March 18, 2012

                                          137 West 6th Street                                           

  Front of St. Mark's Lutheran Church

                                                             (Architectural Plans)

Posthumous
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
North Vancouver, B.C.


"In the Beginning: St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (LCC)
In reviewing Lutheranism on the North Shore we think of two synods – The American Lutheran Church (ALC) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). These synods are known today as Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Lutheran Church Canada (LCC)

West Side of St. Mark's Lutheran Church
(Architectural Plans)

"The Reverend Fred T. Gabert, historian, notes “that a canvass in the spring of 1934 resulted with the first service being held on June, 1934, by Rev. O.A. Schedler, Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Vancouver, BC in the Knights of Pythias Hall on 4th Street and Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, with 26 in attendance." (Link.) 

In 1947 the congregation moved their services to a hall on the second floor of the Masonic Temple at 1140/1144 Lonsdale Ave.    The 1965 Fire Insurance Map at the North Vancouver Archives  labels the northern hall in the Masonic Temple as "Gospel Hall".  There they worshiped surrounded by framed photos of Eastern Star matrons, hanging on the walls. (Herb Shopp)

Sanctuary St. Mark's Lutheran Church

                                                          (Architectural Plans)

 St. Mark's Lutheran Church at its opening 1955

In 1955 the congregation of St. Mark's Lutheran  participated in the building of a new church at 137 West 6th Street.  Herb Schopp made the altar, pulpit, and the communion rail in the sanctuary.  The pulpit was to the right of the chancel. At the back of the sanctuary were steps leading up to a small balcony. Laminated beams supported the roof. (See photos below.) 

Altar and Communion Rail made by Herb Schopp

Sanctuary-note laminated beams
and pulpit to the right of chancel

The organ bought by Herb Shopp from St. Andrew's and St. Stephens Presbyterian Church in 1956/7 for $50 was installed in the new church.  It was used for five years.

Rear of Sanctuary-note steps to balcony

Herb's wife, Connie, also had a long history with St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Her family with five children attended services there.   All the children were baptized there, went to Sunday School and Vacation Bible Study, and were confirmed there.  The Pastor was Clifford Guebert when Connie was confirmed.

Sanctuary

The mosaic above the front doors of the church were made by the Sunday School classes. (See photo below.)

Mosaic and Front Doors

St. Mark's Lutheran Church was built at 137 West 6th Street in 1955.  This area surrounding the Victoria Park boulevard in the City of North Vancouver was later designate for apartment buildings.  The church was sold in 1969.  

1960 Fire Insurance Map

"Temporary services were conducted at Eastview School, North Vancouver. While St. Mark’s was searching for suitable property to relocate, Mount Olivet invited them to conduct their worship at the latter’s new premise. This was accepted and on January 1, 1970, St. Mark’s moved to Mount Olivet" (Lutheran Church at 1700 Mountain Highway in North Vancouver District.) (Link.)

Thank you: To Herb and Connie Schopp for the photos of St. Mark's and  the
                 related information. Herb and Connie Schopp are now members of
                 the congregation at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church.
Photos: Architectural plans and copies of church photos by Herb and Connie
                 Schopp are available at the North Vancouver Archives
Reference 1: 1960 Fire Insurance Map
Reference 2: Blog Post "Mount Olivet Lutheran Church",  3/27/11.
Reference 3: Blog Post "St. Andrew's and St. Stephens Presbyterian Church",
                 June 16, 2013.
Link: http://www.mtolivet.ca/

Prayer

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