December 14, 2014

4575 Denman Road

Denman Island United Church
Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada

  Exit sign on Hwy. 19 for Denman & Hornby Island (Link 2.)

 Map of Denman Island from "denmanisland.com" (Link 2.)

                             

"Denman (Island) was once known as Punchlatt Island, and the Inner Island, by the Puntledge First Nations who set up summer camps on the island, gathering clams and berries, and fishing and hunting. Deer were caught by herding  them into the water where hunters waited in canoes.

The first European settlement on Denman Island was in 1874. The island was named after Rear Admiral Joseph Denman, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station, 1864-6. The island was allegedly nicknamed "Little Orkney" by the settlers who came from the Orkney Islands, an archipelago on the northern tip of Scotland.

Population: 1,100

"Location: Denman Island is located off the eastern shore of central Vancouver Island, opposite Buckley Bay, 12 miles (20 km) south of Courtenay and one hour north of Nanaimo." (Link 2.)

"Destination Denman Island – Ruth Good

"Posted on February 18, 2013 by Bancroft

"Sunday Feb 17 2013

"This morning we were up early to accompany the Bruce and June McIntyre and Chris and Jean Whittaker to church. The service was not in Parksville, however, but on Denman Island where Bruce leads the service one Sunday a month. We met the ferry for Denman Island at Buckley Bay, north of Parksville. After a ten minute ride across Bayes Sound, we drove to the Denham Island United Church. It is a small but beautiful building of wood construction, lined with cedar boards. This is a very old church. There is a display case with the Bible first used in the church,dated 1879.

"The enthusiastic choir had 7 members including two men this day. Some days there are two more members. They present an anthem every Sunday and sometimes more than one.
Every week after the service, there is a pot luck lunch and time of visiting. We joined them for lunch and were made very welcome.
Denman Island has a land area of slightly less than 20 square miles and a year round population of 1016.

"After lunch we did some beach combing at Fillongley Provincial Park and toured the island then back to the ferry to return to Vancouver Island. At Fanny Bay Bruce stopped to show us sea lions. This was a chance happening as the sea lions feed on herring and there is a herring run now. When the run is over the sea lions go back out to sea." (Link 1.)

  Sign at Denman United Church  

(Link 2.)

Denman Island United Church (Link 2.)

The Hornby and Denman Island Grapevine reported on August 21, 2014 on the planned Denman Island United Church 125th anniversary celebration. "Our little white church was built and finished by local citizens.  It was consecrated as a Methodist Church in 1889, 36 years before the United Church of Canada was formed, and was one of the first churches built in the Comox Valley.  Services have been held there every Sunday since that time."  The celebration planned was a concert at the church.

Photo: Top photo taken in August 2014 by SW while driving past.

Link 1: http://carstairsunitedchurch.ca/?p=736

Link 2: http://comoxvalleyapictorialview.blogspot.ca/2013/01/comox-valley-south-denman-island.html

Prayer

God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW.)

                                                                                                                         December 7, 2014

941 Lynn Valley Road

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
North Vancouver, B.C.

"Since its organization in New York in 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a presence in Canada. The first Latter Day Saint missionaries to preach outside of the United States preached in Upper Canada; the first stake to be established outside of the U.S. was the Alberta Stake; and the Cardston Alberta Temple was the first church temple to be built outside of the current boundaries of the United States.

"As of January 1, 2011, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 182,415 members, 47 stakes, 325 wards, 5 districts, 155 branches, 8 missions, 7 temples, and 163 Family History Centers, in Canada." (Link.)

There are 10 churches in the greater Vancouver area with the first temple built in the suburb of Langley in 2010.

	131. Vancouver British Columbia		edit
	Location: Announcement: Dedication: Coordinates:  Size:  Notes:	Langley, British Columbia 25 May 2006 2 May 2010 by Thomas S. Monson 49.15067599972°N 122.6592250000°W 19,053 sq ft (1,770 m2) on a 11.77 acre (4.8 ha) site Open house was held in April and the dedication 2 May 2010.[9][10][11] First temple in British Columbia and 6th in Canada. (Link.)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in North Vancouver was first listed in the City Directories at the North Vancouver Archives in 1965. 

However, the congregation  met in Vancouver at Prince Albert Ave. and 14th Street until  1946 when they moved to  the North Shore.  As meeting halls they used the FOE Hall in lower Lonsdale, the IOOF Hall on Keith Road, and the Masonic Hall also on lower Lonsdale. Ground breaking for the church at 941 Lynn Valley Road was in 1962.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Lynn Valley Road opened on Sept. 6, 1964. (*)

Full Immersion Baptismal Font

The original building consisted of the Chapel (see right side of the top photo) and the north wing.  The north wing (see left side of the top photo) was made up of specialized classrooms,  a kitchen, and meeting rooms.  One of the meeting  rooms contained the Baptismal Font for full immersion baptism.

