Toston Catholic Chapel becomes edding chapel at Canyon Ferry Mansion Bed & Breakfast

The venerable Toston Catholic Chapel, built in 1920 but idle for several years, is in use again, 13 miles from its original location.

Steve and Sandy Rose bought the chapel in 2005, moved it to its current home 2 miles north of Townsend on Canyon Ferry Lake, and set about restoring and improving the building.

The chapel is the latest addition to the property that's home to the Roses' Canyon Ferry Mansion Bed & Breakfast, itself a restored 1915 home that's gained popularity in recent years as a spot for weddings. The Roses have also added a heated pavilion, cabin and other outbuildings since buying the property in 2000.

The chapel will help the wedding business, the Roses figure. In addition to allowing ceremonies year-round, the nondenominational chapel will give couples of varied religious backgrounds a neutral place to still have a church ceremony.

Sandy Rose said that the couple originally bought the property with the idea of running a traditional bed and breakfast, but weddings have gradually become a bigger share of the business.

"We had been in the wedding and catering business before in Indianapolis," she said. "So we knew what to do, and we just sort of gradually got pushed back into it."

They advertise as a spot for destination weddings with several days' worth of events for out-of-town guests, in addition to hastily arranged services.

The chapel is the 13th building Steve Rose has restored, a lineup that includes barns, a boarding house and a two-room schoolhouse.

He says he's not a purist when it comes to restorations -- he'll use modern or salvaged materials when necessary -- but he likes to give buildings their original appearance whenever possible.

"I hate to see an old building go to waste," he said. "They have a lot of history. You get into a deal where somebody's gone and put shag carpet over a maple wood floor, when with a little more care and effort you can keep the beauty that people put into the thing in the first place."

The chapel has features both old and new. The pews and altar are original, as are the Gothic windows and much of the stained glass -- though some that had been used for BB gun target practice were replaced.

Steve Rose removed the suspended ceiling to restore the building's cathedral style. Linoleum covering the floor is also gone.

New features include the steeple, lined with copper on the outside, and wiring and insulation to allow for year-round use.

The chapel's seating capacity of 120 was enhanced by the removal of the priest's vestry and confessional. The Roses also added some additional space onto the back of the biulding, as well as "Romeo and Juliet" balconies on either side of the altar that Steve Rose said are "both functional and decorative."

Sandy Rose is thrilled the chapel is finally ready for use -- its first wedding, last Saturday, featured a Gallatin Valley groom and a Great Falls bride.

John Harrington can be reached at 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com.