August 12, 2012

Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church
1160 East 29th Street

Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church
North Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church actually started in downtown Vancouver.  It was an expansion of the  1955  Home Missions  from the Vancouver Evangelistic Tabernacle there. It began with a Christian woman, Mrs. Shier witnesses  her faith in Christ, house to house.  Next children's meetings were held in  a store front. (Link 1.) The first North Vancouver church building was on a 2626 East 29th Street lot. "It was five years later, December 21st, 1960, that the Church became a separate society and after another five years land was purchased on the present location and a small "temporary" building was erected with the hope of eventually erecting a larger facility in the future." (Link 1.)  Sanctuary (Link 2.) In " the mid "80"s, ... the Evangelistic Tabernacle and the Apostolic Church of Pentecost of Canada came along side of the small congregation to erect a building.... On November 5th, 1982 the Church became an independent society, named "Lynn Valley Full Gospel Church" and soon the land title and deed of the properties were transferred to the Church.  During this time, the Church began to consider a joint project with a group building condominiums next to the church and a group seeking to build a professional centre also next door....construction began in early 1986." (Link 1.) Church from parking lot entrance "Valley Church", which is the name we have become known as, has grown steadily since the late 80's, eventually adding another service on Sunday mornings. The Church is notably multi-racial and inter-generational. In recent years the structure of the Church has been developing to recognize the leadership of the elders and to release as many members of the body into various areas of ministry and leadership. Starting in the fall of 2000, Valley Church leadership decided to move the congregation towards becoming a cell church. This process is still "under construction", but the aim is to see the members of the congregation meet in various dynamic cells throughout the city during the week and then on the weekend meet together as a worshiping congregation to celebrate around the Lord Jesus Christ."(Link 1.) Reflection of cut-out cross in windows above the entrance Today this church with its distinctive cut-out cross at the entrance has a Sunday congregation  the church  attendance of 400 to 450. (Link 2.) Note: The Building Permit Book at the North Vancouver Archives records that the Lynn Valley Evangelical Tabernacle applied for a permit in 1961 the last at 1160 East 29th Street. The value of the church was $7500.

Photos: Taken in 2012 by SW.
Link1: http://www.valleychurch.ca/
Link 2: http://www.theprovince.com/life/Lynn+Valley+Full+Gospel+Church/6722065/story.html