Cultural Hall

In 1976 an addition was built across the back of the church.  The Cultural Hall and more classrooms and meeting rooms were added.  The Cultural Hall and a small storage area are east of the original Chapel and separated with folding doors which allow for more Chapel seating when needed.  The Cultural Hall with its stage and wooden floor also can be used as a gym or theater space.

The Chapel

A further renovation took place in 1977.  This included updating of the Chapel.

The Sunday Services includes a worship service in the Chapel followed by group meetings in individual rooms.  The Sunday congregation numbers from 100-200. "The teens meet five days a week (except holidays) for seminary (religion class)." (*)

Service groups includes monthly collecting of donations to the Food Bank from the community. The women of the church also meet to make kits for Relief Projects.

Thank you: To Bishop Ivan Ng and Brother Cordell Rolfson and 
                 Sister Marilyn Rolfson and *Norma Pollack.
Photos: Taken in May 2014 by SW.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_in_Canada

Prayer

God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW.

                                                                                                         11/30/14
 
                                                          

The original 1961 St. Pius X Multipurpose Building    
1150 Mount Seymour Road 
(2014 Photo)

                       (Now used as a gymnasium  of St. Pius X  Elementary School)

                (With living space and music room addition added to the front)

Posthumous 
St. Pius X Catholic Church Multipurpose Building

North Vancouver, B.C.

St. Pius X Catholic church started as a mission of St. Edmund's Catholic Church (See Blog Post  6/26/11) in 1944.  It was started to serve the sizable Catholic population revealed in the census report of Deep Cove, the most western section of the District of North Vancouver.  The first mass was offered in a storage room, then across the street at the Deep Cove Community Hall.

"In 1960 six acres of land were purchased near the intersection of Mount Seymour Parkway and Mount Seymour Rd.," up the mountain and west of the community of Deep Cove.  "In 1961 a multi-purpose facility, including a pastor's residence (at the left end of the building in the photo below) and a hall seating six hundred, was built." (REF.) 

St. Pius X Catholic Church-1984

In 1981 part of the original property was sold and in 1984 a new church was built at 1150 Mt. Seymour Rd.

 St. Pius X Elementary School

North building

In 1997 St. Pius  X Elementary School was built.  The school has two buildings. The northern building contains the school office and classrooms.  The southern building is the original 1961 all purpose building and is now  the school gymnasium. The original all purpose building is seen in the two photos below-the elevated roof. The caretaker's living quarters and the music room were added on to the front of the building. 

West side of south gym wing of school
(Note elevated roof of 1961 Multipurpose Building)

South side of south gym wing of school
(Note elevated roof of 1961 Multipurpose Building)

For more information on St. Pius X Catholic Church see Blog Post 11/6/11.

Note: In this case Posthumous means that although the building is still in use 
          it is not used as a Sanctuary for Sunday Services.  

Photos: Taken in 2011 and May 2014 by SW.

Reference:Traditions of Faith and Service, Archdiocese of

                      Vancouver 1908-2008.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Pius_X

Link 2: http://saintpiusxparish.ca/

Link 3: http://www.saintpius.ca/

Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW.)

535 Marmont Street

(1960 Church)

Como Lake United Church
Coquitlam, B.C. Canada

Dot indicates Como Lake United Church

(Google Map)

"Coquitlam /koʊˈkwɪtləm/ (2011 census population 126,840)^[3] is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Coquitlam, mainly a suburban city, is the sixth-largest city in the province and is one of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver. 

Como Lake

(Link 5.)

"The Austin Heights area contains Como Lake, a renowned urban fishing and recreation area, and headwaters for the Como watershed. The watershed represents one of the last urban watersheds in the Tri-Cities that supports wild stocks of coho salmon as well as other species at risk such as coastal cut throat trout (both sea-run and resident) and bird species such as the Great Blue Heron and Green Heron.^[16] It also contains Mundy Park, one of the largest urban parks in the Metro Vancouver area." (Link 3.)

"Blue Mountain Park is one of Coquitlam’s original municipal parks. It offers an urban forest setting with tall Douglas Fir, Red Cedar, North Red Oak, and several Redwoods." (Link 4.)  This park is kitty-corner from Como Lake United Church.

"Activity in the Como Lake area of Coquitlam began with families meeting in homes in the area in 1924, although the congregation is first mentioned in the 1928 yearbook. It is not known whether the United Church congregation was preceded by any Methodist or Presbyterian activity. 

 Central United Church, Austin Avenue, 1926*

                                                           

"A small wooden church was completed on Austin Avenue in 1926 and named Central United Church. Before becoming a separate charge around 1950, (Susan: 1925-1952) Central United was part of the Port Moody Pastoral Charge from approximately 1930.

1951 Church, corner of King Albert Ave. & Marmont Street.
started Sept. 9, 1951* 

" In 1951, (*1952 to 1960) with the congregation growing, the church moved to a new location on King Albert and Marmont Streets. The church's name was subsequently changed to Coquitlam Central United Church, but this caused confusion with the church in Port Coquitlam. At the 1956 Congregational meeting, the Congregation voted to change the name to Como Lake United Church.

