LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Although it's their first parish in the Northwest Territories, Fort Simpson hardly seems like the North to Chris and Winsome Davis.

Chris is the new minister at St. David's Anglican Church. He arrived in the village on June 28 with his wife.

Chris Davis, seen here with his wife Winsome, is the new Minster at St. David's Anglican Church in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Fort Simpson is a welcomed change for the couple who have spent approximately 50 per cent of Chris' 24 years in the ministry in isolated Northern communities.

"To us this doesn't seem like the North at all," said Chris.

The couple spent the past three years in the Inuit community of Kugluktuk in Nunavut. Prior to that they served for five years in the Cree community of Wemindji in Quebec.

In Fort Simpson, the couple is already getting used to some luxuries they didn't have in the fly in community of Kugluktuk.

"We walked everywhere for three years and didn't have a vehicle," said Chris.

"It's wonderful to have a car again."

The lushness of Fort Simpson is also a treat. Chris admits he's already cut the parish house's grass three times since arriving and has planted some flowers and vegetables.

After three Sunday services Chris is also getting a better sense of the parish. St. David's has been without a minister for approximately four years. Chris said he plans to revive some aspects of the church life that fell by the wayside including regular trips to minister in Wrigley. He's also considering making visits to Fort Liard.

Although Chris will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination next year he hasn't always been a strong Christian. His family weren't churchgoers but as a child they sent him to Sunday school weekly.

"I guess I was a noisy kid and they wanted a quiet house on Sunday," he said.

Chris credits his Sunday school teachers for planting the seed but it wasn't until 1974 when he was in university that Chris made a personal commitment to God.

"I got saved and felt the Lord leading me that I should join the ministry and preach the gospel," said Chris.

Originally from Hamilton, Ont., Chris started his Masters in Divinity in 1979 and graduated in 1984.

Winsome is originally from Jamaica, although she's been in Canada for 42 years. A lifelong Christian, Winsome studied Library Science at McGill University in Montreal but later felt the calling to attend theological school. She was studying in Regent College in Vancouver when she met Chris.

They have been married for 28 years and have two children, Jonathan, who lives in Iqaluit and works for First Air, and Lydia who lives and works in Vancouver.

The couple's first Northern parish was the community of Kashechewan on James Bay in Ontario.

"We were young and adventurous and thought sure, we'd give it a try," said Chris.

"We really enjoyed the experience.

After that first taste of the North the couple has regularly taken Northern postings.

"It's just been our life," said Chris.