St. Alban’s Centre in Adolphustown has released the following statement this week.
Escape Room game at St. Alban’s Centre offers Church-sized puzzle for friends and families, and team development for business & sports
If you know your local history, you’re aware the largest bank heist in Canada to that date happened in Bath in 1945 when the quiet village of 300 was targeted by a gang of professional thieves.
The size of the haul must have surprised the 4 unlucky crooks, as they made off with $351,000 in cash and negotiable bonds and securities (equivalent to over $5 million today according to the Kingston Whig-Standard). They were caught. Time was served by some of gang, one died behind bars and another died of gunshot wounds and was found in a Mississippi ditch. It’s still not clear if all the money and market paper was ever recovered. The Royal Bank Branch in Bath – still there, but in a new building west across the street – hasn’t been robbed since.
“The speculation remains on why all the funds weren’t recovered, and what might have happened in the aftermath before OPP cruisers swarmed Bath. That uncertainty has inspired our Escape St. Alban’s game decades later,” says Escape overseer Sharon Miller.
Human scale Escape Games are a growing phenomenon over the past decade, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic when people mostly stayed home. They are a modern take on ‘Clue’ and other mystery games, but without the dice, board, or murder by pipe wrench. Instead, players follow planted clues and try to connect the dots to solve the mystery and recover the ‘missing’ money and negotiable securities. The proceeds from running Escape St. Alban’s game sessions have helped pay for needed renovations to the 144-year-old limestone church.
“Our first seasons have been very popular,” says Miller. “And we know the real-life adventure appetite is still there, so we expect another busy summer of sleuthing, with or without Sherlock Holmes regalia. Those interested can book their date and time slot directly on our website at StAlbansCentre.ca ”
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Adolphustown hosted the first town hall meeting held in Upper Canada, in 1792, a year after the Colony of Quebec was divided into Upper and Lower Canada. St. Alban’s Centre is located at 10419 Loyalist Parkway (Hwy 33) in Adolphustown, now the cornerstone of Greater Napanee. Friends of St. Alban’s was formed by local volunteers to preserve the former St. Alban’s Church, built originally as a tribute to Loyalists 100 years after their arrival. ‘Friends’ is an open group, with new members always welcome.
St. Alban’s Centre recognizes and celebrates the achievements of the local pioneers who helped create and shape Canada’s largest province, and the country itself.
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