April 22, 2012

Holy Trinity Catholic Church

2725 Lonsdale Avenue

Holy Trinity Catholic Church
North Vancouver, B.C., Canada

"On February 13, 1948, the Archdiocese obtained the title to six lots on the corner of Lonsdale and 27th Street. Forty families formed the nucleus of the parish. At first they met for Mass and other church services in the basement of the home of Captain and Mrs. John Marron who lived at 3361 Lonsdale Ave. By December of 1948 the rectory was completed and Midnight Mass was held in the temporary chapel in the basement. For the next two years as many as 100 people squeezed into the tiny chapel. In the spring of 1950 construction began on the new church. And it was dedicated by Archbishop William Mark Duke on Trinity Sunday, May 20, 1951." (Link 1.)

Sanctuary

Arcades were later added to the south and north side of the sanctuary to increase the seating capacity.  Paintings of the Stations of the Cross line both of these arcades.  As well, in the north arcade is a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe (See Link 3.) and a statue of St. Joseph, the patron saint of Canada. (See Link 2.)

Our Lady of Guadalupe

St. Joseph, patron saint of Canada

"In 1954 additional land was acquired for parish growth and the construction of a new elementary school. (A new school was completed in 2012.) 

2012 School

"Expansions of the church, hall and kitchen have occurred in 1958, 1962, 1992, and 1997 increasing the capacity of the church to accommodate 425 people and church hall to 176. The parish now has 1,303 households registered and ministers to 3,600 people. " (See Link 1.)

North of the church is the church office building and the 1921 craftsman style house that was purchased by the church in the 1950's for use as a convent for the sisters teaching at the Holy Trinity Elementary School. (City of NV Heritage Inventory.)

Convent

 In the garden north of the convent is  a shrine to Mary.

Shrine

Holy Trinity Catholic Church strives to serve the spiritual needs of its parishioners and the community.  The door to the Perpetual Adoration Chapel is next to the front doors of the church.  This chapel is open for prayer 24 hours a day.  And each year during the Christmas season, a nativity display above the front doors of the church tell the residence of North Vancouver, B.C. that "Christ is Born."

Christmas 2011, Nativity, above the front doors

Photos: Taken in 2012 by SW.
Link 1: http://holytrinityparish.ca/?page_id=35
Link 2: http://archdioceseoftoronto.blogspot.ca/2009/03/lenten-reflection-st-joseph-patron.html
Link 3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe
For Further Information: North Vancouver Archives files.
                                                     Traditions of Faith and Service.
                                                     City of North Vancouver 1994 Heritage 

     Inventory, p.111.