August 10, 2014

971 Berkley Road-1959 (REF a.)

Posthumous

Munro church/Seymour Heights United Church

North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

The first church to be built on Berkley Road, in the eastern section of the District of North Vancouver, was Munro Church in 1928.  (See Blot Post 8/3/2014.)  This church, built south of Mount Seymour Parkway was named after the retired minister Rev. John R. Munro who "gave himself with enthusiasm to the erection of a church at Berkley Heights...the name 'Munro Church' had been sanctioned by Presbytery for this building." (REF b.)

"The congregation of (that changed its name to) Seymour Heights had its start in the early 1930's.  The first church home of the congregation was a small church with a basement located on Berkley Road, south of the present Mount Seymour Parkway."  This church had an organ.  "In 1942 the original church (Munro Church) was sold and services were held in Seymour Heights Hall..."For 15 years, Seymour Heights United has been meeting in Seymour Heights Community Hall while planning a church of its own.
                                                                              

Seymour Heights Community Hall

2702 East Keith Road

(North Vancouver Archives Photo #MA146)

"By the mid-1950's it was apparent that a church home was required.  Land was purchased on Berkley Road...During this period the church organ was faithfully stored in Stewart;s chicken house...The side is west of Berkley Road, north of Keith, running from the intersection of Dogwood, south 300 feet on Berkley, with a depth running from 100 feet at the south half, to 200 at the north...There is a fine view down Burrard Inlet, over the city to Vancouver Island.

"The estimated cost of the new church was $26,000...The church is planned for the corner of Berkley and Dogwood on four lots purchased by the building committee.. for $3000.  Professor W. R. Ussner of the University of British Columbia is drawing up plans for a church to seat about 250...estimated total cost of $26,000" (REF b.)

                                                                  

New Church Sanctuary-1959 (REF 2.)

The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives lists a 1962 $10,500 repair for fire damage at the Seymour Heights United Church.

                                                                    

                                                   971 Berkley Rd., 1963 (REF 1.)

New Building 1963 (REF 1.)

"The new church...was part of the Lynnmour Pastor Charge to the west of Seymour Heights area.  (See blog post 1/19/12.)...In 1967 the Lynnmour church was amalgamated with Lynn Valley United Church (See blog post Feb.m 19, 2012.) and Seymour Heights became Mount Seymour united Church.  Mount Seymour shared a minister with Deep Cove United Church." )See blog post 4/10/11.) (REF a.)

Seymour Heights/Mount Seymour United Church and Deep Cove United Church combined and built Mount Seymour United Church at 1500 Parkgate Avenue in 1989.  (See blog post on Mount Seymour United Church 8/17/14.)

Note: See Blog Post 8/3/14 for map of location of churches mentioned.

Thank You: To Kathryn Clinton, Mount Seymour United Church Administrator

                  for copies of history references.

Reference 1: Citizen, August 1, 1963, available at the North Vancouver 

                 Archives.

Reference 2: Received from Mount Seymour United Church files:
                                   a."Seymour Heights United Church-Service of Dedication- 
                                                         Sunday, September 13th, 1959."
                                    b."History of Seymour Heights/Mount Seymour 
                                                         United Church"
                                    c."Mount Seymour United Church, North Vancouver, B.C. 
                                                         10th Anniversary Sunday, April 18, 1999"
                                    d."Mount Seymour United Church 25th Anniversary
                                                         Celebration May 4, 2014 From 1989: To 2014

(Note: These references are on file at the North Vancouver Archives.)

Link: http://www.mtseymourunited.com/