Sanctuary

Banks of side Sanctuary Windows

"A new church was built to accommodate growth and was dedicated on 

December 4, 1960. (See top photo.)

Auditorium Expansion behind the Sanctuary

"Major expansions were completed in 1976 and 1986." (Link 1.) (*The old church building remains the current Fellowship Hall.)

Note: In 1969 Richard Wilson, Suzanne's son and contributor to Churches on Sundays blog and now living and working in Basel Switzerland, was baptized at Como Lake United Church.

Thank you: To *Susan Beer, Church Office Administrator,  for an e mail with 
                         photos of original churches and related dates.
Photos: Taken in September 2014 by SW.
Link 1: http://www.memorybc.ca/como-lake-united-church-coquitlam-b-c
Link 2: http://comolakeunitedchurch.com/
Link 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coquitlam
Link 4: http://www.coquitlam.ca/parks-recreation-and-culture/parks- 
               and-trails/park-finder/Blue_Mountain_Park.aspx

Link 5: http://www.letsgobiking.net/2013/01/56-coquitlam-parks-mundy-
               blue-mountain.html

Prayer

God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW.

Hospital Chapel

University Hospital, Chapel
Basel, Switzerland

                                                                Hospital Strasse 21 / 
                                                                     Petersgraben 4 
                                                                         4031 Basel 

"The University Hospital Basel is one of the leading medical centers in Switzerland with high internationally recognized standard. The doctors, physicians and nurses work around the clock based on the latest scientific findings and the latest medical technology equipment for the welfare, safety and recovery of patients.

"The close cooperation of the University Hospital Basel with the oldest university in Switzerland and the world's leading life science companies in Basel guaranteed interdisciplinary treatment concepts and innovations in all medical disciplines at the highest level. This transfer of knowledge comes in a distinctive mass and the teaching and research as well as education and training to good." (Link 1.)

Note: Son Richard was in the hospital for surgery on his foot after a
                        car drove over it.
Thank you: To Claudia at the University Hospital Church taken 
                        September, 2014.
Link 1: http://www.unispital-basel.ch/das-universitaetsspital/

Prayer

God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW.

Theodorskirch in the Wettstein-Quarter of Basel

Theodorskirch

Basel, Switzerland

"The Theodor church is a Reformed church in the town of Basel. The Gothic church is located in the Wettstein-Quarter and... St. Theodor." (Link 1.)

A document first records the church in 1084. "At the beginning of the 12th century it belonged to the monastery of St. Alban. It is located upriver from present-day Klein Basel in the later abandoned village of Lower Basel....Tombs from the 8th century were found 1947...When Basel earthquake (hit)  in 1356 large parts of this church were heavily damaged.... Both church towers were collapsed in part...Only the north tower was later rebuilt." (Link 1.) 

"Renovations took place 1941 to 1948." (Link 2.)

'.

Exterior  Front Church Wall

The original organ was built in 1770...A new organ was built in 1917 by J Zimmerman...The organ was rebuilt and refurbished in 1978.  Then in 2005 (Link 3.) "the (present) organ was built by the organ builders Alfred and Daniel Kern."  Church concerts are performed occasionally. (Link 1.) 

  

Church Tower

Photos: Taken in August 2014 by Richard Wilson while living and working in 

                 Basel, Switzerland.  
Link 1: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodorskirche_(Basel)
Link 2: http://www.altbasel.ch/fromm/sttheodor.
Link 3: http://peter-fasler.magix.net/public/BSProfile2/theodorref.htm

Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)

                                                                                                                         November 2, 2014

1384 Deep Cove Road

The Bridge 
North Vancouver, B.C. Canada

"The beginning of our church go back to post World War II when the Mount Pleasant Baptist church in Vancouver first established a Sunday School on the North Shore.  The original chapel at 515 West Windsor Road and Sunday School rooms were constructed in 1955...and Delbrook Baptist Church was established. (REF.) The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives indicates that a$27,000 permit was issued to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 1956.

Original 1956 Chapel-2013

The Building Permit book at the North Vancouver Archives lists a 1962 church addition at Delbrook Baptist church.  This larger building with its distinctive roof shape (seen in the photo at the top) includes the new sanctuary with a large rear balcony and center peaked roof outlined in a circular fan of beams. Windows march around the top of the walls where they meet the ceiling, emphasizing its octagon shape.

1962 Addition The Bridge bought St. Clara-in-the-Cove Anglican Church (See blog post 4/3/11.) in 2014. The church is used for office space as Sunday services continue to be held at Capilano University Centre for the Performing Arts. Sign at 2014 Church

Photos: Taken by Suzanne Wilson.
See Blog Posts 3/17/13 and 4/3/11.

Prayer

God, be with the persecuted Christians through out the world. Amen (SW.)