the formation of the General Synod. He was active in education,
serving as schoolmaster of St. John's College School, Warden of St. John's College and
Chancellor of the University of Manitoba (1877-1904).
To find out more about Archbishop Machray, follow these links:
2. Robert Machray: Missionary Stateseman
W. J. Sisler- Former teacher and soccer coach (1901-1904)
For information about this former teacher who led Machray School to north division soccer championship in 1904 check out:
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/pageant/11/sisler_wj.shtml